My relationships are my assets!

Hello! 👋

Welcome to the sixth edition of She Got You! — a newsletter where I share my conversations with women who create, make a difference and are building workplaces of the future.

Today's conversation is with Swati Majumdar, Product Management Director at Salesforce. 

Swati and I worked closely for nearly a year. We sat together, lunched together, and pretty much spoke (and still speak) about our love for food and fashion. Swati is a quiet observer and a kind leader. She believes in inclusivity and practices what she believes in.

She lavishly praises and makes you feel seen at workplaces, a quality that helps people working with her realise their worth. 

I'm so glad I had this short conversation with her. Here's how she's got you!

Sunaina: Please tell me about yourself, what you do, and what inspires you to do what you do. 

Swati: I am a Product Leader at Salesforce and love building products that deliver customer value. With over 17 years of experience, I have built and supported products for startups and enterprises across e-commerce, retail, banking, security & surveillance, Information Technology, and AI. 

I love connecting with people and understanding their motivations. The excitement of seeing an idea come to life keeps me going! Outside work, I am a fitness enthusiast, a passionate traveller, an obsessed gardener, and a firm believer in reusing and recycling.

Sunaina: I've worked with you, so I know you build and maintain friendships with people you work with for a reason. How do you maintain friendships with former colleagues? 

Swati: Relationships and friendships are critical to me. I am a people person and stay in touch with my former colleagues through phone calls and occasional coffee catchups. These relationships are my assets; I can proudly say they have only increased over the years.

Sunaina: So you've done the Iron Lady Leadership Essentials Program. Can you tell me more about it? 

Swati: I had seen ads from the Iron Lady program on social media for months but was always apprehensive about trying it out. I'm glad I did it last year. It's an exhaustive leadership program for women to fast-track their career growth. I had the opportunity to meet tons of excellent, like-minded women, and it provided a safe space to discuss my career aspirations and challenges. It gave me access to incredible principles like powerful requests and how to create your differentiated brand, set goals, and chase them methodically, which helped fast-track my career growth. I'd highly recommend it.

Sunaina: What has been the most challenging period for you at work?

Swati: When I was pregnant with my first child, I was at an MNC, surrounded by unsupportive leadership in a toxic environment. On several occasions, I was asked to cancel my weekend appointments with the doctor to complete last-minute, unplanned assignments. It was unacceptable to say NO. Towards the end of my 8th month, when my maternity leave was about to begin, I was asked to leave the organisation along with a few others, although I was a top performer. This was challenging. 

I delivered my baby but took an 18th-month break, as finding a job with a career gap was hard. Looking back, it allowed me to spend my entire time with my firstborn and pursue better and more exciting opportunities.

Sunaina: What's your advice for women entering the workforce today?

Swati: Give your best at work, but remember your passions and hobbies are essential, too. Set clear boundaries (work, family time, me time) and say NO when needed. This is the way to a sustainable and long-lasting career. It's easy to feel burnt out with the work demands and timings, and as you grow up the ladder, the responsibilities only increase, but these will keep you going!

Sunaina: Simple but great advice! Last question, Swati: One book you everyone should read?

Swati: Atomic Habits by James Clear! I love it.

Sunaina: And a book product managers should read?

Swati: The Lean Product Playbook

So, that was my conversation with Swati. Follow Swati on LinkedIn here.