Discussing leadership styles, Roy noted British and Australian managers focus on quality of output, professional development, and long-term client value. “In India, the emphasis is often on revenue and sales-driven targets. In the UK, seniors care more about skill development and delivering meaningful results,” she said.
She shared an incident from India where she was once asked to cancel a long-planned leave for a Kolkata trip due to a new deal, highlighting the lack of respect for personal boundaries in Indian tech workplaces.
Work-Life Integration
Roy emphasized the importance of integrating work with life rather than letting work dominate it. “Over the last five years in the UK, I’ve never been asked to work weekends or justify leave. Time off is encouraged, which is a sea change compared to India,” she said. She believes this approach allows her to thrive both at work and home, especially as a mother of an eight-year-old.
Motherhood and Boundaries
After becoming a mother, Roy experienced first-hand the strain of India’s “hyper-productivity” culture. UK work norms, high childcare costs, and absence of extended family support forced her to maintain clear boundaries, benefiting both her health and professional output.
Roy’s reflections underscore broader lessons for Indian tech firms on sustainable work practices, mental health, and employee well-being.