Women leaders have demonstrated resilience in navigating uncertainties: Aarti Gill

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, Aarti Gill, Co-founder, OZiva, speaks about roles and opportunities for women leaders in the current market ecosystem, balancing the responsibilities of being a CEO/ Founder with personal commitments, supporting and empowering women within the organization, gender diversity in the work place, and more.

How do you perceive the expansion of roles and opportunities for women leaders in the current market ecosystem, and what factors do you believe have contributed to this shift?

It is encouraging to see the growth of women leaders in the business ecosystem. This positive shift can be attributed to several factors.

There’s growing recognition of women’s unique perspectives and strengths in leadership roles, with organizations increasingly valuing diversity and inclusion. They understand that diverse leadership drives innovation and better decision-making.

Additionally, societal attitudes are evolving, with greater support for women pursuing careers. Educational advancements and mentorship programs have equipped women with the skills and confidence needed to excel in leadership positions. At OZiva, we’re actively working to create a supportive environment that enables women to thrive professionally. For instance, we’ve implemented policies like permanent work-from-home options for mothers with young children, allowing them to balance career and family responsibilities effectively. In fact, 58% of our senior leadership roles are managed by women. These changes reflect a broader trend toward recognizing and nurturing female talent in the current market ecosystem.

How do you balance the responsibilities of being a CEO/ Founder with personal commitments, and what advice would you give to other women striving for similar roles?

Balancing work with personal commitments can be quite challenging, but achievable with the right approach. For me, it’s about setting clear priorities and boundaries. It is important to create habits and stick to a routine on most days. Delegation is key; I trust my team to handle tasks effectively, allowing me to focus on strategic decisions and personal time. My advice to other women striving for similar roles is to be unapologetic about your ambitions and seek support from your network, including family, friends, and mentors. It is crucial to practice self-care and make time for rejuvenating activities and exercising. Remember that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is about nurturing your well-being, not just managing time. Like my daily routine of 45 minutes weight training and functional fitness is non-negotiable – it helps me clear my head and also build strength and energy.

How does OZiva support and empower women within the organization and in the broader community?

At OZiva, we’re deeply committed to supporting and empowering women both within our organization and in the broader community. Internally, we offer a permanent work-from-home option for mothers with young children and have implemented a permanent hybrid work model, providing flexibility for all employees. We also have mentorship programs to support the professional growth of our female employees.

From a community perspective, I believe we are doing the right thing for the world – elevating human health and wellbeing. OZiva’s mission has always been to empower consumers, both women and men, to lead a healthier life with clean andplant-based products that are efficacious. Both Mihir, my co-founder and husband, and I are fortunate to spend a decade of our life devoted to this cause.

How important is gender diversity to OZiva, and what initiatives do you have in place to promote it?

Gender diversity is of paramount importance to OZiva. We believe a diverse workforce leads to more innovative solutions and an inclusive workplace culture. To promote gender diversity, our hiring practices ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, and we actively seek balanced gender representation across all organizational levels. We provide mentorship programs to support our female employees’ professional growth. Our flexible work policies cater to diverse needs. These initiatives reflect our commitment to creating an environment where all employees, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute effectively.

What is your mantra for maintaining a successful work-life balance in the new normal, and how do you manage the demands of your professional and personal life effectively?

As a parent to a 1.5-year-old kid and having a business to run – three things that I recommend everyone to be doing are:

Prioritize and plan meticulously: You have to choose your top 3 or 4 priorities, whether it’s family, business, friends, networking, learning, exercising, traveling, etc. Remember, you can't do them all, so choose your top 3 non-negotiable ones. This way, you will always feel in control rather than feeling bad about the things you can't do.

Be present at the moment, whether at work or with family: It’s not about the number of hours you spend on an activity, but the quality of time.

Self-care and mental well-being through regular exercise and hobbies are a must for everyone. I practice Oziva’s core philosophy in my personal life, investing time in bettering my physical and mental well-being. It is about finding a rhythm that works for you and being flexible enough to adjust as needed.

In your opinion, what qualities make women particularly effective in crisis management, and how have you leveraged these strengths in your own career?

In my opinion, women often excel in crisis management due to qualities such as empathy, resilience, and a collaborative approach. These qualities enable us to remain calm under pressure, understand diverse perspectives, and work together towards solutions. In my career at OZiva, I have leveraged these strengths by fostering open communication and encouraging teamwork. I prioritize understanding the concerns of my team and stakeholders, which helps in making informed decisions. I’ve demonstrated resilience in navigating uncertainties and staying focused on long-term goals while embracing collaboration and empathy to lead OZiva through various challenges. These approaches have helped us emerge stronger and more united, growing our business significantly.