Can I have it all?

by Anuranjita Kumar

The book, ‘Can I have it all?’ is written as a memoir of the author’s evolving identity. Nuanced, poignant and powerful, it touches upon her struggles in the proverbial corporate jungle, juxtaposed with a heartwarming account of a mother balancing a healthy home and work life. It brings to life the dilemmas and challenges that women face through various stages of their lives such as education, marriage, maternity and mobility, as they aim to make it big in the corporate world. The career journey of an ordinary woman from a small town in India, ‘Can I have it All?’ is a compelling validation of how one can challenge social norms and stereotypes, around gender, race and other deep-rooted biases. It provides an honest insight to anyone who wishes to understand the elements that formulate parts of one’s leadership journey and lends readers the courage to challenge existing paradigms that create a hindrance in furthering their careers. Covering themes such as working with senior stakeholders, challenging colleagues, navigating workplace politics, indulging in introspection and building a circle of trust with mentors, ’Can I have it All?’ is every bit gripping as it is relevant for everyone, across cultures, geographies gender or age!

215 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2015

About the author

Anuranjita Kumar is a prominent Human Resources leader and brings with herself more than 20 years of rich experience across corporate America, Europe & Asia. Anu is currently associated with a multinational bank in India. Her career in banking goes back to 1995, spanning New York, London and India. Throughout her career, Anuranjita has focused in developing and executing commercially viable HR strategies, fostering global talent and cultivating a responsible and enriching culture that believes in the progress of its people and customers.

Anu has to her credit, numerous honors and awards, such as the ‘Most Powerful Woman Leaders in India’ by Fortune in 2013, ‘HR Leader of the Year’ 2015- ABP News HR & Leadership Awards and is on the Board for many reputed committes such as the Society for Human Resource Management, India, HR Committee of Amcham India, CII National Core Committee on Human Resources etc.

Anuranjita is a management graduate of XLRI, with a specialization in Human Resources. She attended Welham Girls School and is a gold medalist and topper in industrial psychology from Delhi University. Anuranjita is also a certified diver and has explored some of the best known diving sites globally. She is keenly involved in volunteering with underprivileged children and enjoys spending time with her family who is based in Gurgaon as well as in reading and travelling.

Reviews

[Garima Rana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book didn't tell me anything that I didn't know already..but the reason I liked it is that it was so relatable and it was quite comforting to know that the struggles and experiences that seem daunting at times are not singularly mine but common to most women..yes I agree that as women we can have it all...I do have it all...:)

[Priyanka Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book in the depth of despair of my own corporate journey. Its been 8 years I am into corporate world and this book really sums up all the relevant emotions and state of difficulty , I have faced so far with a practical approach of solution that I was able to connect with.

The writer manages to strike a fine balance between inspirational and preachy which attempts to clarify many of the myths for women at workplace, especially married women. Mrs. Anuranjita has done a brilliant job by enlightening the importance of 3M’s in a woman’s life – Marriage, Mobility and Maternity. Looking through the lens of her experience provides valuable insight into how grit, courage resilience can help a person reach greater height of his/her career. The book emphasis on the clarity of purpose, conviction, choice, courage, confidence, connect, collaboration, competition and crossing over.

read complete review at http://www.guptapriyankablog.com/can-...

[Pooja Shukla]

independent women

[Sudhir Mongia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written book where author navigates her journey from a school girl to c level executive. Well narrated and has good take aways for both working men and women.

[Candice Jia hui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a very interesting book.
Many points aren’t as relevant in todays age and age

[Vinoo Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her debut novel, Anuranjita manages to strike a fine balance between inspirational and preachy in this book which attempts to clarify some of the myths surrounding women at the workplace, especially married women executives and mothers. I found it very relevant to the current generation at the workplace and thought-provoking in places, especially when the author portrays real-life examples that we will all be able to connect with. Some of the chapters I found fascinating were the ones on Collaboration and partnership both in personal as well as professional life. I especially found the parts on "men and women collaborating at work" to be phenomenal. At the same time, I found myself wishing that there could have been some concrete steps that women could adopt to rise to where the author is, i.e a woman leader on the senior management team of global organization. The book stops short of this- hopefully that is explored in later books!

The author portrays some of the opportunities and challenges she has faced during the 2 decades of working life. The book will quickly engage you with a short sojourn through college and campus life which were very likable sections of the book.

It won't tell you secrets of success but it will enlighten on how important the 3 M's - mobility, marriage and maternity are in a women's life. The author's experiences as a professional supporting the investment banking group has some strong points on having the conviction to stand by the choices one makes. Anuranjita proves herself worthy of emulation throughout the course of the book by illustrating her problem-solving approach and persevering mindset.
The savvy tone of the exceptional transformation journey from reluctant medical student to woman leader with a stellar professional trajectory kept me enraptured throughout this light read.

A caveat though, have no confusion - the road ahead is tough and challenging and there are no shortcuts but this book provided me insights on how women can approach everyday dilemmas with a strong conviction to back up their choices.

[Pavithra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of Can I have It All ? has a happy assertion by the Author that she does think she managed to have it all- a veritable indicator of the positivity that the entire book inspires in the reader. The book is written on 8 key themes and values that Anuranjita believes have held her in good stead in her climb to the top if the corporate ladder. The themes are backed by her own experiences (mostly in a chronological manner) that beautifully capture the reality of decisions, emotions, life and work. The book addresses several practical, strongly relatable challenges that a woman faces in life and career and how Anuranjita navigated through these. Looking through the lens of her experience provides valuable insights into how grit, courage and resilience can help a professional reach greater heights in his/her career. It is a shout-out to women to not give up without trying, to innovate and find solutions and to realize that there is a way out only if you try as much as you can. Importantly, the book highlights socio-cultural biases that shape our decisions and how avoiding getting trapped by these biases can make a huge difference to our careers and the quality of life itself. The book provides helpful suggestions without being pushy or judgemental and is overall a very genuine, warm and thoroughly engaging read.