Ginni Rometty, Chairman, President and CEO of IBM: "I believe it’s very important to be a role model"

testing caching in SHEROES, SHEROES SHEROES, SHEROES, SHEROES and CEO of IBM, candidly shared an interesting anecdote from the nascent years of her career. 25 years earlier she was offered an important job. But instead of responding with excitement, back then, she experienced a moment of self-doubt.

“I said I am not sure. I need to go home and think about it. I was not prepared for the big job, “she recalls. “I talked to my husband and he said to me: ‘Do you think a man would answer the question that way?’ I went in the next day and took the job,” she shared with a room full of women leaders.

It’s hard to believe that a leader who exudes such confidence and strength, was unsure in the early stages of her career, something many of us experience every day. Perhaps, seeing more women in leadership roles can go a long way in changing this narrative. Observes Rometty,” We need a lot of role models around. I did not want to be known as IBM’s first woman CEO. But somewhere down the line I began to change. I believe it’s very important to be a role model.”

Addressing a mix of women entrepreneurs and professionals at the forum, Rometty also observed that in an era where technology is disrupting every realm of our lives, it is especially important for organisations to support employees. “Everywhere in the world, people should feel comfortable for whoever they are — whether it’s gender, religion or sexual orientation,” she said.

Another highlight of the event was Rometty’s fireside chat with none other than Chanda Kocchar, MD & CEO of ICICI Bank, who offered some great advice to women professionals and future women leaders. According to Kocchar, inculcating the three Cs - conviction, capability and confidence – are key to meeting your aspirations. She also encouraged women to dream big and work hard to make it happen but with a word of caution. “Rise on your merit. Don't expect or desire special treatment, “she said. Another sentiment that stays with us is her observation around mindfulness at work and in life. "Minute to minute prioritisation is the only way to ensure work-life balance for professional women. Whether you're in the board room or home, be present," she advised.

The event also saw women leaders from multiple spaces sharing their journeys and learnings. Vanitha Narayanan, Chairman, IBM India/South Asia, made a powerful comment that needs to be reiterated time and again. “There’s a lot that women can do for each other,” she said, and introduced us to two women leaders who have created networks that actively support women in their endeavours - Lathika Pai, Founder of SonderConnect, which supports women entrepreneurs, and Chetna Sinha, Founder and Chairperson of Mann Deshi Mahila Bank, a bank, run by and for women. Sinha shared that her journey was deeply inspired by one woman who wanted to save money to support her family.

Pai, who have mentored several entrepreneurs, offered an important nugget of advice. “When you’re going out there to pitch your business, it’s most important to be confident in your idea. Believe in your idea,” she emphasized.  

Listening to such powerful sentiments by women leaders left the women in the audience absolutely inspired. As India moved towards becoming a trillion-dollar economy, women will play a key role in this evolution, and it is important for women everywhere to move forward with confidence, conviction and faith in their own capabilities.