Celebrating Women in Leadership Roles at Libas

Are women leaders changing the dynamics of a company? Would you say having more women in leadership roles like Design Heads, CEOs, senior managers, AVPs, Marketing Heads, would make organizations more successful and bring a change in the culture of the professional landscape?

By embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and championing innovation, women leaders are not only reshaping organizations but also paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future. This International Women’s Day 2024, let’s celebrate the top women leaders who are spearheading their respective teams at Libas and taking the company towards the goal post of success. Today we have three most remarkable women of Libas - Aruna Kotru, the Head of Human Resources, Nisha Khatri, Head of Marketing and Shivangi Jaiswal, the Head of Design who will be sharing their thoughts and experiences and how it is to be a Libas woman.

Let’s begin. So, how would you define being ‘A Libas Woman’, Aruna Kotru, Head HR was quick to answer, a Libas woman is confident, independent and a beacon of inspiration! While Nisha Khatri, the Head of Marketing added, “She is just herself...confident, unabashed and full of play.”

Today, on the occasion of Women’s Day 2024, we are recognizing organizations who are playing a critical role in women’s success. Every organization is recognizing the pivotal role the women leaders play in shaping the growth trajectory of companies globally. They infuse fresh perspectives, resilience, and innovation in the organization’s strategies, hence playing the catalysts for the growth and transformation of the companies holistically. Let’s delve into how Libas is revolutionizing the dynamics of the company's growth by having so much diversity in its workforce.

Shivangi Jaiswal, who has been heading the Design team since the inception of the brand is aware of the brand’s design DNA. She brings the perfect amalgamation of her design sensibilities and the brand’s ethos to the table. She crafts design that instantly resonates with the customers. “After working for so many years with Libas, I think this is an organization that empowers women employees and gives opportunities for better career advancement, flexible work arrangements, and a supportive and inclusive culture. Libas not only values diversity and promotes work-life balance but at the same time also offers working professional development and addresses challenges such as gender biases. Overall, it’s a dynamic environment where women can thrive and make meaningful contributions to the organization's growth.” On the other hand, Nisha who is new to the Libas family shared, “Honestly, I don’t really get to think about my gender in my everyday schedule at Libas which now that I think of on the probe, is probably a testament to the fairness the leadership has maintained at Libas.”

Libas is an organization that believes in prioritizing equal opportunities and offering equal access to career development irrespective of gender. And the organization promotes that having diverse talent contributes to innovation and assists in the growth of the company.

In today's dynamic business landscape, resilience and adaptability are essential qualities for navigating challenges and driving growth. And undoubtedly, women leaders demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of adversity, adapting swiftly to changing circumstances and playing a fascinating role in steering their organizations toward success. What are your thoughts on this? Aruna’s said, “Women leaders are better communicators, adaptable and empathetic. They create a healthy work environment, promoting transparency, and integrity while nurturing younger talent.” And Nisha’s insightful views on the same shed some light on the same, “As Bill Gates said ‘Empathy is the biggest skill we are all yet to acquire’ but with women leaders the conversation becomes much easier. It could be the benefit of biology maybe, but workplaces become less redundant with women leaders leading the way. They are more mindful of both personal and professional growth of their team members.”

Furthermore, Shivangi agreed and added, “By promoting work-life balance and well-being, women leaders enhance productivity and morale. Women leaders drive innovation through collaboration and risk-taking, leveraging technology for efficiency. They serve as mentors, inspiring the next generation of diverse leaders. Overall, their impact extends beyond individual organizations, shaping a future of work that is equitable, innovative, and sustainable.

Being in a leadership position, our Libas women must have someone they borrow inspiration from. On Women’s Day 2024, when asked about the women in power they look up to from the current business landscape, we got some interesting answers. Nisha shared, “I am in awe of Taylor Swift particularly because she is an artist first, a fantastic one at that and has proved her marketing brilliance to the whole world. For me, she is the perfect example of breaking the glass ceiling.” While Aruna feels Indra Nooyi is the biggest inspiration for her. However, Malala Yousafzai, Kalpana Chawla, Bachendri Pal, Mary Kom, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw are popular icons she looks up to. And Shivangi admires Vandana Luthra, the founder of VLCC Health Care Ltd as a powerful businesswoman.

At Libas, women professionals are offered a transformative approach to work. With flexible working hours, work-from-home facilities and half-day options, Libas aims to create an environment that strengthens work-life balance and promotes nurturing skills and leadership qualities. We are aware that women leaders are passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent and strengthening the leadership hierarchy within an organization. Through mentorship programs and professional development initiatives, they empower aspiring leaders to reach their full potential, ensuring continuous growth and innovation.

As a mentor, what advice would you give to other women who aspire to become leaders today? “Stay inspired, keep innovating and give it all. Leadership can be attainable for anyone with the right mindset.”, Aruna shared. Further to this, Shivangi added, “With so many years of experience backing me, I will always advise women to believe in themselves and their abilities. Pursue your ambitions with confidence. Develop strong communication and negotiation skills and don't shy away from advocating for yourself and others. Finally, remember that leadership is not about a title but about making a positive impact and inspiring others to reach their full potential.” While Nisha advised that one should learn to say both yes and no at the right time. “We could have a lot of conditioning and stereotypes blocking our decision making and that might stop us from living up to our potential. Additionally, having a razor-sharp focus on the goal helps ease the process, it might not come easy in the first few times but if you catch up then the fruits are all yours to bear.”

Lastly, what is that one piece of advice that you've received early in your career and has stayed with you till today?

Nisha commented, “‘Say yes first and figure later’. I am a millennial, so I struggle to please people but honestly, I think it has mostly served me. This advice allowed me to challenge myself and experience exponential growth. It also allowed me to establish deeper bonds with both my superiors and colleagues.

Furthermore, Shivangi added to this by saying, “Always prioritize continuous learning and personal growth. Growth comes from stepping out of one's comfort zone, embracing new challenges, and being open to feedback and constructive criticism.” Adding to this, Aruna shared, “Little girls with dreams become women with vision. So be hungry to do better. Always be financially independent and keep the woman inside you intact.”

It’s always inspiring to work in an organization that practices equal opportunities for everyone and working with such remarkable women’s leaders certainly helps us to look forward to holistic growth. Let's continue to support and empower women leaders not just on Women’s Day but every day as they redefine the boundaries of success and inspire generations to come.

Happy International Women's Day 2024!