Pepsi CEO Indra K. Nooyi

In August, PepsiCo promoted Indra K. Nooyi to CEO, making her the 12th female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. There are many obvious inspiring things about this promotion - it is refreshing to see qualified female executives land the roles they have earned and the fact that Nooyi is Indian-born and Indian-educated.

What is less obvious but perhaps more inspirational is that Nooyi did it her way. She ascended to the top position at one of the most respected organizations without compromising her beliefs, traditions and values. She still wears the traditional sari on occasion, she is a devoted mother of two and she played guitar in a all-girl rock band!

Our culture places so much emphasis on shedding our personalities and unique attributes when we join the workforce. This is horribly misguided and detrimental to the success of the individuals and the success of the organization as a whole. Incorporate your art into your job, your creativity will flourish and benefit your role. Take your note pad to the beach and journal on a Thursday rather than going to work. (Make sure you boss knows your taking off!) The point is, if you don't express your Self and live true to your Self, you can never experience complete success in life or your profession.

Rising to the Pepsi Challenge, CFO Magazine, September 1, 2006
Pepsi's New CEO a Refreshing Change, Kate Klonick, ABC News, August 15, 2006