Astute, affable and articulate, she is a role model for many. The enterprising Joint Managing Director of ICICI Bank Ltd and one of 'Fortune' magazine's 50 most powerful women in business, oozes warm enthusiasm with resolute intent. The petite lady with the razor-sharp business acumen has notched success after success in the banking industry

A supportive family helps to further a woman's career.
My husband has always been my emotional anchor. He is very accommodating and is always there for all of us. I have been fortunate in having a fantastic support system in my siblings. Each one chipped in time and again to take care of my children whenever I was touring. I couldn't have asked God for more intelligent and compassionate children. We are a close-knit family.

It helps to think big and aim high.
Our parents consistently motivated us to think big and aim high. Therefore nothing looked impossible ever. My father always said that his children were too talented to just sit at home. He was Cabinet Secretary, and consequently the rich exposure I got as a young student, meeting delegates, attending conferences and being involved in extra- curricular activities was tremendous. We learnt to deal with things maturely at a very young age. My mother pursued social work actively. Though my father had work commitments, my mother made it a point to be there for us, always.

Never interfere in your children's lives.
I know that I can drive them away if I choose to interfere in their lives. As parents, Dilip and I give them emotional, mental and physical support. When the need arises, we help them walk through options financially. After all, that's what we are earning for.

Work and home should be in sync.
It is possible to be a working mother and spend time with your children, if you want to. There were years when I used to get up at 5:30 am to prepare lunch for my kids' tiffins before dropping them off to school on my way to work.

I would have loved to be a novelist and win the Pulitzer. I would have loved to be an entrepreneur. The possibilities and opportunities would have been endless. Or better still, I would have loved to be a novelist and win the Pulitzer.

Never discuss office at home.
We never bring our work home. Not even to our conversations at the dinner table. That is quality time spent together with the family.

There's no greater joy than motherhood.
I strongly advocate motherhood. It fills you with unparalleled joy and is devoid of the drudgery others tend to associate with it. I love children. If I were to become a grandmother tomorrow, I would gladly give up everything to baby-sit them.

Each person teaches you something new.
Travelling is a passion for me. I am on the move 15 days a month, and I enjoy it. I like meeting new people. You can learn something from each person you meet I believe strongly in God. That helps me maintain my sanity. Though I am not dogmatic. Whatever the form, there is a superpower, a guiding force up there. There is a science to face reading, numerology, astrology and palmistry

Never wallow in self-pity.
I am a militant optimist. The only way is the way forward. My rare phases of feeling low last only a few hours. I don't wallow in self-pity. That's just not me.

You can never do everything yourself.
You have to trust others and allocate work. That is the fundamental rule of working together in a team. It brings out the best in you too!

There is a superpower up there.
I believe strongly in God. That helps me maintain my sanity. Though I am not dogmatic. Whatever the form, there is a superpower, a guiding force up there. There is a science to face reading, numerology, astrology and palmistry. I neither subscribe to it nor ridicule it.

Do what is right by you.
I don't stomp out my desires or smother my wants. You have one life. I live it my way.
(As told to Shilpi Kakkar-Madan)