Women in Leadership | Indira Nooyi
Indra Nooyi, the ex-CEO of PepsiCo, imparts lessons on cultivating a mindset geared towards ambitious thinking, embracing courage, and instigating purposeful transformations in the professional arena. Hailing from an Indian American background, Nooyi exemplifies a remarkable ascent up the corporate hierarchy, standing alongside male counterparts in her field.
“We are investing in your education to help you stand on your own two feet,” he said. “The rest is up to you. Be your own person.” This is what Indira Nooyi Tatha said to her when she was growing up. The real education to excel in life starts at home.
Indra Nooyi, who once worked as a receptionist for college fees, now earns an annual salary of Rs 177 crore. ( Woah Woah! Dreams to live for )
Born on 28 October 1955 in a middle-class family in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi’s father used to do a regular job. Indra Nooyi’s dreams have been huge since childhood. Indra Nooyi’s mother often asked her daughters what they wanted to be when they grew up. They ( Mother, Sister, and Indira Nooyi) discussed politics, food, local gossip, clothes, religion, music, books. They were loud, talked over each other, and moved the conversation along.
In 1978, Mrs Indra Nooyi enrolled at the Yale School of Management. In 1980, she obtained her post-graduation degree in public and private management. While studying at Yale, Nooyi also worked the night shift as a receptionist to raise money to buy a Western suit for her first job interview ( Work harder always, don’t be on the edge)
A memoir of tremendous hard work and shattering the glass ceiling is a resemblance of Indira Nooyi.
Indra Nooyi began working at a young age and was a firm believer in acquiring as much knowledge as possible and seizing the opportunity that life presents.
Glimpse of her professional journey :
/ Nooyi joined Pepsico as senior Vice President in the year 1994
/ Nooyi assumed the roles of President and Chief Financial Officer of the company in 2001. During her tenure, she spearheaded a significant restructuring initiative, overseeing the spin-off of the company’s restaurant division.
/ She oversaw the acquisition of Tropicana Products in 1998 and facilitated a merger with the Quaker Oats Co. in 2001. This move was integral to the company’s strategic shift towards diversifying its portfolio with a focus on healthier beverages and foods.
Fun Fact: Back in India, Indra Nooyi always has loved to play cricket and was also in an all-girl rock band as a guitarist.
Fun for You- Potato chips and regular soda
Better for You- Diet or low-fat version of snacks and soda
Good for you- Items like Oatmeal.
/ In 2006, Nooyi assumed the tittle of CEO at pepsico. Nooyi was the first woman to lead the soft drink and snack food giant.
/ Nooyi was one among few 11 female chief executives of Fortune 500 companies.
/PepsiCo’s revenues increased from $35 billion in 2006 to $63.5 billion in 2017. Under her leadership , PepsiCo’s sales grew 80%.
/ In the following year, it was announced that Nooyi would be stepping down as CEO in October, and as chairman of the board in early 2019
/. In 2007, the Government of India honoured Mrs Indra Nooyi with the Padma Bhushan, one of the country’s highest honours.
Every leader is at the top because of the right support from the loved ones, and the family. This isn’t just mentioned by Indira Nooyi, but many leaders out there. Read the following to understand the perspective of Nooyi.
She played guitar in a female rock band at Madras Christian College, from which she graduated in 1974 at the age of 18.
On Valentine’s Day 2022, she published a note to her husband Raj sharing credit for her successes with him: “the truth is, there is no such thing as balancing work and family. It’s a constant juggling act. And many times, it’s the people around us — like our life partners — who make this juggling possible. It’s a reminder that family isn’t female. Family is family”
Interesting lessons to be learned :
./ “most of your life will be spent while doing a job or work; make sure that it fills your heart with joy.”
./ “ its important do your work with complete happiness and if your job doesn’t fill your heart with joy then find another one.”
./ “no matter how much money you make but in the end, you are left with your family, friends and faith”
./ “do you best at whatever you are doing”
./ “Performing with a larger purpose in mind” ( Stop doing. job for the sake of month end salary, start enjoying your work with a purpose)
./ “When we think about the future of work, companies should put the family at the center”
./ “Sharing knowledge is the key to transformation and innovation”
./ “The act of lifelong learning is an act of building yourself up, step by step.”
./ She believes in the power of clarity and empathy when conveying messages.
./ “I wouldn’t ask anyone to do something which I won’t do myself”. What I take from this is that have an attitude to learn on your own even when you do not know.
./ “Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different.”
./ “Women helping each other — coaching, mentoring and providing tips — is a great way for us to be our own force.”
./ Communicate with clarity and empathy
./ Foster a culture of innovation.
The Nooyi was asked, if you had one piece of advice which had like to give to your younger self — then what it would be? She said the following :
“To this version of myself, I would say — when you take on something, give it everything you’ve got. If people can’t accept you for who you are, it’s their loss”
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Family isn’t female. Family is family.
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Nooyi, who was born in Madras (now called Chennai) in the year of 1955, is currently on the boards of Amazon and the International Cricket Council.Her legacy as a brilliant thinker and corporate strategist will likely continue to grow.
Let me know in the comments what do you think about Indira Nooyi? Looking forward to hearing from you.
