What does it take to not just survive, but to thrive in the investment banking industry? As a female leader, what are the challenges that one has to deal with? What does it take to power through when you’re disregarded and not taken seriously because of your gender? The Rizing Equality Summit 2024 sought to explore these questions.
Manisha Girotra, CEO at Moelis India, remarked that amidst dealing with prejudices that mostly stem from how men treat women, what helped her a lot was her father, who gave wind beneath her wings. So, even when someone didn’t shake her hand at an office or when she had been asked to iron the clothes of a male co-worker, she thought that the people behaving this way were strange and there was something wrong with them, not her. When she shared her experiences that she faced at work when she went home, she was told that she was challenging patriarchal norms, so it was imperative to keep pushing and not get disheartened.
Girotra opined that women may face Imposter Syndrome, having been born to perfectionist mums and homemakers who want to do everything perfectly, so even if a tiny thing goes wrong, women may end up feeling like they’re not cut out for the task or job. On the other hand, there may be men who have very little capabilities who would be audacious enough to ask for a promotion, with a self-assurance that they would learn on the job. So, women may be too hard on themselves and not cut themselves any slack; only if they feel that they’re very good at something, they would do it. Therefore, it is important for women to be kinder to themselves, to push themselves harder, have confidence and show resilience & that way, they would emerge victorious.
Girotra also finds it important to have a life outside of work and be amongst a circle of people who don’t give a damn about what you do, because a job isn’t one’s whole life. One’s personal life helps one realize that when they go to the boardroom, whatever happens is not personal and that’s what keeps her grounded. One’s personal life helps them to soften the blow and puts things in perspective and it is, also, important to have a hobby and something that keeps you going.
Dealing with self-doubt can be tricky, but over time and with experience, you stop worrying about whether you would pull it off. People are, also, worried about technological changes, so it is key to learn how to live with disruption, especially in the face of AI. Girotra remarks that one must be open to learning, upskilling and reskilling.
She, also, states that what’s hurting women today a lot is unconscious bias, so it’s important to have men be part of the solution, with stigma still prevalent, when it comes to maternity or paternity leave. Girotra hopes that people stop judging women and men, who are allies to women unfairly, and stop seeing them as weak. She emphasizes that one could only have a seat at the table when they have assets or financial means, so it’s important to get rid of the devastating norm that men must take care of the money, even if women earn it, because this creates more control over women and hinders them from having a say over the financial assets.
Girotra remembers some of her most challenging times including when no one would make eye contact with her at boardrooms or when women have a child, they are first judged as caregivers. She strongly believes it’s important to support women through difficult phases, for women will come out stronger. Furthermore, not being open to new ideas creates stagnation.
Watch the entire interaction here:
What would you do the next time you’re not taken seriously? How will you power through?
