How Women are Redefining Tech leadership Empathy

By: Sujatha Mukunthan, Vice President Research and Predevelopment, Siemens Technology Services Pvt. Ltd

Sujatha Mukunthan is a visionary leader with a strong blend of technical expertise and product leadership. With extensive international experience in the automotive, embedded systems, sensors, and security industries, she has worked at Robert Bosch GmbH, Bosch Global Software Technologies Pvt. Ltd and is now working with Siemens Technology Services Pvt. Ltd

In an insightful interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine, Sujatha shared her valuable insights on the evolving landscape for women in tech, addressing opportunities and challenges. She explores the impact of women in leadership roles, the unique qualities they bring to innovation, and strategies for fostering growth and leadership in technology.

How do technology developments impact women in tech? Are there specific opportunities or challenges that women should be prepared for in this evolving landscape?

The rapid advancements in AI – especially industrial AI, industrial metaverse and generative AI, automation, and digital transformation with the coming of age of digital twins come with it’s own set of opportunities and challenges. Some emerging fields like machine learning, trustable AI, and cybersecurity offer pathways for women in technology to lead innovation. Careers in these fields also offer flexible work models that make careers for women in technology more accessible. The technology industry is increasingly prioritizing diverse teams, as they realise that inclusive perspectives drive better outcomes.

However, challenges remain. It has already been recognized that women need to be better represented in leadership roles and there is positive change happening here. The other challenge is that we must contend with biases in AI systems that lack diverse input.

To thrive, it is necessary to keep upskilling, leverage mentorship and networking opportunities, and advocate for inclusivity in technology. There are immense opportunities for women in technology and challenges can be easily overcome.

How does the presence of women in tech leadership roles influence innovation? Are there particular qualities or approaches that women bring to technology development that can drive future breakthroughs?

In my view women often approach technology development with a focus on collaboration, empathy, and holistic thinking qualities that can be game-changers for creating user-centric solutions.

Diversity in leadership bolsters the organization’s efforts to challenge conventional thinking and broadens the scope of innovation, making it more relevant to a wider audience. We are naturally good at repurposing, which can come in handy to build more sustainable solutions.

Diverse teams are more likely to outperform homogeneous ones, as they bring varied experiences and insights that spark creativity and drive breakthroughs. Encouraging more women in technology leadership isn’t just about equity—it’s about accelerating progress.

In an industry often dominated by technical prowess, how do you believe qualities like empathy, communication, and creativity can propel women in tech forward?

I believe women naturally bring three qualities or 3 C's: care, creativity, and collaboration. These qualities paired with empathy and communication are very powerful drivers accelerating their success.

Empathy enables women to understand the pain points better, it might be their ability to understand their team better or design user-centric solutions by deeply understanding diverse needs and perspectives. Our innate sense of care ensures thoughtful and inclusive decision-making, while their commitment to contributing meaningfully drives collaboration and shared success. Strong communication skills are invaluable for aligning diverse teams and translating complex technical ideas into actionable strategies. Creativity, paired with analytical thinking and a conviction to lead change, helps women approach problems with fresh perspectives, resulting in groundbreaking solutions.

What should companies do to actively support women’s professional growth in technology, ensuring they have equal opportunities for leadership roles and tech advancements?

To support women’s professional growth in technology and ensure equal opportunities for leadership roles, companies must adopt a more multidimensional approach.: We need to create clear career pathways by establishing transparent criteria for promotions and leadership opportunities, ensuring equitable access for women at all levels. We need to focus on mentorship and upskilling by pairing women with mentors and sponsors who can guide their career development, provide constructive feedback, and advocate for their advancement while investing in targeted training programs to help women acquire cutting-edge technical skills and leadership capabilities. We need to make sure that we show and highlight successful women in all levels and roles to inspire others to make them role models. I am glad that many companies, including Siemens, is already taking significant action to make these a reality.

As women continue to rise in tech leadership, what do you see as the biggest shift in how tech companies approach women’s contributions in shaping product development, team dynamics, and innovation culture?

The rise of women in technology leadership is driving a significant shift in how companies value and integrate women’s contributions. Increasing the number of women in technical and leadership roles is one of the key priorities for numerous major businesses in technology and allied sectors to improve gender diversity. Additionally, these businesses are stepping up their efforts to guarantee more diversity in the workforce and leadership by age, race, and other social issues.

In product development, there’s a growing emphasis on user-centric design, driven by diverse perspectives that women leaders bring. This ensures technology solutions cater to a broader, more inclusive audience. In team dynamics, women often foster collaborative environments, encouraging open communication and diverse viewpoints, which enhance problem-solving and creativity.

Moreover, women leaders are playing a pivotal role in shaping innovation culture by advocating for ethical practices, sustainability, and long-term impact. This inclusive approach is inspiring broader industry transformation by setting new standards for diversity, equity, and inclusion, creating a more balanced and forward-thinking tech ecosystem.