CARGOCONNECT-MARCH2024 - Flipbook - Page 43
COVER STORY
SUPER WOMEN IN SUPPLY CHAIN
Success Often Requires
Leaving One's Comfort
Zone
RUCHIKA SHARMA
GM– Manufacturing Functional
Excellence, Cummins India
Pursuing a Career in
Supply Chain
Passionate about manufacturing,
I chose Operations and Supply
Chain in the automotive sector
after graduating as a Mechanical
Engineer. Despite IT companies
dominating campus placements, I
held out for an opportunity in the
automotive industry, ultimately
landing my 昀椀rst job there.
Infusing Harmony and
Energy into Endeavours
A courageous, compassionate, and
considerate individual, I strive
to infuse harmony and energy
into all my endeavors. My goal
is to deliver superior results to
stakeholders, create value for the
organisation, and foster excellence
for its people. People's connection
is central to my personality, and
I passionately advocate for its
transformative power and the
magic it brings.
Expanding your World
Success often requires leaving
one’s comfort zone. Balancing
demanding roles with personal
life, including family time, has
been a continual challenge. Juggling work and personal priorities
can be mentally taxing, with
sacri昀椀ces extending beyond the
individual to the entire family.
Women’s Innate Leadership
Qualities
Women naturally possess care
and compassion, crucial qualities
in leadership. Throughout my
career, I’ve encountered many
female leaders who embody
strength, assertiveness, and
warmth. This unique balance
is innate to women. Personally,
I prioritise care and compassion in all interactions with
stakeholders, colleagues, and
team members. Rather than
jumping to conclusions, I focus
on improving situations and
aiding in achieving desired
outcomes.
Broadening Perspectives
Through Diverse Influences
I admire leaders for their
empathy, courage, and vision.
Rather than singling out one
individual, I’ve been in昀氀uenced
by various leaders and mentors
throughout my career journey.
One impactful resource was
“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg,
recommended by my mentor,
Anjali Pandey, the current COO
of Cummins India.
Achieving Milestones
Early in my career, managing
shop operations was a signi昀椀cant
learning experience. Despite
being inexperienced, I was
tasked with leading a team of
seasoned union members. Building acceptance and trust within
the team was challenging, but
I persisted with transparency,
intent to help, and problemsolving. This approach led to
signi昀椀cant milestones and laid
a solid foundation for my career
growth. I was honoured with the
“Women Achiever’s Award” by
Cummins India, underscoring
the theme of “Made It Happen.”
Leaders at the Top
Numerous pieces of advice
from my leaders, colleagues,
and mentors have profoundly
Women are gifted with emotional
intelligence – a valuable asset, especially
in the age of machines and AI. Women
should embrace their achievements and
ambition without hesitation. It’s crucial to
avoid stagnation by continually challenging
oneself, stepping out of comfort zones,
and maintaining resilience.
influenced my thinking. Two
stand out: “Be Your Own Light,”
imparted by Bhavana Bindra,
former VP at Cummins and current MD of Rheau India. This
emphasised the uniqueness of
each individual’s journey and the
importance of self-enlightenment
through personal e昀昀orts. Additionally, Anjali Pandey, COO of
Cummins India, encouraged
me to be courageous and ignore
external perceptions. Her guidance reinforced my con昀椀dence
and assertiveness, shaping my
professional persona.
Advice to Younger Self
Looking back, I would advise my
younger self that it’s okay if some
days don’t unfold as planned and
manage stress.
Most desired Superpower
If I had a superpower, it would be
to read people’s minds. Additionally, I have a deep compassion
for animals, particularly stray
dogs, and would use my power to
ensure they all 昀椀nd loving homes.
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