| | APRIL 20198EXPERTS TALKLooking back at the times, the dynamics of the Board Room has changed. Today, more women are being encouraged and welcomed in the corporate world not only to follow, but also to lead. It is overwhelming to see that talking about, discussing and addressing gender diversity and feminism is not a taboo anymore. These matters have gained par-amount importance to an extent that our talent management and development functions have es-tablished elaborate procedures to tackle the need of the hour and are putting their best foot forward to implement these policies.Why I choose to write on this subject has more psychological reasons than anything to do with the actual caliber of female employees. A few years back, I came across an interesting read which touched me when I read the fact that back in 2007, women held slightly less than 17 percent of seats on U.S. Corporate Boards and a similar low percentage of female managers made it to the executive level. It was like this mirror you hold to yourself and it gave me an insight into how women were perceived in the corporate world and helped me to shape my own career.An interesting concept that I would like to discuss in this article, which left me overwhelmed was `Imposter Syndrome' - a feeling of self-doubt by capable people. Both men and women are susceptible to the imposter syndrome; however, women experience the same more strongly than their male counter-parts. Not only do they experience this psychological phenomenon intensely, but they are also limit-ed by it and tend to consistently underestimate themselves.We women at some point in our careers have been entrusted with greater responsibilities at work and instead of patting our backs for bagging the same, we take a step back and question our own credibility and abilities to be able to live up to the responsibili-ties entrusted upon us. More than anything, this plague needs to be addressed to have better women leaders and to strengthen their will to lead. Today, it is safe to say that the organizations benefit im-mensely when they have women in their top ranks. Women bring-in a nurturing leadership style and a different perspective which not only improves the organization's culture, but also improves the top line and it has become common WOMEN & THEIR WILL TO LEADBy Aparajita Upadhyay, Head - Women's Wear, JOCKEYAn alumnus of SIOM, Pune, Aparajita has an insightful experience in handling Non-Apparels & Apparels for Womensware & Kidsware. She expertise in market analysis, range & product selections, business analytics, promotional activities and many other areas. Prior to this, she was associated with Pantaloons.THOUGHT LEADERSHIPAparajita Upadhyay
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