'You have your own unique space under the sun and the starry sky': Shoba Mohan

Fixed gender roles defined by our society puts us in a box. Women have always been linked to professions which are ‘nurturing’ and even in a huge and diverse industry as Hospitality, women are usually said to be or imagined in certain ‘feminine’ roles. Breaking out of these chains, women are taking the reins and going forward with high-management roles such as General Manager (GM), Operations, Marketing, Sales and so on.

Shoba Mohan, Founder partner, RARE India says, “There are a good number of people [women] in high positions in hospitality, but yes in a GM’s position I have hardly seen many women. It is a tough job and hospitality typically has long hours and it can be quite harsh on women. I think I would look at women in hospitality who head small, independent hotels and entrepreneurs, there is a huge impactful and creative presence there. I guess the glass ceiling is very much in place there, but I am sure things will change there soon. Women haven’t trained their sights there, hence men are having a field day.”

Work from home during Covid-19 pandemic

When asked about the changed working dynamics due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it impacted her, Mohan shared, “On one hand it was restful and safe to be home with the family, to have one of our dogs sitting next to you while you worked, on the other, the pressure, especially in the early days of the pandemic without house help, doubled work and hence stress. We never paused even for a day through the pandemic believing that when travel would come back on track, our hotels were in the happy space of exclusivity, seclusion and high on responsible travel and safety. I think for the first time in my working life, we were all home – working children, husband, mother in law  and I. Some strained moments, yes but also many happy times, celebrations and sharing.”

The Climb

To achieve one’s goal, hard work, determination and consistency are the main ingredients that are needed to reach to the top. However for women, there are several more hurdles that they have to face because of their gender and patriarchal society. 

Commenting on the challenges faced in reaching where she is today Mohan says, “This juggle between a family and work life, I cannot remember a time when I could take off without thinking about work and office. I never had that privilege, but it has made me who I am. I have worked over 19 hour days, especially in this arena where talent is hard to come by.”

Representation and Safety Matters

“In a company of 12 people including myself, we are six women,” says Mohan when asked about the number of women working for her brand.  

On asking about the safety of women w.r.t sexual harassment redressal mechanism being in place and facilities provided to women who have recently given birth/pregnant, she said, “It is too small a space, but I have my eyes trained on possible issues, and have taught the seniors in the office to be alert. If there is any such occurrence or bullying, I deal with it personally.”

She further added, “In general we are generous with our leave policy and especially with women. We have had only one instance of pregnancy and maternity leave, and she was given over seven months off from the company, and almost from the sixth month of pregnancy she was allowed flexible timings and for most part salary was paid in full. A similar situation with a young father also, though there was no paternity leave, but flexible timings, doctor’s appointments, these are part of being humane and sensitive.”

Revival of the Hospitality sector

The Hospitality segment has been on a slow but gradual process to recovery with trends like ‘staycations’, ‘workcations’, personalised weddings coming up to meet the growing domestic demands of the Indian travellers.

Commenting on the status, Mohan said, “The hospitality sector has revived adequately but not evenly all around, those that are close to feeder markets are the ones that are having a festival. Steps taken are mostly in the private sector through collaborations and partnerships, I have lost track of the agents who have reached out asking to know more about RARE and recommending others as well. What I am happy about is that the hotels have quickly reorganised themselves, rejigged their pricing and their offerings to welcome the Indian traveller and the Indian traveller in general is enjoying all the attention and that they are literally discovering the beauty in their own forgotten backyards.”

Hospitality 101

On being asked to give advice to the budding youngsters in the hospitality industry, she concluded, “This is the most exciting and creative of all industries. Every day is a new opportunity, there are so many new avenues opening up, find your niche or create it. What is your special talent, it is easy to copy someone’s idea, but who are you and what moves you? Find it and work hard for it. You have your own unique space under the sun and the starry sky.”