Other than your mother, please name a woman who has influenced and inspired your life the most. How?

I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. My grandmother, my wife, my boss & My 1 year young son inspire or influenced me the most other than mother. They always had a smile on the face no matter how hard they worked and just loved everyone.

My boss is a huge inspiration to me. Her passion for this industry was motivating and put the fire in me to climb the ladder in my HR career.

Every day when I wake up beside my wife & son (we all co-sleep in one bed) I praise and thank God/Universe/Divine that I have this beautiful, wonderful, healthy, witty, funny, enthusiastic family even though I am just an ordinary person. They inspire me to develop myself and become a better me than yesterday because I want them to do the same.

They inspire me to act on my plans, because I want to be with them most of the time. Their laughter and bickering and playfulness re-charge my energy after work every day at home or when I come home.

They inspire me to find ways no matter how many times we fail and be ridiculed because in the end, we know it is not the success that matters, it is what we become during the process.

There are several women from my professional & personal circle who have influenced my life. To quote one of them is a challenge, but the first name that comes to my mind is one of my boss Ms. Vidya Shankaran from Cognizant. Key values I learned from her are as follows:

• Multitasking without losing focus on any of them (who else can be a better example than a working woman)
• Attention to detail
• Being hands-on, despite holding a leadership position
• Going Extra Mile to support team members
• Never say die attitude.

I got inspired by a lot of women-women who can make things happen, change their lives, create a difference, change their society, speak for others, take risks, overcome challenges... Muniba Mazari is one of these women. She rightly said that - When you accept yourself, the world recognizes you.

She is playing a core role in my life and gave me the courage and zest to live on my own terms and fight all fears.I really love her, and I learned from her how to be strong, a fighter, never gives up, how I can reach my goals and achieve my dreams, by doing my best and believe in myself and God.

Also, I had learned the power of giving is magic.

This is one question, which is not very tough for me to answer. I have met some very dynamic women during my entire life who have inspired me in some way or the other, however, one person who really influenced me was my first boss, my first mentor and my first coach, Dr. Dass. She inspired me in so many ways that I am grateful to her for helping me become what I am today.

One thing she always told me was do not react but respond. I did not understand the depth and impact of that statement then, however, these words have become my way of living and must say a lot of situations I do manage, no matter how tensed, is because of her long lasting teaching and her deep influence on me.

I totally admire her for who she is and how she has shaped the lives of so many people around her.

Other than my mother, a woman who had influenced my life is my wife. We have been married for over 12 years now and know each other for almost 15 years. Be it supporting me emotionally, financially, mentally she has always been there with me like a pillar.

Also, in the past, before going the homemaker way, we shared the same profession, therefore, we usually end up discussing the nuances and the challenges faced by TA Professionals.