Who is Sirisha Voruganti?
Sirisha Voruganti is one of India’s most inspiring leaders in the finance and technology industries. Having spent time at Harvard Business School and worked at global names such as Mastercard, Sirisha brings a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to the Lloyds Technology Centre family.
In this interview, she tells us a bit more about herself and why she wanted to lead the Lloyds Technology Centre as CEO and Managing Director. She also reflects on what it’s like to be a woman working in tech in India and offers some essential advice for women considering a career in technology.
Where were you born, and where do you live now?
I was born in Vijayawada in the state of Andhra Pradesh, and I now spend my time in Hyderabad and Bangalore.
What’s your favourite podcast?
There are so many! I can’t really name one but I am a techie, so I love anything that’s heavy on technology. Perhaps I’d vote for HBR Ideacast.
What attracted you to Lloyds Technology Centre, and what are you most excited about in your new role?
The opportunities to keep growing, taking on new challenges and to further stretch my skills and experiences. Here we have a challenge to build the centre from the ground up, pushing the technology capabilities further and further to serve even more customers.
The people played a big role in sealing the decision for me. I met great people and leaders through the interview process and have met many more since. Put simply, it was too good an opportunity to miss!
What are the three behaviours that you value most in your team?
Honesty, sincerity and hard work. All three will play a big role in ensuring we’re successful.
What piece of advice would you give to women considering a career in technology?
Women only represent 15-20% of the tech workforce in India. Organisations need to understand how valuable diversity of thought is to innovation and growth. I know various companies are working to bridge this gap, but an area of concern for me is that there’s almost 40% turnover rate for women in tech, versus a 17% turnover rate for men.
There are a number of challenges women in tech today face, including career progression barriers, finding the right work-life balance, unconscious bias in a male dominated industry and lastly, issues around confidence and visibility.
These challenges, though real and difficult to navigate, do not have to be permanent – they can be overcome. And while organisations have a lot to do, there are ways that employees can empower themselves.
I strongly believe in the 5 C's of Successful Leadership and the investment women need to make. If you’re not familiar, the 5 C’s are considered the bedrock of effective leadership. The first is Competency. Focus on one back pocket skill and be the best at it. Be the go-to person on the floor for that skill. Courage and Confidence come second and third. We need to make sure we invest and train ourselves to be able to speak up, not just for oneself but for the team as well. It is always hard to be the only woman in the room, but it’s important to try to ensure you are not uncomfortable with that. The fourth is Communication. Focus on oral and written communication. No amount of investment here is enough. Make sure you have clarity of thought and can articulate that well to teams across the globe. And last is Compass. Character and integrity are of utmost importance. Ensure that your compass is always pointing true north.
What or who inspired you to start your career journey in tech?
There are many role models from my early days, but Dr. Kalam is a standout. He coined a program that many couldn’t have dreamed of for a country like India back then – and that was truly inspiring. Personally, I believe technology as an industry focuses on breaking new ground every day – and I find that fascinating. Every disruption across every industry and government has a huge tech backbone and that is what I love being a part of.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learnt during your life and career so far?
Life changes without permission. It’s our attitude and approach that will determine the ride.
Join an organisation that is committed to nurturing a diverse, inclusive workforce and driving technological transformation in India.
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