Debbie Dissanayake, GM Sales at Expolanka Freight, a global logistics company based in Sri Lanka and part of listed Expolanka Holdings, and the awardee of the Women-In-Management Top 50 Professional and Career Women Award in the Logistics and Supply Chain Category in 2021, shares sound advice to young women aspiring to leadership positions in male-dominated industries, and her perspectives on the importance of attitude and culture, and creating better opportunities for women.
How has EFL supported and nurtured you to break gender stereotypes and excel in your career?
I joined Pulsar Freight, a subsidiary of Expolanka Holdings, in 2012 as its Business Development Manager. Pulsar Freight was incorporated a year earlier, and I was responsible for expanding its international agency network and customer base and generating revenue growth. Mr Hanif Yusoof, Group CEO of Expolanka Holdings, gave me a wide range of responsibilities to develop the business and the freedom to make decisions, and that trust made all the difference.
I was fortunate not to have experienced discrimination, nor did I encounter stereotypes throughout my tenure, but I received all the support to excel in my job. While many people still believe that logistics is a male-dominated industry, I have found that women have every opportunity to build successful careers in this industry. That was because Expolanka had a great culture from day one. Also, my family, especially my husband, are proud of what I have achieved and encouraged me to pursue my professional aspirations.
What is the proudest moment in your career as a leader in a male-dominated industry?
In 2014, after Expolanka Holdings consolidated its freight businesses as EFL, I was transferred to Expolanka Freight as Head of Sales and subsequently promoted to Deputy General Manager and thereafter General Manager for sales. I was always encouraged that EFL was a company that appreciated and valued my capabilities. Importantly, they respected my judgement as a woman in leadership.
With EFL predominantly serving the fashion industry, I initiated plans to diversify our portfolio into the FMCG sector, successfully securing leading multinationals like Unilever, Nestle, Pyramid Wilmar and Upfield. That was one of many proud moments in my career.
As a woman in leadership, how do you see your role within the company?
Most senior management in the logistics industry are male, so my role within EFL adds diversity and inclusivity and allows me to discuss gender equality and represent the voice and concerns of women within the organization. As GM of sales, my role is not merely numbers-driven but is more about giving leadership in strategic planning and the continuous development of the business.
While I am passionate about my job, I also have a responsibility to inspire other women, so I make an effort to lead by example. I never second guess myself and always do what needs to be done and speak up to get my views across for the good of the business and the people who make up the EFL family.
In your view, what can businesses do to support and empower women to thrive in their careers?
Businesses should make a real effort to nurture and support women in their careers, encourage them to aspire to leadership positions and create clear obstacle-free progression paths.
We need workplaces rooted in meritocracy that governs all aspects of job appointments, promotions and rewards. Gender discrimination, archaic stereotypes, cultural biases, and rigid societal expectations should not exist in any work culture. We also need to make workplaces safe places for women to thrive and acknowledge their contributions and successes.
Businesses can do more to increase female participation from the recruitment stage upwards, and they need to remove gender pay gaps that still prevail in many places in this day and age.
Senior management teams should give women a voice and encourage them to participate in decision making because the diversity and unique perspectives they can bring would ultimately benefit a company. Some businesses have done that, and EFL is a shining example, but many companies need to step up and take inclusion and diversity a lot more seriously.
What traits and skills should be aspiring female leaders in the corporate world cultivate? What is your advice to young women aspiring to become leaders?
Education is critical, and there is no age limit to educating oneself or learning, so while work experience matters, it is better to gain a professional qualification.
Never hesitate to question the status quo. Believe in yourself and boldly voice your opinion. Welcome new challenges, and never be afraid of adversity. Be professional and focus on achieving your goals. Be passionate about everything you do. The journey to the top is never easy, so be focused, build resilience and grit into your armoury of personal skills and strive to inspire those around you because there is no greater aspiration than that. Be humble and tenacious in the face of competition, and remember, always be yourself and be true to yourself.