Practicing gender equality is not just a moral imperative: Mansi Sharma

Adgully has consistently celebrated and acknowledged the accomplishments of women entrepreneurs and leaders in various sectors. One of our notable initiatives, W-SUITE, focuses on highlighting extraordinary women achievers in the Media & Entertainment, Advertising, Marketing, PR, and Communications industry. In this updated series, we aim to explore how women leaders adeptly manage their teams and overcome challenges in the dynamic landscape of their respective industries.

In an exclusive interaction with Adgully, Mansi Sharma, Founder of The Honest Tree and Co-founder, Boddess Beauty, speaks about the role and scope of women leaders in today’s market ecosystem, emotional intelligence, maintaining a successful work-life balance, fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, and more.

How do you think the role and scope of women leaders has widened in the current market ecosystem? 

The role of women in the workforce and in leadership has always been indispensable; it’s just taken the world a long time to realize it. Women have always known their power, but today more and more are able to claim it through tools such as financial independence, education, and support from a wider community. So, it’s not that the role has widened or narrowed; rather, as a society, we have come to understand that practicing gender equality is not just a moral imperative, but also a recognition of the unique and powerful skills women bring to the table. 

As a prominent female leader in the industry, how have your experiences shaped your leadership style, and what unique strengths do you believe women bring to leadership roles? 

My leadership style has been shaped by years of working in both small and large teams, helping me understand what people look for in their leader to stick through tough times. Empathy, accountability, and independence are at the core of my approach. Regardless of gender, being empathetic to your teammates’ needs is the foundation of a trustworthy relationship. I also believe that women often bring unique strengths to leadership. They are great listeners and multi-taskers and tend to excel at building strong, supportive teams. These strengths help us lead in a way that is both effective and compassionate. 

What is your mantra for maintaining a successful work-life balance in the new normal? According to you, what makes women the best in crisis management? 

I don’t think a perfect work-life balance exists in any world. It’s never a 50-50 split between work and life. There are phases where work takes over your whole life and vice versa. During these times of imbalance, it takes a village for women to be able to work, co-manage a house, maintain good relationships, and ensure good health. Without the support of others (both men and women in the household), it’s impossible to succeed in any of these areas.

This is unfortunately why we see many women giving up on key priorities (work often being the first) to adhere to their traditionally defined roles as primary homemakers. That’s why my mantra is to ask for help when I need it and to set boundaries when necessary. Understanding that no one is an island and that we all need support to get through challenges is crucial for effective crisis management. We need to create an ecosystem that removes the pressure of achieving a “perfect balance” from women and instead offers a helping hand to those who need it most. 

What are the five most effective leadership lessons that you have learned?

• Lead by Example: Show the behavior you want to see in your team. 
• Stay Flexible: Be ready to adapt to new situations. 
• Encourage Diversity: Different perspectives make the team stronger. 
• Communicate Clearly: Listen to your team with an open mind to ensure they feel fully heard and be responsive instead of reactive. 
• Have Fun: Taking time to have fun occasionally boosts team morale and encourages a positive work environment. 

Gender sensitivity and inclusion in the new normal – how can organizations effectively encourage and groom women leaders in challenging times? 

Organizations can support women leaders by doing a few key things:

• Mentorship: Set up mentorship programs to guide women in their careers. 
• Flexible Work: Offer flexible work options to help balance work and personal life.
• Training Programs: Provide training to help women develop leadership skills. 
• Inclusive Culture: Create a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and included. 
• Equal Opportunities: Ensure that women have equal chances for promotions and leadership roles regardless of their marital or maternal status.