As we witness the birth of a new era in the Middle East, it is apparent to all that many new opportunities are being created to shape the region as a leader for the 21st century. This area of the world has become a leader in innovation and technological development, providing an example of what it means to live innovatively and progressively. As individuals gaze at the skyline, they see the glass towers emerging into the skies, bright lights illuminating the streets, and the sound of automobiles racing through the cities. Behind those images is an even bigger story that has yet to be told. People with extraordinary vision and insight are creating a brighter future for everyone in the Middle East by using their own resources and creativity.
Women have begun to take a bigger role in the areas of technology and law by showing that there can be a woman who is extremely tough but also has a strong sense of compassion for others. This type of leadership has inspired generations to come, leading to a huge influx of new energy and excitement into the industry.
The Early Days in a Changing Land
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran is a leader who understands this change very well. She is currently the Managing Counsel at ABA Legal Consultants. Her journey is full of interesting stories, dedication, and tireless work. She arrived in the UAE twenty-seven years ago. At that time, she was looking to build a new life for herself. Like many people who move to a new country, she faced many hard episodes. She experienced tremendous challenges in her personal and professional lives. However, she did not let these problems stop her. Instead, for inspiration, she deeply observed the country she had moved to.
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran watched how the UAE grew with total dedication. She saw the leaders of the country work very hard to turn the desert into a region of growth, business, and endless opportunities. She noticed that these leaders did not make a lot of noise. They did not speak many words, but they acted swiftly with intense focus. For Geethalakshmi Ramachandran, this was a “Masterclass Leadership”. She was very impressed by this style of stewardship. She decided that she did not need any other guide for her own path. She realized that real leaders are not just born with talent. In fact, they are made through practice and responsibility.
A Moment of True Humanity
One of the most important chapters of Geethalakshmi’s life took place when she was pregnant with her son. It was summer in the UAE, and the heat was intense. At that time, she was working three different jobs just to make ends meet. Life was challenging for her, and she had to endure tremendous hardship. She went to the Burjuman complex to take a walk every day to beat the heat and rest a bit. During one of these walks, she met Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed.
While Geethalakshmi Ramachandran was walking, she accidentally dropped her bottle of water. She was very surprised when the ruler himself picked up the bottle for her. He looked at her and kindly told her to “take care”. She was shocked yet disappointed because she could only say “thank you”. That moment a leader of the UAE was so humane full of empathy, stayed with her forever. She learned that even a powerful leader can be friendly and kind to a simple person.
Building a Career on Trust
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran believes that trust is the most important part of any business. When she started her career in the UAE during the 90s, she saw something amazing. She saw people closing huge business deals with just a handshake. What she learnt in her Law College was just how to draft a contract. But in real time in the UAE, she saw that the handshake was what really mattered. It showed that Trust mattered more than lengthy legal contracts. She understood that if she wanted to be successful, she had to win the trust of her clients first.
To do this, she ensures that her work is always the best version of itself. At ABA Legal Consultants, she has a very strict policy. Her team does not use shortcuts. They draft every single document in detail each time. Today, her firm has a special library with more than 5,000 agreements drafted in house. This is the “USP,” that has her firm and services sought by several even amidst stiff competition. Because of this, her clients share their experience about her services with others. This “word-of-mouth” marketing works very well for her. She does not focus on having a huge number of files. Instead, she focuses on giving proper attention to every single client that come to her.
Overcoming the Hardest Barriers
As a woman in the legal profession, Geethalakshmi Ramachandran had to overcome many barriers. When she graduated in the 90s, the road to success was not an easy task especially for women. She went through many setbacks in her career. In her career, people sometimes did not allow her to draft documents on her own. They did not let her meet clients unless a superior was in the room. People told her not to be “overconfident”. They told her to just do what she was told. People judged her for her clothes, her personality, and even the way she spoke.
There were times when Geethalakshmi Ramachandran was told to be quiet just because “men were talking”. These moments disappointed her, but Geethalakshmi’s mind had a very clear plan to grow and prepare herself for the emerging opportunities. Now, she looks back and thanks the people who tried to put her down. She says they were like “sandpaper.” Their jibes, taunts and opinionated Judgements about her, in fact helped her to shine. If they had not been so hard on her, she might not be the strong leader she is today.
Leading a Corporate Family
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran is not just a boss; she is a mentor. She remembers what it was like to be an employee for many years. This experience helps her to make a good plan for her team. She believes that kindness and concern are more important than a salary cheque. She wants her team to stay with her and make an impact. Some of her employees have been with her for more than ten years. Even when people leave her firm, they stay in touch with her. She works to make her team to feel like a “corporate family”.
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran watches her team members very carefully. She looks for their good qualities and gives them chances to lead. She guides them and corrects them when they make mistakes. She also congratulates them when they perform well. When they show that they are ready, Geethalakshmi Ramachandran lets them lead an entire section of the business. She says she monitors them like a “proud mother”. This gives her more time to find new ways to grow the business. She wants the workplace to be the happiest place for everyone.
Bridging the Gap Between Generations
Managing two different generations can be a challenge. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran understood that the younger employees have great ambitions and skills. But they also want to achieve success instantly. Sometimes they get disappointed or lose their motivation quickly. They might want to shift to a new job very fast. On the other hand, the older generation is more mature and committed. For them, work is like worship. They are more committed.
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran works hard to find a balance between these two groups working together under her. She aims to get both generations to be creative and productive. She sets an example of patience and perseverance for them. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran behaves like an employee and works shoulder-to-shoulder with them. She treats everyone as an equal. She believes employees are the pillars of any business model. They must be groomed every single day with honesty and commitment. She does a lot to teach the younger generation that good things take time, perseverance, consistency and commitment are key.
A Vision for Organic Growth
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran does not believe in growing too fast. She believes in sustainable and organic growth. She says that if a business is progressing rapidly and too soon, it is a sign that it might fall apart soon. She values resilience and endurance above all else. She is always ready to adapt to change. She finds that the constant updates to the UAE’s laws and procedures are in fact the strong foundation of UAE’s evolutionary strength. She wants her firm to evolve just like the nation evolves.
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran knows that small and medium enterprises are the backbone of any economy. She believes that these businesses must transition from old ways of working. They need to start using new tools and understanding new regulations. As a leader, she is helping her clients to make this migration. She is introducing simple yet effective systems to help businesses operate under new technology, implying of legal and regulatory compliance as per existing laws in the UAE. This is how she acts as a purposeful leader in today’s world.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
Geethalakshmi Ramachandran wants to leave a legacy of trust and relationships. She believes that change is the only way to progress. If a leader does not adapt to change, the business will slowly spiral downwards. She keeps herself updated with the latest developments in technology and law. She is always looking for new young talent to join her team. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran wants her firm to be a place where people learn and grow together. Her advice to new leaders is to lead with authenticity and confidence.
She tells emerging leaders to be humble and to encourage others. She believes that being a mentor is better than being a boss. She is proud of her twenty-seven years in the UAE. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran is full of gratitude to UAE for the life and the lessons. Her life is a story of how a person can overcome many hardships, yet work hard to become masters in their field. She moves forward in her professional journey while improving herself every day. She has no qualms in learning from the younger generation, happily engaging with them at every given chance. She is a true example of how dedication and commitment can mould sustainable leaders in today economy.
The legal consulting industry is always evolving, and Geethalakshmi Ramachandran is right there at the forefront, interpreting, absorbing and mapping the plans for her clients to adapt and change. She is using her experience to help her clients navigate the complex world of modern business. She is showing that a legal consultant can be a partner and a friend. With her library of documents and her team of dedicated experts, she is ready for whatever comes next. Geethalakshmi Ramachandran remains a vital part of the story of women in tech and law in the Middle East. Her journey continues to inspire many people who want to lead with a human touch.
