“A True HR Professional Is The Custodian Of Culture"

Meha Mathur Jan 29, 2024

What is your vision for HR profession, and what transformative role can it play in the success of a company?

The future of HR is full of exciting possibilities, with the potential to become a truly transformative force within organisations. HR will be instrumental in aligning people strategies with overall business goals. Technology will continue to disrupt the workplace, and HR will need to be at the forefront of this change. Embracing AI, automation, and data analytics will be essential for streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and making data-driven decisions.

How did you get interested in the HR field?

I have been asked the question ‘Why HR’ several times. And my response is always ‘Why Not HR’? I think the value an HR professional can bring to an organisation is like no other function. A true HR professional is the custodian of culture, people engagement, purpose & strategic priorities. Who we are, how we operate and how we grow is facilitated by HR function, driving value creation and business results. In the last 14 years of my career, I am grateful to have worked across organisations like Vedanta, Deloitte, & KPMG Global Services. My experience has ranged into roles like OD, L&D, culture, recruitment and employee experience. I have been fortunate to work under the guidance of my mentors and coaches who have made my journey meaningful, as also extremely capable team members who have been my pillars of support.

How should HR professionals themselves envision their contribution to the world of work?

HR professionals hold immense potential to contribute to the future of work in transformative ways, like:

• Shaping a human-centric future with ‘designing flexible work models’ & ‘fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion’

• Navigating technological disruption

• Building a culture of continuous learning and development

• HR can play a key role in promoting sustainability within organisations involving implementing green initiatives and encouraging a culture of environmental awareness.

Kindly share some path-breaking initiatives by your team in brief.

I have spearheaded initiatives to develop leaders of tomorrow, through various leadership programmes, social learning platforms and learnings on new age skills. In a fast-moving tech-driven world, we as a team have leveraged technology to build customised career paths; worked on app-based engagements & immersive experiences for new joiners. I consider myself fortunate to be working on my higher purpose alongside, as I lead the environment and social learning agenda for the organisation.