Shalini Verma, CGM & HOD- Project Engineering Management, Engineers India Limited.

Can you share some insights into your business journey and the path that led you to your current position?

Working with EIL had been my dream ever since I was in engineering college. EIL has provided me with immense knowledge and enriching experience. I started my career in the core electrical engineering and mastered my skills by working in many prestigious projects in Refinery, Petrochemicals, Renewable energy segments, etc. In addition, I was in the core committee responsible for digital transformation and developing strategies for business diversifications. I have also contributed in formulation of various Indian Standards and National Electrical Code of India, with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

I was felicitated with the Best Women Executive Award by Women in Public Sector Forum (WIPS) in the year 2020. Presently, I am heading the Project Engineering Management Department in EIL.

Challenges are part of any success one achieves and overcoming them with grit and conviction makes one a true leader. Challenges were also there in the personal front with increased responsibility towards the family especially with my younger son being a differently abled child. But with my family’s support and guidance from my mentors, I could pursue my career as well as bring up my son well.

How would you characterise your approach to leadership, and in what ways do you believe it enhances your success?

I have been a leader since a very young age and leadership attributes varied with time and the leadership role I assumed from time to time. Being amongst the elder cousins in the family, I learnt that to be a leader you have to be a role model. Being a leader in the classroom, I realised that I could not impose my ‘Role Model’ ideal on my peers. I learnt to accept my peers and it became an important lesson as a classroom leader that I celebrate strengths and work on the weaknesses using those strengths. I found the second key to leadership, which was motivation and influence. As I progressed further in my career and become Group Leader, I realised that the above two are not enough. I learnt to collaborate with my seniors and colleagues and learnt from their experience through discussions and taking them on board for decisions. Thus, I learnt collaborative and shared leadership.

It is when I headed a department I learnt fearlessness – it is conquering your own fears to be truly who you are; standing tall with the right values and the right causes. You cannot be a true leader if you have not conquered your own fears. We all are required to find the light within us and shine it outward in whatever role we are involved in. We are teachers and leaders at each stage of life. The conscious self‐embraces the soul within and is set free by the fearlessness that honesty and truth give to all of us. We then are free to lead a life of humility, love, respect and strength as an individual and leader.

Share your experiences with challenges in your leadership role as a woman and the approaches you adopted to overcome them.

There are many challenges which women face during their career life in both professional and personal front. In some phases of life, women may lack flexibility due to multiple roles and responsibilities at work as well as on the family front. Women may encounter subtle or implicit forms of discrimination or prejudice that affect their opportunities, decisions, or interactions. The best approach to overcome these challenges is to challenge the bias – women should identify and confront bias, whether in themselves or others, and educate or influence others to create a more fair and inclusive culture, Build a sisterhood – women should support and empower each other, and form networks or alliances with other women who can offer advice, mentorship, or advocacy.

My mentors and seniors have always guided me and I express my gratitude to them for where I am today.

Have you faced challenges related to work‐life balance, and how have you managed them?

Achieving work‐life balance can be challenging for anyone, and especially for working women who often face multiple demands and expectations from their work, family, and society. There were occasions when I also went through the dilemma of prioritising work over family and vice‐versa. It is with perseverance and delegation of work both at professional and personal front, alongwith support from family & friends, and one is able to maintain work‐life balance and pursue career goals.

Can you share an instance where personal development positively impacted your professional life?

In my career span, there have been many good and bad experiences. One life changing experience which was actually a turning point for my professional life was when I was given an opportunity to work on a prestigious project which was very demanding in all respects. My learning curve was the highest which gave a boost to my knowledge, confidence and experience. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors, project managers who instilled their confidence in me and gave me a platform to perform.

What inspired you to enter this industry, and how has the journey been so far?

When I began my career about 30 years back, women in STEM were rare. Having lost my father at 11 years of age, as I witnessed my mother’s struggle to bring us up, I decided to be financially independent and my aptitude towards science helped me choose this profession.

I was the first female engineer in my family and had to face many challenges from the family front. I did my engineering from Delhi College of Engineering and thereafter joined EIL. Ever since joining EIL, we have always been encouraged to develop professionally and personally in engineering capacity. From day one, as part of the graduate intake, I've been empowered to take on responsibility for my own career development and everything this entails.

How do you foster innovation and creativity within your business for growth?

Innovation and creativity are essential for the growth of any business. To foster innovation and creativity within a business, it is important to create an environment that encourages creative thinking and new ideas. In our organisation, we foster a culture of innovation by democratising the innovation process and encouraging collaboration across various engineering teams. In fact, for EIL, last year was declared ‘Year of Innovation’ and this year it is ‘Year of Collaboration’. These are the catalysts for the development of revolutionary products, services, and strategic partnerships that drive growth and success.

What, in your view, are the special strengths or perspectives that women can offer in leadership positions?

Women bring unique strengths and perspectives to leadership positions. The first and foremost is that women leaders are empathetic and can understand the emotions of their team members, which helps them build strong relationships. They are skilled at building relationships and bridges, and foster a culture of collaboration. Women leaders are able to foresee both the big picture and minute details, which help them make informed decisions. They manage time effectively by juggling through multiple tasks.

These strengths and perspectives are valuable in any leadership position and can help organisations achieve their goals and objectives

How do you approach career development and set professional goals for yourself?

Setting professional goals and developing your career requires a proactive and strategic approach. The most important part is to analyse your skills, to be able to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Efforts need to be made to convert weaknesses into strengths which would help in achieving professional success. Always set small, measurable targets, which help in providing clarity in achieving small term goals in a timely manner to ultimately reach the long‐term goals. Many of my seniors have been my mentors who have not only guided me but also provided me with feedback and support. So it is very important to network your way to success. Needless to say that celebrating small successes one achieves along the way helps you stay motivated and focused.

What words of advice would you give to other women with aspirations for leadership positions or entrepreneurship?

Based on my experience and journey, I would suggest few points for my women colleagues to practice and follow for achieving leadership roles:

1. Believe in yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and don’t be afraid to take risks.

2. Find a mentor: Look for someone who can guide you and provide you with valuable insights and advice.

3. Network: Build relationships with other professionals in your industry and attend networking events to expand your reach.

4. Stay informed: Stay up‐to‐date with the latest trends and developments in your industry to stay ahead of the curve.

5. Be resilient: Don’t let setbacks discourage you. Learn from your mistakes and keep pushing forward.

6. Be authentic: Be true to yourself and your values. Authenticity is key to building trust and credibility with others.

How would you describe your life in 3 words?

Dynamic. Challenging. Enriching.

What would you write on your own fortune cookie?

‘Dreams don’t work, unless you do!’

‘Dreams don’t work unless you do”- this is what Shalini had read a long time ago, little realising that it will become her life mantra. Working in an esteemed organisation like EIL had been her dream right from her engineering college days and getting an opportunity to be part of EIL was ecstatic.

Shalini Verma is a Chief General Manager & HOD- Project Engineering Management, Engineers India Limited. She has earned a B.E. in Electrical. In her 30 years of journey with EIL, Shalini has specialised in the electrical system design for refineries, petrochemicals, fertilizers, offshore projects and power plants. She has executed many domestic and international projects during this tenure.

Shalini had volunteered for a change of assignment and moved to ITS for 2 years. “During my tenure there, our core team facilitated the digital revolution in EIL by the implementation of the electronic document management system (eDMS) in our organisation,” she said.

Shalini has utilised her ITS experience in executing various software packages within electrical as well as other engineering disciplines, to improve accuracy and efficiency in deliverables. Presently, she is heading the Project Engineering Management Department wherein all activities related to engineering coordination across all projects are being carried out, in addition to assisting M & BD in providing complete engineering support in bidding for projects.

Shalini has conducted many domain training programs for both domestic and international clients and received appreciation from clients. She is an active member of BIS and is involved in the revision of the prestigious National Electrical Code of India-2023, which was launched in January 2023.

Shalini is a strong believer in teamwork. She always believes ‘Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them’. She always maintains meaningful relationships with her subordinates, motivating them to perform and deliver their best.

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