INDRA NOOYI

Indra Nooyi
The Goddess of fizz

This year, Indra Nooyi’s power & stature has grown beyond words. We know her story. But do we know how she learnt some of her toughest lessons in life? How she fought all odds to be an icon?

Never stop learning. Regardless of one’s age. That is my golden rule. I’m not talking about academic knowledge, but being ‘street-smart’ and being aware of what’s happening in the real world. Keep your natural curiosity alive.

Women need to work harder to be on top. This is one thing that some women may not like to hear. But, to reach the top, you have to work twice as hard as your counterparts. For, if you go on a crusade and argue for equality, or promotion, you could be on that crusade forever. Ever since I have been working, I have used this simple rule: Produce an output that was much better than what somebody else did. So, work extra hard at it. More hours, yes. More sacrifices and trade-offs, yes.

Create a balance. I made a choice to be a business executive, a mother; a wife. I made those choices. So I am not going to sit here and say, ‘I am a mother. I need balance.’ I’ve got to create that balance in my life.

You cannot let anybody down. I always deliver and I have kept my values at workplace. At Yale, I worked the receptionist counter from midnight to 5 am to make money.

It’s not easy up here. I have been through all the hard knocks of life… through business school, through youth. So, I have a different perspective on life and I don’t complain where I have to work hard now. Fact is, I haven’t seen the news in days… I am busy. It is not easy up here.

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