Podcast

Interview Highlights

Question 1: If you could take an HR sabbatical anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? 

Answer: I grew up in Bombay, near the coast, but my heart has always belonged to the mountains. So, if I were to take an HR sabbatical, my ideal destination would be Ladakh; biking through breathtaking landscapes and dedicating my time to volunteer for local NGOs. One of my personal passions is establishing schools, libraries, and internet access in the most remote corners of the world.

You see, I find inspiration in non-work-related activities, and I believe in bringing that inspiration back to the workplace. Therefore, my sabbatical plans revolve around volunteering in the mountains, allowing me to recharge and contribute to meaningful causes.

Question 2: If you could have a dream HR team consisting of fictional characters, who would it, who would be on it, and why? 

Answer: That’s an interesting question, and as an ’80s kid, my childhood was filled with comic strips and books. Most of my fictional character inspirations stem from those days. The first character that springs to mind is Dexter.

I’m drawn to the way he conducts experiments in the labs, showcasing exceptional intellect. So, my first team member would undoubtedly be Dexter.

Moving on to the second member, it’s someone perhaps non-existent but widely known – Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes. 

I appreciate how he brings clarity to thought processes while maintaining a clear conscience. Shifting gears to my next inspiration, growing up involved a lot of Iron Man for me. I admire Jarvis and his passion for building things from scratch.

Hence, having someone like Iron Man, with a keen interest in ground-up creations, would be fantastic.

The next character in my dream team is a natural leader, inspired by Captain America from the early comics to the cinematic representations. He embodies grounded vulnerability while exuding natural leadership qualities.

So, Captain America would be a valuable addition to my team.

Last but not least, Flash comes to mind. Every team needs someone who can swiftly get the job done. Therefore, my dream team comprises Dexter, Hobbes, Iron Man, Captain America, and Flash.

These characters encapsulate the qualities I admire and envision in a team, combining intellect, clarity, passion for creation, leadership, and efficient execution.

Question 3: How do you stay resilient and maintain a positive mindset in the face of challenges and setbacks that you may have faced in your HR career? 

Answer: To provide some context and a disclaimer, resilience isn’t akin to a scenario in the movie Matrix where you take a blue pill and instantly enter the Matrix. Instead, it’s something that develops gradually over time.

Personally, I’ve encountered numerous failures, perhaps more failures than successes.

Having been on the side where considerable effort doesn’t yield the expected outcomes, each such instance prompted me to reflect deeply.

My go-to questions during these reflections include, firstly, “Why did it happen?”

This question guides me toward understanding the root cause and adopting an analytical mindset.

Following that, I often ask, “What did I learn from this?” I came across the idea long ago that building a growth mindset involves focusing on the lessons learned rather than dwelling on why something occurred.

While acknowledging the importance of understanding the “why” for identification purposes, I’ve discovered that concentrating on the “what” — what I learned from the experience or episode — is crucial for fostering a growth mindset.

Additionally, I’ve learned the value of maintaining a forward-looking or future-oriented perspective. Hence, my subsequent question is, “What am I going to do about it?” This approach keeps me solution-focused rather than dwelling on the past.

To summarize these principles, I’ve found resonance in three fundamental questions, which are not original concepts but resonate with me: “What,” “So What,” and “Now What?” 

“What” pertains to understanding the situation.
“So what” delves into the implications.
“Now what” focuses on finding solutions.