Encouragement and criticism are equally important for career growth

Women, even today, need to put double the effort to prove their stance in the professional world. Professional world is not just about office and work for women, but includes managing all the other roles perfectly.
This Women’s Day, two successful women from different industries shared how encouragement and criticism at workplace helped them shape up their career in positive direction.

Sakshee Katiyal, CEO of Home&Soul
Being one of the leading women entrepreneurs in real estate industry, Sakshee Katiyal, CEO, Home&Soul said, “Being a mother and a wife, it was a challenge for me to think of a new professional phase which needed immense patience and hard work. Friends and family encouraged and supported me with lot of good sets of advice. I was encouraged not to limit my abilities and capabilities and believe in myself to become a successful entrepreneur.”

“But in this industry, which is male dominant, I also faced the challenge or criticism of how I will fit into the real estate business. I did have my phases of de-motivation during dealing with developers, building up company sales. But I have taken all the challenges in positive stride and my belief in myself kept growing. The industry is filled with competition and we are thriving through it with good business every year”, Sakshee further added.

Geeta Singh, a non biological mother at the SOS Children’s Village
My organisations made me a proud mother “Not just by giving birth, but by witnessing motherhood, a woman becomes a mother. My marriage could not survive because I could not be a mother. But here I am who underwent special training at SOS Children’s Villages, to become a Mother and lead many to success in life.
She said, “Looking after my SOS Children can be challenging at times, but I am trained to care them. Motherhood is something I have always prayed for, but I did not feel it till these children called me ‘maa’. They have taught me how to be a mother. I gained confidence and clarity about my work with time. I am a mother of children who have a wide array of mental and physical difficulties. One of my daughters has visual impairment as well as speech impairment. She can’t effectively communicate her feelings, too. Notwithstanding her handicaps, she is an experienced athlete today. I’ve taught Braille to help one of my visually challenged kids interact in the best way possible.”