Ritu Agarwal, Deputy General Manager Project Management, Projects and Development India Limited.

Can you share some insights into your path in the business world and discuss how you entered your current role?
It's a journey of 25 years in Instrumentation and subsequently two years in Project Management to serve a diverse clientele for larger roles to manage/coordinate the different disciplines of engineering.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the construction engineering industry?
Being an Electronics Engineer in the mid-1990s we had the option to choose IT or core technical industry. As the daughter of a process engineer, and having seen the various developments of large process plants since childhood, it motivated me to opt for the core industry and join M/s Linde Engineering as a fresher.

Can you discuss a significant challenge you faced in your career and how you overcame it?
I have worked in a MNC for 13 years since the beginning of my career. Later, I switched to the Public Sector with a major focus on serving various clients for nation building. It was a significant challenge in my career as my role changed from that of a Technology Licensor's to serve public clients who play a pivotal role in the growth of the Indian fertilizer industry. Subsequently, there were various other challenges that I had to overcome, which I was able to do through my company's support and training, and also all the experience, knowledge and hard work.

What leadership style do you employ, and how do you think it contributes to your success?
It is the democratic style – I believe in an active participation and delegation approach as it empowers the team to take ownership which is the key to success.

How do you approach risk-taking and decision-making in your professional journey?
Risk is always a part of life; however, I believe in evaluating the pros and cons so that there are no regrets. Also I would be prepared to absorb the shocks or happiness or disappointments, if any, whichever comes with my calculated decision.

Can you share a specific example of how you turned a business idea into a successful venture?
Working in an Engineering Consultancy organisation there are limited opportunities to convert business ideas into a successful venture; however in Engineering, Innovation, Adaptation and Implementation of new technologies is the key to project success, which I have been doing since the beginning of my career.

How do you foster a positive and inclusive work culture within your team or organisation?
Being transparent, allowing team members to share their ideas and non-hierarchical ideas – these are the three factors to foster positive and inclusive work culture within the team.

How do you promote gender diversity and inclusion in your workplace?
It is the issue of utmost importance and seems to be being addressed effectively now. I personally believe in allowing more women to join the organisation, get their deserved positions, avail of opportunities to travel at project sites and take larger project responsibilities.

Have you faced any specific challenges as a woman in your industry, and how did you navigate them?
In the mid-1990s when I joined as a fresher in the process industry, the ratio of female to male was weighed heavily in favour of men, and working in that environment was a challenge. I had to overcome this challenge through my knowledge, hard work, extra efforts and support from the management.

What unique strengths or perspectives do you think women bring to leadership roles?
Patience, Humour and Efficacy are the distinct strengths which women bring to the leadership role.

How would you describe your life in 3 words?

Transparent. Empowering. Democratic.

What would you write on your own fortune cookie?

‘God is blissful to me and shall always be!’

Ms Ritu Agarwal is a Deputy General Manager – Project Management, Projects and Development India Limited, a company under the Department of Fertilizers owned by the Government of India. With more than 25 years of experience, she has significant contributions in Fertilizers, Oil & Gas, and Air Separation. Ms Agarwal is an enthusiastic professional who worked with global firms including Linde Engineering for 13 years followed by PDIL (A Govt of India undertaking) for 14+ years.

Ms Agarwal has been actively engaged with professional bodies and inducted as an Executive Board Member in ISA Delhi. She has completed her bachelor’s degree in electronics/instrumentation and holds an MBA in Finance degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Ms Ritu began her career as Principal Engineer – Instrumentation, Linde Engineering and moved to Deputy General Manager (Instrumentation) role at Projects & Development India Ltd.

Ms Ritu held various leadership roles, including the Lead – Department of Instrumentation and Lead of various Projects in Instrumentation. Now, she has moved over to a larger role as Project Manager for multiple assignments. Ms Ritu always encourages young engineers to learn by doing and from site visits.

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