Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 1:28
Consider yourself not as a woman leader, but as a leader first: Dr Gayathri Vasudevan, Executive Chairperson, LabourNet in conversation
She has a doctorate in Development Studies with 30 publications in the areas of labor, employment and gender issues. To her credit, between 90, 99 and 2007, Dr.Gayathri has worked for the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency. She co founded Labor Net in 2006 with a vision to enable livelihoods and enhance quality of life through education, employability and entrepreneurship. labournet has impacted about a million lives, empowering youth, men and women to earn a decent living or become profitable micro entrepreneurs
Gayathri Vasudevan
@Gayathriv · 0:53
And I think that's the sign of a great leadership, where one is looking at the objective of what one has to do. And from there, is building forward
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 0:11
As a woman leader in the social enterprise landscape, what have been some of the memorable, challenging and incredibly satisfying moments in your journey?
Gayathri Vasudevan
@Gayathriv · 2:54
So I think the journey has been one of empowering people to think of their incomes along with their responsibility to society. I think that's been one of my most interesting learnings. Simply by observing the journeys of people who we work with. On the other side of the spectrum is I have learned how to run a business. What does it mean to run a profitable business? What does it mean to retain customers? What does it mean to acquire customers? How does one relate to finance?
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 0:09
Thank you. Dr. Gayathri, my last question is what are your words of advice to aspiring women leaders?
Gayathri Vasudevan
@Gayathriv · 1:15
I think first is to not consider yourself as a woman leader, but consider yourself as a leader first. That means that one would actually have a wider array of personas personality traits that one would one would have to borrow from. The second would be to add to that the quality of being a woman. Which means that how do you actually lead with empathy? How do you actually lead with patience? How do you actually lead with humility, which are typically considered as negative qualities for negative feminine qualities?
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 0:31
Thank you, Dr. Gayathri, for taking time out of your very busy schedule to come and talk to us here on Swell. These are very, very precious insights. And especially your response to the last question gives me a deep spiritual meaning, which is in terms of enjoying the moment, right? Enjoying the ride. I think that's what it takes. Thank you so much. Once again, it's been a complete delight to host you here on Swell