We Don’t Need Super Powers to Make a Comeback!
If you’re toying with the thought of returning to the workplace after a sabbatical, take a cue or two from these much heard about, read about and admired women across different walks of life.
Let’s start with India’s own Kajol, Mehr Jesia, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai…these stars and many more have one thing in common - marriage and kids. Most of our stars did return to their favourite place, the screen after a break.
Some very successful women in the world of business have balanced personal lives with their careers too. Closer home we can talk of Chanda Kocchar who is CEO of ICICI Bank, Naina Lal Kidwai, Chairman of HSBC India – both married, one with grown up children too! These are just few examples in a crowd of many,
What can we learn from these celebrated people and several other successful women at the workplace?
Taking a Break is OK!
The main concern that plagues a woman’s mind – will I be able to get back to work without losing out on my seniority?
Stay connected to your line of work while on a break. But bear in mind - A break is OK!
Priorities are your own Perspective
Some women opt to go back to work immediately after their honeymoon or maternity leave.
The two most common reasons for not resuming work immediately after include ‘feeling guilty’ at leaving the child behind or ‘not having enough support’.
If you are lucky enough to find a way around it, by setting up a crèche or having a family member look after your child when you’re at work, it can work wonders too!
Smaller Tasks
Superstars like Kajol and Aishwarya Rai took up smaller assignments post marriage or childbirth until they were ready to take on bigger projects.
Many women in India end up leaving their jobs when pregnant or after maternity leave because the companies tend to not give them the same importance or roles as before. Companies do often feel that as a mother, the general outlook is ‘you can’t devote enough time to work’. While the child is young, taking up smaller roles / assignments may not be all that bad as a temporary arrangement.
You can Get to the Top
Chanda Kocchar, present sitting CEO of ICICI Bank is a power woman, married, with two grown up children. She was quoted once as saying ‘I urge all women to believe in themselves, they are capable of running a successful professional life as well as a successful family life’.
A Change always Helps
A lot of women do focus on creating a professional grounding along with marriage and child birth. Others choose to change track. For instance, although film stars like Kajol returned to the big (and small) screen, you could see a change in what they did. The kind of roles changed, she suddenly did more advertisements. You can have it all, you just have to decide how you would like to get it.
Image Source - Google