The legacy of Ranjana Smetacek

There is no greater finality than death.

It hits you hard. Sucks you right in. Makes you numb.

Last week I lost two people who have played a huge role in my life. One is a close friend who leaves behind years of memories of friendship and togetherness.

The other is Ranjana Smetacek who was my erstwhile manager when I joined Monsanto way back in 2005. Ranjana epitomised corporate communications and set the level so high that it will be difficult to find the right shoes to fit in.

As my mind swirls like a kaleidoscope, throwing up images upon images of moments with them, I grasp the fragments of knowledge, love, wisdom, kinship, and learning that have stayed with me.

Here are a few things that have guided me throughout my professional journey:

#Ace the language

There is a reason why many organisations insist on a written language test for communicators. Having a command over the language helps a communicator use the right words, build the right connect, and create precise messaging. Be the master of your language. There is no room for grammatical errors in messages drawn up by communicators. The devil is in the details. Ranjana ensured we paid attention to those details and trained us to be perfectionists with no room for carelessness.

#Know your craft well

Corporate communications has always followed an evolutionary path. Develop a deep knowledge of how news gets shaped, the channels in vogue, the messaging that works, whom to reach out for which story and when… Keep yourself updated and fine tune your skills on a regular basis.

#Demand to be heard

‘Others treat you the way you allow yourself to be treated’ – if you want corporate communications to have a seat at the table, be reporting to the CEO, demand for it. Do not settle for anything less. Be part of the leadership team. Have a role in shaping the business strategy.

#Push back when necessary

Communicators often complain of being overloaded with end minute work and being asked to do oversee just about everything. Learn to push back. Say ‘no’ to assignments which can be easily done by other functions. You don’t make your worth by doing everything. You establish your worth by shinning in what you know and do best.

#Stand your ground

Friends who know Ranjana well, will remember the many times she stood her ground when it came to communications. It was her decision, her knowledge, her skill, and her craft that paved the way to her standing ground when it came to disagreements over what/when/how to communicate information. Communicators true to their profession need to stand firm and have the final say on how to run their function and shape the narrative. And own up to outcomes that may not go as thought of.

#Nurture your relationships

Stakeholder management is less about knowing someone and more about nurturing and strengthening relationships over the years. Networking is not just about being seen everywhere. It is about taking that initial thread of introduction way ahead to building a strong foundation of trust and respect. You may be out of sight but ensure you are not out of your stakeholders’ eyesight and line of vision.

#Every situation can be managed

Communicators know what a real crisis is. Do not fret over minor hiccups. Stay positive and work towards finding the best solution. Ranjana knew where to draw the line when it comes to prioritising work and having a work-life balance.

#Appreciate your team

A true leader always leads or is behind and besides the team. Never ahead. Ranjana was intolerant to careless mistakes. At the same time, she was quick to express her appreciation for the team. She never shied away from giving credit where rightly due.

#Believe in your aura

Ranjana had an incredible aura around her. Her energy was so infectious that one could not help but get sucked into the positivity that it radiated. In 2013, she became the first woman director general of Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) that represents the innovative pharmaceutical companies based out of India. In minority with the old boys club as OPPI was widely known as, she stood apart with her deep understanding of healthcare, communications, and the political landscape. She paved the way for women to lead OPPI.

Ranjana was feisty, a fighter, and an incredible woman – she touched many lives and will continue to light the lamp for all fellow communicators who crossed her path.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Sarita Bahl

Sarita Bahl is an alumnus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Swedish Institute of Management Program. An experienced and versatile leader, she comes with nearly four decades of professional experience. She has over the years successfully overseen the communications and public affairs function and led the corporate social responsibility strategy for Bayer South Asia, Pfizer, and Monsanto, among others. Sarita has held multiple roles across diverse industries, the public sector, trade associations, MNCs, and the not-for-profit sector. Her areas of interest include advocacy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and communications.

As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Senior Practitioner (Mentoring) from the European Council of Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC), Sarita specializes in career transition, inner engineering and life issues. Sarita enjoys writing and is passionate about animals, books, and movies.