This is the question we posed to the women leaders: What advice would you give to younger women from similar backgrounds to nurture their confidence and achieve their aspirations?
Confidence is not a text book topic to be studied rationally. A good way to study it is to see how others have boosted their confidence, and imbibing the lessons. Accomplished women who have forged their own paths, share their experience and advice for the benefit of other women.
Be Bold
Abhishikta Chadda Munjal, CRO at IIFL Home Finance, inspires young women to trust in their abilities and embrace their potential. She encourages them to believe in themselves and recognize their power to shape their own future.
She urges women to seek knowledge, develop new skills, and never hesitate to ask for help. “Building a strong support system, and surrounding yourself with positive influences – family, friends and mentors will always keep you motivated and focused,” she advices.
Abhishikta sees mistakes are part of growth which should be seen as stepping stones to self-improvement. Taking risks is essential for progress. “Be bold – fear nothing. trust in your strength, push your limits, and dare to dream big,” she asserts.
Passion Leads to Fulfilment
Echoing this sentiment, Aditi Mukherjee, Chief People Officer at NCDEX, advocates forging one’s own path rather than following predefined advice. She urges young women to take ownership of their journey as everyone’s path is unique, and the most valuable lessons come from lived experiences.
Highlighting the importance of perspective in professional growth Aditi feels that seeing work as a mere job can make it monotonous but approaching it as a career driven by passion transforms it into a source of fulfilment. Passion is her key to success – and that is what makes it possible to reach one’s highest potential.
Aditi underscores that confidence is not innate but cultivated through knowledge, experience, and resilience. “Confidence is not something you are born with; it’s built over time through knowledge, experience, and resilience,” she affirms.
Embrace Personal Strengths
Building on the theme of self-belief, Arti Shekhar, Sr. Exec VP & Chief Compliance Officer at Kotak Mahindra Prime, urges young women to explore the growing opportunities available to them. She points out that companies are actively working to bridge the gender gap and create pathways for women returning to the workforce.
As a mother of 2 teenagers, Arti understands the challenges women face, especially those with young children. “The journey may seem daunting, but remember, you don’t have to be a superwoman.” Instead, she recommends taking one day at a time and embracing personal strengths – whether as a full-time professional, a part-time worker, or a dedicated homemaker.
Arti gets her confidence comes from self-acceptance and recognition that every role has value. She believes that there’s no need to feel insecure or insignificant as success is about making choices that align with one’s aspirations, irrespective of societal pressure.
Be Authentic
Gita Daya, CIO of Bank Zero, South Africa, emphasizes individuality and authenticity, stating: “My advice is to simply be yourself. Focus on what resonates with you and put in a lot of effort.” She is not one to copy others. Instead, she suggests finding joy and purpose in one’s work, as genuine passion naturally leads to success. Confidence, she explains, grows through results, serving as a powerful motivator.
Gita believes in seizing every opportunity that comes along, to learn new things and you never know what is behind that door and where it may lead!
Make Brave Choices
Kirti Gulaati, EVP – Branch & Affluent Banking at Yes Bank, advises young women with similar experiences to have faith in themselves, even when society causes them to doubt their value. She believes that confidence develops gradually through persistence, ongoing education, and making brave choices even in the face of doubt. “Always feel confident in investing in yourself – be it through learning, developing skills, or making connections,” she emphasizes.
She encourages women to surround themselves with individuals who elevate them and to look for mentors who can lead them. Above all, she stresses that they should not be afraid of failures but rather see them as pathways leading to success. Each obstacle conquered aids in their development, and through determination, they will forge their unique route to success.
Be Your Best
Kripa Krishnamoorthy, SVP, Talent Strategy – Asia at Synchrony, has never been one to follow advice, which makes her hesitant to give it – believing that offering advice assumes one knows everything. However, if there is one thing she would share, it is this: “Be the best version of yourself – everyone else is already taken. Never settle for what it is when it can be better, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.”
Have a Growth Mindset
Lakshmi Prasanna Susarla, Executive Director at Wells Fargo, firmly believes in self-confidence and perseverance. “Believe in yourself! If others can do it, you can do it too!!” she asserts. She emphasizes that hard work, good deeds, gratitude, humility, authenticity, and a growth mindset will always yield the right results – if not now, then at the right time.
Voice Your Opinion
Megha Garg, Deputy Head L&H Global Valuation Team, Director/ SVP at Swiss Re, encourages women at the beginning of their careers to challenge what doesn’t feel right. She explains: “Don’t assume others know more than you just because they have more experience or a higher position. Your perspective is unique and valuable.” She asserts that voicing opinions not only creates impact but also builds confidence.
Megha stresses the importance of finding and holding onto a strong support system – be it friends, colleagues, or family. “Everyone faces setbacks. While resilience comes from within, having the right people around you helps rebuild confidence.”
Above all, she urges women to take ownership of their lives and decisions. Seeking advice is essential, but choices must remain personal. “Letting others dictate your path can lead to resentment. Believe in yourself and shape your own journey.” For her, the pillars of true success are self-trust and unwavering determination.
Build Credibility
Poonam Tandon, Chief Investment Officer at IndiaFirst Life, asserts that success has no shortcuts. There are no shortcuts to hard work, and success does not come with special concessions based on gender – one must strive for their goals with dedication and perseverance. She emphasizes the importance of building credibility through strong work ethics and integrity.
Poonam advises making logical decisions while being open to admitting mistakes and making corrections. She highlights the need for strategic foresight: “Anticipating the future – whether in markets or life – prepares you for the unexpected.”
Keep Pushing Forward
Paulomi Desai, Chief People Officer, Niwas Housing Finance, motivates young women to never let their circumstances define their worth. “Invest in building your skills, take up space with confidence, and always back yourself.” She stresses the importance of seeking mentors who challenge and guide.
Confidence, she notes, isn’t instantaneous but grows through continuous effort, learning, and resilience. “Keep pushing forward – your dreams are valid, no matter where you come from.”
Embrace Ambition
There will always be countless reasons to give up, but finding that one strong reason to persevere makes all the difference, says Priya Prasad, CHRO at Indostar Capital. For her financial independence paved the way. She acknowledges that being a woman comes with its challenges but sees it as a strength because women are natural multi-taskers and they should leverage that skill.
Balancing work and family can be demanding, but she inspires women to embrace the journey. If one chooses to be a wife and mother, enjoy the process. Priya shares and uncommon belief: “Success doesn’t always come from taking the hardest route; sometimes choosing the easier path also allows you to achieve things on your own terms.”
With expanding career opportunities today, she urges women to assess their skills, define personal goals, and embrace ambition. “Dream big, work smart and hard, and focus on being the best version of yourself rather than competing with others,” she affirms.
Embrace Additional Responsibilities
Rashmi Murthy Krishna, Head of Institutional Business Governance and Controls, Group Capability Centre, ANZ Bengaluru, has always believed in the beauty of the journey ahead and the power of continuous planning. “A strategic mindset and a positive attitude have helped me grow both professionally and personally,” she reflects. Embracing diversity and valuing different perspectives have strengthened her ability to foster inclusivity. She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy mind, body, and relationships, which builds confidence and fuels success.
She advices younger women is to take pride in the success of other women and celebrate their achievements. As a working mother, she embraced additional responsibilities and seized international opportunities. These challenging experiences helped her stay career focused and apply her learnings over time.
Rashmi highlights the importance of understanding the bigger picture, making tough decisions, and having the courage to follow one’s passions. “Take your family into confidence, stand by your decisions, and never fear failure,” she affirms.
Never Give Up
Smitha Sudheendra, ED, Chief Operating Officer – Wealth Business, JM Financial, emphasizes the importance of perseverance, urging individuals to “Never give up. Stay committed to your core principles, constantly learn, and always strive to be better.” She believes that challenges will come, but facing them with courage and persistence will only make one stronger.
Step Out of Comfort Zones
Subha Venkataraman, Managing Director – Global Head, Procurement & Third Party Management Program Execution at Citi, stresses the power of self-awareness: “Introspect, recognize your strengths, and use them to build confidence.” She encourages seeking feedback but focusing on areas that truly impact growth.
Staying updated in one’s field, setting meaningful goals, and celebrating small wins, she believes, is key to long-term success. Also, women need to step out of their comfort zones, take on challenging projects, and build strong networks, as these relationships provide invaluable guidance and support.
Understand Your Journey
Shweta Srivastava, Chief Human Resource Officer at SATYA MicroCapital, believes confidence is built through experience, perseverance, and self-belief. Her journey as a woman leader has not been straightforward, especially coming from a background with limited opportunities. However, she emphasizes that challenges do not define an individual – what truly matters is how one responds. For young women aspiring to lead, she stresses the importance of recognizing their voice, presence, and ambitions.
One of the greatest strengths, she notes, is a deep understanding of one’s own journey. Too often, societal norms create a sense of limitation, but “every experience, every challenge, and every lesson learned along the way shapes us into leaders with resilience, wisdom, and authenticity.” Rather than seeing differences as barriers, she encourages women to view them as sources of strength. Leadership, she asserts, is about offering fresh perspectives and driving meaningful change.
Shweta also highlights the role of preparation in building confidence. Investing in knowledge and self-development fosters assurance. While doubts may arise, true growth happens when individuals push beyond hesitation and claim their space.
She sees mentorship and support networks as crucial. Surrounding oneself with positive influences and learning from experienced mentors can provide valuable guidance and encouragement.
Above all, she concludes that women should embrace their journey with resilience and determination, knowing they are capable of far more than they ever imagined!
Conclusion
Confidence is not innate but cultivated through resilience, determination, and self-assurance. As these women’s experiences reveal, they flourish by embracing obstacles, expanding knowledge, and pushing boundaries. It strengthens through perseverance, guidance, and the boldness to take leaps. Ultimately, self-belief is a voyage – one that empowers, elevates, and paves the way for achievement.
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