“BHARATI RAO always maintained a very balanced outlook that I admire”
Former State Bank of India chairperson and current CEO & Chairperson, Salesforce India, ARUNDHATI BHATTACHARYA has enjoyed the mentorship of a fellow 'lifer' in banking
"I spent 40 years of my working life with the State Bank of India, so it is not surprising that I met the woman I consider a mentor there. Bharati Rao is the first woman to have become the Deputy Managing Director of the bank. Like me, she was a 'lifer' at the bank, and I learned much from her, sought her counsel often, and was always guided very well.
“As a junior, going up before the final credit committees was always scary, because you never knew what questions would be asked; you were expected to have the answers so that the proposal would not be deferred. Many would get impatient with us, but she would take the time to help us understand how the numbers could be interpreted, to coach us so that, the next time, we were aligned with the priorities of the top management.
“I also know that, with at least one promotion, when I was the youngest and junior-most, when most of the board felt that my promotion could be deferred by a year because I could 'afford to wait', she and another lady board member were very clear that if I was found suitable, then age and the year should not be of any consequence. That played a big part in my getting up to the level I did, because, otherwise, I would not have had the residual service to qualify.
“Subsequent to her retirement, I have been with her on many boards, and have always appreciated her contributions for being extremely balanced and useful, especially with difficult items on the agenda. Sometimes, there were provocations, but I've never seen her losing her temper. She always maintained the very balanced outlook that I admire.
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Femina.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Get Out Of Text Tension
Ravina M Sachdev shares insights on how fexting might be ruining your relationship and how it can backfire in the long run
Pick Your Patterns Of Love
Prachi Rijhwani teaches you a thing or two about how to embrace healthy dating practices
TAME THAT TEMPER
You've probably seen children sprawled out on the floor in department stores or during festive occasions. Ever pondered the reason behind their behaviour? It is called toddler aggression and here's how to handle it.
HOW YOUR PALS POWER YOUR LOVE
Prachi Rijhwani discusses the positive impact of healthy friendships on your love life
An ITALIAN AFFAIR
TOSCANO has just opened another outpost in Wakad, and Pune is all for it
MAKING IT BIG
Restaurateur DHAVAL UDESHI talks to Ravina M Sachdev about starting from scratch in hospitality and making it big
SUNDAY BRUNCHES WITH Avartana's Award-Winning Food
Enjoy a Sunday brunch with the meticulously-curated menus at concept restaurant AVARTANA at ITC Maratha, Mumbai.
Of Culture And Curry
EDDIE SCOTT, winner of MasterChef UK 2022, knew that he needed to expand the West's horizon of Indian food beyond the notion of butter chicken and curry. He tells Shraddha Kamdar how he has attempted to do it with his book Misarana
THE WAY OF THE WATER
Happy, luxurious, chic, good times are the only way to roll on a vacation. AMBIKA MUTTOO has found her new favourite spot in the Indian Ocean, and is letting you in on the secret
HOT RIGHT NOW
All things fresh and fun in the beauty space