How a change of tone changed the way people saw me

By Jayashree Aiyar

Over the last three decades in science, I have learned that challenges are not barriers; they are opportunities to grow. When I started my career, leadership roles in pharma and healthcare were largely male dominated. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, I focused on building expertise, staying resilient, and continuously learning. Science is driven by knowledge, and I have always believed that delivering results is the most effective way to create impact.

Competency, not gender, should define one’s success: I worked for a large pharma company where the team was predominantly men, and my contributions often went unrecognised. My colleagues observed this and suggested that I was experiencing gender-based discrimination. I reflected on what they said, and instead of adopting a victim mentality, I chose to recalibrate the tone to project greater confidence. As a result, there was more acceptance of my comments and suggestions.

Mentoring matters: I have been fortunate to have mentors (both male and female) who guided me at key points in my career, helping me navigate challenges and build confidence. Their support reinforced an important lesson: talent needs the right environment to thrive. This is why structured mentorship and leadership development programmes matter. They provide aspiring women leaders in STEM with the skills, networks, and guidance needed to progress.

Inspiring the next generation: Women leaders become role models for many young aspiring women. I have always shared my experiences and provided guidance to young scientists so that they can navigate their careers with confidence. This is my way of paying it forward. It ensures that the next generation has the tools they need to succeed. I am also proud to say that in my earlier role at Syngene, I led a team where the ratio of women scientists was more than men.

One of my mentors was a highly successful scientist and leader who had been through major challenges and tragedies in his personal life. Despite this, he came in to work with tremendous optimism and a zest for life. His example instilled in me the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, cultivating gratitude, staying humble and being empathetic towards my co-workers. He exemplified the value of focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on the problems, which are beyond our influence.

Creating an inclusive future: As more women step into leadership positions, the impact is clear. Diverse teams drive better decision-making, foster innovation, and create more inclusive workplaces. In research-driven organisations like Syngene, we see this every day – women, alongside men, are leading breakthroughs in drug discovery, leveraging AI in healthcare, and shaping the future of medicine. The key to sustaining this momentum is to continue investing in talent and fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued.
Jayashree Aiyar is chief scientific officer at Syngene International

(Jayashree Aiyar is chief scientific officer at Syngene International)