How, where and when did you start your career, specifically in HR?
Since the beginning of my career, I have been working in HR. I started my career with the Thapar group way back in 1995. It has a long journey but I have learnt at each stage.
- Why did you choose HR as your professional field?
I was always fascinated by HR operatives as I always felt that they were the main connecting link between the organization and the people. To me that sounds more as a ‘happening zone’, and so I decided to choose that as my area of work.
On a lighter note, I may have used the same example if I had chosen some other 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?
In last two decades, HR has evolved greatly. There is a fundamental change in the way Human capital was perceived from when I started my career, and the manner in which now organizations believe in Human capital. The biggest challenge I will say is to bring the change in the mindset of the people in accepting that employees are your ‘partner in change’ and ‘partner in success’. It requires great amount of ‘unlearning’ to accept and practice this. Having termed this as a challenge, this is also the most rewarding piece for me as there cannot be a greater satisfaction than in seeing these changes everyday.
What would you describe as the highest point of your HR career?
Every moment in my career can be called a high point, because success is not only in achieving but in experiencing the journey. I am fortunate to have worked for great organizations which given me tremendous opportunities to celebrate success every day.
What advice would you like to give HR practitioners of the next generation?
You need to be passionate about your role and your organization. You can not ‘charge’ people with positivism if you are not yourself fully charged. Believe in the organization you work for and do your best to make others believe in the organization.
Another piece of advise is that we HR professionals should walk that extra mile to understand the business thoroughly. We cannot meaningfully contribute to the organization unless we deeply understand business.
