When asked about how being a woman had affected her professional journey, she said that if you think of yourself as an equal with dignity, you are treated that way. She excelled in a sector which was completely male-dominated. When you see barriers and can't work around them, know when to move on so that your growth is not stifled. In her experience, women tend to not take credit for their achievements. E.g. A woman who was pitching a biomedical device to a roomful of VCs talked about her project, her team etc. but did not mention that she's a physician and an astronaut.
A man would never have done that. Also, women often want to know 100% about a job before they take it up. Whether a man or woman, you need to get out of your comfort zone. Your personal risk assessment is important.
A man would never have done that. Also, women often want to know 100% about a job before they take it up. Whether a man or woman, you need to get out of your comfort zone. Your personal risk assessment is important.
Immediate financial gratification is often weighed against risk when choosing a career path. When she started USA Networks, people didn't believe in her idea. Nobody would've given her two nickels to rub together. It took 7 years to establish it. While I've read this countless times that, don't chase the money, get out and do what you believe in, yet her story really drove the point home. She developed an interest in geosynchronous satellite communication while travelling in Europe during college. It then became the focus of her Masters thesis. Finally, she realised where this could be used commercially. In 1975, she and her team showed the famous boxing match, Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III, by bringing it via satellite technology from Manila to an audience of Congress Senators in Florida. And the rest, as they say is history.
Learning how Kay built her empire in a time when women were just starting to come out into the marketplace was very motivating. She didn't come from an affluent background or an Ivy League education. And against this backdrop, when you lay down her achievements, they are incredible. Kudos to YIFP Dean, Pramath Raj Sinha for getting such a wonderful speaker. Hope this year at YIFP brings many such eminent personalities. To know more about the Young India Fellowship Programme, read my earlier posts here about the academics and people at YIFP.
Learning how Kay built her empire in a time when women were just starting to come out into the marketplace was very motivating. She didn't come from an affluent background or an Ivy League education. And against this backdrop, when you lay down her achievements, they are incredible. Kudos to YIFP Dean, Pramath Raj Sinha for getting such a wonderful speaker. Hope this year at YIFP brings many such eminent personalities. To know more about the Young India Fellowship Programme, read my earlier posts here about the academics and people at YIFP.
Stay tuned!
this is an awesome post.......she completely revolutionized the arena.
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