Women’s Day Special: Practical Lessons from Zoho’s Women Leaders on Productivity

On this International Women's Day, it's great to take a moment to recognize some of the incredible women at Zoho who are making a real difference. They're a shining example of the strength women hold in technology and business—the way they break stereotypes, push boundaries, and show that so much more is possible. Whether it's diving into complex tech problems or taking on leadership roles, they're demonstrating that they can handle anything.

They tackle challenges head on and lift others up along the way. They're making their presence felt in fields where it hasn't always been easy with the way they lead, their determination, their fresh perspectives, and the way they uplift their women colleagues around them. It’s something truly special and worth acknowledging.

We were curious about their productivity secrets, so we asked them each three questions. Their answers were totally insightful and beautifully put in their own words. Read what they have to say and get inspired!

Kuppulakshmi  

Global Head, Zoho for Startups

1. How do you handle setbacks while maintaining productivity and focus?

I'm a proponent of emotional intelligence. During setbacks, I've learned to activate reasoning and logic rather than getting all emotional about the situation. I have something called a “mental locker,” and I believe that I have the key in my hands. If the situation is not something that’s in my control, I lock it away until I can sit with it and think through it. It's only over many years of making mistakes that I've learned to make observations and activate critical thinking. The philosophical takes of “To err is human” and “This too shall pass” have been my go-to mantras to stay focused and not take setbacks personally.

2. What productivity tools or apps do you rely on?

I use a note-taking app and a project management app for work. (Zoho Notebook and Zoho Projects, to be specific.) I'm also a fan of pen and paper to write my personal task lists.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women looking to enhance their productivity?

Women are gifted multi-taskers. Born with a naturally high EQ (Emotional Quotient) meter, I don’t think women need any special advice to be more productive. Learning to say no more often and understanding the difference between "being nice" (saying yes to everything and feeling exhausted) and "being kind" (understanding the true power of self-love) will go a long way toward taking control of their lives.

Rebecca Priyadharshini Khanna

Head of Marupadi and Rural Outreach, Zoho Schools

1. How do you handle setbacks while maintaining productivity and focus?

When setbacks arise, I see them as invitations to think outside the box and find creative solutions. For example, I streamlined the Marupadi entrance test by transitioning it to Zoho Survey, saving time and effort. I don’t shy away from reaching out to my colleagues for support. Teamwork often unlocks the best solutions when roadblocks appear. I believe every setback carries a lesson, and instead of getting caught up in frustration, I adapt my approach and move forward with fresh insights. Through it all, my unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment and education fuels my motivation, ensuring I stay focused and driven, no matter how tough the journey becomes.

2. What productivity tools or apps do you rely on?

I rely on Zoho tools to stay organized and efficient. Zoho Social manages my social media, Zoho Survey handles assessments, and Zoho WorkDrive keeps my content stored and accessible. For training, I use Zoho Learn, while Zoho Sheet and Calendar help me manage tasks and schedules. And, for a seamless communication, I use Zoho Cliq, Zoho Mail, and WhatsApp to keeping everything coordinated and up to date.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women looking to enhance their productivity?

My advice for women looking to boost their productivity is to prioritize tasks that have the most impact, breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable steps. Collaboration and delegation are key to ensuring work is efficiently distributed, and structuring your day with time blocks can help maintain balance and focus. With clear planning and a strategic approach, you can make steady progress and achieve your goals.

Jevitha  

Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition and HR  Operations

1. How do you handle setbacks while maintaining productivity and focus?

Setbacks at work in a professional setting are part of the game. Day in and day out, we face many setbacks at work; however, how we handle them in a swift yet efficient way is the key. Whenever I face a challenge, I take a moment to assess the situation. I don't react impulsively. I patiently observe the problem, analyze it, break it into pieces, and finally see how we solve them, one step at a time. I avoid giving knee-jerk reactions as an employee—and, as a mentor, it's important for me to command respect.

2. What productivity tools or apps do you rely on?

I strongly rely on Zoho Mail, Cliq, and WorkDrive to do my job smoothly. Cliq and Mail support me in every possible way, not just during work hours—even after I clock out, these apps help monitor the status of my tasks, check important updates, or send me any urgent messages that need my immediate attention. In short, they serve as my left and right hands!

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women looking to enhance their productivity?

I don't believe in advice as advice is always meant to be ignored :) So, here's my recommendation to women looking to enhance their productivity: the 3R policy (reliability, relationship, and rationale).

As an employee or as an individual, we should always be a person who can be relied on; loyalty is built on trust, and responsibility comes to you with reliability. More reliability is more responsibility; more responsibility is more power.

Maintaining relationships is a significant challenge these days; to maintain a cordial relationship at a workplace as well as in a personal space is important. Striking a balance between work commitments and personal commitments is key for greater achievements. Having a good support system from your family is essential for a woman to be successful both in her career and personal life.

A woman should always think on her feet during crucial situations. Being a rational thinker plays an important yet significant role in one's professional life.

Sandhiya Lakshmipathy

Product Manager

1. How do you handle setbacks while maintaining productivity and focus?

Every setback served as a valuable lesson. I learned from these experiences, ensuring I didn’t repeat the old mistakes while making way for the new! Ultimately, my goal remains the same: to be productive and create valuable products for our customers, benefiting them and the company I work for. Focus on the immediate next actions instead of the entire challenge. It's better to be flexible with how you achieve your objectives.

Keep momentum by achieving small wins. Stay patient—progress is not always linear. Remind yourself why you started.

2. What productivity tools or apps do you rely on?

I mostly use Zoho Cliq and Zoho Notebook for effective communication and task management.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women looking to enhance their productivity?

It’s crucial to set clear boundaries to prioritize what truly matters. This not only protects your energy but also supports you in achieving your goals. Striking a proper work-life balance is key; especially as women, we often feel guilty about not spending enough time in either area. But remember: Balancing is an art. Self-care is vital for both your physical well-being and mental peace. Don’t be afraid to say no; sometimes it’s just as powerful as saying yes. Keep in mind: We’re here to thrive and rock this journey!

Divya  

Manager of Engineering, Zoho Notebook

1. How do you handle setbacks while maintaining productivity and focus?

For me, resilience is not just a choice but a necessity. Instead of just enduring tough times, I try to acknowledge my emotions and own up to the mistake, which helps me hasten my recovery. What matters most is to understand what went wrong, tweak my approach, and push forward with more clarity. I also have conversations with peers and mentors to gain perspective, identify gaps, and upskill where needed. They say, "Failure is the stepping stone for success." Embracing that mindset keeps me motivated and focused on the future ahead.

2. What productivity tools or apps do you rely on?

I extensively use Zoho Notebook to stay organized and efficient and Zoho Cliq for collaboration.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to women looking to enhance their productivity?

Prioritize tasks based on impact rather than just urgency. Leverage technology to automate repetitive work, and don’t hesitate to seek support or delegate tasks when needed. It's also important to set clear boundaries and say no. Keep showing up and believe in yourself—productivity will follow.

Wrapping up

It's inspiring to see how the women of Zoho approach things. They take a practical mindset—learning from setbacks instead of dwelling on them. They rely on productivity tools to stay organized and understand the importance of taking a break when needed. To put it simply, progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about moving forward, one step at a time.

A big thank you to our ladies for sharing their insights! The Zoho Notebook team wishes a happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women out there.