SHRM India

The future of work isn’t defined by technology alone, it’s shaped by leadership choices, human judgment, and the systems we build for people to thrive. In a recent SHRM India Advisory Council conversation, @ShivShivakumar shared a sharp perspective on how leadership will evolve as AI reshapes the workplace. Sharing key reflections from the dialogue. Watch the full conversation on the SHRM India YouTube channel - youtube.com/watch?v=J_XQFT… #FutureOfWork #Leadership #HumanCentricAI

𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕. 20 years ago, a small group asked: What if work could work better? Today, we're thousands strong HR leaders, innovators, and changemakers who turned that question into action. But here's the truth: #You built this. Every conference you attended. Every certification you earned. Every conversation you sparked. That's what made SHRM India. Thank you for two incredible decades. Here's to the next 20!! #SHRMIndia #20Years #BetterWorkplaces

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, our CHRO Power Panel dug into how AI is reshaping work without losing the human core. Partha Neog, steered a sharp conversation with Sharad Verma and Sukhjit S Pasricha on what it really means to build people-first organisations in a digital, AI-powered world. From fluid job descriptions to AI-driven recognition and productivity tools, the consensus was clear: technology will transform HR roles, but engagement, empathy and “heartcount” will matter more than ever. Their message to talent leaders: lean into AI, redesign roles and processes around it, but never outsource judgement, care and connection. The future of work will be won by those who can balance algorithms with authenticity. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, we turned the spotlight on leaders who are truly celebrating evolving workplaces. Hemant Kumar Ruia, reflected on how work has broken out of the old 9–5, 5-day mold, blending on-site, remote and hybrid in ways that demand trust, flexibility and clarity instead of control. The workplace of today, he reminded us, is more inclusive, more digital and far more human than ever before. Devesh Sharma, spoke about people as the real engine of transformation—sharing how his teams built a solar manufacturing plant ahead of schedule, and why, for him, the best recognition isn’t an individual award but a team celebration. Together, they reinforced a powerful message: when leaders embrace change, trust their people and celebrate collective wins, workplaces evolve into communities where performance, purpose and pride go hand in hand. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, Shaakun Khanna unpacked how intelligence: human and artificial is reshaping effectiveness at work. He reminded leaders that AI only magnifies the quality of our instructions, making prompting, data fluency and digital confidence core HR skills as narrow AI already disrupts roles and rewrites careers. With AGI on the horizon and “Super AI” still conceptual, his message was clear: stay curious, stay adaptable, and intentionally build the human capabilities that will matter even more in an AI-accelerated world. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, Dr. Pradnya Parasher, Param Kaur, Vimmi Chachra and Anita Maalik unpacked what it really takes to build culturally adaptive talent systems. The conversation explored how cultural intelligence must be woven into hiring, development and retention, how inclusive policies can respect and harness diversity across global teams, and how leaders can be equipped to drive empathy, adaptability and collaboration in truly multicultural workplaces. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

The Festival of Work means many things, but the most important takeaway for me is the idea of celebrating work. Since 2020, we’ve lived through a volatile world—shifts in culture, hybrid models, work-from-home, people returning to offices, remote structures, recessions, layoffs, and even the great resignation. Through all of this, it ultimately comes down to one core truth: wherever you are, in whatever moment, celebrate your employees. Celebrate the fact that they are here, giving their 100% to your organization, and recognize them for the good work they do. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, Mihirini De Silva, Rrajesh Raii, Pooja Minocha, and Richa Kale (GRP) delivered a powerful conversation on why the future belongs to organisations that celebrate potential, not just pedigree. They highlighted that the jobs of the next decade may not exist today, making curiosity, adaptability, and a learning mindset far more valuable than traditional credentials. Talent often emerges in unexpected places, and organisations must widen access by looking beyond résumés and elite institutions to recognise true capability. The panel emphasised redefining leadership at every level, especially the frontline, shifting from managing KPIs to cultivating vision and ownership. They reinforced that failure is not a setback but a vital crucible for growth, innovation, and self-discovery. Mentorship and sponsorship were spotlighted as essential accelerators that help individuals uncover strengths, gain visibility, and build confidence. As AI reshapes work, continuous upskilling becomes non-negotiabl, those who keep learning will thrive. Their message was clear: when organisations prioritise potential, mindset, and real contribution over pedigree, they build stronger, more inclusive, and truly future-ready teams. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, Gopichand Katamneni, Viekas K Khokha, Shikha Bhatnagar and Ritu Bhatia unpacked what it truly means to empower talent for tomorrow in a world shaped by tech, transformation and new expectations. The panel highlighted how inclusive leadership and strategic leadership must operate together, and why the slow-and-flow approach is becoming essential, giving employees the time, space and rhythm to learn in the flow of work. They emphasised that talent isn’t a privilege but a universal ability to understand, translate and act and that technology, culture and transformation are now interwoven threads forming a connected triangle. From reducing shop-floor accidents through digital systems to predicting future workforce needs, tech must ultimately serve humanity, not replace it. The message was clear: the future belongs to those who blend human insight with digital intelligence. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

The Anywhere Group is happy and proud to be a part of the Festival of Work organized by SHRM. Being a business in talent mobility, we see firsthand the changes that impact daily work and the lives of people. It is our endeavor, wish, and hope to always be part of their journeys. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

We've had a very good experience. We've received great responses and made some meaningful connections. We're looking forward to networking with many more people and continuing to build the brand, along with creating new contacts and conversations. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, Piyush Bagaria, Rajiv Naithani, Meera Mohandas and Hemant Kumar Ravi dived into how today’s workforce wants far more than a paycheque, they expect holistic well-being, flexibility, psychological safety and leaders who truly listen, act and build trust. The panel explored how AI is reshaping skills every 18 months, making continuous reskilling and growth a core “benefit”, especially for Gen Z, who weigh purpose, impact and meaningful work right alongside compensation. They highlighted the shift to purpose-led, hyper-personalised EVPs, where benefits are aligned to organisational values, amplified through initiatives like micro-volunteering and backed by mental, emotional and financial wellness support. With AI-powered platforms democratising investing and money management, the message was clear: in this new age, mindset, learning and purpose are as important a benefit as salary itself. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

We’re officially in the Human–AI Collaboration Era, but getting there requires moving people from fear and confusion to curiosity and confidence. Not everyone embraces AI at the same pace, and that’s okay. The journey begins with normalizing fears, offering bite-sized introductions instead of overwhelming change, and letting people play with tools. Those small “Aha!” moments build trust and make AI feel safe, simple, and personal. As Christine Kirbach reminded us, “AI doesn’t have intention, humans do.” AI has no purpose, direction, or judgment on its own. It needs human prompts, guardrails, and governance, just like autonomous systems that depend on robust software and human-designed safety layers. Leaders must ensure AI is implemented responsibly, securely, and meaningfully, without risking systems or trust. And at the center of this new era? Empathy. AI can analyze data, detect patterns, and predict outcomes, but sensing the room, connecting with people, telling stories, and navigating emotion are profoundly human strengths. These are the capabilities that will help leaders guide their teams with clarity, courage, and compassion through AI-driven transformation. Panel Speakers - Mahipal Nair, Sohini Chakroborty, Reena Gupta #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At #SHRMIAC25 – The Festival of Work, Varun Gautam, Pallab Mukherji, Harpreet Datta and Charles Godwin explored a world where it’s customer first, employees always. From the first six months of embedding new hires to building truly integrated HR–business systems, the focus is shifting to talent ecosystems where skills are the real currency, hierarchies give way to fluid “amoeba” structures, and gig talent works alongside permanent employees. The message was clear: when we design connected, skills-first ecosystems, we don’t just improve employee experience, we unlock a whole new way of working. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 - 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐦 Sandeep Banerjee, PRATEEK DUBEY, Pascoal Dantas, Meghna Bhatt A sharp reminder that while data is real-time and abundant, decisions must remain deeply human. The panel emphasized that modern CHROs must balance technology with empathy, agility, and business understanding. Key insights included: • Learnability is the new currency, even legacy organizations must constantly reinvent to stay relevant. • Agility and responsiveness to customer needs are non-negotiable. • HR leaders must speak the language of the people they engage with across the organization. • Approachability matters - understanding others’ perspectives strengthens trust and collaboration. • HR today stands for Human Relations, not just Human Resources. • The CHRO role is now more inclusive than ever, bringing people together by aligning business priorities with human needs. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

At the Fireside Chat on Zero Cost. 100% Impact, Arati Parashar and Anamika Parihar uncovered one truth every organisation must embrace: employees don’t remember policies, they remember what improves their everyday life. With EPP emerging as the new pillar of employee satisfaction, leaders discussed how meaningful, practical benefits can drive instant productivity and loyalty. And in today’s workplace, the smartphone is the #1 productivity device, yet it remains the most overlooked area of support. Sometimes, the smartest way to boost satisfaction isn’t about spending more, it’s about investing right. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 - they are promises organizations must deliver on. Childcare has rapidly become a “must-have” in India due to compliance requirements, competitive pressure, and rising employee demand, with companies investing an average of ₹12K per child per month. Child care, health, and wellness continue to be the top benefits shaping the next generation, while elder-care support now needs fresh attention. The next wave of benefits, especially in GCCs, focuses on personalization and belonging, aligning global centers with HQ and designing adaptive benefits tailored to individual life stages. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou Panel Speakers - Suvarna Mishra, Sanjeev S., Amit Vaish, Ketika Kapoor

A powerful conversation on People, Purpose & Planet unfolded on our SHRM IAC Power Panel today, featuring Paras Kaushik (Group CHRO & CIO, HT Media Group), Abhijit S Rao (VP & Head – People & Culture, Keka), and moderated by Bhanu Sharma (Managing Partner, Helyxa Consulting Group). Key takeaways from the session: * Sustainability must balance people, planet & profitability - real impact goes beyond environmental goals. * The HR–CIO partnership is essential to embed ESG into systems, culture, and decision-making. * Profitability fuels purpose - only stable organizations can sustain long-term ESG commitments. * Authenticity over greenwashing - ESG should reflect real values and actions. * HR plays a critical role in ethics, data privacy, compliance, and building cultures rooted in integrity. A timely reminder: the choices we make today will shape what future generations inherit. #SHRMIAC25 #Sustainability #FutureOfWork #HRLeadership

The Expo at #SHRMIAC25 is pure celebration. A vibrant mix of ideas, innovation, and incredible people; smiles everywhere, conversations flowing, and connections turning into opportunities. From breakthrough solutions to spontaneous moments of joy, this is the heart of the Festival of Work, where the community comes alive, learns together, and lifts each other higher. Here’s to the energy, the warmth, and the spirit of everyone who makes this Expo unforgettable. What a celebration of people, purpose, and progress! #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou

India’s GCCs are entering a defining decade and at SHRMIAC25, our Power Panel with Ruchee Anand, Vidya Munirathnam, Atul Kapoor, Rajarshi Chakravorty and RJ Fox link unpacked exactly what it will take to scale with speed, skill, and global impact. They explored how a decisive shift from “buy” to “build” has created a multi-layered, future-ready leadership pipeline. With culture at its core and contextual journeys at every level, Lowe’s now fills 70% of leadership roles internally, powered by mobility, AI-led workforce planning, and a Career Hub that enables employees to explore roles, update skills, and move without old constraints driving 48% internal hiring last year. They shared that 70% of job skills will change in the next five years, with human skills rising alongside technical capability. With real-time data from over a billion members, LinkedIn helps organisations anticipate talent shifts, strengthen hiring, and sharpen workforce planning. On employer branding, the message was clear: impact only comes when you define the goal, awareness, quality, or perception and measure it. And the most powerful brand ambassadors? Your people. Their authentic stories build trust faster than any campaign, driving organic reputation and helping GCCs scale sustainably. A future built on skills, powered by AI, and shaped by human capability, India’s GCCs are ready to lead the world. #SHRMIAC2025 #FestivalOfWork #Letscelebrateyou