Multiple studies have shown that women mentoring women is the best way to build tomorrow’s leaders and ensure sustainable female leadership. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but it’s important for women to have an equal stake to realise its full potential.

Given the challenges and hurdles that women find in their path to success, HerStory asked some women leaders, entrepreneurs, and working professionals on what advice they would like to give to women kick-starting their career.

Here is what we learnt:

Integrity matters

“Being a woman leader, I believe it is important to take control and ownership of your professional path. That means expressing yourself clearly and being an advocate for your own interests. Women should be aware and confident of their strength and capabilities and should not shy away from taking on a significant project,” shares Dipali Goenka, CEO and Joint Managing Director of Welspun India Limited, a textile company based in Mumbai.

She believes that irrespective of the gender, it is “imperative to have a clear vision and innate passion” in whatever you do.

Be a risk taker

After a decade in finance and working with leading brands such as McKinsey and Baring Equity, Aditi Balbir took to entrepreneurship and eco-tourism, and started V Resorts, a hospitality chain focused on micro-level eco-tourism.

Aditi’s advice: “Making the shift from being a professional to an entrepreneur, I have learnt that every woman has the potential to make the best of her abilities. So, my only advice to women starting their career is that they must never refrain from taking risks to chase their dreams.”

Be open, speak up

Archana Walavalkar is the Co-founder of StyleCracker, a fashion membership service, and believes that all women starting out on their new professional journeys are already winners for inspiring so many other women. She says, “They are tapping into their unique potential to contribute to society at large. And by doing so, they are striving to achieve gender parity, which is absolutely essential in our country.”

She also advises women to be brave and not shy away from talking about their failure.

Be open to challenges and opportunities

Bengaluru-based Deepika Sabharwal Tewari, Associate Vice President, Marketing, Jewellery Division, at Titan’s Tanishq, feels it is important to be open to new opportunities and challenges.

“The new life at work after college can get a bit overwhelming but as long as one is passionate about what they do, they should always strive to learn and grow. Seeking out growth opportunities and taking constructive criticism with a positive attitude is what helps you in the long run. Never hesitate to ask questions when in doubt. Also, many believe that ‘your work should speak for you’- yes, but a woman should also make sure to never get uncomfortable to speak up in order to take a stand.”

Bengaluru-based Yen Ti Lim, the COO of Shopmatic, an international ecommerce company, believes it is important to be open and ready for new opportunities.

“Don't prevent yourself from starting something meaningful because you can't see how it's going to turn out. Take the leap any way and keep yourself open to opportunities,” she says.

Make choices early on

Mumbai-based Indira Rangarajan, National Programming Head at Radio Mirchi, believes in being focused, especially early on. To women just getting started with their career, she says, “Spend the first two years learning as much as possible about all aspects of your profession.”

“Be a generalist first, and then a specialist.”

 Mumbai-based Aleya Sen, writer, director, and Co-founder, Chrome Pictures, says her advice to young women at the brink of their career is to “identify that one area of expertise one is really passionate about”. “Understanding your natural inclination is important; thereafter, focus on a career in that field.  Hard work, determination, and focus play a huge role in determining the trajectory of your professional future. There is no room for short cuts for a stable, successful career,” she says.

Do everything with passion

Mumbai-based anchor, actor, writer, and moderator Gitikka Ganju Dhar believes in a pro-active approach. “Go for the jugular at the very start; do not meander, mull, or muse. Clarity of purpose will set you sailing at a powerful speed. Do your job to the best of your ability. In fact, hone your skill to be the best. It is then that no compromise will stand in your path.”

Gitika emphasises the importance of hard work and passion.

Ask a lot of questions

Rachna Rao is the Co-founder of FoodyBuddy, a platform that connects foodies with home chefs in the neighbourhood. She says, “Your career has to be something that consumes you and makes you lose track of time. Remember to ask questions, lots of questions, throughout your career; more so at the beginning. In the early days, you will be bombarded with jargon you don’t understand and you will have to make decisions in situations that were previously theoretical. Talking to people around you, asking their opinion, and seeking clarifications will allow you to learn faster and super-charge your growth."

Tell us what is the one piece of advice that you received when you started your career? How did it help you? What would you say to another woman starting her career?