#Superwomen2020 Creating work culture of equality is a force multiplier of innovation: Hansveen Kaur

Social Samosa Superwomen 2020 winner Hansveen Kaur, Business Head at Momspresso believes that if organizations want to thrive, they have to think equal.

A marketer with over 13 years of experience in the creation and successful execution of Marketing Strategy, Customer Experience Management, Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Business Development and Marketing operations in B2B & B2C, Hansveen Kaur is currently leading business for Momspresso and is among the winners of Superwomen 2020 under media leaders category.

In a tete-a-tete, she gets to define today’s superwoman and puts the spotlight on gender equality culture in the workforce.

How would you define a
Superwoman in today's day and age? 

Powerful, Elegant, Interpretive, Mysterious, Strong, Balanced – these to me are a few words that describe a Superwoman in today’s times. Superwoman is a multitasking maven, albeit without a superhero cape.

A woman who knows that she has limited time, energy and resources! She chooses wisely, practices self-care and respects herself enough to rest, enjoy moments in time, and take action where she can. She is a strong individual, is humble enough to concede her failures and is confident enough to learn from her mistakes. She receives help with grace and honesty because, with humility, she knows that being human means she can’t do it all herself.

One quality that you
think every superwoman has and that helped you win Social Samosa Superwomen...

I
think ‘Passion’ is something that drives us all. Loving
what you do means innovating, striving, challenging yourself. And it makes the
time one puts in pleasurable and worth every moment of our journey.

How successful have women been
in shattering the glass ceiling in the Media & Advertising field? Does the
'boardroom inequality' phrase still stand true? 

Women who held their own were serious about their career, were competent and professional, and succeeded. Women who had ambition grew! I personally feel that when you conduct yourself as a competent professional, the gender you belong to becomes immaterial. If you are making a strong strategy presentation, what matters is the content of what is being said rather than whether the person presenting it is in a suit or a skirt.

However, unfortunately, women in a leadership position might be a ‘hot topic’ for board room discussions but it certainly has its share of struggle before ‘Breaking the barriers of Glass ceiling’ in the new age of digital era. Thus, it is extremely important for women to grab opportunities that come their way, and not let societal biases affect their careers, their passions.

Also Read: #Superwomen2020: Be your own yardstick, says Soumini Paul

What are the key changes this industry needs in order to make workplaces gender-neutral, safe, and nurturing?

Creating a culture of equality at work is a force multiplier of innovation and growth. In today's times, it's not just an ethical imperative, but a business priority. If organizations want to thrive, they have to “get to equal.” Equality at the workplace drives employees' innovation mindset, intent to achieve and grow. Doesn't matter what the gender is, if people feel a sense of belonging and are valued by their organization for their unique contributions & efforts, they are empowered to innovate more, which in turn is beneficial for the organization's growth.

Given
the significant upside gender neutrality can bring, here are three ways in which
organizations can promote a safe and nurturing environment:   

1. Equal Opportunity: Employees like it when they are recognized and validated for the quality of the work that they do, not by the gender they belong to. Companies should exercise care by using gender-neutral pronouns, providing parental benefits/privileges to men and women, and enabling flexibility and pay parity to help women overcome the “motherhood penalty”.
2. Walk the Talk: Highlight your organization’s stance on an inclusive and gender-neutral workplace - offering flexible work options, clear policies on sexual discrimination, pay equality at all levels and promotions based on skillset.
3. Inclusive training and development: Gender diversity training helps employees understand how it can positively impact workplace dynamics, including better team and client relationships.

One Superpower you wish
you had? 

Well,
it may sound funny but ever since I was a kid, I wanted the ability of
uninhibited flight. Fly low or high, view anything, stop anywhere, go at any
time; imagine the freedom one would have. I have dreamt about flying numerous
times, imagined myself jumping off the top of skyscrapers, flapping my arms, soaring
above the land, a perspective only known and seen by a constrained few aided by
mechanics/technology, not by a God-given human ability of spontaneous flight! Since
it’s a superpower I would have the ability to travel superfast, saving so much
time. True freedom!

The 'Superwomen' you
diligently follow and who inspired you... 

They say, ‘the future is female’ and Indra Nooyi, one of the most successful, top honchos of our time, is a living, breathing example of the same. Well, she is someone who managed to rise to the top despite all social, cultural and gender challenges. So for me, she is a true inspiration!

One tip to women out
there attempting to scale heights... 

We can achieve anything we set our minds to,
so long as we believe that we are capable, competent and worthy. So just go for
it!