'As a woman leader, I encountered situations where my ideas were overlooked'

Women have played a huge role in shaping the communications industry, even if their stories haven't always been at front. The industry has several remarkable women whose talent shape our world, often blending empathy with innovation in ways that make communication more real, more inclusive, and more powerful for everyone.

Today’s feature celebrate the achievements of Geetika Bangia, Head - Corporate Communications - Stryker India. She is the proud winner of the ‘Communicator of the year (Corp Comm professional)’ award at the e4m PR & Corp Comm Women Achievers' Awards 2024. 

Excerpts:

How has been your journey in the communications industry, share your experiences and challenges as a woman leader.

My communications career spans nearly two decades, evolving from physical press distribution to today's digital landscape and comprehensive stakeholder engagement.

As a woman leader, I encountered situations where my ideas were overlooked until repeated by male colleagues. These experiences strengthened my leadership approach, teaching me to advocate effectively for myself and other women professionals.

The pandemic highlighted emotional intelligence as a critical business asset, accelerating recognition of empathy's strategic value in crisis management and brand storytelling.

Today's challenge involves balancing professional demands with personal commitments in our constantly connected environment. I've found that authentic leadership in our hybrid working world creates stronger team connections and improves overall effectiveness.

Q: What are the most important skills and qualities that women leaders need to succeed in the PR and comms industry?

Communication power requires effective leaders to have a sufficient blend of essential abilities—along with technical knowledge.
First, storytelling—the ability to create narratives that incorporate cultural context and position brands within meaningful social conversations.

Second, strategic adaptability, balancing quick responses with long-term vision. Successful leaders anticipate changes and maintain composure when plans require adjustment.

Third, emotional intelligence—the capacity to understand stakeholder perspectives and build authentic connections. This skill has become increasingly valuable in today's environment where audiences expect genuine engagement from leadership.

The ability to combine these capabilities distinguishes exceptional communications leaders in a landscape that increasingly values authenticity and relationship-building.

What advice would you offer to young women who are starting their careers in the communications industry?

To emerging professionals in communications, I recommend:

Develop your authentic voice rather than imitating others—your unique perspective adds distinct value.

Your fresh perspective is a significant asset in our evolving industry.

Master both fundamental writing skills and emerging digital platforms. Today's successful communicators blend traditional expertise with technological fluency.

Build meaningful professional relationships based on mutual value. Connect with diverse mentors.

Balance creative abilities with analytical skills. Modern communications requires both storytelling talent and data interpretation capabilities.

Never shy away from learning, unlearning and re-learning. It only makes you better

Lastly, how do you feel as a winner of the 5th edition e4m PR & Corp Comm Women Achievers Awards 2024?

This award brings both professional validation and personal humility. It honors not just my work but our industry's progress in advancing women's leadership.

Reflecting on my early career when women leaders were rare, I find sharing this recognition with my team and inspiring younger professionals especially meaningful. One mentioned that seeing such acknowledgment helped her envision unlimited career possibilities.

This honor represents both achievement and responsibility, motivating me to create more opportunities for the next generation of women in communications.

Thankyou Team E4M for creating such platforms.