Misbah is an under 35 award winning creative communications expert with a combined experience of 15 years to her credit as a media and brand image advisory expert. From FMCG to BFSI and Fashion & Lifestyle to Education, Misbah has worked with brands across the spectrum. Most recently, Misbah quit her plush job in Mumbai with a reputed Mumbai based brand and founded Monofys Media – an image management and brand building firm, from New Delhi, India.

• What are your views on the Role of Women Leaders in post pandemic India?

At the risk of sounding insensitive, I will go on to say that while it’s been a bane, the pandemic has also been a boon in many ways.  The way we function both personally and professionally has undergone an inconceivable transformation – leaving our world divided into two phases – the ‘pre Covid era’ vs the ‘post Covid era’ – the latter defining the course of our lives ahead, forever. 

To be able to operate seamlessly in this post Covid dimension, there have been contributions by all sections of the society in their respective capacities. One section of the society however, has been at the forefront of challenging norms and shifting gears into an overdrive like never seen before – the women. 

The way in which women have managed to tackle every aspect of their personal and professional lives, is truly remarkable. Women all around me have been the captains of their ships and ensured a smooth transition – be it in the role of a homemaker, or as the founder of a new startup. We women must always ask ourselves, “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?”

• What were the challenges that you have faced throughout your journey and how have you overcome them?

The road to the top is never ever without challenges, does not make me any special for fighting off bias or casual sexism which a lot of women, in varying capacities, routinely experience at work. 

My ability to lead teams of people twice my age has been doubted simply because of the number of tattoos on me, or for the way I dress. I am sure several women out there have undergone similar situations. I choose to not let such developments make a dent in my vision for myself and my team so I exit the stage when I can no longer entertain such people and organizations and move on to the next battle worth fighting for. 

In order to get rid of the stereotypes surrounding women, it is pivotal that women are put in charge of truly meaningful leadership roles, hired on merit, analyzed and assessed like a man, offered roles that justify our optimum professional capability-competence and paid what we actually deserve. 

• What is the new normal like for you as a woman in a leadership position? 

“Are you crazy?” was how most reacted to my decision of quitting a plush corporate job in Mumbai. But I had made up my mind to build my own brand – to move to Goa –to start all over again. It was a difficult and critical decision – a defining moment for my career. 

Charting unknown waters is kind of ‘my thing’ – just comes naturally to me. Also, rarely do opportunities offer themselves to you. Opportunities are mostly created, fought for, rebelled into being accessible for all. So, I was ready to embrace the mess. As they say – When you are getting ready to launch into space, you are sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen. 

The almost overnight transition to all-digital was surprisingly quite a smooth exercise – but the backdrop of Covid, lingering on like a dark cloud, was overwhelming. That period was just eerie (to put it mildly), especially having to experience the consequences of a pandemic alone, in a matchbox apartment of a sea sized city. 

The only way to maintain my work-life balance was by drawing strict boundaries and not letting either side overlap with the other, giving utmost priority to my physical and mental wellbeing and most importantly simply dealing with it like a woman and moving on!

• What makes women the best in crisis management?

When a crisis hits, human instinct is to gravitate towards someone or something that offers not just a sense of order but also empathy. You want to feel safe and heard. Women are able to lend this emotional quotient to any equation, especially when it is a time of crisis. So, well, I think the fact that women leaders are able to strike the right balance between being both compassionate and tough is what puts us in a better position to fight like a pro.  

• What is the one piece of advice for other women starting off in their careers?

“Be who you needed when you were younger” is the motto I live by. 

I cannot stress this enough – young women need great mentors in older, experienced, fierce women. I know that I have always looked up to fearless, rebellious women who have refused to take no for an answer when the odds were entirely stacked against them. I have learnt so much from my male and female seniors who have, sometimes without even intentionally or realizing, have taught me the significance of working with honesty and discipline. 

In order to build competent, capable women of tomorrow, we must ensure that we act as a support system for the ones starting off in their careers. 

One advice for young women from my end would be: Life is very, very tough, more so for some. So please, ASK FOR HELP! Fall down, cry, be disoriented, be confused, be clueless, but don’t you dare give up. 

There is no substitute for smart, resourceful, talented minds. 

• As gender sensitivity and inclusion in the new normal, how can organisations effectively encourage and groom women leaders in challenging times?

I think it’s actually the other way around. Women are pretty much ready to take charge, if organisations are willing to let women in on the corporate pie! It is not the women who are in need of grooming, it is the top management and organisational structure which needs an overhaul. If there was ever a great time for change, it is NOW!