Choosing Opportunities Over Challenges

The current environment brings HR at the heart of business strategy as HR is required to build organizations that are more agile, adaptive, diverse, and purposeful to derive greater value. Reinforcing the fact of reimagining and reinventing the functions of HR, Reeti Dubey, VP- HR, RBS Services India shared her views and stated that, “Our outlook must change from a control function to an enabler and problem solver. We need to build on our Business, Commercial Acumen and focus a lot on Experience.”

Passionate HR professional Dubey carries over 15 years of experience in working in HR Functions majorly in the Banking and Financial Services sector. Currently leading HR strategy and planning for RBS’s International Hubs and also responsible for leading Diversity and Inclusion at RBS India.

Human capital is the biggest and the most critical investment for any organisation. HR plays a key role in managing this Human Capital. People leaders hold the credibility to bring about a change in the organization and sharing her experience she shared that she brought significant value to the organisation through enhanced employer brand, better employee engagement and development with clear metrics showcasing my contribution.

Talking about the unannounced challenges faced during the recent massive outbreak; she opened up and said, “Thinking about inclusion during 100 per cent work from home wasn’t an easy task. There were opportunities however that needed us to stretch beyond our thinking and make them happen.”

Transforming challenges into opportunities make leaders exceptional and change-makers. Dubey mentioned going beyond her KRAs and shared about the opportunities she had; to collaborate outside of her job with the industry bodies, academia and wider community on disability inclusion and women in technology. 

She launched an initiative for HR function called “MadeForMore”. The initiative allowed employees to build additional skills while still in their jobs. Over 70 projects were delivered through this additional capacity created. The program was not only a learning module however we created more value for the organisation by delivering additional work with no additional resources. Appreciating and recognising the good happening around is important. She expressed her gratitude and shared that her journey has been very rewarding. As D&I India lead, she is proud of Natwest Group winning prestigious awards in the Inclusion space, this is a great endorsement of the Organisation inclusion agenda.

The pace is key and the pandemic has taught us to operate with pace. We all shouldn’t lose this even when things go back to where they were. Looking ahead with optimism and hope she asserts, “HR will need to rise to this challenge and think beyond the set policies, frameworks and adopt new ways of managing Human Capital.”