How Swetha Bridged the Confidence Gap by Upskilling With ISB Executive Education
- Recognising the Need for Growth From Tech to Leadership
- Key Takeaways From the CDO Programme by ISB Executive Education
- Bridging the Confidence Gap Through Upskilling
- Women in Leadership: If You Can’t Find a Mentor, Be a Mentor
- How ISB Executive Education Supports Women Leaders
- Inspiring the Next Generation
- Parting Words of Wisdom: “Invest in yourself”
“As a resident of Hyderabad, I have passed by the ISB campus several times and always felt a longing to walk past those imminent boundary walls,” recounts Swetha Yalamanchili, Head of Platform and DevOps at ITC Infotech. “The fact that I have actually been able to do that with a full-time job and all other commitments is really a dream-come-true moment in my life,” she declares. With 17 years of experience, Swetha realised that to move beyond purely technical roles, she needed to broaden her understanding of business leadership. This realisation led her to enrol in the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) Programme by ISB Executive Education.
Her story is not only one of personal growth but also highlights the triumphs of women leaders in technology. As Swetha shares her journey, it becomes clear that her ambition to be a role model for women in leadership is deeply intertwined with her desire to continuously evolve as a leader and professional.
Recognising the Need for Growth From Tech to Leadership
Before joining the ISB Executive Education’s CDO Programme, Swetha held a leadership role at ITC Infotech, focusing on DevOps and platform innovation. But despite her extensive experience, she felt something was amiss. “I was always in technical roles, and while I had the vast technical knowledge, I struggled to understand business strategies at a C-suite level,” she explains.
This gap in understanding became evident when she interacted with senior business leaders as her role required her to do. Swetha recalls feeling disconnected: “When we talk to people of the same technical mindset, it’s easy. However, thinking from a senior leader’s level requires a 360-degree view. I often felt I wasn’t speaking the same language as the business heads and wanted to remedy this.”
Her desire to bridge this gap led her to seek out the ISB CDO Programme. It was an opportunity for her to upskill, not just as a technical leader but as someone who could contribute to the strategic growth of her organisation.
ALSO READ: From Cycling to C-Suite: Anand Kapoor’s Journey With ISB Executive Education’s CDO Programme
Key Takeaways From the CDO Programme by ISB Executive Education
Reflecting on her experience, Swetha shares three key takeaways from the programme:
- Building a Personal Platform: The programme taught her to build a platform for herself—both in terms of technical expertise and leadership. “It’s important to establish who you are and what you stand for in this industry,” she says.
- Networking and Collaboration: The connections she made during the programme were invaluable. “I met so many people with similar mindsets, and we had open discussions about our challenges and visions,” she recalls.
- The Importance of Presence: Finally, Swetha learned the importance of making her presence felt in every interaction. “I now know how to make my presence count in the business, whether it’s through my work or how I communicate,” she explains.
Bridging the Confidence Gap Through Upskilling
Confidence is like a bag of currency. Growing up, every time a child is appreciated for doing something, they get confidence coins. It is a general belief that men have a larger bag of confidence to start with because of our societal structure. And this gap in the confidence that men and women have is called the confidence gap.
Swetha makes a strong reference to the issue of the confidence gap when she tells us that one of the most significant transformations she experienced during the CDO Programme was in her confidence. Prior to joining, she often felt hesitant when interacting with senior leaders. The programme equipped her with the tools to think strategically and see the bigger picture. “Now, I’m much more confident. When I speak to anyone, I understand their perspective, and I can clearly articulate my ideas. I no longer hesitate to answer any question,” she says.
This newfound confidence has not only helped her in her current role but has also reshaped her future ambitions. “I don’t want to stop at being a technical leader. My goal is to take on a CXO role, and the ISB CDO Programme has given me the confidence to pursue that dream,” she asserts.
Women in Leadership: If You Can’t Find a Mentor, Be a Mentor
As a woman in a male-dominated field of technology, Swetha is acutely aware of the unique challenges women face in advancing their careers. That is why she believes that upskilling is crucial for women who aspire to leadership roles. “Women often have to juggle so many responsibilities—work, home, family—and upskilling can feel like an impossible task. But if we don’t upskill, we risk hitting a roadblock in our careers,” she explains.
She also highlights the lack of mentors for women in leadership positions, particularly in the tech field, something that can hinder career growth. “At ISB Executive Education, I saw a culture of respect where everyone was encouraged to ask questions, no matter how basic. This is rare in the corporate world,” she notes. The support she received from both her peers and the faculty at ISB Executive was instrumental in her growth, and she now aims to pay it forward by being a role model and mentor for other women in tech.
How ISB Executive Education Supports Women Leaders
Swetha’s experience at ISB Executive Education goes beyond the technical and business knowledge she gained. She was particularly inspired by the school’s commitment to promoting women leaders. “ISB Executive Education doesn’t just educate people—they evolve them,” she says. The faculty, particularly Professor Nand Kishore, played a crucial role in helping her and other women in the programme develop the mindset of future leaders.
“The professors at ISB Executive Education didn’t just teach—they transformed our thinking. They challenged us to see things from multiple perspectives and helped us grow not just as professionals but as individuals,” she adds. This holistic approach to learning is one of the reasons she believes ISB Executive Education is a great platform for women looking to advance their careers.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Swetha’s journey with the ISB Executive Education’s CDO Programme is not just about her career—it’s also about the legacy she wants to leave for her daughter and other young women. “I want to be a role model for future women leaders in technology,” she shares. “I want the future leaders to know that investing in yourself, whether through education or upskilling, is the key to success. They should grow up knowing that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
Swetha is also passionate about encouraging other women to take the leap and invest in their own education. “When I look back at the challenges I’ve faced, I realise that none of them were bigger than my ambition. If I can do it, so can you,” she says.
Parting Words of Wisdom: “Invest in yourself”
Swetha Yalamanchili’s journey with ISB Executive Education’s Chief Digital Officer Programme is a testament to the transformative power of education and upskilling. Her story is one of resilience, ambition, and a commitment to being a role model for other women in technology. As she continues to pave the way for future leaders, her message is clear: “Invest in yourself. The future is waiting for you.”
NOTE: The Chief Digital Officer Programme has now been revamped and enriched with AI-related modules. It is now called the Chief Digital and AI Officer Programme by ISB Executive Education.
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