Page 5 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Service to man is service to God.

Partner, Business Resilience and Continuity Services, women in business, Nashikta uses a recent event. She belongs to the Sri Sathya Sai organisation which
KPMG South Africa She was in a boardroom with “powerful men and is based on five human values: “truth, love, non-
women from across SA”. The tea lady walked in and violence, right conduct, and peace”. She tries to live
ASHIKTA AUTHAR ANGADH is a Partner in placed a tea tray on the table between a gentleman by these in everything she does.
KPMG and heads up the Business Resilience and a lady. The lady glared at the tray in a way that Nashikta sustained serious injuries in a vehicle
Nand Continuity Services unit of South suggested she thought serving tea would reduce accident during 2013. Spinal surgery prevented
Africa. Her function can be summarised as preparing her power in the room. However, the gentleman permanent paralysis, but she was confined to her
clients for planned and unplanned disasters. She got up and cheerfully served the tea. This incident bed for three months and had to learn to regain
involves herself with organisations at a deep level to made Nashikta realise that: “as women, we need movement and walk during a long, difficult
understand their critical processes and the potential to deal with the internal barriers we create for recovery. She says her spirituality carried her during
risks they face to develop a “fit for purpose recovery ourselves that prevent us from being what we can this tough time and made her appreciate life.
strategy” to be used in the event of a disaster. be and doing what we need to do. Women need to When KPMG experienced difficulties in recent

When Nashikta was thrown into the deep end to be bold enough to make the tea without worrying years she felt alarmed but did not leave and tried
take the reins in leading Business Resilience for KPMG what everyone thinks and what their opinions are.” to demonstrate the five values as a leader. She
she began by “rolling up her sleeves, embracing the Historically, there were many challenges between believes leadership is tested during challenging
books, and soaking up and entrenching herself in men and women, however businesses have pro- circumstances, not when everything seems good.
the information”. Along the way, she gained critical gressed and created numerous platforms for
insights into client practices. A mentor, “her North women, which should be embraced. Authentic self
Star” offered valuable support and advice. She also She is happy with what she has achieved and proud
learned from her team that supported her. Ultimately, A work-life balance requires structure of winning the Business Continuity Institute’s 2019
things came together, and she became recognised Nashikta has an excellent support structure which award for “Business Continuity Institute, Africa,
as a leading expert in her field, progressing in the contributes hugely to her work-life balance; both Resilience and Continuity Specialist”. She is hoping
firm to where she is today. her mother and mother-in-law look after her son for further success in the global category. Being

An inspiration when she is travelling, allowing her to focus on involved in developing continuity strategies for
work. The KPMG work environment is very flexible, businesses and government departments, Nashikta
Nashikta finds inspiration in books, videos and in making it easier to get things done anywhere and says the “philanthropist in her” wants to take this a
various people, including her selfless and elegant at any time. She makes sure not to diddle-daddle step further and develop a strategy for South Africa.
mom. Her dad is, however, her main source of and focuses on business during business hours, so She explains: “If the country is faced with something
inspiration. He did not finish school and his limited similar to a 9/11 attack or escalated xenophobic
financial means made starting a business difficult. work in her personal time is unnecessary. Nashikta attacks, SA has to be ready and I want to make sure
Additionally, he had serious health issues, but he is grateful for her wonderful husband who takes that we are.”
overcame the odds and made a success of life. charge with chores around the house and is a hands
“Looking past his business success, he is an amazing on Dad. He has been her pillar of strength and The advice Nashikta would give her younger self is
soul,” she says, one who changed many people’s encourages her to grab on to opportunities, even if not to shy away from shining and be confident in her
lives. His belief, “service to man is service to God” it results in added pressure on himself. She quips, “If strengths. Being diligent and assiduous, she stood
became her belief too, allowing her to balance her all else fails, just pray for energy, tolerance, patience, out at primary school, making her unpopular with
accomplishments with remembering who she is and and guidance to be a good parent, because that is some kids. She then held back to avoid attracting
where she comes from. the most important aspect of a work-life balance.” attention during high school. But at university and
with her career, Nashikta says, “I decided to just be
Deal with internal barriers Practical spirituality my authentic self. This allowed me to excel and get
To demonstrate the difference between men and Her spiritual background is very important to Nashikta. to where I am.”

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