Leading with Heart: Prajakta Talvelkar Of Mastek On The Power of Authentic Women’s Leadership

Embracing authentic humanity is vital — rejecting stereotypes and being genuinely humane transcends gender norms and fosters a more inclusive work environment. Fourthly, instilling a constant pursuit of excellence, aiming higher, and resisting settling for less has been a guiding principle. Lastly, my strength lies in the authentic relationships I build with my team, recognizing their time as the most valuable investment and ensuring our collaborative efforts contribute not just to jobs but to enduring attributes and careers.

In today’s dynamic world, the concept of leadership is continuously evolving. While traditional leadership models have often been male-dominated, there is a growing recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to these roles. This series aims to explore how women can become more effective leaders by authentically embracing their femininity and innate strengths, rather than conforming to traditional male leadership styles. In this series, we are talking to successful women leaders, coaches, authors, and experts who can provide insights and personal stories on how embracing their inherent feminine qualities has enhanced their leadership abilities. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Prajakta Talvelkar, of Mastek. Prajakta leads her team for Influence Marketing, Alliance Management, Analyst Relations & Public Relations, Communication Strategy & Execution, Events, and Business Communication. She brings insights and best practices in building Marketing Strategies, strong strategic research & analytics capability, GTM plans, influencer relationship management — Analysts, Advisors, Industry Bodies & Alliances, Marketing Communications & outreach supported with content and creative trust. Alumni of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, Prajakta comes with more than 20 years of experience across the Top Line Functions such as — Sales, Consulting, Alliances and Marketing.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about authentic, feminine leadership, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

One of the most famous quotes by John C Maxwell describes my style of leadership well — “A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” I consider this to be the most gender-neutral quote of leadership and I have been following the same.

In a leader’s journey it is imperative to embrace challenges, learn from experiences and reinvent oneself continuously to be most purposeful. My story of being Prajakta is a long journey from being a sophisticated rebel to someone who values individuality while respecting the diverse perspectives from the board, my peers and most importantly my team. I navigate my own course, mindful of the myriad perspectives that surrounds me.

I have had a career with rich experience of 20 + years being focused on top line functions. Be it sales, consulting, alliance management, marketing, leading a huge presales capability, I have become a business leader who is focused on people, profits, processes and technologies.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

My leadership journey is full of stories so picking one to share would be a task. Having said that, few incidences which prove to be pivotal for a tectonic shift in career are the ones which stand out.

The first time when I was asked to move from leading marketing for a unit to head presales and marketing for the largest unit, I wasn’t sure how will I nail it. That’s when I learnt one of the most important lessons of leadership — As a leader, it’s fine not to be an expert in everything. However, it’s imperative to spot the talent, mentor them and empower them to contribute to the broader agenda.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

What makes Mastek stand out is its unique position as a well-kept secret in the industry, despite enjoying 40 years of heritage and numerous achievements. From the perspective of a marketer, the challenge lies in elevating the company’s visibility. I chose to work with Mastek because, even in my growing-up years, it was one of the few companies’ people talked about regarding IT services.

An event which etched in my memory is the 40th anniversary celebration of Mastek. What amazed me is the organizational culture and the down to earth approach of our founding members. Each one is so humble, so connected with the organization and our employees and with one unique goal that the organization lives for the well-being of its employees and it’s the topmost priority.

You are a successful business leader. Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

I have been very fortunate to meet leaders who were true representation of strong values of professionalism, intellect, empathy and with high business acumen. During my early days in I had a rare opportunity to visit multiple places and meet senior level executives. My global exposure, working with colleagues and senior industry stalwarts has helped me to imbibe several traits like -

Clarity/ simplification/ decomplex

Empathy

Resilience &

Your network is your networth

Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.

Clarity & transparency supported by authentic data are most critical elements to arrive at a decision. To me what decides difficult are the emotions at work- when we lose sight on the larger purpose and start prioritizing other agendas the decision making gets trickier. Of all the situations I feel people resist change the most. And being known for the transformation I have been driving across organizations and functions — it wasn’t easy to make decisions for teams, decisions to drive a business change, decomplex processes which have been age old; there have been massive push back to align. In each situation the solution was different — for teams — finding them a rewarding career in lieu of an assignment with complete transparency and authenticity was the key, while for business change it was series of whiteboarding sessions arriving at a decision which was a win-win.

Every situation either confirmed my approach or added a new dimension to it. In any and every situation I believe you can stand as a leader and choose the right path by

being authentic and humane

transparent with data

Being purposeful and effective to your team and the organization at large

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal experience where embracing your unique leadership style, which might not align with traditional expectations, led to a significant positive impact in your organization or team?

There are multiple dimensions to leadership — the two common style that I often come across. Leadership often leaning towards assertiveness, decisiveness, and a result-oriented approach. It may prioritize hierarchy and individual achievements. The other style of leading tends to emphasise on collaboration, relationship building and towards fostering a more inclusive and team-oriented culture. I have made my leadership commandments watching both category of leaders- my style is having a sound amalgamation of assertiveness with empathy. I am more nurturing towards my team both personally & professionally and I prefer to cultivate a supportive work environment where everyone thrives to deliver the business outcome.

In your journey as a leader, how have you balanced demonstrating resilience, often seen as a masculine trait, with showing vulnerability, which is equally powerful, but typically feminine? Can you give an example where this balance created a meaningful difference?

It involves being strong in the face of challenges while also showing openness and authenticity. From being Marketing considered as an enabling, nice to have function to driving a number driven KPI was not an easy journey.

I would say that to everyone the style of leadership is unique and the know it well on how to create a difference. For me, it is important to be -

Being data driven — have a sacrosanct & authentic data source and create insights from the data.

Being strong- when in a situation its only your strength which helps to sail through. Being to the point and precise and not being emotional helps to communicate effectively.

Driven by purpose and not emotions

Authentic accepting the mistakes and then seeking support from colleagues to help — I enjoyed the support.

As a woman in leadership, how have you navigated and challenged gender stereotypes, especially in situations where traditional male-dominated approaches are the norm? What strategies have you employed to remain authentic to your style?

To me glass ceiling exists only in our head and there are no gender stereotypes — not in reality. As a leader you need to be human, authentic, passionate, and backed by a strong team to support you. You need to be driven by purpose and not by emotions. Every leader irrespective of their gender has their own set of challenges and it is their grit and determination that helps them to steer the ship even in difficult situations.

How do you utilize emotional intelligence and active listening to create an inclusive environment in your team or organization? Could you share a specific instance where these qualities particularly enhanced team dynamics or performance?”

I don’t treat my team members as another employee but is vested in their personal and professional well-being. I believe personal & professional life is closely intricate and to be a good professionally, you need to be good personally as well. And this is gender neutral. I respect each employee and provide them the flexibility they need to balance personally & professionally. Rather than making assumptions, I prefer to have clear dialogue with the team members and keep them well aligned to the larger purpose & goal.

What role has mentorship played in developing your authentic leadership style, and how do you communicate authentically to inspire and empower both your mentors and mentees?

Mentorship, to me, is about embracing the authentic selves of individuals in my team, fostering their career development, and transcending the immediate job-focused mindset to envision long-term career trajectories. As a leader, my philosophy revolves around being a trailblazer, leaving a lasting impact through collaborative efforts with my exceptional team. While I may not be the sweetest presence on the floor, I believe in pushing my team through challenges, confident that they will appreciate the growth achieved on the other side. I attribute much of my success to the invaluable guidance of mentors at various life stages, emphasizing the importance of traits like executive presence and cross-cultural communication. Even today, I continue seeking mentorship, turning to industry mentors and trusted professors for insights into leadership and navigating the journey ahead. Mentorship, in essence, is a critical component of my leadership style, shaping not only individual careers but also contributing to the collective success of the team.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Leading Authentically as A Woman Will Affect Your Leadership”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.

In leading authentically as a human, I have encountered transformative lessons that have significantly shaped my leadership style.

Firstly, I’ve observed that individuals, particularly women, often underestimate themselves and tend to settle for less. Empowering them to negotiate better, assert their value, and be bold in various aspects of life, from family to the professional sphere, is crucial.

Secondly, it’s essential not to blindly accept what comes your way; instead, express your opinions and be well-prepared to stand by your convictions.

As a leader, I’ve learned that it’s perfectly acceptable not to know everything but fatal to pretend that you do.

Thirdly, embracing authentic humanity is vital — rejecting stereotypes and being genuinely humane transcends gender norms and fosters a more inclusive work environment. Fourthly, instilling a constant pursuit of excellence, aiming higher, and resisting settling for less has been a guiding principle. Lastly, my strength lies in the authentic relationships I build with my team, recognizing their time as the most valuable investment and ensuring our collaborative efforts contribute not just to jobs but to enduring attributes and careers.

Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?

Navigating the potential drawbacks of being perceived as an empathetic leader involves addressing the risk of being pigeonholed as overly soft and susceptible to exploitation. Overcoming these stereotypes is a formidable challenge, but I am staunch in my belief that substantiating my support with data and tangible evidence for my team members is paramount. By highlighting the achievements and potential of each individual on my team, I can defy these stereotypes and prove that my empathy is rooted in a genuine understanding of their capabilities. My leadership is not merely characterized by empathy but also recognized for making well-informed decisions based on the unique merits of each team member. Ultimately, embracing authentic empathy isn’t a vulnerability; it’s a formidable strength that empowers me to effectively champion my team.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would like people to value themselves, be assertive about their needs and wants. Focus not only professionally but towards their personal well-being as well. To me balancing personal and professional life is of utmost importance. You can’t give prominence to one over the other.

How can our readers further follow you online?

The readers can follow me at LinkedIn- Prajakta Talvekar

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About The Interviewer: Pirie is a TedX speaker, author and a Life Empowerment Coach. She is a co-host of Own your Throne podcast, inspiring women in the 2nd chapter of their lives. With over 20 years in front of the camera, Pirie Grossman understands the power of storytelling. After success in commercials and acting. She spent 10 years reporting for E! Entertainment Television, Entertainment Tonight, also hosted ABC’s “Every Woman”. Her work off-camera capitalizes on her strength, producing, bringing people together for unique experiences. She produced a Children’s Day of Compassion during the Dalai Lama’s visit here in 2005. 10,000 children attended, sharing ideas about compassion with His Holiness. From 2006–2009, Pirie Co-chaired the Special Olympics World Winter Games, in Idaho, welcoming 3,000 athletes from over 150 countries. She founded Destiny Productions to create Wellness Festivals and is an Advisory Board member of the Sun Valley Wellness Board.In February 2017, Pirie produced, “Love is Louder”, a Brain Health Summit, bringing in Kevin Hines, noted suicide survivor to Sun Valley who spoke to school kids about suicide. Sun Valley is in the top 5% highest suicide rate per capita in the Northwest, prompting a community initiative with St. Luke’s and other stake holders, to begin healing. She lives in Sun Valley with her two children, serves on the Board of Community School. She has her Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica and is an Executive Life Empowerment Coach, where she helps people meet their dreams and goals! The difference between a dream and a goal is that a goal is a dream with a date on it!