While gender equality and diversity are often discussed in today’s workplaces, some misconceptions, assumptions and stereotypes about women and their abilities still persist. To commemorate Women’s History Month, we chatted with Agoda leaders to tackle mistaken ideas about women in the workplace and shine a light on how we can better ‘Inspire Inclusion’ at work.
Myth: Balancing work and life is difficult for working parents
Fact: Being a working parent comes with its own set of challenges. But it also brings valuable lessons and strengths. We celebrate the resilience, adaptability, and time management skills that working parents bring to the table, recognizing the unique perspectives they offer.
At Agoda, we recognize that employees’ needs are not one-size-fits-all. We’ve looked at a workplace strategy that puts employees’ health and wellbeing at the forefront. That’s why we’ve introduced hybrid work models, remote work program, and flexible benefits – all aimed at enabling and supporting our employees, who are also mothers, fathers and guardians, in balancing their work and family life.
“I’m a mother of four and the Chief People Officer at Agoda. The way I make it work as a mother is really to put and double down on time management. I like to prioritize and make sure that I have time for everything that’s valuable and matters.”
– Eliana Carmel, Chief People Officer
Myth: Leaders are born
Fact: While certain leadership traits can be naturally represented by one’s genetics, leadership qualities are also developed. And it does not preclude people with traits that may not fit the normal leadership traits from being greater leaders. Research shows that leadership qualities are skills that you can learn, refine and hone over time with the right attitude and the right action.
That’s why Agoda has many leadership programs to support new leaders right from day one all the way through their leadership journey. We also have some specific programs targeted at certain people. For example, our Women in Leadership program aims to support and equip women leaders in the company with tools, training and mentorship.
“And you don’t necessarily even need to be a manager of people. You can display leadership qualities at all parts of your career. And one bit of advice I was given was: “Be the leader that you wanted to have.” So, let’s go and get to it.”
– Anna Suchopar, General Counsel
Myth: Tech is a male-dominated field
Fact: Statistically, there may be more men than women in the tech industry, but there has been a significant shift toward inclusion and diversity in recent years.
There is growing emphasis on providing equal opportunities, and at Agoda, we’ve taken proactive steps to level the playing field by providing more flexible working arrangements and additional resources to assist women in their careers.
“At Agoda, we have programmatic solutions in place that help recruit, engage, retain, and advance Agoda’s diverse talent pool across the globe. Last year, we also launched our Women@Agoda Employee Resource Group with a 3C mission: Connect, Collaborate and Contribute.”
– Aanchal Gupta, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Myth: You need to be part of the community to drive the agenda
Fact: While it’s common to assume that only women can champion equality for women, allies play a crucial role in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.
Allies contribute to cultivating a safe space where women feel empowered to voice their concerns about gender equality. This support fosters open dialogue and paves the way for impactful change. In essence, advocating for gender equality is a collective effort that thrives on allyship and solidarity.
“As the head of a department that is more than 50% women, it is important to me both personally and professionally to do my part to encourage an inclusive, supportive place for all! I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of the Women At Agoda Employee Resource Group and to be an ally.”
– Jeff Lee, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience Group and and Women@Agoda Group Co-Sponsor
Myth: Tech jobs are for men
Fact: And they are for women, too! Despite the under-representation of women in the STEM field, numerous women have made remarkable contributions to technology, challenging stereotypes and shaping the industry’s landscape.
Throughout history, women like Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, and Margaret Hamilton have paved the way for future generations by making groundbreaking discoveries and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in tech.
In reality, succeeding in tech isn’t about gender; it’s about dedication, curiosity, and a commitment to learning. The world of technology is dynamic and ever-evolving, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds who are passionate about innovation and problem-solving.
“Working in tech, I’ve seen amazing woman engineers and programmers who are respected by industry professionals. At Agoda, I see women leading tech teams, not only doing their great work but also training their teams. Here, I’m learning new things every single day. And this is what one needs to succeed in a tech career.”
– Benjawan Wongwarn, Senior Quality Manager and Women@Agoda Group Co-Leader
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