The world today is moving to a point where merit is agnostic of gender: Mitushi Verma

We, at Adgully, have always saluted and honoured women managers and leaders across diverse fields. Over the years, W-SUITE is a special initiative from Adgully that has been turning the spotlight on some of the most remarkable women achievers in the M&E, Advertising, Marketing, PR and Communications industry.

In conversation with Adgully, Mitushi Verma, Executive Vice President, FCB Interface, speaks at length about her advice to aspiring women leaders, how the industry has evolved and extended opportunities to women leaders, and much more.

How do you think the role and scope of women leaders has widened in the current market ecosystem?

Let me start by saying that there are no “women” leaders. There are only leaders. Let’s please take gender out of the equation.

Having said which, thankfully the world today is slowly but surely moving to a point where merit is agnostic of gender. The mighty glass ceiling is finally beginning to crack with women taking centre stage across different leadership roles across functions. At FCB, this has always been encouraged and which is why you see the agency being led by some stellar women leaders.

India is certainly showing green shoots. A report titled ‘Women in Business 2023 by Livemint - The push for parity’, noted that 32 per cent of senior management positions are now held by women globally, in mid-market businesses, and the same stands at 36 per cent in India. These are encouraging signs however we must note that the conversation now needs to move from women getting a seat at the table to them leading the table.

What is your mantra for maintaining a successful work-life balance in the new normal? According to you, what makes women the best in crisis management?

I have no mantra. Except that I am learning to unburden myself from the great adjective called “Super”. No, I am not a super woman, a super mom or super anything.

This has helped me take off the immense pressure of trying to manage everything on my own and to excel in it. I am now not shy of asking for help when needed. And no woman should be. Please seek help from your family, your organisation, your spouse. You will be surprised how willing they are on most occasions.

The new normal forced all of us to try something new – a new way of working. Most importantly, it taught us flexibility and empathy. The two virtues that have helped women managers navigate work and life a wee bit more smoothly.

Women inherently are multi-taskers and crisis managers. Being decisive and adaptable, and making quick decisions is essential for good leadership during a crisis and women are adept at that. They have an innate ability to identify and isolate the problem at hand, break it down to actionable steps and then attack that with sharp focus.

What are the five most effective leadership lessons that you have learned?

• Be Hungry: A leader who does not demonstrate the willingness and hunger to learn will seldom encourage learning behaviour in the team. Learning is an “always on” process, and the day we assume we know everything is when we stop knowing anything.
• Be Honest: Simple as it may sound, there’s nothing more important than this. Honesty fosters accountability. When leaders are honest, they hold themselves and their team accountable for their actions. This can help create a culture of responsibility, where everyone takes ownership of their work and strives to achieve their goals.
• Appreciate & Recognise: There’s nothing more rewarding than a pat on the back for a job well done. Don’t shy away from that. If you like something, say it.
• Know your people: Know their story, their dreams, their aspirations, their battles. Be compassionate. You will be surprised how these stories will help you get the best out of them.
• Practice what you preach: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A great lesson I learnt over the years. A mentor once told me, “don’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself”.
• Give it your all: Whatever you do, take it very seriously. Let it make you happy. Don’t ever shortchange the effort that is needed to do the best that you can.

Gender sensitivity and inclusion in the new normal – how can organisations effectively encourage and groom women leaders in challenging times?

I think the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The best grooming and encouragement that an organisation can provide is to give opportunities basis merit and not gender.

Please don’t let important milestones like “motherhood” come in the way of our ambitions. Motherhood is not end of our journey. It’s just the beginning of a better one. Yes, we change after we become mothers – but for the better. Don’t let us feel otherwise.