Posts

The Future of Work: Is India Ready for the AI Revolution?

Image
  Back in February 2023, I penned down some thoughts about the Future of Work—little did I know, AI was lurking quietly around the corner, ready to burst onto the scene like an unexpected guest who becomes the life of the party. Today, every HR conversation feels incomplete without the mention of AI, sparking debates sharper than a chai break (black coffee for me) discussion: Will AI replace jobs, or will it give them an upgrade? So, let's clear the air—yes, AI is mighty powerful and transformative, and sure, it can automate tasks faster than a Mumbai local (or a Metro) during peak hours. But should we panic? Absolutely not. Think of AI less as an HR villain stealing your job, and more as your smartest intern ever—imagine ten PhD-level researchers who never take coffee breaks, tirelessly crunching data, drafting reports, and performing analytics for you (minus the usual internship drama). Now, here’s how we can smartly handle this AI revolution, especially in India—although, trust ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The HR Paradox: Why Do We Preach Collaboration but Hesitate to Help Our Own?

 A while ago, I was added to a WhatsApp HR networking group (one amongst many such…) The description read: "A place for HR professionals to connect, share knowledge, and help each other in career growth." It sounded great—until I noticed something interesting. ·          The group was flooded with job postings—but mostly for junior and mid-level HR roles. ·          Lots of theory, articles, and “gyaan” —but very little real career support. ·          When a senior HR professional needed a role, suddenly, the group turned silent. Because helping junior professionals is easy —it costs nothing. But recommending or referring a fellow senior HR leader? That’s where things get tricky. The Unspoken Reality: HR’s Own Insecurities HR professionals are expected to advocate for employees, culture-builders, and champions of fairness—but ironically, many fa...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why is HR One of the Most Undervalued (or Neglected) Department, Bordering on Hate?

Image
Imagine this: A fast-growing startup, led by a charismatic founder, is scaling rapidly. Sales are booming, product innovation is at its peak, and funding rounds are closing faster than they can celebrate. But HR? Oh, HR is an afterthought—relegated to payroll, admin tasks, and the occasional office party . In many promoter-led companies and medium-sized businesses , HR is often treated as a secondary function —sometimes even entrusted to a family member with little to no HR expertise. If a founder’s wife, mother, or a close relative can “handle people,” why bother hiring a professional HR leader? And that, right there, is the root of the problem. HR: The Least Respected Business Function? The HR Problem in Startups & Promoter-Led Companies HR is the last CXO to be hired. Finance, marketing, and sales leadership? Essential from Day 1. But HR? "We’ll hire an HR Head later." HR is often reduced to payroll & compliance. Instead of being a strategic enabler , HR i...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
Why (some) Indian Startups fail – case in point being Byjus and Paytm and some others on the verge… Capt. Rahul Sharma A HR professional / CHRO with over 30 years of experience with a strong background in Employee Engagement,PMS,OD,CM/ held senior-level HR, Trg and Security positions at several large organisations/ Army Veteran. 22 articles April 19, 2024 Open Immersive Reader From an HR perspective, the downturns of Byju's and Paytm and others highlight crucial shortcomings in their organizational strategies and compliance with their own mission and vision, exacerbated by rapid expansion and disregard for regulatory and internal governance. Byju's faced significant issues related to a toxic work culture and high employee turnover. The company pursued aggressive expansion, both geographically and through acquisitions, without sufficient consideration of the integration and cultural alignment of these new components with the existing structure. This aggressive approach led to u...
Post a Comment
Read more

When Psychopaths Go to Work: Snakes in Suits - My take...

Image
While reading the book "Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work" written by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare, I could think and thank my good fortune of working with some of the best bosses/leaders during my corporate stints.  But at the same time, images of some flashed in front of me who were psychopath characters, the book mentioned or described.  This book explores the dark side of corporate life by examining the behaviour of individuals who are commonly referred to as psychopaths. Babiak and Hare describe how these individuals are often highly successful in the workplace, but their lack of conscience and emotional empathy can cause significant damage to the organizations they work for and the people they interact with. The authors discuss how psychopaths are skilled manipulators who can quickly rise to positions of power, often charming their way to the top and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. I shall try and put down some traits as mentione...
Post a Comment
Read more

Importance of Transparent Communication and the role of HR in adding Value to a Start-Up

Image
Startups in India are a growing trend, with the country ranking third in the world for the number of startups. However, while India has a thriving startup ecosystem, it also faces its fair share of challenges. In this context, communication and transparency are even more critical for startups in India to succeed. Communication and transparency are essential elements of a healthy and positive corporate culture. When these two factors are missing, the outcomes can be detrimental to the organization's success. I have seen these two key components of corporate culture missing sometimes, especially in various startups in their growth phase. It starts from the recruitment and selection stage only when these two things are most important and crucial to instill a sense of confidence and ownership in the journey of a start-up company. These two elements are the foundation stone of any company and a tall, strong, and large building can not be made to stand for long if the foundation is weak ...
Post a Comment
Read more