Aruna Subramanyan (GMBA’09) is currently the Asia Africa Talent Development Lead at Monsanto Company. We caught up with her to find out a bit more about her life and career post SP Jain.

 Could you tell us a little about yourself?

An HR by profession and a dancer by passion, I currently lead Talent Development at Monsanto for the Asia Africa Hub. I spent the last 13 years of my career building a profession in HR across the Banking and Pharma sector.

What was your dream job as a kid?

At some point in my growing up days, I dreamt of becoming an IAS officer.

How do you deal with organisational bureaucracy?

Staying true to the situation and being assertive when needed is how I’ve dealt with organisational bureaucracy. Process and bureaucracy is part of the game – knowing when to be assertive is key to support what you strongly believe in.

What do you think is the most significant barrier to leadership?

I believe that there isn’t really any barrier. It all always depends on what your priorities are. In my case, my priority has always been my family, before anything else. So, they are a part of any core decisions I make. There have been times I have let go of some opportunities in life to prioritise home and that’s individualistic to each person. I have had absolutely no regrets doing that either.

Who are your favourite heroines? What about them appeals to you?

I don’t have any specific heroines. But as I look at Priyanka Chopra’s trajectory and the path she has carved for herself, it does make me proud. To rise from being socially introvert as a kid/feeling inferior about her looks to winning credit internationally as a superstar is something else. It may have come with a lot at stake and yet, her rise is inspirational. Her decision making, courage to constantly try something new & stay relevant in whatever she believes in is something to reflect upon.