Life style
Hard work and relentless pursuit of excellence
Her legacy is one of impact not just in business but in society as a whole and her message to women is one of empowerment and belief in their potential.
Dr. Sunethra is also an Executive Secretary at the SDB Bank and a member of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. A recipient of many awards, both locally and internationally recently she won the International Office Manager Award in United Kingdom An Excerpts of the interview.
Tell us about yourself and your career?
I’m a office professional, recently I won the International Office Manager Award at The Office Management Awards 2024 in UK It’s a significant achievement and this is the first time a Sri Lanka has won this award in this region.
The path to this award was created through the Academy for Administrative Professionals (AAP) twenty years ago. This body moulded so many administrative professionals to make a benchmark in the professional field
AAP gave me a kickstart to my work experiences. Having worked as an executive secretary at the Cadillac Garments gave me all the experiences to move the ladder of success. Then I joined Nawaloka Hospitals, a conglomerate under which I was in service for 21 years.
I am deeply grateful to my parents ,beloved husband Nalin Nugawela, wonderful siblings — two brothers and two sisters – and all others who encouraged me to walk the talk.
Your career ?
My profession was an accident. I never knew about secretarial work or office management when I was schooling. My mother was a teacher and was she was my role model.
However, after my A/Ls, my brother enrolled me in a shorthand class and that’s my turning point to pursue my career in administrative work.
Can you talk about some of your challenges?
I had many challenges but I overcame all obstacles without any hindrance, With effective communication, adaptability and empathy towards employers one can overcome all challenges I followed this principle always. The struggle women face in senior positions is commonly blamed on the “glass ceiling” the metaphorical gender barrier that blocked the ascent to the highest levels of management. The failure to climb the ladder isn’t due to lack of ambition. We dont face a constraint on ambition we face a constraint on opportunity.
How has the role of an office manager changed over the years?
Change is constant. In our field of office administration and secretarial work, we are the first to encounter changes and face challenges. We are responsible for overseeing the daily operations, communicating, relaying important information, all this need leadership skills. We have to be updated with modern technology. W e are compelled to learn everything digital in this modern day and age.
Jubilant Sunethra
I believe that there is so much change. Every day is another new day and we must be able to adapt ourselves to the innovative changes. Even the style of writing letters is constantly changing. We professionals have to master digital technology to keep up to the challenging trends in the modern world .The word secretary is losing its importance and the term office manager has taken precedence at many offices.
As for education, no longer can secretaries find employment with an O/L or A/L certificate. Employers ask for a minimum qualification of a degree. Soft skills, etiquette, leadership, and interpersonal skills,, all come in that package, so if you want to work out an extremely well-answering package, you have to have all that.
Your dedication and commitment will add to your determination. When you are somebody, nobody can touch you. Build your image; character is the most important element of an official professional. This should be the goal of all professional.
Best moment in life?
Getting this award was a great moment for my career . I was amongst the final ten and I was proud of myself and my country at large.
The countries presened were mainly from the western world , and I represented Sri Lanka from the Asia-Pacific region.
France was named second runner-up and the Netherlands was the first runner-up. I was the only professional from Asia Pacific to win this prestigious award
It was an unforgettable experience and gave pride and satisfaction to pursue my career. I’m grateful to The Office Management Group of UK for giving me this opportunity and recognise my talent and hard work.
First runner-up from France OMG CEO Hana Gray with Sunethra
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
A healthy work balance allowed me to excel at work and take care of my personal wellbeing ouside the office But striking the right balance between profession and personal commitment had a significant impact on my working career. Maintaining the right life balance is important because it reduces stress, helps avoid burnout and increases job satisfaction and improves overall health and well being
What is your message to othes in this field?
Be alert to your duties. Don’t use your office time for your personal matters or any extra curricular activities.
Focus on your accomplishments, targets, and education. Recognition is a psychological need. People need to feel that thier work and contributions are appreciated and this thier performances and feel more connected to the workplace. Reflecting on your team’s achievement is crucial for employees’ morale
Achievements count on character, discipline, unity, and readiness to sacrifice individually for that larger cause of serving the people.
My remarkable journey serves as an inspiration for young professionals and inspiring entrepreneurs. My dedication, kindness and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact to those around me is my goal.
Sunethra stands as a shining example of how passion, creativity and empathy can come together to create a lasting legacy of empowerment and positive change.