Name:
Dr. Shailaja Gada Saxena
Who’s
she: Head - Molecular Medicine and Regenerative Medicine , Reliance Life
Sciences
Her
leadership mantra: “Leadership is not
wielding authority; it's empowering others. Also, When you are passionate about
whatever you are doing , nothing can
stop you from being successful.”
How
She executes: Trust people. build leaders within your team. Train them well and
then let them perform. Inculcate ownership mindset.
Her
Tip for work home balance: Tough to do.
Easier said than done. Stay focused, work hard. Do whatever you are doing
wholeheartedly and happily, whether it is attending an executive management
meeting or attending your child’s PTM or be it is cleaning utensils at home.
Biggest
challenge faced and how did she overcome that: “Everyday life is full of
challenges, sometimes on work front, sometimes on home front. One of the biggest challenges was pursuing
PhD with a demanding job and 2 years old daughter. Staying focused, being determined
and enjoying every minute of what I was doing helped me succeed. Never let the
setbacks faced along the way demotivate me.”
Shailaja,
a very humble, down to earth personality has so much talent hidden under that
sweet, pleasing, friendly and welcoming persona.
A
gold medalist MMBS, let go of her practicing medicine to be part of the
corporate world. She doesn’t fear taking chances and doesn’t regret a bit. She
heads Molecular medicine and Regenerative Medicine verticals at Reliance life
sciences.
Reliance
Life Sciences was her first job soon after she returned from London after
completing her Masters. She is associated with Reliance for more than 18 years
now and she had seen RLS grow.
She
did her MBBS from MGM Medical College, Indore with a gold medal and distinction.
“Being the daughter of a renowned IVF specialist, everyone thought I would take
after my father. In the final year though, I got to know of a particular course
offered by a university in London that interested me. I discussed it with my
father and to my pleasant surprise, he asked me to take a chance. All my
friends and relatives tried to convince me to practice medicine, but
research was my true calling. That is when I pursued my MSc in Prenatal
Genetics and Fetal Medicine from University College London”, says Shailaja.
Years
later, she pursued a PhD from Mumbai University as part of continued
educational program and completed it while on the job.
Talking
about family support, especially the men in her life, she says “ Absolutely
they are a blessing! First it was my father who taught me to take chances and
never regret for not trying. My husband encouraged me to take on bigger
challenges. He was the one who pushed me
to enroll for the PhD in spite of our daughter being just 15 months old then.
He was always there to share responsibilities when I was juggling a full time
job, a toddler, a home and writing thesis that often went on till 4 in the
morning.”
Her
mantra to success in her own words – “Each person is different. You can’t have
the same expectation from everyone. Identify your strengths and use that to
your maximum advantage. It’s easier to do things yourself than to get it done from
someone, but you cannot do everything on your own. It is important to delegate.
Groom people, make them shoulder additional responsibilities, give opportunities
and stand by your team through thick and thin. Build feeling of oneness in the
team. Instill confidence in them and make yourself approachable.”
Her
advise to women just starting out: “Be
confident and do your best, whether at home or work. There could be struggle,
but don’t let it overwhelm you. Our personal life – getting married, having
children, and our professional life will go hand in hand, thus plan your
priorities. Do not give into the pressures of your surroundings but take your
own decisions, when you are ready for them.”
Shailaja,
was featured as one of the R –adhya Stalwarts and the write up above is an
extract from her interview on that magazine.
A
strong personality, humble to core is an aspiring and inspiring person of
values. Team downtowndoodlers wishes her all the very best in all her future
endeavors.
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