trenddjakarta.com – Gender equality remains a persistent topic of discussion within Indonesian society. The deeply ingrained social constructs pose significant challenges to achieving gender equality. Women have been the most vulnerable group in this context. Women face gender inequality in many aspects, one of them is related to career development as well as leadership.
Shinta Widjaja Kamdani or popularly known as Shinta Kamdani, Chairman of the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) as well as CEO of Sintesa Group, stated that women representation in leadership positions forms a pyramid, with fewer women represented at higher levels. Moreover, in middle management she added there is around 20% representation for women. And it is merely around 15% for upper management. “Women still prefer to be unpromoted in their job, so that they can enjoy the work-life balance. This stigma needs to be addressed,” Shinta said.
In the 12th Cakap Blitz (Business Leaders Talks) Talkshow, Shinta seized the opportunity to inspire other women by addressing gender inequality throughout her career journey. As the first female leader, Shinta claimed that leading APINDO is not an easy task. Besides, APINDO itself has been established since 1952 in Indonesia and has never been led by women. Though she also affirmed that it took a long journey to be in this position. “After I finished my study abroad, I started my career as a fulltime in my family business. Although it was my family business. I started my career journey from the lowest position as a sales person,” Shinta claimed.
Shinta also added that she was lucky to have a leader that contributed to widen her perspective regarding the women’s opportunity to become leaders at that moment, even in male-dominated industries. Furthermore, the sales sector has also played an important role for her perspective. Especially in terms of common challenges faced by women in their career. The possibility of earning more than their husband can disrupt the household dynamic.
Related to her journey of becoming CEO, Shinta has always held the belief to herself and other people that leadership possesses long phases that are required to pass. She demonstrated her career journey, started as staff for 9 years, joined as one of the management level for 16 years, then became the CEO in year 25th. “Before becoming a leader, it’s essential to understand what it feels like to be an employee. If we skipped it, we would never learn how to lead these people,” addressed her to Cecilia Ong, Chief Operating Officer Cakap.
On the other hand, she firmly believed in her leadership principle in establishing her own company. This principle includes 3 aspects. First, leaders must have vision, mission, and corporate values to synergize during the process. Second, Human Capital Development is the key to assist the growth of the company. Lastly, servant leadership. She determined the leader is actually not only lead, but also serves the employees during the process.
To conclude, Shinta encouraged Indonesian women to always implement 3P (Purpose, Passion, Perseverance) in navigating their career and leadership. In order to achieve those goals, women are required to acknowledge their wants, love anything they do, as well as be fulfilled by persistence.
(Red)
