#Superwomen2020 Gauri Awasthi on gender equality in the A&M industry

Social Samosa Superwomen 2020 winner Gauri Awasthi shares that women have been the torchbearers to success.

Former Head – Digital & Social Brand Advocacy at FAB India, Gauri Awasthi's experience of 15+ years comprises a multitude of diverse categories, been a visionary who can strategize and then motivate teams to deliver effectively and beyond.

Gauri Awasthi emerged as one of the winners of Superwomen 2020 and follows her vision which leads to her goal to-be-achieved.

Here she talks about her journey so far, gender neutrality in the workspace, and more.

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

Superwoman
is today’s hustle-bustle life is someone who is able to strike a perfect
balance between her professional and personal life at the same time without
neglecting any of the two. You dust out your office pressures, deadlines,
business forecast, office management the moment to touch your door-mat and
about to step-in home, likewise avoid taking too many personal calls if not
urgent; don’t avoid but just restrict your self at both ends

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

I firmly believe in setting priorities and questioning myself as to where do I picture myself 5 years from now. The answer to this question makes me work backward wherein my goal is set and I work towards achieving it. My son needs me as much as my team does and striking a perfect equilibrium between the two is challenging.

To maintain the equilibrium, firstly, I abide by my habit of penning down a to-do-list, which helps me, track and strike off the progress of work both in personal as well as professional life. In professional front I follow my vision which leads to my goal to-be-achieved, having a conviction on oneself and team’s efforts, and last but not the least be a people’s person, be empathetic to your team, which will help you bring the best out of them.

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

I think women have been doing exceptionally well and turning every possible stone out there in Media & Advertising field, they have been the torchbearers to success. No, I beg to differ that the “boardroom inequality” still exists in this era.

Also Read: #Superwomen2020 Give a platform of recognition to women: Tejal Daftary Mehta

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

At one instance we are saying that there is a striking equilibrium between men and women at work but the workplaces fail to deliver as per the expectations of working women. Such as creating relaxing/restrooms for women if we can give smoking zones for men, similarly having a crèche to keep your little ones there while you work, family day/trip which encourages women employees to enjoy with their kids and family in the work atmosphere itself, introducing no staying back late post 6 PM ensuring women safety if need be for extra hours then proper safety measures to be provided.

The HR and Training teams should work towards providing some training-workshops to especially women employees on - psychological, career growth, personal development, and performance coaching and feedback fundamentals. 

One Superpower you wish you had? 

If
I could be “Mr. India” sometimes so when needed can be invisible

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

“The Superwomen”, I am completely Awe-struck about is the terrific Ms. IndraNooyi, an Indian American business executive and former chief executive officer of PepsiCo. She has been consistently ranked among the world's 100 most powerful women because of her strong leadership merits. Leaders have a lot of power and influence. ... That's why it's important to cast the right shadow of leadership. Indra Nooyi, Chairman, and CEO of PepsiCo, shows the impact great leaders truly have – things like creating a vision, having the courage of your convictions, and unleashing the power of your people.

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

I don’t sacrifice one for the other, as I am a workaholic who loves to work all the time & a family person with multi-tasking abilities to cater to my home and personal life by being a good homemaker & a doting mother, so I don’t wish to procrastinate either of my responsibilities. Thankfully, a situation hasn’t arrived when I must make a choice between the two and I hope to continue handling both with equal ease.

Like I mentioned above to maintain the equilibrium, firstly, I abide by my habit of penning down a to-do-list, which helps me, track and strike off the progress of work both in personal as well as professional life. You can take this as a tip!