Time Out

Woman Power

For Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Apollo Hospitals, it's all about loving your family. Here's a sneak-peek into the woman behind the boss's chair

The first thing you notice when you meet Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, Apollo Hospitals,(45), is the number of people flocking at any period of time just wanting to have a small meeting with her and her smile refuses to fade away to every single person she meets. It's impossible to be not affected by her infectious enthusiasm and attitude.

Amidst all this frenzy, we try and catch up with her to have a glimpse of the world beyond her boardroom meetings. To start with, she is a self-proclaimed workaholic who does not take a weekend off. "Hospital is actually a 24x7 industry. So, technically there is hardly any free time," she says. In fact she started involving herself with Group's operations even while completing her graduation. She holds a BSc degree with honors, from the Women's Christian College, Chennai. She has subsequently taken post-graduate and executive courses at Rutgers University, the Harvard University and at the National Singapore University, Singapore.

The youngest amongst the Reddy sisters, she shares a special bond with them. "They have been the greatest source of inspiration, strength, mentoring and also 'fun.'

Her life revolves around her three sons— Anindith (17), Vishwajeeth (11), Viraj (9) and her husband Vishweshwar (47). Anindith is in class 12, Vishwajeeth is in class seven and Viraj in class five. Her husband Vishweshwar is into software and real estate business. "Since I do not necessarily take holidays, I just try and make it home earlier on weekends," she informs. Whilst dealing with three adolescent kids she thinks she is not a tough mother as long as boundaries are not crossed. "I'm lenient on fun and leisure, but I am quite tough on values and behaviour," she says.

As an industry, healthcare can be demanding and being a woman who needs to balance her family and professional life must not be an easy task. So, how does she manage to do it? "It is all thanks to the extended support of my family, especially my husband and my mother-in-law. We also have a very good nanny. It's very important to have a good support system to succeed," she opines. Considering the fact that she does not take many holidays, outings are almost an annual event. The last trip was to Kenya. "We love to travel, especially since my husband is into adventure sports, we do travel to a lot of natural places and do kayaking and water-skiing. We had a good time even at the Himalayas and at the Grand Canyon," she recollects. Although such big trips are not a regular event, the family makes it a point to go for regular quick trips at least twice a year to spend some quality time together. Albeit her better half is not from the healthcare industry, Dr Reddy says that he does give her lot of guidance and suggestions. "Even though he works in the real estate business, he understands healthcare very well. He is a great lateral thinker and has an amazing sense of analytical capacity and insightfulness. Hence, many times I do look up to him for advice," shares Reddy.

As far as being a 'woman' leader in the largest and most successful healthcare organisation goes, Reddy feels that it has indeed helped her being a woman as they are good in empathising and communicating. "I think Indian healthcare is very supportive of women, contrary to what many people think. There are not so many barriers and women in healthcare feel comfortable and taking care comes naturally to women," she feels.

When it comes to her liking for books, she is quite an avid reader. "Normally I read all kinds of books. Ian Reed, Jeff Archer, Bernard Shaw, et al. It's fiction that I like to read," she shares. The most recent one which she read was 'The Age of Turbulence: Adventures of a new World' by Alan Greenspan.

As far as her taste for music goes, she listens to lot of Karnatic, Hindustani classical and English music. "Nowadays, thanks to my son, I listen to some jazz music as well." She mostly likes English movies and occasionally watches Bollywood movies as well. "The last movie I saw was 'Jab We Met' and I think it was a 'cute' movie," she says.

As of now, we make her answer the mixed-bag questions and as usual she reacts back in her own fiery and determined style.

Your best prize in life so far

My kids, family and patients.

Your first day in school

I don’t remember my first day at school, but it was tough when we had just returned from the US and I had joined class three. We sisters stood out from the rest of the crowd because of the accent we had developed.

Your first ambition

To be a school teacher.

Your first day at work

It was two days after I completed my Bsc exams in 1983. In fact, I always tell my father that I had already started involving myself much before that.

Your first promotion

Became an 'Executive Assistant to the Chairman from management trainee in 1980.

The toughest decision you have taken so far

Everyday a decision is actually a tough at the workplace— be it the lack of resources or rejecting a patient etc.

The best memory of your childhood

I recollect going with mummy to the local grocery shop in the US. My other sisters were older so they went to school. Hence, my mother used to take me out whenever she could.

Your happiest moment

Spending time with my family.

Your funniest moment

Not that I can recollect.

Three things that you cannot do without

Work, family and thirdly I make it a point to go to temple everyday.

One trait that you would like to change about yourself

I do not exercise!

Your first vehicle

It was an Ambassador which our father got in the 1990s.

One parental advice that you remember

My mother used to always say, no matter what you become or wherever you go, always stand on your feet.

Nancy Singh