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As our conversation returns to the topic of women in manufacturing , Sonita reflects on the changes she has witnessed throughout her career . “ Women have made a lot of progress in the last decade or so ,” she states . “ However , we ’ re still far from parity , especially as we look higher within organizations to leadership roles like the C suite or on the board . It ’ s constantly improving , but there ’ s still a long way to go to achieve parity .”
Sonita proposes that to address this issue , we must look at both the supply and demand sides . “ On the supply side , it has to start with intellectual capital from a young age , with parents , teachers , and the wider community encouraging more girls to study STEM subjects ,” she explains . “ Young women and girls also need role models , both aspirational and practical . It ’ s crucial that we see successful women in the C suite , in the position of CEO , or winning Nobel Prizes , as women need to know that these things are viable possibilities for them . However , it ’ s equally important that women have practical role models who are two-to-three steps ahead of them to share experiences and advise individuals on how to think about their next steps .”
Looking from the demand side , Sonita argues that companies must be committed to not just hiring women and underrepresented minorities , but also to creating an inclusive work environment where women can be retained and developed into leaders . The tone and culture must come from the top down to ensure that development programs and inclusivity are not just feel-good exercises but rather , completely integrated into the company ’ s overall strategy .
Women have made a lot of progress in the last decade or so , however , we ’ re still far from parity , especially as we look higher within organizations to leadership roles like the C suite or on the board
In articulating the importance of diversity , Sonita stresses that it is particularly crucial in enabling diversity of thought . “ Company boards need to engage in healthy , open , and robust debates to make the best decisions , as looking at an issue from a single perspective is extremely dangerous ,” she says . “ This is especially true when launching new products or solutions to ensure the interconnectedness of the innovation . By embracing diverse backgrounds , companies hear and debate different viewpoints , which results in more optimal outcomes .”
Upon reflection , we ask Sonita what advice she would give to her younger self if given the chance . “ Don ’ t be afraid to make mistakes ,” she answers without hesitation . “ Over the years , I ’ ve learned that making mistakes is one of the essential ingredients in our learning journey because careers – and life in general for that matter – are all about continuous improvement . The process is just as important as the outcome if we can reflect , learn , and improve .”
Throughout her career , Sonita has achieved many milestones and earned several accolades , but it is perhaps her unwavering focus on ensuring that her work delivers positive impact to humanity that will continue to inspire women and minorities for decades to come . ■
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