Q: ARE KINDER WORK PLACES MORE PRODUCTIVE?

Bazaar speaks to three female business leaders, fronting some of the biggest companies in the country, on how they manage to remain compassionate while staying competitive, and taking their brands to newer heights.

- Humra Afroz Khan

An increasing number of studies are throwing light on the fact that leadership can no longer function in a world of ‘tough boss’ values...the one who demands and pushes hard. In fact, in a white paper published by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), “Many leadership theories suggest the ability to have and display empathy is an important part of leadership”. And according to several researchers such as Bar-On &Parker (2000) and Salovey & Mayer (1990), among others, empathy—which is central to emotional intelligence— is crucial to being an effective leader. But how does one strike the balance between performance and expressing kindness? Three female businesswomen share with Bazaar India how they have achieved the delicate balance, and also how they have benefited from it.

Accenture India, for instance, have put into place various programmes and policies towards creating value for all stakeholders, be that clients, teams, or partners. “We have an ongoing commitment to supporting marginalised communities through our ‘Skills to Succeed initiative, and are using digital technologies and ecosystem partnerships to deliver outcomes. Reflecting our commitment to inclusion and equality, we have skilled more than8.7 a million Indian women, youth, and persons with disabilities for the digital economy,” shares Rekha M. Menon, Chairperson and Senior Managing Director at Accenture India. Of the beneficiaries, 46 per cent are women.

REKHA M. MENON,

Chairperson and Senior Managing Director, Accenture India