My journey is an output of an Indian middle-class family where my father allocated resources equally between sons and daughters. I am an output of fierce competition against men in classrooms and workspaces. Whether it was my time at St. Stephen's College, Indian School of Business, or at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - I thrived because I competed and collaborated head-on with both women and men. The culture of promoting woman-only "controlled" ecosystems is a dangerous trend. I have asked for promotions when deserved, a higher starting salary, and better projects without giving a damn what would my boss 'think' of me! And why is that? Because I have constantly seen men around me doing it too! Today as we end 2021, many women lose mental battles way before they even start the fight. We 'self reject', we 'aim low' and when we start gunning to achieve our goals, we question our capabilities! For women to thrive in workplaces, they need realistic learning and competitive ecosystems where both men and women collaborate, compete, and thrive together. And therefore communities based on gender-based exclusion will never achieve the intended outcomes. Slavery in our times is more mental than physical. And this will change by shifting our mental models towards #inclusive learning communities !
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Author- Shatakshi Sharma, Cofounder Global Governance Initiative, Ex- BCG, Advisor, Tony Blair Institute
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