Are you someone who dreams to make a lasting impact someday and is positively diligent? If you are reading this article, the answer is an obvious yes!
We love to follow the lives of our ideals very closely. For me, it’s no other than Chanda Kochhar, a living inspiration for every woman who wants to break the shell and head towards success. On knowing about her, the only indubitable thought that occurred to me was, “I will be like her someday!”
Chanda Kochhar is the Managing Director and Chief Operational Officer of ICICI Bank, India’s largest private bank. She also heads the corporate sector of ICICI Bank. She started as a management trainee in 1984 in ICICI and her growth never took an about turn since then. Her diligence helped her to rise through ranks in ICICI quite exponentially. From being an Assistant General Manager in 1994, she went on to become the Deputy General Manager in 1996 and then the General Manager of ICICI bank in 1998. In 2007, she was made the Joint Managing Director and CFO of ICICI. She was also a member of Prime Minister’s Council on Trade and Industry.
My aim to give an insight of her success is to indicate that she is an epitome of power and determination that everyone can derive motivation from.
“I chose to be a working wife and mother, why should I compromise on either.” This very effectively speaks about her tremendous management skills. Women are often stuck with the ambivalent thought of choosing between personal fulfillment and professional visions. Being a working lady is not easy but it’s not impossible either. One thing that has helped her to keep work and life afloat is to manage the household synchronously with her family. So, that’s how important coordination is and a woman is born with this trait.
“I think you need to be, first of all, adaptable, so you can quickly understand and move forward in new business situations. Second, you need to treat each challenge as your opportunity.” This quote by Chanda Kochhar is so amazingly connecting. Entrepreneurs need to be adaptable to changes and especially if it’s a corporate sector, adaptability simply means sustainability. Also for anyone who is seeking success, challenges are a source of opportunity and one major way to prove oneself.
“I learned it is possible to quickly share knowledge and ideas with each other, rather than sitting on a pedestal saying, “I am the boss and I am not here to learn from anybody.” ” Surely, corporate sectors are very professional but a human touch is a must if you are heading an organization. Innovation steps in only through a healthy discussion and nothing can be better if contribution comes from employees.
“Clearly, for an organization to move on, it is the job of the leader to be that sponge who takes the stress from the inside and the outside.” A leader is entrusted with all the tits and bits of an organization. Managing everything, taking charge and absorbing the stress for the better are the qualities that help entrepreneurs to march forward. Chanda Kochhar’s exceptional talent to manage every odd has made her one of the most influential ladies of the country.
“Don’t give up on something because you think you can’t do it.” Again, leadership skills are proved when opportunities are found in challenges. This quote by Chanda Kochhar gives every entrepreneur the perception on how to improve every moment. Entrepreneurs need to handpick each of their weaknesses and turn it into their strength.
“The most successful business person is the one who holds onto the old just as long as it is good, and grabs the new as soon as it is better.” Entrepreneurship is all about innovation and that is where this quote by Chanda Kochhar falls in line. The rising competition in every field of business has made it a compulsion to innovate. If one doesn’t, one simply perishes. So, it is hugely important to stick to the basics and work on top of it to beat the air of heavy competition.
So, next time whenever you feel demotivated and decide to give up, do read these quotes to derive inspiration. Keep working like it’s your last day of life and always give your best shot!
Also read: Lessons to learn from Elon Musk