BIV is proud to recognize six B.C. leaders as 2021 Influential Women in Business Award recipients.
A Q&A with honouree Juggy Sihota follows.
What career highlight are you most proud of?
I think 2020 offered me the greatest challenge of my career and also proved to be the most fulfilling at the same time. When Canadians needed us the most, our consumer health team stepped up. Demand for our virtual care services skyrocketed 10-fold overnight at the start of the pandemic, and that required an unparalleled level of decisiveness, adaptability, collaboration and determination. Leaders on my team like Toby Davidson, Krista Rasmussen, Rob Cook, Reshma Mehta and Chris Engst sprung to action and worked with me tirelessly until we addressed customer need at scale. And we did it.
There were a lot of curveballs throughout 2020, and I am thankful to work with these leaders to arrive where we have. Their tenacity, intellect and compassion got us through successfully. We have now built and are delivering a national health-care service for Canada. Every 30 seconds, someone in Canada is downloading our Babylon by Telus Health app, and every 90 seconds, someone is having an appointment with one of our doctors. Our patients rate us 4.9/5 on average.
Your toughest professional challenge as a woman in business?
Resiliently playing the long game.
Greatest advice ever received?
Be the leader you would want to follow.
What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out?
In school, we are taught and rewarded to get to the right answer. I wish, as I was first starting out, I had reframed my thinking to know that being right doesn’t always mean you will be successful. Because in life, it’s all about relationships. Building and cultivating strong relationships and networks enhances quality of life and improves your chances for success across many dimensions. No one can do it all alone.
What does it take to be a leader in 2021?
Equal parts intellect and empathy.
What is your best habit?
Sikhism has a concept called chardi kala. This refers to a state of mind where a fearless, brave and optimistic attitude is maintained, even in the most daunting of circumstances. My best habit is aspiring to maintain a chardi kala mindset.
A book you would recommend?
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Pérez.
One surprising or improbable fact about yourself?
I commissioned and was the executive producer of a documentary on the opioid crisis in Canada called Painkiller. It brought more awareness to the crisis and called for an end to the stigma of addiction. It is available to everyone at telus.com/painkiller. •
A video of this year's virtual awards gala can be viewed at biv.com/iwib starting March 8.
