Ira Gilani   

One of my favourite quotes about leadership comes from Vinita Bali, Former Managing Director of Britannia Industries: “Leadership is not a noun, it is a verb. Actions matter more than perception.” That thought has stayed with me throughout my career.

Early in my professional journey, I worked in frontline sales and marketing roles that took me directly into the field. My first such assignment was with ITC in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where women in field sales were still uncommon. People were curious. Retailers often asked why I had chosen this role and whether I was comfortable working in the field. What I remember most, however, was not the curiosity but the respect. Very quickly, conversations shifted from who I was to how I could help them grow their business and improve their margins.

Later, at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, I joined the oncology division, which was led by an exceptional woman leader. While the company had strong representation of women, field sales remained predominantly male. Here too, the conversations that mattered were about patient outcomes rather than gender. Doctors cared about whether we could support better treatment decisions, not who was presenting the information. It reinforced an important lesson: people value competence and meaningful contribution above stereotypes.

My journey later took me to management consulting with Accenture and subsequently Goldratt Bharat, where I worked extensively with manufacturing, metals and mining, retail, consumer goods, and industrial organisations. Once again, I found myself in environments where women were often the exception. There were occasions when credibility had to be established before ideas received acceptance, but I also observed how leadership shapes organisational culture. When senior leaders consistently valued expertise over hierarchy or gender, teams followed their example.

The most enduring lesson has been that inclusive cultures are created through everyday leadership decisions, not policy statements. Assumptions may influence first impressions, but consistent performance, thoughtful problem-solving, and genuine collaboration ultimately earn trust.

Leadership is not about proving that you belong. It is about creating value, helping people succeed, and keeping teams aligned around a common purpose. Titles and authority may open doors, but actions build credibility. In the end, leadership is measured not by who you are, but by the outcomes you help others achieve.