For a venture that began from a balcony, Anita Dongre has made significant strides over the years. Her journey is marked not only by her share of failures and learnings but also by several milestones.
Today, despite her chairwoman role, where she faces different kinds of challenges, the joy of chasing dreams remains the same for this ace fashion designer. And some of her dreams go far beyond the boundaries of the House of Anita Dongre.
Dongre made quite the industry buzz with her Rewild’23 initiative, which was seen as one of the most notable fashion gigs of the year to preserve wildlife. She has often involved herself with initiatives that bring business and purpose together for a larger message, and she did not disappoint on this front.
In a tete-a-tete, Dongre underlines her leadership and creativity techniques, supporting gender equality, striking a balance between professional responsibilities and personal life and more.
As a leader, what are the core values you strive to embody and instill in your team?
Empathy, Ownership and Sustainability.
How do you intend to foster innovation and creativity in your team at the House of Anita Dongre?
By practicing what I preach. Showing up is important. If you show up every single day with a desire to be a little better than you were yesterday, innovation and creativity will follow.
Reflecting on your career, what challenges have you faced as a woman in leadership and how have you overcome them?
I think because I’m a designer, a lot of people wrote me off as a businesswoman. It was frustrating at times, but I just kept my head down, eyes on the prize, and kept working at it. The proof is in the pudding. We’ve built a successful India-proud, global fashion house, and I’m so proud of myself for never giving up.
On a slightly broader note, in your opinion, what are the most pressing issues women face in the Indian corporate world today, and how can they be addressed?
The gender pay gap and soft sexism are issues still rampant in workspaces. Founders and HR departments need to lead the change with transparent processes and fair policies to cultivate an equitable environment.
How does the House of Anita Dongre support gender equality and the empowerment of women within the organisation?
I feel very strongly about mentorship since I missed having it in my foundational period. Women in leadership positions are few and far between even today. Being an organisation that’s built by women, for women, is very important to me that we provide the right kind of support to budding women leaders. We have a leadership coaching and development program that identifies and cultivates future women leaders. Also I strive to maintain an open-door policy to provide guidance to anyone in the team that needs it.
How do you maintain the balance between your professional responsibilities and personal life?
Work-life balance doesn’t come with natural ease to me. But as a creative, downtime is extremely important for me to thrive at what I do. Hence, I’ve consciously opted to take email off my phone & limit usage of my phone and iPad once I leave the office. I start my mornings with my dogs and as a family, we make it a point to spend quality time together.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in their careers?
Building great teams is the foundation for lasting success. Find your tribe and evolve with them.
What message would you like to share with women around the world on this International Women’s Day that just concluded?
The one thing I’d like to tell every woman is to take charge of your money. Financial independence allows a lot of liberty. The ability to walk away from a situation you aren’t happy in, being able to say no, being able to say yes – it affords you the privilege of choice.
