Walk the Talk: Women, Work, Equity, Effectiveness

• ISBN13: 9788126938933
• Binding: Paperback
• Subject: Business Management
• Publisher: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (P) Ltd
• Publisher Imprint: Atlantic
• Publication Date: February 10, 2024
• Pages: 352
• Original Price: INR 795.0
• Language: English
• Edition: N/A
• Item Weight: 380 grams
• BISAC Subject(s): General

We recognize that efficient utilization of human resources is essential for global economic growth, yet we see scarce representation of women in leadership roles.

We acknowledge that women are different, but fail to realize their potential as equals.

We accept that women need to be empowered, yet debate who should take the lead and who the stakeholders are.

This book has ideas and agenda for action to break stereotypes, shed invisible barriers, and create an ecosystem of empowerment. This can only be done when all stakeholders—employers, governments, NGOs, men, and women themselves— walk the talk in ensuring equity with effectiveness for women at the workplace.

A pioneering voice at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and organizational transformation, Anjali Hazarika draws on extensive research to develop a distinctive approach to rediscovering creativity through dreams, with a focus on enhancing individual and organizational innovation. Her work has been introduced to senior executives and public institutions across India and internationally, including Denmark, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK, and the US.

She has served as Honorary Vice President (APAC) of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, USA, and has been invited to address leading global forums such as the annual conferences of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, the International Association of Process Oriented Psychology (Switzerland), and the World Congress of the International Federation of Training and Development Organizations.

Formerly with Oil India Ltd, Anjali was the Founding Director of an Intercorporate Learning Network of 12 oil and gas companies, created to drive large-scale change in the petroleum sector. She has edited six monographs on critical industry themes and is a recipient of the National Petroleum Management Programme (NPMP) Award for Excellence under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

An Executive Coach in private practice and an Associate Coach with the Center for Creative Leadership (APAC), she advises senior executives and board-level leaders across sectors. She also serves as an independent expert on national innovation and public leadership platforms. Anjali holds a doctorate in management and postgraduate degrees in psychology and social sciences, and is actively engaged in advancing women’s leadership in the workplace.

• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• 1. Equality with a Difference 1
• A Complex Scenario with Vast Contradictions 8
• Two Models Based on Two Assumptions 13
• Why Differences Will Make a Difference? 25
• Redefining Leadership 26
• 2. In the Shackles of Stereotypes . . . Even Today 29
• Gender Stereotyping and Its Impact on Women’s Careers 30
• Encountering Glass Ceilings and Walls 31
• Myths About Women Executives 34
• Implications for Corporate Performance 55
• A Virtue of Necessity 76
• 3. The Tyranny of Invisible Barriers 84
• Will She Fit in? Challenges of Fitting in the Organizational Culture 89
• Career by Chance 91
• Is “Ambition” a Bad Word? 94
• The Tightrope Circus 102
• How Can Dreams Be Realized? 104
• viii Walk the Talk
• 4. Networks as Catalysts for Change 109
• Reflections on Formative Years of Women’s Network 114
• Fundamental Interventions That Made an Impact 115
• Collaboration with Other Agencies 120
• The Struggle for Sustainability 127
• The Power of Intercorporate Network for Change 132
• Lessons from the Intercorporate Initiative 137
• 5. The Skills for All Seasons 141
• Is the “Cream” Being Pushed to the Top? 143
• The Strategies for Success 145
• Understanding the Culture and Politics of the Organization 146
• Seeking Mentors and Role Models in the Organization 147
• Being Open to Constructive Feedback 150
• Developing Ability to Take Initiatives 153
• Building Resiliency and Change Readiness 156
• Honing Influencing Skills 158
• Dealing with the Challenge of Being Yourself 161
• Defining “Work–Life Balance” for Yourself 164
• 6. Coaching in the Rush Hour of Life 173
• Leadership Transitions 175
• Five Signature Themes in Live Action 178
• Managing Emotions 178
• Standing Up to Be Counted 183
• Ability to Deal with Trouble 188
• The Pitfalls of Overcommitment 191
• Developing a Strategic Mindset 194
• 7. When the Boss Is a Woman 198
• Ambivalence Is Everywhere 201
• What Is It Like to Work for a Woman Boss? 204
• Resistance to Women’s Leadership, Authority, and Expertise 209
• Contents ix
• Reclaiming One’s Own Power and Authority 212
• Crystallizing Leadership Identity 215
• Developing Leadership Brand 216
• Is It Worthwhile Being on a Board? 218
• A Case for Diversity on Boards 224
• 8. Creating Sanctuaries in Workplaces 232
• Jumping Off the Career Ladder the Only Option? 236
• Level the Playing Field 240
• The Power of Small Change 242
• Making a Business Case 244
• Different Strokes for Different Organizations 248
• The Best Practice Organizations 253
• 9. The Ecosystem of Empowerment 276
• Harnessing the Ecosystem 280
• How Can Government (Policy-makers) Make a Difference? 281
• How Can Employers Make a Difference? 297
• How Can NGOs Make a difference? 317
• How Can We Men and Women Make a Difference? 319
• How Can Civil Society Make a Difference? 322
• Index 329