HR's Vision: Authentic, Agile & Empathetic Leaders

In the intricate dance of leadership, Simon Sinek' profound words resonate like a guiding melody: "Leadership is not about being in charge. It's about taking care of those in your charge." This sentiment echoed through the halls of the BW People Nurturing Talent For Future Conclave & HR 40 Under 40 Awards, where HR luminaries passionately discussed the evolving paradigm of leadership development.

The conversation centred on authenticity, mental agility, collaboration inspired by superheroes, and the irreplaceable quality of empathy. As organisations embark on a journey to shape the next generation of leaders, the wisdom shared at this panel offers a refreshing perspective.

Sandeep Gautam, head of HR at Adani Energy Solutions, emphasised the paramount importance of authenticity in leadership. "Authenticity is a crucial quality for a leader in inspiring and empowering employees. An authentic leader can inspire not only their team but the entire generation.” He highlighted the transparency required in a leader's actions, underscoring that inconsistency between actions and roles creates a significant problem.

Mental agility emerged as a central theme in the discussion, according to Santwana Periwal, CHRO at Clix Capital. "Leaders need to possess mental agility in today's dynamic ecosystem. The ability to navigate seamlessly through internal and external changes is vital for inspiring teams," remarked Periwal. She underscored the hindrance that resistance to change and an inability to adapt can pose to organisational growth.

Priyanka Gulati, Partner Human Capital Consulting at Grant Thornton Bharat, brought a unique perspective, drawing inspiration from popular culture. "Leadership is evolving towards collaboration, much like the dynamic duos we see in movies like Spider-Man teaming up with Ironman. Organisations will increasingly focus on teamwork and collaboration," expressed Gulati. Her insight emphasised the growing importance of collaborative leadership in the face of technological advancements.

Gaurav Saini, global CHRO at Wadhwani Global Foundation, spoke passionately about empathy as an irreplaceable quality in leaders. "Empathy cannot be learned like other competencies. Leaders must genuinely feel for their team, bridging the gap between talking about work-life balance and actually connecting with the team," stated Saini. He stressed that today's leaders should go beyond mere words, actively empathising with their teams for effective management.