Women Driving Transformative Change in GCCs: The View from India

For centuries, women have battled for equal opportunities in the workforce. Today, however, the issue of women’s exclusion is being deliberated on global scales with changing times and mindsets. As times have evolved, so have roles and responsibilities, and women all around the world have risen to the occasion. This narrative holds true in the Global Capability Centres (GCCs) too. With increasing recognition of the importance of women in leadership roles, it is heartening to see a growing trend of women at the helm of India’s emerging GCCs. Women who are able to rise beyond societal pressure and patriarchal oppression and emerge as leaders.

India’s tech revolution has its own story to tell, one that is being written by women who refuse to be ignored. Gaurigi Joshi, Managing Director at HSBC, epitomizes this. She leads with both passion and belief, and therefore encourages her children to self-advocate and work hard for their place in the world – to never simply accept being “good enough.” But how does the story of the development of Indian women unfold? It charts a course of innovation, perseverance, and dedication. It embodies an entire generation of women who are determined to break barriers through the power of multiplicity and diverse experiences. And this spirit does not end here; this very spirit is being infused in the next generation. There is a sense of exponential responsibility and motivation. Women know they aren’t just carving a path – they’re forging the future!

Another powerful illustration is represented by Sirisha Voruganti, CEO & MD at Lloyds Technology Centre India. She moved from a role of a tech specialist to a Chief Executive Officer, which is a good example of how women are now increasingly advancing in command positions which used to be associated only with men. Thanks to her determination, Lloyds’ tech centre has developed into one of the centres of engineering design and innovation of complex financial service solutions. This clearly suggests that diversity in leadership should not only be viewed as good practice but as a competitive edge as well.

The Bias Battle: Breaking Through Prejudices

The journey has not however been a smooth one. Women in GCCs have faced hurdles, both covert and overt, in the course of climbing the hierarchy. For example, Sreema Nallasivam, who is currently the CEO of Metro Business Solution Centre, recalls experiencing outright bias early in her career. One of her senior colleagues made a remark that captured the mindset many women have to deal with in the workplace: “You’re a woman, you’re young. I don’t see any good in that.” These comments serve as spaced reminders of the biases that never seem to go away but at the same time, act as motivating factors to stay focused and remain confident.

The bias that comes from society and is directed at women, as it was against women leaders like Nallasivam, has not gone away, but these ground-breaking women wielded that negativity as a weapon in their battles. Not only have they proven their worth by continuously defying these stereotypes, but they also encourage other women and men to do the same despite their age.

Leadership Styles: Others Who are Also Decision Makers – A New Perspective

But it’s not only the challenges they’ve overcome that make them different; it’s their leadership. A distinct approach is brought to decision-making by the women who have assumed leadership positions within the GCC. This is usually an approach with forward-looking perspectives, empathy, and a sense of inclusivity. As a result of this leadership, employees are placed in an environment that allows creativity to flourish, with the expectation that they will give their optimal ideas.

One such example is Kalavathi GV, who is the Executive Director and Head of Siemens Healthineers Global Development Centre. She is known for her democratic leadership style, and in her team’s collaboration and teamwork is one of her core workplace values. This type of leadership is essential for firms aspiring to be competitive in a global market where innovation and change are essential.

Scripting History for the Future

It is not merely an achievement but a movement, the increasing number of women in the GCCs of India. These leaders are changing history for future generations by showing them that women are capable of performing the best. While moving further and shattering the so-called glass ceiling, their area of influence will not be restricted to the present organizations these women are leading alone.

And the above-mentioned leaders: Uma Ratnam Krishnan from Optum India, Mamatha Madireddy from HSBC India Global Service Centres, and Anuprita Bhattacharya from Merck IT Centre, are inspirational figures whose working experience highlights new approaches to global business leadership. The leadership’s direction would be such that it does not encompass age or gender but vision, ability, and enthusiasm to motivate and effect change.

With the rapid development of the GCCs in India, the question that emerges is whether women are only at the helm of these centres, or are they proactively changing the entire scenario. And in doing so, they are demonstrating to the world that leaders do not have to conform – rather, they shatter the boundaries.

Call to Action: How to Go Beyond Inspiration in Real Action

The increase of women leaders in GCCs is not purely a celebration – it is a challenge for institutions across the globe. Companies have a responsibility to structure their cultures in a manner that allows diverse leadership to exist without being inhibited and offer opportunities associated with such leadership.

To those currently employed, and especially women who still have ambitions to head into leadership positions, the message is quite encouraging: hard work and trust in self, coupled with enough focus on achieving success, will get you there regardless of the many hurdles. The women at the forefront of the establishment of GCCs in India are evidence that it is not about following the herd but rather being brave and being yourself that leads to success.

The new era of leadership has arrived, and it believes in the power of diversity. The new era is not only more diverse and dynamic, but also rich in ideas.