One Journey - Two Decades -Hundreds of Stories

Yesterday, I completed 20 years in Human Resources.

All these years as an HR, one thing I always did was to make notes of my daily tasks in a diary and kept it as a memoir.

As I scanned through these diaries today, I sensed nostalgic of the stories it holds.

I entered this profession thinking HR was about people, policies and processes. What I didn’t realise that time was, I will be part of many stories.

Stories of people who joined as young professionals and went on to become managers and leaders, going places and yes, proud of their achievements.

Stories of people who needed someone to believe in them and support in their difficult time.

Stories of difficult conversations that changed perspectives of mine and theirs, building the empathetic way of working, together.

Stories of teams built from scratch and also stories of team dissolved to be rebuilt later, stronger.

Stories of organisations transforming, businesses changing, mergers happening and people finding their way through uncertainty.

When I look back, I don’t just see organisations, roles, titles, promotions or projects. I see thousands of faces, countless conversations, friendships, challenges, failures, victories and lessons.

I have had the privilege of meeting some truly wonderful people along the way — leaders who shaped me, colleagues who became friends, mentors who showed me the way, and team members who supported at every given situations and many others who taught me things no textbook ever could.

I have hired people as a Recruiter, built teams as a Business Partner, handled difficult situations in Governance, navigated transformations, worked through Mergers and Transitions, and stood beside people during some of the most important moments of their careers.

Perhaps the most fulfilling part of these 20 years has been knowing that somewhere along the way, I was able to change the trajectory of a few people's careers and lives — sometimes through an opportunity, sometimes through a conversation, sometimes simply by believing in them and many times standing behind them (without their knowledge, till date) vouching with leaders to trust those individuals and proving I was right, they flourished.

There were moments of pride, moments of disappointment, moments I questioned, and moments that drained the energy out.

The greatest measure of an HR career isn't the number of positions held, but the number of people whose journey became a little better because you were part of it.

Grateful for every person I met, for every lesson learnt, for every opportunity. Grateful even for the difficult chapters — they shaped me the most.

Over these, I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of people — some stayed for years, some crossed my path briefly, and some became lifelong acquaintances.

I have also had my share of setbacks, disappointments, difficult decisions and moments when I wondered whether I was on the right path.

But every chapter — the good, the difficult, the unexpected — shaped this journey in its own way.

Looking back, I don't measure these two decades by designations, promotions or numbers.

I measure them by people, by the solutions I gave and some of the relationships I built, most important, by the people who still call, message or remember our work, years later.

That, to me, is the real reward of an HR career.

In this journey, I have changed organisations and roles, I have learned and stumbled. Grown and believe helped others grow, in whatever little way I could help.

But one thing has never changed — I still believe in the power of people, power of self-belief and the power of human intelligence in the age of artificial intelligence.

To everyone who has been a part of these 20 years — leaders, mentors, colleagues, team members, friends, associates, vendors, candidates and countless people - Thank you.

You were not just part of my career - You were my career.

A thousand memories made. And hopefully, many more chapters to write one day - The HR Stories

Here's to the next chapter —with more persistence.

The Hero

Part 1:

Its most innovative technology every built and my father is the lead working on it, young Zian was beaming with pride when he was speaking in school, about his parents.

Studying in 8^th grade in a prestigious school, Zian was good in studies, sports and theatre club. He had heard stories of his great grandparents moving from Karachi during partition without any money, settling in a northern India town, making their livelihood by selling sweets and snacks.

 Zian’s grandfather continued family business but ensured his son Parth, studied well and got him admitted to prestigious engineering college in the country.

Joining the emerging IT Industry, Parth quickly raised the corporate ladder with high value projects, client exposure, awards, foreign travels and perks.

Zian had seen all these from his babyhood and was always proud of his father’s work, and dreamt to be like one in future.

In fact, he had spoken about Parth’s work in his school and among his friends, describing him as HERO and model for him.

Though he didn’t know exactly what work they do in Parth’s company, he knew his father is having high responsibility, hence spent long hours in office, late evenings in calls and burns midnight oil closing pending tasks.

Though Parth was affectionate towards his family, there was strict unwritten rule that when he is at work no one should disturb, even knock the home office room and allow him to be on his own.

Parth ensured to devote his weekends with family, taking Zian on trips, restaurants, movies and spend on shopping.  Occasionally he was speaking on his project at high level, technology he works and how innovative it is. He always spoke positive on the work and talk about him as a valuable team member for his company with high responsibility and authority.

No doubt, Parth was Zian’s Hero... a highly respected leader working on cutting edge projects, connecting with people across the continents.

Part 2:

Do you have any sense? A voice from laptop was shouting at Parth. What is the point of you being a leader when you can’t close things in deadline? This is highly irresponsible behavior.

Parth had joined this company as Project Head few years ago, owning to the latest technology he will work and yes, huge money he will earn.

With big wallet came bigger ambitions, new car & villa and higher EMI’s

Parth tried explaining that the timeline of project was too short and there was dependency on many stakeholders but the other side was not ready for any conversation, it was monologue went on against Parth & his team, in hardest words.

This was routine for him to hear such things in various internal forums, a secret which he never disclosed at home. With EMI’s in front of him, he was adjusting to such things.

Part 3:

In midst of a summer night, Zian was not getting proper sleep. Waking up for water, walked across to kitchen when he saw his father’s office room lights were on and he had not closed doors.

Curious to know what work he must be doing, Zian walked slowly towards the room, when screaming of office superiors was heard, humiliating his father.

Parth, had closed his eyes while listening to the usual scolding’s he gets in meetings without realizing the door was kept open that day and his son stood nearby.

Zian was shocked, his hero was getting questioned, humiliated and not allowed to speak. His imaginary figure started to shake and eyes became moist.

When the call ended, Parth opened his eyes to see his traumatized son standing near door with stunned looks and tears rolling down the cheeks.

Pappa, you are still my Hero, exclaimed Zian.

Drops fell on the laptop keyboard, from Parth’s eyes.

Disclaimer: All the incidents, characters, names are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone or events is pure coincidence.

The Change

 Part 1:

When I got in to this business, inherited from my father, it was natural decision as per the expected tradition of those days in 1970’s. It was good for me as well since I was not much interested to study further nor get in to work elsewhere.

Before moving in to this business completely, I used to visit shop after school and help my father. It’s a traditional grocery store you will find any locality across India, serving most of the household goods to regular customers.

Customers, I need to talk about them. They are the reasons for me surviving in this business for so many decades. I have seen many of the kids visiting shops holding hands of their grandparents asking (rather, demanding) for chocolates , growing up , learnt cycling, coming independently in it,for pulses and grains, followed by visiting with their spouses, later with their kids.

For nearly fifty years I have seen generations of such family members whom I treated as my extended family and vice versa. I was invited to their family occasions, part of their sorrows and happiest moments.

For many customers I was the go to person for instant materials without money. I used to maintain a note book, entering the items they bought and beginning of the month the elder used to settle the accounts. No arguments- No doubts, it was trust we had on each other.

This shop also gave me life, I built a small house nearby, married and got my son educated. I should indeed be grateful to my father for building this base and handed over to me which settled me.

As my son started going to college, he showed curiosity in art and wanted to become artist. Though he used to help me in the shop, I didn’t want to stop & forcing him to get in to my shoes.

There is another reason why I didn’t stop – the growth of big stores and malls in my neighborhood. It started attracting the new generations because of range of options they got and I sensed, one day my business will shut down for sure, let me not put my son in to this and make him face uncertainty.

Thus he chose to become artist ten-fifteen years ago. He started getting assignments to do designs, sketches and illustrations for various purposes and I am proud of the imagination he can bring life with human touch.

As expected few years ago, my business has gone down significantly. Not only due to big stores but the quick delivery by large companies, sending everything and anything to the door steps in few minutes.

The customers whom I had seen growing, have moved on to different locations. Their houses have given space for multi floor flats and most of them don’t even know about my shop’s existence.

I know the days are counted for, my shop…….

Part 2:

When I told my father I want to become an artist instead of shopkeeper like him, I expected him to resist and object. He must have dreamt of me getting in to some full time job or run his business. But surprisingly he encouraged me and I am ever grateful to that.

When I started this artistic work few years ago, I was very busy with new assignments. My work got highly appreciated by customers for the creativity I was delivering. My work had human touch, expressions and colorful thoughts. Each assignments were taking many days to complete, patiently illustrating what customers wanted through my imagination. There was no hurry to deliver and allowed me to be on my best. This business also gave me recognition in various forums and awards.   

Indeed it was blessed life to do what I wanted to do in life.

Got married and blessed with a kid, was leading a happy life along with my parents and yes, my father still running his business which may close any day.

But, the world is crashing around me. The dream life I was leading is getting ready to be collapsed.

Yes, they say change is the only constant and I am in midst of it.

The advent of AI has taken away my work drastically. The customers who were waiting for days to get my design and art work are happy with their new found love called AI which gives them instant illustrations.

I never imagined this day will come, to lose my Original Intelligence to an Artificial Intelligence sitting inside a system.

I have seen that work generated through the system. It is good and astonishing but they are not able to see the human touch to the designs I delivered in it, off course customers are not interested in it, since they are able to save time and get the work done.

My business is falling so as my fathers shop. He thought our family is safe even if his business fails due to my different work area, but who imagined this day might come.

Both of us have realized, only constant in life is “THE CHANGE”.  

Travelogue - Shivanankareshwara Temple – Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

Bengaluru – the city denoted for IT industry, numerous Government Organizations, Defense Establishments among others is also a tourist destination.

City known for green coverage, internally, is also surrounded by forest, rivers across directions and in this series of travelogues, will try to share some of the well-known destinations along with some hidden places, to explore.   

In this blog sharing the information about one such location which might be useful for travel enthusiastic looking for a day outing.

Located around 90 kms from Bengaluru, Sri Shivanankareshwara Swamy Temple is a perfect combination for a long ride comprising of highways & mud roads, serenity amid forest and spiritual blessings of Lord Shiva.

If you are travelling from any part of city through NICE road, take exit at Kanakapura road, hit the National Highway 209 (now called- NH 948 ), crossing Art of Living, Kagallipura. The newly laid Highway ensures a good drive bypassing Harohalli and Kanakapura town and ensure to follow the direction boards towards Sangama (another well-known landmark)

In most of the junctions you can see the signboards for either Sangama or Madivala Shivanankareshwara temple, which will help you to navigate seamlessly.

On the way you also can quench your thirst with a pit stop at Nandini outlet at Shivanahalli with some exclusive snacks just outside the  KMF mega factory before you proceed further in to rural roads.

As you continue on the Sangama road, you will be entering the Cauvery wildlife sanctuary and clear the forest department check post by sharing your purpose of visit to the temple.

Enjoy the drive in well maintained roads sailing amid greenery around till you reach a junction at Kaggedoddi, where the road splits to Sangama and Hiri Madivala on to the left which leads to a bridge with a beautiful view of River Arkavathi.

Cross another check post, leading a forest trail with mud roads, carefully navigating for five km’s to reach the temple premises. 

As mentioned above, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva along with other deities.  Believed to be centuries old, it has huge following of devotees from across Karnataka and Tamilnadu (just across the border). 

We do get information on various events been organized by authorities / trust attended by large number of people.

The location of temple itself brings in calmness, connected to nature, surrounded by hills and forest.

A getaway spot if you are looking for long ride, explore new destinations for a short trip.  

Additional places like Sangama (confluence of rivers Cauvery and Arkavathi), Mekedatu (private vehicles were not allowed, need to board bus from Sangama) can be covered, depending on the timings. 

Do follow instructions from Government Authorities on entry, timings, and permissions while planning for any additional locations.

 

 

               

Antenna, Signals and Corporate World

Part 1

The word TV antenna will make Indian kids of up to 90’s nostalgic and if you are one among them sure you will recall some of the best moments with smile.

The earlier version of TV’s in India was dominated by Government run Doordarshan , which used to be relayed through signals and every household having TV was supposed to install a good antenna on their terrace to catch those signals.

It was simple technique for sure, but the challenges were during various occasions, unpredictably.

If any large birds use that antenna as it’s pray spot or resting place, it would rotate while landing or take off!!

Similarly, during high wind or rain, the direction will change hampering the display quality and sometimes making it as no show.

What followed it was a family saga of every Indian household.

• ·  The elder ones will be in front of TV, inside house
• ·  Middle age will be in balcony or outside the house
• ·  The younger will be given chance of their adventure , going to terrace, be a signal man

As I recall not every house had a good staircase for terrace and some houses were made of tiles, so some kids had additional task of climbing terrace by scaling compounds, neighbor’s house etc.

The moment signal is gone, everyone knew their tasks, and no one complained and were ready to their part of communication and synergy.

The terrace person adjusts the signals, the one seeing it relay to people inside home who will be adjusting their tuner a bit but keeps communicating on the quality of picture.

Till the quality is good, the one in terrace kept on changing the direction of antenna to capture better signals and would come down once he gets confirmation and with the sense of satisfaction at every level for ensuring their task is done perfectly, entire family continued to enjoy the TV programs.

If we decode this scenes, who was important? The one capturing signal at terrace or the one relaying the message in middle or person watching TV, adjusting the tuner.

Everyone is important in this chain of command.

Adjusting antenna and receiving signals needs ground level work, patience to get feedback and sense of feeling since he would’ve climbed to correct it and standing there in difficult conditions of wind, sun, rain or space constraints or even keep an eye on incoming birds which might strike.

The one relaying signal must be attentive as middle level person since his communication is crucial for both the ends on what is happening, otherwise all will be lost adjusting, endlessly

The main person sitting in front of TV was supposed to be supportive, patience, directing on the quality of signals and knowledge of tuning the TV, achieving the end results, quality of picture, which entire family can enjoy together.

Part 2

If we equate this to any corporate world though most of the houses have moved to digital world, there is similarity in the way it’s operated.

The ground level staff is often the signal catcher, flexible to move across and relays the ground level information. They will be the having less knowledge of overall picture but they know their work is helping the end results and need to work towards it.

The middle level will be the channel who drives the communication top down and bottom up , managing bot the ends of the command chain, with clear expectation, messaging skills and knowledge of the purpose of what everyone are trying to achieve.

The senior most, often someone who had good experience of catching signal in terrace, communicating in middle, in past and due to the position, role, and knowledge would’ve moved to the position of driving the end results. He also would be someone who can decide if the issue is due to signal problem or any other problems, before assigning task to team (family members). His action will ensure the entire company is enjoying the end results.

Again, here everyone is important, the ground staff need to deliver their action, middle level for clear communication and senior for knowledge and direction, keeping everyone happy.

While TV antennas have disappeared in most of the households with advance of digital signals, nevertheless, have we moved away from the human intelligence required at different levels in corporate world? This is an undecided question, a topic for another day.

Disclaimer:  None of the above points are related to any particular  organization. This write up is based on authors understanding through discussion in various forums, reading of articles on evolving situations and experience gained in people management domain. Images credit chatgpt tool. 

Camaraderie at Workplace - Hidden Net for Retaining Talents

Recently met an acquaintance of a friend. Last time when we spoke, two years ago, he was a bright graduate, just out of college, with an offer to join well known MNC.

While discussing about various factors, understood he had resigned from current company. Being HR, was curious to know the background and conversed around it. What started as simple dialogue led to ponder on this subject – “Camaraderie at Workplace” and is it an “Invisible net for retaining talents”?

This individual was doing extremely well in job, under fast track lane, good exposures to skills and stakeholders, and despite that resigned, the reason was – my friends have left the company.

He was not a campus fresher with batch of classmates together in same company, but an off campus select, built his bonding around people and felt deeply connected with them. So when his friends resigned due to their own reasons, he resigned citing personal reasons, without any strong traditional exit reasons we usually tag. However deep inside, the trigger point was, loosening of inner strings due to few exits from his circle and it started falling apart.

Similar incident I could connect was with one my contact, stayed in the same company for decades, decided to quit and pursue his own business (though it was big risk). In his case, the trigger point was his set of close friends at work place had resigned to pursue individual’s aspiration and without having any issues in his current job, he too plunged in to the bandwagon and exited.

While we keep analyzing various data numbers, identify the solutions to retain people and offer various ring fencing options to make employees stay back, not many discussion happens on the issue of diluted camaraderie at work place as one of the core resignation reasons.

It is not easy to track as well. Only those who are part of such groups will be going through such dilemma of moving on triggered due to exit thoughts among others and when they actually resign, managers will tag them to any of the standard reasons – better prospects, personal etc.

As a social being, humans are tend to connect with people across spectrums, and along with that, when they spend maximum time with their colleagues, team members,  unseen to us will be a select set of people around whom a web will be built over a period of time. It’s not something happens in a day or month but a gradual growth of the trust, dependency, common areas, issues or time given by each other which leads to nurture of this network among people. Having such network at any organizations will be common but the scale might be different.  

This web of people helps in various forms for individuals and organization.

• A safety net for people to depend
• A cushion to let go any frustrations, unhappiness and not allowing such issues to turn in to desire to quit, at least immediately
• Better engagement of team and people
• Informal channel – for communications by stakeholders

While it’s important for organization to nurture individuals career aspiration , creating plan for growth and retention,  should it also make efforts on retaining the larger set of people who are n this web and what is the effective way.? A food for thought, for another day.

Disclaimer:  None of the above points are related to any particular  organization. This write up is based on authors understanding through discussion in various forums, reading of articles on evolving situations and experience gained in people management domain.   

Memoir of Cricket Club – a Startup Story

 Well, let’s do one thing? Instead of playing randomly like this, shall we have an organized cricket club and we will play matches through it?

Thus born our yet another childhood adventure. This is the story of Modern Cricket Club (MCC) an informal startup, more than 28 years ago in a traditional neighborhood in Bengaluru…!!

For an average Indian kids, especially growing in 90’s, cricket was not only a sport but also a passionate dream, and relatable to many activities we were doing. Especially if you had facility of playing in a nearby ground or had space within house compound, it used to be a bonus.

During my primary school days, due to my passion for cricket, I was enrolled to a prestigious cricket club where many national and international players had got groomed and used to coach. Though it was far away from residence, parents had put lot of efforts and money, encouraging to learn to become a cricketer.

That experience, musing material for an another blog, for some other time.

While I was attending the coaching sessions, we also used to spend lot of time playing in neighborhood as well and that inspired the idea of MCC.

Those were the days when kids still played on street and we had big number of friends spending time.

Having the privilege of staying in a house with good space within compound to paly short pitch or in the same lane which had  big ground to play the actual ones, it was always bustling with friends

Since had the benefits of owning the complete cricket set including multiple bats and guards, with experience of attending the coaching, one fine day while doing homework and followed in dinner time got an idea of starting our own club using those materials.

When spoke to family, though they encouraged, asked to write down the conditions of the club and then they will decide of letting me do anything formally.

Same night prepared an application form, with few conditions. 

• Membership fees - Rs. 2
• No refund of the membership fees if anyone cancels their application.
• Time - Sunday 11 am to 4 pm and Saturday 3 pm to 5pm

Next day morning presented this to my uncle, with a smile, he said leave it on table, I will get it done.

Evening, back from office, had a surprise, he had got the application form, printed from a shop and handed over few copies. That was a green signal.

Next few days did a campaign of my new startup, MCC, in school, neighborhood and got 12 members in a month and further growth as well.

In the club we had a register to maintain the forms, timetable and eventually bought some books on cricket rules which was circulated to the members.

While playing on weekends, using the money collected, we used to buy tennis balls and occasionally pay for chocolates and ice-creams, a self-sufficiently running club through the membership money.

There were also occasions, some used to quit and new people wanted to join and since we had shortage of forms, there are cases of overwriting the new names as well!!

Though it was a short-lived club for 2-3 years, after which the paths changed, the longing and joy of doing something decades ago brings back the nostalgic feelings.

With the ongoing Cricket World Cup bringing back these memories, this reminiscence is dedicated to all those who were part of the journey of 90’s…. directly or indirectly.

PS: Fortunately, have kept few forms safe!!