Workplaces must empathise with working moms: Anita Nayyar

We, at Adgully, have always saluted and honoured women managers and leaders across diverse fields. Over the years, W-SUITE, a special initiative from Adgully, has been turning the spotlight on some of the most remarkable women achievers in the M&E, Advertising, Marketing, PR and Communications industry.

On the occasion of Mother’s Day this year, Adgully has come up with a month-long special series saluting the Moms in the Agency business. The series will explore how successful women leaders, who are also mothers, are achieving work-life balance, and are also creating an inclusive work environment so that the mothers in their teams can work to their full potential.

In conversation with Adgully, Anita Nayyar, COO - Media Branding & Communications, Patanjali speaks about how she maintains work-life balance as a woman leader and mother, how workplaces have appreciated and helped working mothers, and much more.

As a woman leader, how do you manage to maintain a work-life balance as a working mom? What tips would you give to other working mothers who are struggling to manage their work and personal life?

It is indeed tough to maintain a good work-life balance as a working mom. While being a mom is a priority, work has its own importance for professional, personal and financial reasons. One should not overdo any at the cost of others. Exceptions will always be there, but it is important to take help from your support system, especially today when both mom and dad share responsibilities.

How do you deal with “mommy guilt” while working and how do you balance your personal and professional life while being a mother? Could you share some personal experiences?

Life is never guilt free and is full of compromises. As a mother, I tried my best to balance personal and professional lives and both of them are demanding. I remember I had to attend a two-day training program in Mumbai and my daughter was very young. I did a morning evening flight on both days to be with her at night. In one of the conferences, I took my 3-year old daughter with me and would come and check her out after each session. I am glad I put in the effort and that today reflects in the upbringing of my daughters.

Could you share your experience of returning to work after maternity leave? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? What changes would you like to see in the workplace to support working mothers?

Pre- and post-maternity are challenges for moms. When you are pregnant, your bosses think you can’t put in the required effort, which is untrue, and when you come back, your bosses again think that you will not be able to put in the effort, given you have a baby to attend to. It is sad that capabilities and performances are judged based on the situation one is in. I did face this, especially when I had my second daughter. My boss told me that I should be sitting home after my delivery. It is important for workplaces to empathise with working moms as they work double shifts and like many organisations, provide for baby care or flexi hours. As long as work does not suffer, being a mom should not be a barrier.

How has being a mother impacted your leadership style and decision-making as a woman leader? Have you noticed any positive changes in your leadership skills since becoming a mother?

Empathy, love and care and the need to be there always are very important aspects of motherhood. While I have always worked with empathy and cared for my teams, being a mom has only enhanced that aspect of me. It has helped me understand the needs of my team better. A leader is as good as his/ her team and if your teams resonate with you and are always supportive of you then you have succeeded as a leader. Empathy and care for the team has helped me tremendously in my style of leadership.

What steps has your company taken to support and empower working mothers, and how do you ensure that mothers are not discriminated against in the workplace?

At the workplace, one has always supported mothers and appreciated them for multi-tasking. If the culture and environment in an organisation is congenial, it automatically takes off the stress and burden and that’s what I have strived to do.

How can other companies follow suit to create a more inclusive workplace for working mothers? What are the best global practices you have come across in this regard?

There are numerous steps that organisations can take to create an inclusive workplace. These steps will vary with the type and ethics of organisations. The core needs to be to make the moms comfortable, wanted and uppity them to perform. For skill sets and capabilities should never be compromised just because she is a mother and is striving to give her best.