We invited Dr Saumya Badgayan, Vice President HR Business Strategy at Gold Star Jewellery Pvt Ltd for an interview with Most Popular Stories. She is a Leader, Human Behaviour Strategist having corporate exposure of more than two decades. Let’s get to know more about her.
1. Hi Dr. Saumya! Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Human Behaviour Strategist in the Luxury Business domain. I carry corporate exposure of more than two decades considering Retails, Telecommunications, Commerce, and Education & Luxury.
My forte is understanding the propulsion of a behavioural -the cause and the influence of the same. By virtue of my educational qualification, I am a Gold Medallist in HR and have a Master’s certification in Business Administration. My quest for enhancing my knowledge took me to the path of research & have a Doctoral Degree in e-commerce. Since the Human mind and psychological state have always fascinated me, thus, I started pursuing, MA in psychology with my specialisation being Industrial Psychology.
2. What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning i.e what’s your source of motivation?
I have been asked this question many folds in different ways.
See, I believe, we are motivated by the 3 Ps in life – Paisa, Power & Position. However, to me, there’s 4th P, the Passion; which is quite important as well. Now, the question arises, Even if the above 3 are taken away would we still want to do what we are doing? Well, then we truly & are madly in love with the cause that we are associated with & that is the motivating factor in life.
At this stage, the only thing that I seek is to be able to create as many New Leaders in the fraternity as possible to give the Industry the true recognition that it deserves.
3. How do you handle the pressure?
Well, I believe, we all carry “Pressure cookers” in Life. Let the steam cook what is within in a positive way & just when you think the simmers & boil has been enough, pick out the steam 🙂 although, once in a while, we need to take that much-needed break. Because, as professionals, we are too hard & too difficult on ourselves.
Probably, this is the reason why we find this many untimely death of young ones. We shall have a crucible of close friends & confidantes (your Crisis buddies), have an alternate source of income (create a non-conflict income line that you may fall back on during emergencies of say a pink slip being handed over) and please get that Medical Check-up is done. The Heath Card assures you that you are strong to handle those storms. So keep the Emotional, Physical & Financial Health in shape & there won’t be any pressure.
4. Please share some of the challenges you have faced in your career?
Challenges are plenty and I face them every day despite a career spanning 2 decades & more. The most challenging one was during the Telecom Revolution. While I was working with a paging company, the technology shifted to Mobiles. Overnight things changed. Business Transitioned & we were at the crossroads of Perform or Perish. We changed, we learnt the new technology & we aced the inventiveness in the Business. That was our true introduction to Agility
5. How do you measure your own performance at work?
Well, there could be many measuring systems, but in our heart, each contributor knows exactly how much he/she has contributed to the organization. In my case, I keep a Book of Records where I chronicle each day of the ‘TO Do List’ (which is my Operational Manual) & the Think Tank Book (Which is my Strategic Manual) this helps me peg each of my contribution against the ones that are listed and my contributing Goals to the organization.
6. What values are most important to you as a leader?
Integrity & Honesty are two values that define any leader. Empathies is another one that I feel is an absolute no negotiable quality.
7. Who is your favorite leader? Why?
I am greatly inspired by Sulajja Motwani & Naina Lal Kidwai since I was in my 8th standard. These women are role model to me where they broke the glass ceiling & touched the lives of many girls from a small town like me & filled us with hopes for our future.
8. What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to be successful leaders?
There is no such thing as ENTITLEMENT. Many youngsters today do not wish to go through the grind of learnings & yet have all the fulfilment in terms of salary & designations. My simple advice is that all the aspirations come true only if the base is strong. Work hard to make your base & foundation strong. Rest all shall follow.
Also check out: Interview with Ojus Sharma