#Randstad Leadership Dialogues Episode - 1 || Experts Speaking on Compassionate Communication
The recent worldwide outbreak proved to be a halt in the lives of the people. From a child to an adult, everyone witnessed the new normal which has been stated as the abnormal, as our ancestors never encountered with something of this sort. The four long months of lockdown have changed the experience, the lifestyle and the working traditions of one and all. Yet one’s value has not been questioned, but the thought has been given more onto this. Still, the question persists in the minds of the people, ‘What will take us through these unusual times?’
BW People presented Randstad Leadership Dialogues in collaboration with BW Businessworld and Randstad India. The theme of the Episode-1 was ‘Compassionate Communication: Key for HR Professionals in the New World’. The central point of discussion for the panelists was the authentic and open communication with the employees, optimistic communication to build hope for tougher situations, developing trust in the organization, addressing the instability and fear that lies in the mind and lastly on creating a sense of belonging even in this virtual world.
The eminent speakers for the discussion included Arun Rao, Chief People Officer, Birlasoft; Priyanka Anand, VP & Head HR- South East Asia, Oceania & India, Ericsson; Sudipto Mandal, VP & CHRO, Star Cement; Raj Raghavan, SVP & Head HR, IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd); Manmohan S. Kalsy, CHRO, United Breweries Limited and Harshvendra Soin, Global Chief People Officer & Head Marketing, Tech Mahindra; and the session was moderated by Anjali Raghuvanshi, Chief People Officer, Randstad India along with Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor in Chief, BW Businessworld & exchange4media Group.
Dr. Annurag Batra commences the webinar by speaking on the importance of compassion in communication. He explains communication has been of utmost importance ever since, but when compiled with, compassion transforms into personal and human gestures. He quotes a saying by Buddha, which says, “If you are compassionate towards others, but if you are not compassionate towards yourself, then the compassion cycle is incomplete.”
When Dr. Anurag Batra has asked about the initiatives introduced at Randstad India to pay more attention to compassionate communication on the practical ground; Anjali Raghuvanshi, Chief people officer, Randstad India shared the information and ideas about taking authentic communication more seriously.
She mentioned that at Randstad India we believe in authentic listening platforms. Emphasizing on creating platforms and the importance of listening genuinely she said, “it is important to have listening platforms in every organization where people can feel safe to say and can say what they want to say.”
Talking about another initiative they started at Randstad India; they started an initiative called ‘Be Kind To Your Mind’ that gives space to employees to talk and ponder about mental wellbeing.
Raghuvanshi repeatedly emphasized on creating space for listening and communication and how to make authentic space for employees to feel free to have a conversation with anyone in the organization.
The keynote speaker, Paul Dupuis, MD & CEO, Randstad India & Author, The E5 Movement while discussing the lockdown period he mentions that people have faced challenges, yet everyone stayed connected to one another. While mentioning the new normal, he says that “This isn’t the new normal it's abnormal and it's a New World, and one is entering into a New Era, it's a New Day with a new way of engaging, collaborating and working.” One needs to incorporate compassion and empathy in this scenario, in order to overcome the current situation.
Priyanka Anand while talking about Compassionate Communication mentions, “The HR spends a lot of time in for creating value for a relationship with the employee, and in accordance to her, the investment in this has paid off very well. In these scenarios, the employee needs compassion, empathy, and communication, which is going to be the backbone to come over the current hunt.”
“Compassionate Communication and leadership is really the key to stay connected and to communicate well. Technology is a great enabler but moments of the group remain human. Therefore to reach people, to talk to them and make sure that we address their psychological and physical needs and safety, technology is must” as mentioned by the Tech Mahindra, Global Chief People Officer & Head Marketing, Harshvendra Soin.
Manmohan S. Kalsy while sharing his perspective regarding belongingness said, “A sense of belongingness, is a global question, is a national issue and also an organizational issue, as we are interacting with the newest set of people. The organization is grappling with the issue.”
Raj Raghavan mentions about the silver lining of the new normal and said that “Before understanding this lining, it is an opportunity to adapt, to experiment, to embrace a new world. Everything is changing and those who are willing to embrace the opportunity by experimenting and adapting will be the winners of this opportunity.”
In accordance with the viewpoint on effective communication, Sudipto Mandal, stated, “The two crucial aspects of trust will be how to stand behind me and second is about authenticity and being human. If these two aspects are taken care of, the majority of the trust factors are already established.”
According to Arun Rao, “Work from home is a viable option. It has gained acceptance and has been established beyond doubt.” He went on to discuss the importance of the time we all received in our plates due to this disruption; it can help HR leaders to pause and re-invent themselves to take that equal charge to be the centre of functions at the organisation.
The whole webinar revolved around how has the paradigm changed in the brave new world. All the experts have agreed and concluded stating that communication has to be authentic, compassionate, and empathetic that can help any organization and people or the organization to evolve and grow.
