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Posted on by naren@hybreed.co

It was going to be morning soon, the sun had begun rising. It’s a very different kind of a warmth when you see sun at an elevation of 8848 m. The summit was almost visible too. The moment we reached there, we were at the highest mountain possible on Earth. Our faces were lit, not just by the sun light but also the ear to ear smiles that just refused to leave any of our faces. All it took was a childhood dream, years of practice and hikes, innumerable adventures and accidents, and the determination to not quit.

10 minutes later, we began the descent.

 

Reimagining the Concept of Conquering

When  people tell Deeya that she has conquered Mt. Everest, she just wants them to know that there is no such thing as ‘conquering nature.’ Instead, every feat is just a journey that makes one discover things about nature and yourself. It’s the kind of education that wouldn’t be possible at any learning institution. 

The Journey to the Summit

Deeya Bajaj became a part of the first father-daughter duo to climb Mount Everest, at a very early age. Her session is an enriching experience, in every way possible. A life-long mountaineer, she has accompanied her father on hikes for as long as she can remember. This spark is what, having nurtured well,  resulted into igniting the fire that led them to climb the unattainable Mt. Everest. A life-long commitment to adventure and learning how to do it right has not only enabled her to climb the highest peak on this planet but also continues to give her the courage to overcome all and any difficulties in achieving goals that she sets for herself. 

A Story of Bravery and Choices

 

One example of her bravery and the true spirit of a go-getter is the following anecdote from her journey up the Everest, with her father –

While their ascent up the mighty Everest, a point came wherein her father started running out of breath and had to stop midway. However, the passage they were on was a narrow one. This meant that if they both waited, all the other mountaineers in their batch would have to wait, as well. This is when Deeya had to make an impossible choice – she could either wait to be with her father while help arrived or continue with the climb. She was torn between the two choices but finally with her father’s selfless motivation, she decided to continue the climb and reach the summit. And even though, she was worried sick for her father, she didn’t let her fear drive her focus away from the her ultimate goal – which was climbing to the top. She managed to conquer the unattainable Everest peak, but experienced true euphoria only when her father finally made it to the top, as well. It was one of the greatest moments of both of their lives and continues to inspire her, even today!

Deeya Bajaj: A Masterclass in Resilience

 

We are honoured to have her as a part of our Masterclass series! Her indomitable spirit and a taste for the roads less travelled inspires one into striving for greatness while her experience and wisdom guides the listeners into formulating the right action steps to achieve set goals!

 In her Masterclass session, Deeya delivers messages about leadership and teamwork, women’s empowerment as well as sustainability and environmental concerns. Having travelled some of the toughest terrains in the world with a single minded pursuit and discipline, she talks about how to think, take decisions, lead and be a team player in times of adversity. We encourage you to experience a potentially life altering session by this powerful woman, with us, today!

Posted on by naren@hybreed.co

March 08 is celebrated across the world as International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate and applaud the amazing social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women globally. A day when we all celebrate the progress towards gender equality i.e. inclusion and participation of women, from the household to the public spheres.

Celebrating Women’s Day in your office is more than just a day on the calendar; it’s an opportunity to inspire, motivate, and empower your teams. A thoughtfully curated Women’s Day celebration can help organizations foster inclusivity, recognize achievements, and promote a culture of growth. From meaningful gestures like personalized giveaways to engaging team-building activities, there are countless ways to make the day memorable and impactful.

Here are some creative ideas for celebrating Women’s Day at work, along with our curated list of dynamic female speakers to inspire your teams:

1. Personalized Giveaway

Create a personalized message for each women employee at your organization and put that note on their workstations. If most of your employees work from remote locations, you can also circulate a personalized email message. The idea is to make them feel they are special and important.

In addition, the HR managers can also create a photo collage of women achievers at their organization. They can showcase this collage through various platforms such as intranet, desktop wallpapers, and emails. Such kind of recognition will solve two purposes. First, it will send a message to all those women achievers that how the entire organization value their efforts and achievements. Secondly, it will also inspire and motivate other female employees to achieve more and more.

2. Implementing a Women’s Leadership Program

A Women’s Leadership Program (like this one) is one of the most impactful ways to ensure the long-term development and success of women leaders in your organization. The business impact of running such a program includes:

  • Fostering a more diverse workforce, bringing varied perspectives and experiences to the table
  • Expanding the pool of potential successors, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for future leadership roles
  • Promoting balanced decision-making, drawing on diverse viewpoints and improving overall organizational outcomes
  • Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity, boosting employee morale and engagement across the organization
  • Positioning the organization as forward-thinking, attracting top talent, and enhancing its reputation in the market

Investing in a Women’s Leadership Program not only supports the professional growth of women but also strengthens your organizational culture, paving the way for lasting success.

3. Book a Female Speaker to Motivate Your Team

An impactful way to celebrate Women’s Day is by inviting a dynamic female motivational speaker. These speakers bring unique perspectives, inspiring your teams to embrace leadership, resilience, and growth. Whether you’re planning a women in leadership workshop or exploring new ideas for Women’s Day activities in the office, these talks can leave a lasting impression.

Major Prajakta Desai

An inspiring leader and trailblazer, Major Prajakta Desai’s journey from the Indian Army to corporate leadership embodies resilience and determination.

Key Topics: Leadership in adversity, fostering high-performance cultures, and nurturing future leaders.

Sufiya Runner

With record-breaking endurance achievements, Sufiya Runner inspires audiences to overcome challenges and push their limits.

Key Topics: Lessons from endurance sports, resilience, and teamwork.

Roshani Shenazz

As a holistic therapist and thought leader, Roshani Shenazz empowers individuals with mindfulness and emotional intelligence practices.

Key Topics: Emotional intelligence, diversity in leadership, and personal growth.

Smita Tharoor

An expert in unconscious bias and cultural inclusion, Smita Tharoor’s talks challenge stereotypes and foster inclusive environments.

Key Topics: Combating unconscious bias, creating inclusive workplaces, and leadership development.

Namrita Chandi

Namrita Chandi’s inspiring story as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force motivates individuals to embrace resilience and rise above challenges.

Key Topics: Women’s empowerment, overcoming adversity, and building resilience.

Rhea Mazumdar Singhal

As the founder of Ecoware, Rhea Mazumdar Singhal exemplifies leadership in sustainable business practices.

Key Topics: Sustainability in business, purpose-driven leadership, and entrepreneurial challenges.

Deeya Bajaj

An adventurer who has climbed the highest mountains on every continent, Deeya Bajaj’s story inspires leadership, resilience, and environmental responsibility.

Key Topics: Leadership in adversity, women’s empowerment, and sustainability.

You learn read more about Deeya Bajaj in this blog post – “Deeya Bajaj – The Girl Who Conquered Mount Everest”.

Natalia Cohen

Part of the first all-female team to row across the Pacific Ocean, Natalia Cohen’s story showcases the power of teamwork and mental resilience.

Key Topics: Mental resilience, effective team dynamics, and navigating challenges.

4. Host a Fireside Chat

Engage your teams with an inspiring fireside chat featuring extraordinary women leaders. For instance, in 2024, we hosted the FocusU Firestarter, a special edition titled “Inspiring Women to Transform Workplaces.”

This event brought together five remarkable women who have shattered glass ceilings and redefined what women can achieve. From scaling Mount Everest to leading corporate boardrooms, commanding skies, and shaping future leaders, these women challenged norms, defied expectations, and made their mark in traditionally male-dominated arenas. Their stories inspired participants to think beyond limits and drive transformation in their workplaces.

Organizing a similar fireside chat can:

  • Inspire your teams with real-life success stories
  • Highlight diverse perspectives and leadership styles
  • Foster meaningful conversations about inclusion and empowerment
Posted on by naren@hybreed.co

It’s March.

It’s March, and you know what that means — Women’s History Month! A time to celebrate women’s contributions to historical events and contemporary society. Even if Women’s History Month is new to you, chances are you recognized International Women’s Day on March 8th, a global celebration of women’s achievements.

But why is this month so important, and why should it matter to you? Let’s pause for a moment and think about the women in our lives. Start with the one who brought you into this world. Motherhood alone is an act of immense strength, requiring physical and emotional sacrifices. Beyond mothers, consider the other women who shape our daily lives — mentors, colleagues, friends, and family members who contribute to our growth and success.

Women have always been at the forefront of shaping history and society. Whether it’s building families, leading revolutions, or driving businesses forward, their impact is undeniable. Yet, despite these contributions, women remain underrepresented in workplaces, boardrooms, and leadership roles.

Empowerment in the Workplace

As working professionals, we interact with diverse individuals daily. But how often do we reflect on the representation of women in our workplaces? For many organizations, the gender ratio still tilts disproportionately. This imbalance makes it even more crucial for women to support and uplift one another.

If you’re a woman in the workplace, think about your relationships with other female colleagues. How do you support one another? The workplace can be challenging, and knowing you have allies can make all the difference. Supporting fellow women isn’t about exclusion; it’s about inclusion — creating a network where everyone can thrive.

To HR and L&D leaders reading this, fostering such support systems within your organization can have lasting benefits. Programs that encourage mentorship, skill-building, and leadership development for women create environments where talent can flourish, regardless of gender.

Why Empowerment Matters

Women have helped build the world, one brick at a time, one baby at a time, and are now shaping the future, one business transaction at a time. The stories of successful women leaders show us what’s possible when barriers are removed. Take inspiration from Forbes’s list of the 20 Most Powerful Businesswomen, featuring trailblazing COOs, CEOs, and entrepreneurs redefining industries.

Empowerment is not just a buzzword; it’s an actionable commitment. Empowering women in the workplace isn’t about quotas or tokenism — it’s about creating opportunities, addressing biases, and ensuring equal access to resources. By doing so, organizations not only achieve diversity but also drive innovation and growth.

Our Commitment at FocusU

At FocusU, we believe in walking the talk when it comes to empowerment. Our Women’s Day workshops are designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate women’s contributions across industries. From sessions on breaking barriers to practical tips on building resilience, these programs are crafted to create real impact.

This Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to reflect: How can we create a culture that truly celebrates and empowers women every day? Whether through mentorship, celebrating achievements, or simply offering words of encouragement, every action counts.

 

Posted on by naren@hybreed.co

The workplace is an ever-evolving arena. Decades ago, women were not typically found in the office. Today women are found in every position, from the front lines of customer service to CEOs in multi-national corporations, to presidents of nations. This is a major change, certainly, but it is only one of many. Outside of women in the workplace, the cross-cultural dimension of the workspace has drastically shifted throughout the last century. Business has always crossed borders and boundaries, from the Silk Road that spanned China and Kazakhstan through India to Persia, and beyond, to the digital giant Google, with offices in over 40 countries today.

Continue reading “How To Work Cross-Culturally”