KUALA LUMPUR: The ability to postulate possible future scenarios through strategic foresight are required to facilitate changing gender roles in the workplace and to ensure greater participation of women in leadership roles.
Talent development trainer Nengaswary Maniam said strategic foresight helps in terms of clarifying patterns of change, and modelling potential outcomes and choices in empowering women.
"This means you put yourself in a position (of) where do you want to be in the future, and then work backwards in order to establish effective policy making, especially when involving the plan to increase female talent into the workforce.
"This is in contrast with the current approach that depends on the existing market needs with less talent optimisation," said Nengaswary Maniam, the recipient of the 2021 Influential Leader award bestowed by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), in an interview with Bernama, recently.
The AACSB honour went to Nengaswary, who is also fondly known as Eeish, as a recognition for her business leadership with passion and purpose for creating lasting impact in communities and industries globally.
The project management specialist and business coach has successfully nurtured three startups and one social enterprise within a span of 18 months.
She said while it is important to increase the participation of women in the decision-making process, it is imperative to ensure the leadership team comprises a well-balanced gender representation when participating and contributing in the decision-making process, both at the corporate and public sector.
"For instance, in my organisation, we value inclusivity, where everyone can contribute and be appreciated for their talent. So, no gender bias in this regard," said the Malacca-born lass who currently heads the Research and Knowledge Exchange Department at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Asked whether great leaders are the product of nature or nurture, Nengaswary said "leaders are developed along the way and a true leader is a person who can actually bring about change in business and society or any field they embark on."
"Research has shown that one third of the leaders are born, whereas two third (of) leaders are nurtured. As a leader, we should align our purpose to values and dignity," she said.
Commenting on women leadership in community and family, Nengaswary said in order to put the country in order, every woman has to play a role in putting the family as a priority.
"Every woman, whether you are a working professional, or housewife, have a significant leadership role to play in today's world because a truly sustainable society emerges at the heart of a supportive and loving family.
"I have a very supportive husband and family, and I strongly object that career women ignores family. Empowerment of women leads to development of a good family, greater society, and ultimately, a noble nation.
"If you are able to manage your family, then I will say you can come out as a change maker who is able to contribute to the society at large," said Nengaswary who regards Indra Nooyi, former chairperson and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, as her inspiration.
Nengaswary also said it was a lifetime experience when her passion and involvement in talent development initiatives resulted in invitations to attend meetings in Malaysia with former United States president Barack Obama in 2014 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.
"Both leaders gave importance in empowering the youth. This award recognition is also a starting point for a great new beginning, a beginning that enabled me to make even greater contributions towards society and the business environment," she added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Mar 12 2021
Commenting on women leadership in community and family, Nengaswary said in order to put the country in order, every woman has to play a role in putting the family as a priority. Filepic
AWANI 7:45 [28/04/2024] – Malaysia tumpu pelaburan baharu | Pertumbuhan saksama dan inklusif | Kajian pertubuhan buruh antarabangsa | Tabung Haji teruskan bantuan
Laporan berita padat dan ringkas #AWANI745 bersama Dzulfitri Yusof
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Malaysia hadapi cabaran baharu dari negara maju, bidang teknologi, tegas PM
- Ekonomi dunia kian tidak seimbang, Tengku Zafrul di pentas forum desak negara maju lebih adil dan saksama
- 70 peratus pekerja dunia terdedah kepada penyakit akibat perubahan iklim
- Tabung Haji tanggung kos lebih RM350 juta tahun ini
Tumpuan #AWANI745 malam ini:
- Malaysia hadapi cabaran baharu dari negara maju, bidang teknologi, tegas PM
- Ekonomi dunia kian tidak seimbang, Tengku Zafrul di pentas forum desak negara maju lebih adil dan saksama
- 70 peratus pekerja dunia terdedah kepada penyakit akibat perubahan iklim
- Tabung Haji tanggung kos lebih RM350 juta tahun ini
Liek Hou rangkul dua lagi emas di Sepanyol
Jaguh badminton para negara Cheah Liek Hou terus cemerlang apabila menggondol dua pingat emas pada Kejohanan Badminton Para Sepanyol Antarabangsa II 2024 pada Sabtu.
Rakyat Malaysia di Jordan jadi duta produk PMKS negara - Ewon
Datuk Ewon Benedick menyarankan rakyat Malaysia yang menetap di Jordan supaya memainkan peranan sebagai "duta" untuk mempromosikan produk PMKS dan koperasi negara.
Fokus Minggu Depan: Solidariti Gaza Merentasi Bangsa dan Agama
Break The Siege: Fokus Minggu Depan membincangkan topik Solidariti Gaza Merentasi Bangsa dan Agama susulan penangguhan misi penghantaran bantuan ke Gaza anjuran Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
Lelaki rugi lebih RM13,000 terperdaya tawaran kerja dalam talian
Seorang lelaki berputih mata apabila wangnya berjumlah RM13,460 lesap setelah menjadi mangsa penipuan tawaran kerja.
Misi ditangguh, delegasi Malaysia berlepas pulang
Delegasi Malaysia dalam misi Break The Siege Freedom Flotilla To Gaza akan berlepas pulang malam ini.
Keputusan dicapai selepas Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) tidak dapat meneruskan misi selepas Republik Guinea-Bissau menarik balik kebenaran menggunakan bendera untuk dua kapal yang digunakan.
Laporan lanjut bersama Syaff Shukri di Istanbul.
Keputusan dicapai selepas Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) tidak dapat meneruskan misi selepas Republik Guinea-Bissau menarik balik kebenaran menggunakan bendera untuk dua kapal yang digunakan.
Laporan lanjut bersama Syaff Shukri di Istanbul.
Ustaz Wan sanggup bina tempat main boling DIY di sekolah kampung
Ustaz Wan mempunyai minat yang sangat tinggi terhadap sukan boling dan berhasrat untuk turut mengasah bakat anak muridnya.
Karnival Malaysia di New Delhi tarik 2,000 pengunjung
Pengunjung diraikan dengan persembahan kebudayaan, makanan, demonstrasi masakan, mencanting batik dan peluang merasai buah-buahan tropika Malaysia.
Anak-anak mula terima kenyataan ibu sudah tiada - Suami Nurfarahimi
"Sebagai ayah, saya menasihati mereka untuk menerima apa yang telah ditentukan Allah SWT."
Mahmoud Abbas menyeru semua negara iktiraf Palestin
Presiden Palestin Mahmoud Abbas menyeru semua negara untuk mengiktiraf Palestin sebagai negara merdeka serta mengiktiraf ahli penuh Persatuan Bangsa Bangsa Bersatu (PBB). Beliau diberi peluang berucap di Mesyuarat Khas Forum Ekonomi Dunia (WEF) di Arab Saudi hari ini.