Neerja Bhatia, Etihad Airways’ Vice President, Indian Subcontinent believes that the determination to challenge the paradigm is crucial for any kind of empowerment. She shares her perspective how Etihad Airways supported her in becoming a leader.
How important is IWD for you and why?
Personally, for me, womanhood is a celebration. Women are constantly evolving and reaching new milestones across a wide spectrum of human activities in modern times. Even at Etihad we have seen women rise up to key leadership roles across various departments. I believe, this is a day to remind all that we have done to achieve this and pave the path forward to step into the greatness.
Do you really think that women, in a fast-changing technology and modern age, needs empowerment? How did you develop confidence in yourself?
In this day and age, I believe we need to empower people by developing, nurturing and growing our talent together as an organization. I believe the determination to challenge the paradigm in every detail is crucial for empowerment of any kind. This is exactly what we do here at Etihad Airways, which is why we have created a benchmark in aviation industry standards.
For me personally, Etihad Airways has played an important role as the senior leadership believed in me and supported me all through. Most importantly empowered me to take decisions, and to lead the team from the front. Etihad has been one of the greatest factors in my growth and success as a women leader.
While women constitute 54% of the work force in global travel, tourism and hospitality industry. This percentage is abysmally low at the top level?
Aviation has been a male-dominated industry, not just in India but world over. However, this is rapidly changing. Over the years, we have seen this change and adapted to it seamlessly. In my opinion, women can bring about change differently and successfully. Today, Etihad Airways is proud of the fact that it has women leading major departments– right from Finance, Marketing and Sales to Airport and Cargo Operations. At Etihad Airways, we are rewriting the rule book and reimagining flying by breaking away from these conventions and leading the way in innovation, design, style, and hospitality.
What sort of challenges do you face at workplace as well as balancing work-family life?
The aviation industry demands a 24/7 support. You constantly must be available. Personally, even though work has my full attention through the week, I dedicate one to two hours every day to do something apart from it. Striking that right balance between work and personal life is of utmost importance. Setting realistic and manageable goals for each day is crucial. Prioritizing, organizing, and planning my day the evening before has helped me use my time effectively. Over the years, I have realized that finding time for your passion and hobby can be a good stressbuster.
One school of thought suggest that women themselves are one of the hindrances in the growth of the women. What is your take on this?
I disagree with you on that. We as women must rise to every challenge and convert it into opportunities to grow, succeed and lead. I have tried to inspire my team’s drive, creativity, and commitment to the organisation. We believe in working as one team, developing, empowering, and growing our talent as an organization. I believe women are naturally understanding and have a heighted sense of soft skills. They can bring about change differently and successfully. At Etihad, we have women leaders in key roles who acknowledge and honour the importance of their team’s contributions and uplift each other without any bias.
What are your suggestions to younger generation?
One needs to recognize that there is no shortcut to success. There’s only hard work, passion and commitment that goes behind the scenes.
Be disciplined, curious and highly ambitious
Being driven has helped me and my team members reach where we are today
Make your offerings unique
You have to offer something different to be remembered. Innovation is one of our driving forces at Etihad Airways. We are rewriting the rule book and reimagining flying by breaking away from convention and leading the way in innovation, design, style, and hospitality.
The concept of ‘overnight success’ is a myth
It takes a great deal of hard work coupled with the right attitude to be successful. Challenge yourself every day and remember that no one succeeds immediately; we were all once beginners.
Remove time for yourself
In addition to being determined and working hard, it is also essential to relax, meditate and rejuvenate. How you spend your time unwinding can have a big impact on your success in the professional world. Personally, I’ve realized that Yoga and meditation has helped me immensely. It keeps me calm, focused and energized.
