The CHRO Mindset HROne

In this episode of the CHRO Mindset podcast, Pulkit Joshi sits down with Janani Prakaash, Head of People and Culture at Genzeon, a seasoned HR leader with over 17 years of experience.  Janani shares insights into her leadership journey, drawing parallels between HR and the element of fire, symbolizing warmth, illumination, and transformative power. She highlights the importance of continuous learning and diverse experiences in personal growth amidst a dynamic professional landscape. Janani discusses pivotal career decisions and the value of calculated risks, underscoring the role of diverse experiences in professional development. The conversation delves into navigating mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from an HR perspective. Janani emphasizes the significance of effective communication, transparency, and culture integration in ensuring a smooth transition and maximizing the benefits of M&A. She provides actionable strategies for HR leaders to balance stakeholder needs and foster a positive employee experience during such transitions. Additionally, Janani shares insights on motivating employees during unprecedented challenges, advocating for supportive leadership, transparent communication, and employee engagement as key pillars. She explores the role of company culture in supporting leadership resilience and discusses the transformative impact of HR technology on the function, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation.

In this podcast, Prosenjit shares insights on crucial HR skills for 2025, emphasizing the shift from support roles to strategic business enablers post-COVID. He highlights the importance of aligning HR practices with business objectives and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation. Regarding fostering community among remote employees, Prosenjit discusses their hybrid work setup and flexible location policy to accommodate diverse needs. He emphasizes quarterly meetups and family engagement to promote cohesion and belongingness.  Prosenjit also addresses the rise of remote work and technological advancements, advocating for a balanced approach that combines technological tools with human touch. He emphasizes continuous learning and strategic thinking to drive meaningful impact within organizations.  In discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Prosenjit shares strategies for minimizing biases in recruitment and promoting gender diversity. He emphasizes the business benefits of diversity and inclusion, highlighting success stories from diverse teams. Regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, Prosenjit discusses their commitment to sustainability and initiatives to reduce carbon footprint. He emphasizes the importance of aligning ESG practices with market needs and integrating sustainability into core business practices. Prosenjit also addresses challenges like layoffs, emphasizing transparency, ethical practices, and unwavering support for employees. He shares strategies for maintaining morale and productivity during challenging times. 

In our conversation with Krishna, we explore various facets of HR and organizational leadership.  From identifying fictional HR characters to discussing lessons learned from mentors, Krishna shares profound insights. He delves into the application of design thinking principles to talent attraction and retention, emphasizing the importance of keeping the employee at the center of HR practices.  Drawing from his experiences, Krishna illustrates how design thinking can reshape traditional HR processes, such as onboarding and benefits programs, for the better. Krishna also reflects on the connection between employee engagement and overall business performance, highlighting the role of happy employees in driving positive outcomes.  He discusses strategies for balancing professional growth opportunities with work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of empowering employees to make choices aligned with their aspirations.  Furthermore, Krishna sheds light on the transformative potential of generative AI in talent management and career progression, citing practical examples from his tenure at Flipkart.  Finally, he shares insights into the book "Good to Great" by James Collins, a cornerstone of his leadership journey, and its profound impact on shaping enduring, exceptional companies. 

In this podcast, we delve deep into the future of HR, exploring the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the age of automation and evolving workplace dynamics. Our guest, Aravind Warrior, a seasoned HR professional, shares invaluable insights garnered from his extensive experience. From envisioning the future of HR amidst the rise of AI and Generation AI to discussing the crucial role of leadership in fostering resilience and adaptability, Aravind provides thought-provoking perspectives on navigating the ever-changing landscape of human resources. Through engaging discussions on topics ranging from emotional intelligence in leadership to the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and equity in the age of automation, Aravind emphasizes the importance of aligning technological advancements with human-centric values. Drawing from personal experiences and influential literature such as "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek, Aravind underscores the significance of purpose-driven leadership and its profound impact on organizational culture and success. Join us as we explore the intricate interplay between technology, leadership, and human capital, gaining valuable insights into shaping the future of HR in a rapidly evolving world. 

In this Podcast (The CHRO Mindset), Anupam shares his personal HR mantra, drawing inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizing the importance of performing duties without attachment to outcomes and maintaining equanimity in challenging situations. We explore Anupam's experience in convincing leadership to invest in new HR initiatives, where he navigated the balance between cost considerations and scalability, ultimately driving adoption for long-term benefits. Anupam also shares a compelling story of revitalizing a struggling HR department, where he implemented innovative solutions to improve offer acceptance rates and streamline recruitment processes. Furthermore, we discuss strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence (EI) among HR teams, emphasizing the importance of workshops, leadership development, feedback mechanisms, and inclusive culture. In addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Anupam underscores the need for collaboration between employees and leadership, leveraging data-driven strategies, community outreach, and talent development. The conversation extends to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in streamlining HR processes, where Anupam highlights opportunities for automation in recruiting, onboarding, training, employee engagement, performance management, and administration. Lastly, Anupam shares his insights into literature that has shaped his leadership journey, citing "3 Idiots" as a movie recommendation for following one's passion and the Bhagavad Gita as a timeless guide for understanding human behavior and living a fulfilling life. 

In this episode, Sanketh shares valuable insights on fostering a culture of continuous learning within HR and his guiding principles in decision-making. He also discusses promoting inclusivity in smaller companies and handling resistance to inclusive policies.  Furthermore, Sanketh Ramkrishnamurthy explores how HR leaders can encourage employee ownership of learning and development. He delves into the evolving relationship between human workers and intelligent technologies in the era of automation, AI, and machine learning.  Lastly, Sanketh recommends insightful literature, including "The Talent Code" and "The Culture Code" by Daniel Coyle, emphasizing the i mportance of deliberate practice and continuous learning in talent management. Tune in for an enriching conversation on HR leadership and navigating the ever-changing landscape of human resources.