Book Review — My life in Full: Work, Family and our Future (Indra Nooyi)
In her memoir “My Life in Full”, Indra Nooyi takes us through the events that shaped her into the CEO of PepsiCo. From her childhood upbringing in India, studies in the US, to early career as a consultant, the Indra Nooyi gives us a glimpse of her personal trajectory. The memoir comes with a call for women to integrate work and family — to help unleash the economy’s full potential. I enjoyed reading about her childhood upbringings and career transitions, of how family values of discipline and hardworking ethics shaped her vigorous pursuit of excellence and deep sense of purpose. Unlike other memoirs from female authors, (such as Michelle Obama’s Becoming, Dr. Edith Eger’s The Choice, Tara Westover’s Educated), Indra Nooyi’s memoir emphasizes more on factual experiences rather than sentimental reflections. I guess the demanding CEO responsibilities armor people up — the vulnerabilities and frustrations that come with the job is hidden in the background.
Upbringing and early careers
“The twin demands that defined me has always been family and my work.” Indra Nooyi starts her memoir with her childhood upbringing in Madras. Cultural and religious faith shaped her identity since childhood — she lived within the rules of a devoted Hindu Brahmin family alongside a culturally vibrant and multifaith society. “To be Brahmin in the mid 20th Century meant we belonged to a class of people who lived simply, were devout, and were supremely focused on education. We saved as much as possible, rarely ate out or took vacations, and had renters on our second floor for extra income.” As she progressed through different endeavors in life, home is always there to anchor and steady her. Indra Nooyi’s strong call for support of childcare and partnerhood is rooted from her firm belief that healthy families are the root of healthy societies, and that people can thrive individually and collectively, if we have deep connections with our parents and children.
Early career in Mettur Beardsell: Indra Nooyi started her career in India, a sales trainee program of Mettur Beardsell, in Bombay. She worked as front line sales, directly facing customers who were tailors. “Door-to-Door sales is a humbling experience, it has stuck with me forever. I got to knoe my clients as humble, hardworking and skilled people” As a salesperson, she could help her clients deliver great products, or mess up their orders — so she had to listen carefully and deliver expectations. “My job at Mettur Beardsell — responsibility, authority, and a paycheck — gave me confidence that I could enter unfamiliar terrain and succeed.”
MBA studies in the US: Indra Nooyi arrived at the US for her MBA studies in Yale, after her first job in India. Contemplations of her arrival in foreign terrain are manifested in adaptations in social, cultural, academic, and interpersonal dynamics of the US. “I now know that many immigrants’ American dream begin with fear, awe, and loneliness. I was aware of how international students from developing countries were grouped — diligent but no style, funny accents, socially inept, There was no explicit rejection but no welcoming. I wasn’t shy, but I was careful of what I said.” She was aghast of her fellow American classmate’s relaxed approach, taught by practical trainings in Yale (whereas IIM Calcutta was more theoretical), and invigorated by the 2-way experience in class. “Yale’s academic life introduced me to how the private sector, the public sector, and NGOs worked together to create a harmonious society.”
Early Career as a BCG consultant: Indra Nooyi embarked on a path that many MBA students take post-graduation — consulting. She found it exhilarating, full of debate, and fascinating people. “I loved zooming in, digging deep into a business, and zooming out to determine how to best reposition it. Every project felt personal, and I was always busy.” Consulting is a wellspring of many global business careers, as the business and management exposure is extensive. Yet, the travel for a consulting career is unrelenting. I found her reflections honest and amusing, “I spent three nights away from home and worked every weekend crunching numbers and writing presentations. I was learning all the time; it was an intellectual high and physical low.”
PepsiCo Years
Indra Nooyi spent 12 years as CEO for PepsiCo, and even longer if we count in her time as CFO of the company. She highlighted the gender and racial inequalities when she first entered the field back in 1994. “White men held 15 of the top jobs in PepsiCo. The leadership mirrored almost every senior-executive suite in corporate America in 1994. The number of female CEOs among the 500 biggest companies that year was zero.”
Over the years, she transformed PepsiCo with a unique vision — in areas concerning health and the environment. Pepsi reformulated carbonated drinks, reduced sodium in snacks, made gluten free quaker Oats, and invented new methods in making 3D chips. It spun off the restaurant business, which changed its name to “YUM! Brands” that operates Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC chains.
Personal Reflections
The demanding responsibilities of Indra Nooyi’s work as CEO is reflected in the sacrifices she made in family and personal pursuits. Devoting time to presentation slides, boardroom meetings, and social events meant less family time. In the memoir, she lightly mentions the frustrations and conflicting agendas of the job. She didn’t mention the activists, quarterly earnings pressure, executives’ resistance to change, and passive aggression directed at her. “On the low days, I’d just go to the restroom, look at myself in the mirror, and let it out. When the moment passed, I’d wipe tears, reapply makeup, and walk back into the fray.”
She advises to “Think hard about time — make the most of your days and make the space for your loved ones who matter the most. Be mindful of the choices ahead.” Her hectic and demanding corporate schedules must have made her realize the importance of addressing work-life balance for parents. Accessible childcare for working parents is crucial for them to take their career forward. In the end of the day, the decisions between parenthood and career are personal. Some consciously take the choice of stepping back in their careers, because family values of prioritizing the child is deeply rooted culturally. Sometimes, not until we reach the parenting stage, do we realize the significance of support systems for working families.
An anecdote that stayed with me was Indra Nooyi’s conversation with her mother. “I’ve just become PepsiCo’s president, and you couldn’t just stop and listen to me speak after a day of work.” “You may be the president of PepsiCo, but when you are home, you are a wife and a mother and a daughter. Nobody can take your place. So you can leave that crown in the garage.” The conversation was amusing and revealing — emotions from work can be carried into our personal lives if we are not mindful after a hectic day. Such is the trappings of the corporate and leadership world — when we feel important and stressed by responsibilities, we should remain grounded and beware of the relationships most important to us.
