Life isn't about finding the right opportunity but creating it says Akriti Tyagi

Akriti Tyagi, Head - Marketing & Corporate Communications, Harper Collins India and a part of Social Samosa Superwomen 2019 gets candid.

Akriti Tyagi has had an impressive stint in the Media & Marketing province. From commencing her career as an Intern at Hindustan Times and a Trainee at Doordarshan, till playing various roles such as Anchor, Sr. Director & more at her around ten-year-long stint at NDTV.

Currently, she heads Marketing at the world-renowned Harper Collins Publishers' Indian arm. In a conversation with Social Samosa, she shares her thoughts on boardroom inequality, tips to women attempting to scale heights, and more.

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

To quote Alicia Keys, “Still when I'm a mess, I still put on a vest, With an 'S' on my chest, Oh yes, I'm a Superwoman!”

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

Only when you are put to the test, your true potential shines forth. In my opinion, a Superwoman understands that she can do anything she wants, but she can’t do everything. And hence, it comes in the need to delegate. To ask for help – it doesn’t mean you’re weak, it just means you have the foresight to prioritize your priorities. Create or find a support system for yourself to keep you tethered to sanity when the going gets tough. Seek help without hesitation.

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

I don’t think so. Gender diversity and inclusion have been adopted as best practices across industry sectors, more women are being hired at the entry-level which creates an impact on the talent pipeline resulting in significantly more women being promoted from within for managerial positions.

There are more women starting companies and becoming entrepreneurs. Indian Angel Network (IAN), one of the largest angel investor clubs in the country has seen ideas from women increase from 10% four years ago to 30% in 2018.

Several women-led leadership and mentorship ecosystems like empoWer, SAHA Fund, and Sonder Connect are coming forward to create the necessary infrastructure for women-led ventures to thrive.

Also Read: #Superwomen2019: We need more women representation in the industry: Sonia Huria Gupta, Viacom18

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

While I am aware of gender biases and inequality at the workplace when it comes to women, I can, without hesitation, say that having worked in two women dominated companies – NDTV & HarperCollins India, lots of organizations are definitely progressing towards gender neutrality and inclusion. I feel the need of the hour is to accept that women are as much, if not more, a part of a balanced, healthy & progressive culture. And they are here to stay!

One Superpower you wish you had?

Time Travel

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

I am sure it will sound clichéd, but it is my mother. I was born to a very strong, nurturing & independent woman. Who not only grew in her career as a Professor, juggled two errant kids but has always been the backbone of our family. It has been an ultimate honor to have been raised by her, to live up to her ideals and ethics and to proudly prove myself to her!

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

Life is not about finding the right opportunity but creating it. It’s not about how much we care in the beginning, but how much we care till the end.