HomeBusiness NewsWomen must take their place at the leadership table and participate in conversations, says McAfee’s Roma Majumder
Women must take their place at the leadership table and participate in conversations, says McAfee’s Roma Majumder
Majumder encourages women, especially those in junior positions, to take their rightful place at the table rather than relegating themselves to the background. By doing so, they position themselves to actively participate in crucial conversations and decisions, ultimately paving the way for their growth and influence within the company.
Roma Majumder, Senior Vice President of Product at McAfee, believes that visible female leadership is critical in fostering greater women participation in the workforce.
In an interview to CNBC-TV18, she highlighted the unique environment at McAfee, where a strong presence of women leaders is the norm.
Majumder encourages women, especially those in junior positions, to take their rightful place at the table rather than relegating themselves to the background. By doing so, they position themselves to actively participate in crucial conversations and decisions, ultimately paving the way for their growth and influence within the company.
Majumder also highlights McAfee's commitment to gender pay parity, a principle that is not only integral to the company’s ethos but also critical in attracting and retaining talented women. She asserted that McAfee conducts regular reviews to ensure pay equity across its global workforce. The goal is to provide fair compensation based on merit, which Majumder believes is essential for sustaining women’s participation and advancement in the industry.
Reflecting on her own career, Majumder shares her realisation of having an equal voice in leadership as a pivotal moment. This sense of equality, she believes, is crucial for breaking the proverbial glass ceiling.
Majumder advised women to negotiate their worth confidently, backed by thorough research and a clear understanding of their unique value. Additionally, she advocated for women to invest wisely, emphasising the importance of financial literacy and consistent investment in the stock market to achieve long-term financial independence and security.
Below are the excerpts of the interview.
Q: How is McAfee empowering and encouraging women participation in the workforce?
Majumder: The most important thing in order for more women to participate is for actually there to be visible examples of women in leadership positions. McAfee is unique. We have a core of women leaders that I have never actually experienced ever in my past. You have to be at the table. So whenever I'm in a room, you will often find women, especially junior women, actually don't sit at the table. They will go back to the wall and sit in the second chairs. And my ask is, come join us at the table. If you're not even at the table, how are you going to be ready to participate in the conversation?
Q: A few years ago, McAfee ran a gender pay parity exercise and discovered that there was indeed a pay bias. Do you want to talk about it?
Majumder: This is something we've done for a while now, and it's a constant and regular thing that we do. We have women all over the world, not just in the US, and the goal is a global view of how we can provide that parity. And it is near and dear to our hearts, it's not done for any other reason, but that we fully believe that it's not only the right thing to do, but it is the only way we get talented women to come and continue and participate with us in this journey that we are on. And it's structured- there's guidelines and guidance from our HR team that puts this forth, but it's also actually ingrained in our culture. So as we are going through review processes, as we are hiring, this is just something we do and we check to make sure that we are at parity.
Q: Do you want to talk about the moment when you thought you broke the glass ceiling?
Majumder: It wasn't like a moment, but what really made it important for me is, when I realised and internalised that I have an equal seat at the table and an equal voice in decisions. So when I learnt that my voice was as powerful as anybody else's around the table, that is when I realised, this is doable and I'm going to do it.
Q: How do you think women should negotiate for the money they deserve?
Majumder: I would say, start by understanding the position you're going into. Research what people like you are worth and it's unique. There is no set band. You are a unique individual, you got to go find out what you are worth, what you're bringing to the table. Ask people who know and who are hiring and then go in with your facts and try not to get emotional about it and have a lower bar that you're not going to go below. And I'm pretty sure that's a good way to solve the problem.
Q: Any money or investment tip for women, anything for the rainy day?
Majumder: Invest in the stock market and learn about it. Don't do it like it's a game because it is not. Start small, keep investing, learn about the companies. And there is nothing more powerful than seeing that you've invested in at least a few right companies, and it is life-changing when you can do that. I would encourage every woman to do that. There is no small amount. A little amount every month helps.
In an interview to CNBC-TV18, she highlighted the unique environment at McAfee, where a strong presence of women leaders is the norm.
Majumder encourages women, especially those in junior positions, to take their rightful place at the table rather than relegating themselves to the background. By doing so, they position themselves to actively participate in crucial conversations and decisions, ultimately paving the way for their growth and influence within the company.
Majumder also highlights McAfee's commitment to gender pay parity, a principle that is not only integral to the company’s ethos but also critical in attracting and retaining talented women. She asserted that McAfee conducts regular reviews to ensure pay equity across its global workforce. The goal is to provide fair compensation based on merit, which Majumder believes is essential for sustaining women’s participation and advancement in the industry.
Reflecting on her own career, Majumder shares her realisation of having an equal voice in leadership as a pivotal moment. This sense of equality, she believes, is crucial for breaking the proverbial glass ceiling.
Majumder advised women to negotiate their worth confidently, backed by thorough research and a clear understanding of their unique value. Additionally, she advocated for women to invest wisely, emphasising the importance of financial literacy and consistent investment in the stock market to achieve long-term financial independence and security.
Below are the excerpts of the interview.
Q: How is McAfee empowering and encouraging women participation in the workforce?
Majumder: The most important thing in order for more women to participate is for actually there to be visible examples of women in leadership positions. McAfee is unique. We have a core of women leaders that I have never actually experienced ever in my past. You have to be at the table. So whenever I'm in a room, you will often find women, especially junior women, actually don't sit at the table. They will go back to the wall and sit in the second chairs. And my ask is, come join us at the table. If you're not even at the table, how are you going to be ready to participate in the conversation?
Q: A few years ago, McAfee ran a gender pay parity exercise and discovered that there was indeed a pay bias. Do you want to talk about it?
Majumder: This is something we've done for a while now, and it's a constant and regular thing that we do. We have women all over the world, not just in the US, and the goal is a global view of how we can provide that parity. And it is near and dear to our hearts, it's not done for any other reason, but that we fully believe that it's not only the right thing to do, but it is the only way we get talented women to come and continue and participate with us in this journey that we are on. And it's structured- there's guidelines and guidance from our HR team that puts this forth, but it's also actually ingrained in our culture. So as we are going through review processes, as we are hiring, this is just something we do and we check to make sure that we are at parity.
Q: Do you want to talk about the moment when you thought you broke the glass ceiling?
Majumder: It wasn't like a moment, but what really made it important for me is, when I realised and internalised that I have an equal seat at the table and an equal voice in decisions. So when I learnt that my voice was as powerful as anybody else's around the table, that is when I realised, this is doable and I'm going to do it.
Q: How do you think women should negotiate for the money they deserve?
Majumder: I would say, start by understanding the position you're going into. Research what people like you are worth and it's unique. There is no set band. You are a unique individual, you got to go find out what you are worth, what you're bringing to the table. Ask people who know and who are hiring and then go in with your facts and try not to get emotional about it and have a lower bar that you're not going to go below. And I'm pretty sure that's a good way to solve the problem.
Q: Any money or investment tip for women, anything for the rainy day?
Majumder: Invest in the stock market and learn about it. Don't do it like it's a game because it is not. Start small, keep investing, learn about the companies. And there is nothing more powerful than seeing that you've invested in at least a few right companies, and it is life-changing when you can do that. I would encourage every woman to do that. There is no small amount. A little amount every month helps.
(Edited by : Vijay Anand)
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