In a male-dominated industry, you might be surprised to find me as the General Manager (Design and Product Development) of an Indian company that exports home linen all over the world and is also a big player in the retail market. My journey to this position wasn't a path of roses. I had my share of challenges. While some are general challenges, others are women-specific. But my upbeat attitude, knowledge of different cultures, and extensive travelling experience has helped me overcome most of them.
In the design field, I have met some firebrand female bosses who have inspired me tremendously. These women were balancing their family and career perfectly, despite their time constraints, work pressures, and family obligations. In other areas of the industry, most of the high-ranking positions are dominated by men. The mills, especially, are a different story. Mills are generally headed by older men who are mentally rigid and do not appreciate change. At the beginning of my career when I would visit manufacturing units, these older men did not think I could come up with solutions to solve production problems. How could a girl barely out of college question age-old practices? Whenever I gave them a suggestion, the most popular phrase I have heard is - "No madam, not possible." But these incidents have never disheartened me, for I have accepted the reality. I fight off these gender biases in my own way.
Some pointers which have helped me in my career are: First, I work hard, very hard. There is no substitute for hard work. Second, I'm constantly learning. If you think a college degree at 23 is enough to sail you through a 30-year-long career, then it's time to change that mindset. The world is very dynamic. I started my career as a Textile Designer with a PG in Textile Design and Development from NIFT, Kolkata. Then, I completed my management program at NMIMS, Mumbai, at 35. Now I'm 43 and pursuing a Masters Program in Strategic Management and Leadership because it will keep me updated with my surroundings. I am looking forward to starting a PhD program soon. This brings me to my third point, staying informed. Be up-to-date with the latest news and trends. Certainly, knowing about new machines, cotton prices, and new trade laws has helped in all my conversations. Furthermore, respect your seniors. You can learn a lot from the guy who runs the machine. He may teach you practical things that you will never find in books. Finally, be one with your team. Sharing a meal or remembering a birthday will only show your human side. At the end of the day, we are all humans and emote similarly.
My inclusive personality has helped me throughout my career and life.
I'm not attached to my privileged upbringing or my designation. I'm flexible and accepting. I'm proud of my culture but also very accepting of a foreign one. As a professional, I have travelled a lot. I've represented my company at national and international trade fairs on multiple occasions. As a result, I'm well-versed in different cultures, accents, work ethics, and food habits.
Coming back to my life, I've always been a creative mind. I guess this is because of my family. My father is a brilliant artist and a sculptor. My mother is a singer, and my grandmother was a gifted seamstress. I was inspired by them. I always wanted to be in a creative field. My parents encouraged me to pursue my dreams and never pressured me to follow the beaten path. Primarily because of their emotional and financial support, I chose my path and became who I am.
My grandparents were a huge influence in my life. Both were freedom fighters. Their stories from India's freedom struggle had a lasting effect on my thought process. I still wonder how those men and women in their early 20s would lay down their lives or sacrifice their careers to build a free country, not for themselves but future generations. In comparison, when I was in my early 20s, my only worry was getting into a good college. Doing something substantial for the country is important to me.
For both these reasons, I chose textiles as my career. It is a creative industry and India is a treasure trove of traditional textiles, which needs to be promoted. After my first PG in textile design, I moved away from my hometown Kolkata to explore career possibilities. Initially, I had to take low-paying jobs and chose to work in handloom belts located in remote parts of India. This was a safety concern for me, but my positive attitude has helped me sail through.
India is the second largest exporter of apparel and home textiles, with a rich history of traditional textiles. However, the unorganised sector lacks leadership, finance, and infrastructure. Though there are many government initiatives we are still lagging behind. The competition is very cut-throat in the organised textile export scenario which is dominated by China. I've documented many of India's dying textile crafts like carpet making, loin loom weaving, metal work, traditional painting techniques, and embroideries. Our traditional textiles are slowly dying out due to the lack of support and the shrinking number of new generation artisans who leave the field for more lucrative jobs.
Despite the negatives, my passion, creativity, and skills drive me forward. There have been two major influences in my life: I have mentioned earlier, that my grandparents are first on the list. I have always admired their traits of selflessness. The other influence was the legendary Pakistani cricketer, Imran Khan. I admired him for his leadership qualities and extreme focus to achieve a goal. He is not only an excellent cricketer but a great leader. I listen to his old interviews often and am amazed at how he inspired his team. He always played the captain's innings. He had a great sense of "people" and knew what a trigger was for whom. It is imperative to know how to manage a team so they can work unified to fulfil a common goal.
Thanks to many factors, I'm currently in a respectable position in the textile industry. I believe I can offer you some practical advice because I've been working in the industry for 20 years. First, be very strong technically, go to the factory and learn practically. Stay informed on varied subjects - textiles, HRM, and costing. Knowledge is gold. Work hard, there is no easy way to reach the top. Learn people management. If you are a woman, prepare to encounter gender bias and have your own strategies to handle the same. I believe the root cause of gender bias starts at home. Generally, household responsibilities are shouldered by women. We are expected to be at home at a certain time and cook dinner instead of working late. Despite an important meeting, we must stay back at home to care for a sick child. To men, our careers seem to be less important than theirs, especially if they are earning more. A mentality is tough to change but some problems can be practically addressed. At the workplace, you need to prove yourself every day. Only hard work makes people take you seriously. Finally, never compare yourself to others. As Marilyn Monroe said, "Women who compare themselves to men lack ambition."