This Women’s day, MediaNews4U.Com is acknowledging women leaders of the Media, Marketing, Broadcast and Advertising fraternity who have given more than expected.
OMD is the world’s largest media network with more than 12,000 people working in over 100 countries. As the world grows with opportunities, the key is reacting to them, by making Better Decisions, Faster – combining innovation, creativity, empathy, and evidence to deliver better business outcomes. Named Adweek’s Global Media Agency of the Year in 2020 and 2019, OMD is ranked the best performing global media network overall according to RECMA, the world’s most effective media agency network in the Effie Effectiveness Index and was the most medaled agency network at the 2021 Cannes Lions Festival.
In this segment, Anisha Iyer – CEO – OMD India, shares her experiences and breaking the gender stereotypes and how she continues to inspire many other women who are true leaders in the making.
Journey
The iconic leader, Indra Nooyi, expressed the conflict between the biological clock and the career clock a few years back. This conflict has been congruent with my life. The pursuit of passion requires being agile and having a growth-oriented mindset. What it also needs is balance – a privilege that women cannot always afford in life. And I have been no stranger to the decision-making challenges this conflict can throw one’s way. A strategically planned pace – consciously striving for it – is essential for growth both personally and professionally. With the resolve to optimize my potential, this has been the crux of my journey so far.
Inspiration & Inspiring the Team
I’ve had two indelible impressions on my journey. My father was responsible for the first one. He brought me up in an environment free of gendered constructs – a thought process that reflects in my work ethic and overall outlook towards life. I was always the child, never the daughter and that made a world of difference to my approach to every attribute of life – education, sports, co-curricular – you name it.
The second golden advice was impacted by a senior leader on my first job in the US. I used to be inquisitive about why his driveway had two cars. There was a Porsche and a 1960’s red colour pick-up truck. So, one day I asked him the reason behind it. His words are etched on my mind, and I carry them with me to this day. He said that one reminded him of how far he had come in life while the other kept him rooted in the humble past. I carry these same principles of empathy and steadiness in leading my teams. BhiduBindaas – is a succinct description of my life philosophy. The freedom to be one’s authentic self at work is non-negotiable. I nurture the same for my team. This is the only way we can all inspire each other along our journeys.
Empowerment of women
My thoughts give credence to empowering people. There should be no gender disparity. Every individual is unique and vulnerable in different ways. How we cultivate the strength to make ourselves heard is our choice – a choice we make every day – personally or professionally. Whatever benchmark we set for ourselves, we must strive to remain empathetic and rooted.
