How, where and when did you start your career?
I started my professional career from a small company engaged in manufacturing auto electric DC horns, catering to most of the OEMs like Maruti, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ford, Escorts etc. Being a small company employing approx 250 people, all HR functions were being handled by one small team of four members, and I joined them as a Team Lead.
It was an enriching experience in various functions of HR and IR including negotiating with the Labour Union affiliated to CITU and veteran leaders like Darshan Singh and subsequently arriving to a settlement navigating through various agitations staged by the workers, like slow down, tools down and sit-in strike etc.
I was also assigned the responsibility of management representative for certification of ISO 9001, under the guidance of a representative of Maruti.
Why did you choose HR as your professional field?
Human Resource is one of the most valuable assets of any organisation. Also, every human being has a unique set of behaviours which makes them more complex and challenging to handle. My inclinations towards dealing and managing people has driven me to take up this as a profession.
Could you briefly describe the initial years of your career – what were the challenges you faced, the areas you enjoyed the most, the lessons learnt?
Having started with a small organisation gave me an opportunity to handle very critical assignments like signing an LTS with the union, dealing with all stake holders to run the operations smoothly, and so on. This exposure gave the required boost in my confidence in handling critical-to-business tasks and navigating through many challenging phases of the HR life cycle.
Working for a print media company gave me an opportunity to handle and manage t h e diverse group of people for the entire organisation of working journalists and non working journalists.
What would you describe as the highest point of your HR career?
The Leadership Development Program for High Potential employees imparted by Mahler Associates Inc. (a US based consulting company) that I attended during 2006 over a six month
period, with each module lasting a week, is one of the highest points in my career. This training program was conducted at various businesses of the company situated at different locations like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. This was a complete leadership development program consisting of assessment centre, combined with development activities which was carried out on the job with specific time schedule. This gave immense learning and helped me carve out an effective leader out of myself. Also, it inculcated many leadership characteristics to build on further to improve my managerial skill level. Post this training program, an opportunity was given to become a part of one of the Global Task Forces to improve upon the supply chain network in India as well as other countries of operations.
How did this achievement transform you personally and professionally?
The training program was a milestone in my career and my development as a professional. It instilled in me all the personality traits of a true human resources leader. It made me more confident and innovative, and improved my decision making ability.
Ever since, I have been leading an HR and GA team of 25-30 members.
What advice would you like to give HR practitioners of the next generation?
One must have a passion for the profession one has chosen. Always go the extra mile, this helps to explore your potential and capabilities. Become an inspirational leader and believe in yourself.
Reinventing HR – Role of Young Leaders Transcending national boundaries and industries alike, all organizations have three major challenges for its future business operations- Rapid Technological changes, Cross-industry convergence and Global competition. Though the immediate impetus lies with the leaders of today, the baton has to be passed to the leaders of tomorrow while defining the small-yetsignificant strides towards the solution. These hyper-connected young leaders will have to practice authenticity in their conduct, perseverance towards their goals and most, importantly, courage to experiment and learn from mistakes.
