Ritu Mittal, Head of Marketing and Digital at Bayer Consumer Health recently mentored over a 1000 women leaders program, where she engaged with a large cohort of mid-career professionals.
At Storyboard18’s Share The Spotlight event, Mittal shared an observation from the mentorship program. One of the initial challenges that a lot of women in mid-career levels face if belief in themselves.
She said, “This was an area where I could offer my opinion, my personal story. For others to believe in you, it is important to believe that you can do it.”
A second observation that she noticed is rather common. A lot of women feel confused and wonder how they’ll juggle their personal and professional lives once they have a child.
“As a result of this, a lot of women managers and leaders take a step back long before they actually need to. They start taking decisions to not travel here, not take up that project. That is what needs to change. It is very possible to have a career and a fulfilling life at home,” Mittal said.
Mittal shared a piece of advice that she got when she had just become a mother and joined back at work. She said that she too was in doubt if she should continue, wondering how she would manage.
“Focus on quality over quantity. Focus on what you are doing at that point of time. When you are at home with your child, focus on that. When you are in the office, just focus on work,” she said.
Storyboard18’s Share The Spotlight event was a resounding success with women from all walks of life shared their diverse experiences and achievements with one another, illuminating the power of sharing experiences.
Share The Spotlight calls on us all to come out and share words of praise and encouragement for each other, appreciating and acknowledging the contributions of so many people who make businesses, brands and workplaces better. Learn and understand how to face challenges and seize opportunities while bringing along others on the path to progress.