In this episode of the Connected Leadership podcast, Andy Lopata reconnects with Apurva Purohit, an author and advocate for gender diversity. Apurva Purohit is a prominent Indian businesswoman with over three decades of experience in the corporate world, where she has successfully built and transformed diverse businesses. She recently launched Aazol Ventures Pvt. Ltd., connecting women self-help groups and micro-entrepreneurs producing traditional, local food products with health-conscious consumers. Apurva also serves as an independent director at Marico Ltd., LTI Mindtree Ltd., L&T Technology Services Ltd. and Navin Fluorine International Ltd. She is the author of two national bestselling books and has been recognised as one of the most powerful women in business by India Today Group and Fortune India. Apurva is a Distinguished Alumni Awardee from IIM Bangalore and was also a state-level hockey player for Tamil Nadu.

Andy looks into Apurva’s impressive career journey, exploring her insights on risk-taking, relationship building and navigating the challenges women face in the business world. Apurva emphasises the importance of taking risks and stepping outside one’s comfort zone for career growth. She highlights the value of agility and adaptability, encouraging listeners to view failures as learning experiences. Apurva also stresses the importance of building a strong support network while acknowledging that internal confidence and self-reflection are crucial for navigating risks, particularly when external support isn’t readily available.

Andy and Apurva talk about her experience with high-profile business turnarounds, where she underscores the necessity of clear, consistent, and simple communication to gain stakeholder buy-in. They also consider the challenges of navigating social media, the importance of brand guidelines and the need for in-person interactions to build trust and mitigate miscommunication.

A key focus of the episode is Apurva’s advocacy for women in business. She shares her top three tips for women to maximize their impact in the workplace: prioritise ruthlessly; combat under confidence by owning accomplishments and advocating for oneself; persevere through challenges, becoming role models for future generations.

Apurva candidly discusses the pressure women face to be perceived as tough and direct in male-dominated environments, often requiring them to adopt behaviors that may not feel entirely authentic. She shares her own journey of finding her voice and asserting herself in meetings, demonstrating that respectful pushback ultimately earns respect and fosters more equitable dynamics.

The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion on cultural differences in business, contrasting Indian and Western approaches to Relationships and communication.

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Youtube

Connect with Lisa Apurva Purohit: Website | Youtube | LinkedIn | Instagram

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Andy Lopata Author, Podcast Host and Speaker on Professional Relationships Strategy

Andy Lopata is a specialist speaker on professional relationships, mentoring, networking, and social media strategy. He is a firm believer that professional relationships underpin our success in business, our roles, and our careers. The right relationships with the right people can lead to new business opportunities, investment, collaborative working, innovation, and career progress. We just need to be comfortable approaching those relationships strategically, without making people feel ‘networked’ by us.

Andy has worked in the field of networking and professional relationships for 25 years, working with global giants such as Paypal, GSK, AstraZeneca, Wella, HSBC, Wembley Stadium, the BBC, and the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE, among many others during that time. He has also worked with leading universities including NYU, Duke University, and Oxford University’s Said Business School.

A regular blogger for Psychology Today, Andy has been quoted in The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, as well as many other national and regional newspapers and magazines worldwide. He has written or co-authored six books on networking and professional relationships, with his sixth book, "The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring," being published in Spring 2024. He is also the host of The Connected Leadership Podcast and has interviewed globally recognized names in business, academia, sports, and entertainment for the show.

Andy has been inducted into the PSAE Hall of Fame – the Professional Speaking Association Award of Excellence, which was held by only 21 other speakers at the time it was presented. He is a Fellow and a former President of the Fellows’ Community of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA), a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), and a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and the Meetings Industry Association.