Leena Nair's inspiring journey from a small Indian town to becoming the CEO of Chanel, overcoming gender bias and excelling in HR. Discussion on prioritizing employee well-being during the COVID-19 crisis and the importance of therapy for personal growth. Exploring Unilever's innovative recruitment processes and strategies for business continuity in challenging times.
Leena Nair's journey showcases perseverance in overcoming gender biases to reach executive leadership.
Transition from engineering to HR emphasizes the importance of aligning career paths with true passions.
Deep dives
Journey from Internship to C-Suite at Unilever
Lena Nair shares her remarkable journey from starting as an intern in Unilever to becoming the Global Head of HR. Facing challenges in a male-dominated work environment in India, Lena's persistence and dedication led her to the C-suite of one of the world's largest consumer product companies. She highlights the significance of her role in serving Unilever's massive workforce of 170,000 people and focusing on building a better business for a better world.
Transition from Engineering to HR
Despite starting in engineering and briefly working as a telecom engineer, Lena discovered her true passion for human resources. Guided by a mentor, she recognized her affinity for business, leadership, and engagement. This shift in focus from engineering to HR marked a pivotal moment in Lena's career, showcasing the importance of recognizing and following one's true calling.
Surviving the Mumbai Terror Attack
Sharing a harrowing experience during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack at the Taj Hotel, Lena recounts the night of fear and uncertainty. Forced to hide for 24 hours, she reflects on the bravery of hotel staff and the life-changing impact of surviving such a traumatic event. This experience deepened Lena's commitment to living with purpose and making a difference.
Championing Diversity and Inclusion at Unilever
Lena discusses Unilever's commitment to achieving 50-50 gender balance in management roles across all global operations, a significant achievement under her leadership. Emphasizing the importance of diversity, Lena challenges the notion of traditional business cases and advocates for diversity as a moral, emotional, and rational imperative. By focusing on both numbers and culture, Unilever drives a culture of inclusion and gender parity.
Growing up in a small town in India, Leena Nair overheard her mother say it was too bad Leena was born a girl, because it meant her smarts and talents would go to waste. But Nair went on to join Hindustan Unilever, becoming the first female manager to work on a factory floor, the first woman to serve on the management committee, and the youngest-ever executive director. She has since gone on to the role of CEO at Chanel. When Guy Raz had this conversation with Nair in 2020 she was Unilever’s Chief Human Resource Officer, overseeing the company’s 170,000-plus global workforce during the COVID-19 crisis - a crisis that she said has been one of the greatest challenge of her career.
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