Thursday, October 10, 2024

EdelGive Foundation & leap.club Host the 1st Leadership Dialogue on ‘The Subtle Art of Negotiation’

Mumbai, 10th October: EdelGive Foundation’s flagship campaign, Stree-Leads, in partnership with leap.club, a women-only networking platform, hosted the inaugural session of its Leadership Dialogue series in Mumbai. The session, titled “The Subtle Art of Negotiation,” focused on negotiation as a critical tool for women to balance assertiveness, empathy, and strength, enabling them to navigate workplace conversations and advance into decision-making roles. 

The partnership between leap.club and EdelGive Foundation has a shared vision of championing more women in leadership roles, particularly in tech, finance, economics and the social sector. The goal here is to nurture a vibrant community of women leaders and equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to excel in their fields. The recent dialogue was first of three leadership dialogues. The next dialogues will be held in Bangalore and Delhi, respectively with prominent speakers sharing insights and learnings based on lived experiences. Through this partnership, the organisations aim to sensitize approximately 100 women across the mentioned geographies. 

Naghma Mulla, CEO of EdelGive Foundation, said, “Empowering women to negotiate effectively is essential for achieving gender equity in leadership. Believing that you’re worth negotiating for, and then applying all the hacks can make a significant difference. Through initiatives like the Leadership Dialogue, we aim to equip women with the skills and confidence to navigate critical conversations and break barriers in their professional journeys.”

The first dialogue, held in Mumbai covered essential topics such as salary negotiation, career advancement, and building assertiveness in male-dominated industries. Moderated by Naghma Mulla, CEO of EdelGive Foundation, the panel featured prominent women leaders who shared their personal experiences. 

Here are some excerpts from the discussion: 

Ahana Gautam, CEO, Open Secret remarked, "Negotiation is still a work in progress, especially around money, which remains a taboo. External biases are beyond control, but internal ones can be addressed. There's both art and science to negotiation—approaching it objectively helps break biases. Grit, preparation, and showing up are key. The ‘dream gap’ between men and women must close for leadership to grow. It’s time to get in the driver’s seat and not play the victim."

Swati Mohan, Investor & Start-Up Consultant shared, “Mansplaining is real, and it impacts how women negotiate for themselves. While women excel in negotiating for others, self-advocacy still needs work. Focus should be on the outcome, not the effort. Corrections must be made when women are overlooked, ensuring they have a voice at the table." 

Kavita Rajwade, Co-Founder, IVM Podcasts stated, "Men negotiate more because they've been doing it longer. Women have been conditioned to be content, but now it's about focusing on the right battles. Negotiation isn't about winning or losing but giving your best. Preparation builds confidence and knowing when to walk away is critical. Having a strong alternative minimizes risk and strengthens position."

About EdelGive Foundation:

Founded in 2008, EdelGive is a Philanthropic Asset Manager and Advisory Partner to funders including individuals, HNIs, corporates, institutions and Foundations – both domestic and international. EdelGive provides both financial and non-financial support to small and midsized NGOs working with vulnerable communities across India.

For more information: https://www.edelgive.org/  

About Stree-Leads 

Stree-Leads is the flagship initiative of EdelGive Foundation is focused on promoting women's advancement into leadership roles within India’s private sector, Stree-Leads aims to amplify the significant impact women create in such positions and accelerate their progression by identifying and promoting the pathways to their leadership.









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