Self-confidence and esteem key for women leaders

Department of Commerce chief Manel de Silva talks of women leadership in public sector and challenges in commercial diplomacy

Sri Lanka can boast of giving the world its first woman Prime Minister. It may also have the best social indicators when it comes to women’s literacy, in the region. Yet, female representation in Parliament and other local bodies is remarkably low. The fact that women leaders are as talented and responsible as our male counterparts seems to go unnoticed in the state sector, as males continue to reign in the most sought after positions within the public services. The Bottom Line Special Correspondent speaks with the Director General of the Department of Commerce - Manel de Silva on the role of women in the public sector and her road to success.

A past pupil of Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo, Manel de Silva, is the third in a family of six. Having successfully completed her Advanced Level studies in the arts stream de Silva soon graduated from the University of Peradeniya, with an honours Degree in Political Science. Fresh from the university, de Silva began her career by joining the Department of Commerce at the young age of 22 and was among the first batch of female graduates to be recruited by the department. Since then de Silva has continuously remained in the public sector, progressing in her career and gaining recognition as a trade specialist. After years of commitment and dedication to the job of her choice, de Silva is now contemplating retirement having reached the pinnacle in her career, taking on the responsible role of Director General of the Department.

Q. Looking back, what are the contributing factors from your childhood which helped you to achieve this position in life?

A. My father died when I was a kid of 10 years and since then it was my mother who shouldered the responsibility of bringing up half a dozen kids. My mother was a strong willed woman. She insisted that we study and likewise ensured there was no break in our education. Her parents, brothers and sisters supported us in every possible way, so that we still continued to have the luxuries we had when my father was around. Therefore, we did not feel deprived. But then, I was old enough to see how the world collapses in a split second. I realised that however young you are, when times are good, people are with you, but when times are bad only the genuine people remain by you. I also realised that if you have a bad experience in life, there could be that silver lining at the end of it. As a result of this experience we learned so much. My mother’s mental strength and her determination is what helped to brought us up to this standard. She never allowed us to engage in part- time work even during our vacations at the university, since she didn’t want us to get used to handling money. So, during the vacation we were sent for French, German and other language courses. When I completed my university education, it was she who scanned the gazette for job openings and even forwarded applications on my behalf. Without question, it was my mother who was our guiding light and strength in our lives and who put us on the correct path .

Q. Do you think that you chose the right profession? Or do you have any regrets with regard to your decision to remain in the public service?

A. I have no regrets about not getting any other job. I have always enjoyed doing my job which has given me excellent training and exposure. After being recruited to the services, we were sent out to private sector companies for exposure, and following this to Geneva for training in export promotions and commercial diplomacy. Since this is a closed department we are not transferable other than to the missions, and each posting has given me an experience which I wouldn’t have got in any other position. When I was senior enough to request for a posting of my choice I decided to serve in the Asian region as I realised that Asia is the future. In 1994, I took up a posting in Singapore as trade officer, and later on when I was selected for a posting in London, I decided to ask for Bombay instead. I also opted to go to Karachchi when I was nominated for a posting in Geneva. I have no regrets about any of these decisions as I have enjoyed each posting.

Q. The public sector is mainly dominated by males with only a few women in the driving seat within the public services. Do you think that there is discrimination that prevents women from reaching the top?

A. I have not found it slow to reach the top. I was a young graduate when I joined the services, and I came first in the batch. But I have not had any stumbling blocks. My first posting was to Moscow and at that time, Moscow was considered a hardship station, but being a woman did not make a difference in the situation. Later on I was appointed as the Director Exports to facilitate the first international export fair. In fact when I was selected for the Director post, a male friend happened to say that it was a man’s job, and I did tell him that he was a male chauvinist. But in the end it was the males who decided who should be appointed to that role. At no stage in my life have I been side lined in any way just because I was a woman.

Q. How does it feel to be heading an organisation that has so many male employees?

A. Since I grew up in this Department itself, where the seniors are concerned we were colleagues, prior to my becoming their boss. We had worked together for years, so when I came to this level they understood me and accepted me. There has never been any gender discrimination in this ministry. Those who join the department are all well educated and possess a post graduate qualification. As such they are used to looking at things in an intellectual manner. If the boss can deliver the goods, that is all that matters. If the head of the department is some one who represents them properly and does not stand in their way of professional advancement, and if they feel that the boss is fair they wouldn’t mind if the person is a male or female. Therefore, I have had no issues in overlooking a male workforce.

Q. As a female leader you have certainly come a long way, enjoying success in your professional life. Who would you owe this success to and who has been your mentor right through out this professional journey?

A. Well as I said before, it was my mother. If she hadn’t kept insisting that we get a good education, we may have not bothered to study. When your world collapses so suddenly you are for a moment anchorless at that point of time. We were too small to guide ourselves or to know what we wanted in life and it was her strength and guidance that helped us through it all.

Q. The general view about the public services is that it is a `comfort zone’ with little responsibility and almost completely stress free unlike the private sector. What are your views on this?

A. I can tell you that this job is quite stressful. This Department is run like a private sector establishment. We have been trained to think private sector in all our training, since our work is mostly with the private sector. As a result it is stressful. You simply have to deliver. Just as much as the private sector has to deliver in rupees and cents, our monthly reports have to show results. You are exposed because you have to take decisions on behalf of the private sector and the business community. Almost all of us at the department are Sri Lankan graduates who have had free education. Our training programmes have been sponsored by international agencies, although they are given to us free of charge. Therefore, we are fully conscious of this fact.

Q. Do you think that a woman leader needs to perform more than a man in the same capacity?

A. Yes. You have to be eternally on the ball. In the public sector however, we are used to having female leaders, so this perception that she is a woman, therefore she can’t do it, is not so much there. I think that the judgement levels may be a little more strict when it comes to a judging the efficiency of a woman.

Q. Females are often considered as emotional animals, unlike our male counterparts, do you think that a decision taken by a woman leader could be different due to emotional influence?

A. Yes and I am fully conscience of this fact. If there are certain decisions where I am not sure if I am acting according to my emotions, I would always discuss it with some one else. I would always check if I am thinking like a woman or if I am being emotional or logical. Whether you like or dislike the person that must not influence your official decision. At that given time I don’t take the decision without discussing it.

Q. What is the most important quality of a female leader?

A. I think it’s your self confidence, and not let things get you down. Think positively. I would say that you should be happy and content from within you. You need to shape yourself, only then can you have the self-confidence to let other people come up to your levels and not let it affect you. I think self-esteem and self confidence is very important.

Q. Do you see a difference between a male and female driven organisation?

A. No. I don’t see such a difference. Sometimes people might feel more comfortable to talk their problems with a woman and relate more to a female leader. But there is no major difference as such.

Q. What are your future plans?

A. I want to retire and do some part time consultancy, since I am a trade specialist and have knowledge, which very few people have. This is to just keep myself mentally active. But I want to do the things I couldn’t do since I have been living off a suit case, I have bought myself a compost bin and I am now making compost and doing organic vegetable gardening. Horticulture and plants are my hobby, and I am also an excellent cook. I enjoy crocheting, which is something I learnt as a kid and I plan to have an exhibition of my work sometime this year.

Q. What is your message to those females aspiring to reach the top in their professional lives?

A. Be positive and don’t let any one get you down.