Manisha Jain, Senior Manager (Instrumentation & Control Engineering), Linde Engineering India Private Limited.

What inspired you to pursue a career in this industry?

My fascination with technology and field experience of almost 22 years in petrochemical plants and of Sales & Business development in leading manufacturing companies has given me perspective of challenges being faced by the industry.

With the aim of addressing these challenges right from the design phase, inspired me to embark on a career in design & engineering. At Linde, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, I got the opportunity to contribute to the development of high-quality engineering solutions, working with global experts and learning sustainable emerging technologies. This has fuelled my passion for this industry.

How do you define success in your professional life?

For me, success in my professional life is not merely about personal achievements but revolves around the collective success of the teams I've been fortunate to lead. It is about fostering an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. True success is achieved when the projects we undertake positively impact the industry.

Can you share your perspective on your leadership style and the contributions to your achievements?

My leadership style revolves around inspiring my team members and achieving goals. I believe in creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone feels encouraged to share ideas. Collaboration, open communication, trust and care have been integral to the achievements and milestones we've reached together.

Can you discuss your approach to risk-taking and decision-making in your professional endeavors?

Risk taking either gives new opportunities or new learnings which makes us stronger and confident for future endeavours. Recognising risk proactively, weighing its likely benefits and possible losses well in advance helps us to find the possible solution.

I approach decision-making by gathering relevant data, analysing potential outcomes, and seeking input from my team and encouraging them to share more innovative ideas to ensure success and sustainability of our endeavours.

What strategies do you use to motivate and empower your team members?

Motivating and empowering my team is at the core of effective leadership. I prioritise creating a supportive work environment that fosters creativity and acknowledges individual contributions. Recognising achievements, providing growth opportunities, and encouraging a healthy work-life balance are key components of my strategy to keep the team motivated and engaged.

Recall a challenging decision you had to make as a leader. What steps did you take to handle the situation?

One challenging decision involved navigating a project with tight deadlines and unforeseen technical challenges. I initiated transparent communication with the team, assessed available resources, and redefined project milestones. By fostering collaboration and leveraging the strengths of each team member, we not only successfully met the deadline but also strengthened our teamwork and problem-solving capabilities.

How do you stay connected with industry trends and commit to the ongoing improvement of your skills?

Staying connected with industry trends is crucial in a rapidly evolving field. I dedicate time to continuous learning and engaging in professional networks. Encouraging a culture of knowledge sharing within the team ensures that we collectively stay abreast of the latest advancements, allowing us to integrate innovative solutions into our projects.

Can you share a mentorship experience that had a significant impact on your career?

Early in my career, I was fortunate to have a mentor who guided me through challenges and provided valuable insights. Their encouragement to embrace challenges as learning opportunities and their emphasis on fostering leadership skills significantly influenced my approach to professional growth.

 This mentorship experience has shaped my commitment to supporting the development of young emerging leaders in my own department.

In your opinion, what distinct strengths or perspectives do you believe women contribute to leadership positions?

Women are wired differently. In my opinion, they can bring structural and cultural differences to the table and demonstrate more contingent reward behaviour. In this way female leaders are more transformational and drive effective outcomes. Women are more honest, smarter and can make bold and wise decisions as leaders which are essential for navigating complex challenges.

If you could offer advice to women aspiring to leadership positions or entrepreneurship, what would it be?

My advice to aspiring women leaders is to embrace their unique strengths, cultivate a strong support network, and never underestimate the value of continuous learning. Confidence, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning are essential elements that can empower women to thrive in leadership positions and entrepreneurship.

 As I reflect on my 28-years professional journey in engineering, I am honored to share my experiences and insights with the readers of the Industrial Automation magazine. It has been a rewarding and transformative path that has allowed me to witness and contribute to the evolution of the industry.

 In conclusion, my 28-year journey in engineering has been marked by a passion for new learnings, a commitment to teamwork, and a dedication to continuous improvement. As I look forward to the future, I am excited about the opportunities to contribute further to the evolution of industrial automation and inspire the next generation of engineering leaders.

How would you describe your life in 3 words?

Inspiring. Collaborative. Adaptable.

What would you write on your own fortune cookie?

‘Embrace challenges, lead with purpose, and let learning be your guiding star’.

Manisha Jain is Senior Manager (Instrumentation & Control Engineering), Linde Engineering India Private Limited. She has earned her B.E in Electronics and Instrumentation. Manisha is passionate about learning, sharing knowledge and mentoring young engineers on Process Analyzer Systems and new technologies.

In her professional journey, Manisha has ventured into different industries and worked for Petrochemical plants (Client), Manufacturing (Vendor Supplier) and now in an EPC company. She is a subject matter expert in the Process Analyzers system – a Core member for developing Corporate-wide reliance standards-1. She has also contributed to process analyzer engineering that includes sampling and sample conditioning techniques and interface with DCS; Standard operating and maintenance procedures covering process and personnel safety; and the development of Interactive Training modules.

Manisha has a passion for redesigning, and modifying hardware and software to suit the process requirements. She successfully implements cost-effective solutions through in-house efforts to achieve optimal tuning of process operation to improve both the quality and yield of the product.

Manisha has bagged several accolades, including Safety Incident reporting awards, Suggestion Scheme awards, and Best Faculty and Virtual Training awards. She has accomplished successful commissioning of Analyzer systems and Fire & Gas detection systems at Gas Cracker, Ethylene Oxide, Polyethylene, PET/PTA, caustic Soda, Asia's largest ETP, and power plants.

Manisha has also been recognised as a Training Faculty at Reliance Industries. Her interview on ‘Project execution is Most Challenging part of Project Management’ was published in Industrial Automation magazine. Her potential and contribution were recognised at Linde Engineering by publishing in Linde LEInsight magazine and on LinkedIn. She has mentored Graduate engineer Trainees at Reliance Industries and Linde.

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