“Turn misfortunes into strengths”
One is constantly shifting between those roles that one is so used to doing— daughter, wife, mother, career woman. Partly it is the script that we have grown up with, the feeling that these different roles and lives need to be lived. And, at the end of the day, there is immense satisfaction in realising one can do well in all these roles, gaining acceptance and affection. Fortunately, I grew up in a home where both my brother and I were treated equally; there weren’t any pre-determined roles for either of us to fit into. It was from my mother I understood the importance of balancing work and life. Early in my career, I saw my mother coping with loss and grief. It was inspiring for me to know my mother’s strength, her ability to move ahead of setbacks and turn misfortunes to her advantage.
I am a firm believer in investing in enduring relationships. Relationships evolve over time and the most important ingredient in nurturing them is trust. If I have stable relationships at home and at the workplace, where I don’t have to agonise over words spoken or decisions made, it leaves me free to do more and contribute better. Trust also works wonders to help others relax better. I think it is like an orchestra where musicians, playing together, trust each other’s expertise, instincts and give out their individual best.