Leading with Impact: Leena Daptardar’s Insights on Women in Tech Leadership
The tech industry is evolving, yet women in leadership still face significant hurdles. Leena Daptardar, Senior Director at Oracle, has spent 16 years navigating these challenges, building influence, and advocating for change. In this conversation with PowerChronicles, Leena shares candid insights on breaking through self-doubt, making strategic career moves, and why visibility matters for women in leadership.
From Engineer to Senior Director: A Calculated Career Move
Leena’s journey didn’t follow a traditional leadership trajectory. Starting as an applications engineer, she enjoyed programming but realized that to make an impact truly, she needed decision-making power.
“I saw my managers making the calls that I knew I was capable of making,” she says. “So I decided to take charge instead of waiting to be noticed.”
She deliberately took roles where she could influence technical design while leading teams, proving that leadership isn’t just about managing people but about driving innovation and visibility.
Speaking Up: The Hardest Yet Most Crucial Step
Early in her career, Leena struggled with voicing her thoughts.
“I’d think of a question, hesitate, and then hear my boss ask it,” she recalls. “That’s when I knew I had to stop holding back.”
She encourages women to practice speaking up, even when it feels uncomfortable. “If you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will.”
Work-Life Balance is a Myth—It’s About Prioritization
As a mother of two daughters, Leena understands the tightrope walk of career and family.
“I never aimed for balance—I aimed for prioritization,” she says. “If something matters, I carve out time for it.”
For her, going to the gym four to five times a week is non-negotiable.
“People ask how I manage it, and my answer is simple: If you truly want to do something, you will make time.”
Women Are Social but Not Always Strategic in Networking
One of the most significant gaps Leena sees in women’s careers is the lack of strategic networking.
“Women are social—we talk to a lot of people—but we don’t always network where it matters,” she explains. “Men, on the other hand, form career-building alliances naturally.”
Determined to change this, Leena started making networking a deliberate practice. She sought out leadership circles, joined industry groups, and built relationships with key decision-makers.
“I made it a point to connect with people who inspired me and who could challenge me to grow. It wasn’t about making small talk—it was about building meaningful professional relationships.”
Why Women Should Stop Waiting and Start Asking
Leena highlights a critical mistake women often make—assuming that hard work alone will lead to recognition.
“I tell my team, especially young women, to ask for opportunities. Don’t assume your manager knows what you want.”
She actively pushes her female employees to present at conferences, speak up in meetings, and take leadership roles in projects.
“If you don’t claim space, someone else will.”
What Companies Must Do to Retain Women Leaders
While personal effort is crucial, Leena believes companies must also step up. She advocates for hybrid work models, leadership workshops, and intentional sponsorship of women.
“Women don’t always self-nominate for leadership programs—companies need to push them forward.”
She also calls out the importance of mentorship.
“I didn’t have a formal mentor, but I informally learned from watching others. Companies should proactively assign mentors to rising women leaders.”
The Future of Women in Tech Leadership
For Leena, empowerment means taking charge, learning from failures, and refusing to have regrets.
“I want to be known as someone who delivers results and lifts others as I climb.”
Her advice? “Stop second-guessing. Speak up, ask for what you want, and put yourself in positions where you can’t be ignored.”
Leena’s journey is a testament to the power of confidence and action. If women in tech want to break barriers, they must make themselves unmissable.
Rapid Fire with Leena Daptardar 🚀
To wrap up our conversation, we put Leena in the hot seat for a quick, rapid-fire round!
🔥 One word to describe yourself? Ambitious.
🔥 A book that changed your perspective? Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.
🔥 Favorite way to de-stress? Hitting the gym.
🔥 One leadership lesson you swear by? Speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
🔥 If not tech, what career would you have chosen? Something creative—maybe interior design.
🔥 Advice to your younger self? Take more risks. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.
Stay tuned for more real conversations with inspiring women on PowerChronicles!
