The human resource market is constantly evolving, and companies are recognizing the importance of having skilled HR professionals who can navigate the changing landscape. One such leader in the field is Ruhie Pande, who currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Godrej Capital. Ruhie holds an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a PGDBA in HR from Symbiosis Centre for Learning and Development. Under her leadership, Godrej Capital has established itself as a forward-thinking organization that values its employees and recognizes the importance of investing in their growth & development. Let’s read more about her.

Can you describe your early education and previous work experience that you can bring to the table?

I completed my studies in Hotel Management at IHM Lucknow, and began my professional journey with the Mahindra group, after which I joined ITC Limited in the Business function. Later, I was offered an opportunity to work in the training function, where I led training delivery for ITC's distribution and retail businesses. Since then, I have gained HR experience in diverse industries, such as Technology, Retail, FMCG & Beauty, Real Estate, and currently, BFSI. In addition, my M.Sc in Occupational  Psychology was a highly valuable experience, and I authored my first research paper titled ‘A Foot in the Door: How Women Break the Glass Ceiling in the Indian Real Estate Industry’.

Can you share the important business lessons and insights you have gained throughout your 20 years of experience in the industry?

If I were to summarize my key takeaways, I would say that every HR professional must have a thorough understanding of the business. By comprehending the ins and outs of the business, an HR leader can effectively impact the lives of their employees. Similarly, every business leader should not leave the practice of human resources solely to the HR team. Instead, business leaders must take on key roles that influence their employees, such as attracting the right talent, communicating the team and organization's vision, engaging and motivating employees, and developing them into future leaders.

Can you provide an introduction to Godrej Capital, and explain your responsibilities as the company's CHRO?

Godrej Capital is the financial services arm of the Godrej Group and is a subsidiary of Godrej Industries which offers various financial products, including home loans, loan against property, and business loans. As the CHRO of Godrej Capital, my role has encompassed various stages of building this organization, beginning with setting up the company culture. As the first employee hired, my responsibility, alongside the CEO, was to ensure that the organization's culture and environment were conducive to success. We achieved this by hiring individuals who aligned with Godrej's capability factors and had a ‘co-founder's mindset’ - individuals who think of the business as their own. We then co-defined the organization's values and purpose and communicated the long-term vision of the new business. This approach enabled us to create an organization that people aspire to work with, We have been certified as a Great Place to Work both in 2022 and this year along with being listedas India's Best Workplaces for Women (certified and recognized by Great Place to Work institute). We also received recognition by The Economic Times as one of the Best Organizations for Women for two consecutive years.

"My success mantra is to remain a lifelong learner and seek knowledge from various sources"

In your opinion how has the role of a CHRO evolved over time? Throw light on the most critical challenges you encounter in your role as the CHRO, especially in the post-pandemic world.

The role of CHRO has evolved from operational to strategic business leader due to complex organizational environments and factors like digitalization, changing workforce profiles, and new ways of working. Managing diverse generations in the workplace and aligning people's plans with business needs are critical challenges for CHROs. They must also play a key role in defining strategy, culture, diversity, and inclusion efforts. The post-pandemic world has brought new beliefs about work-life balance and the need for hybrid workspaces, which CHROs must navigate with other functional experts.

Could you share some of your significant accomplishments during your career journey? Also, what is your secret to success?

My success mantra is to remain a lifelong learner and seek knowledge from various sources such as knowledge banks, networks, and colleagues in the organization. I emphasize the importance of staying in touch with people to better understand their needs and viewpoints, which helps them respond to them effectively and promptly.

Can you discuss your predictions for the evolution of the human resources landscape in India, as well as the industry trends that will have the greatest impact going forward?

HR will play a crucial role in adapting to and embracing the significant changes that are coming to organizations, whether in the form of new technologies, digitalization trends, or the rise of AI tools. One trend to watch closely will be the use of AI and open-source tools like ChatGPT. HR will need to make key decisions to bridge the gap between what is acceptable and what is not when it comes to the use of AI. Additionally, the HR team will need to monitor social listening, the use of AI, and personal and private boundaries to define the limits that organizations must adhere to. With new ways of working, HR will guide management in working with a diverse and locationally dispersed talent pool to maximize outcomes and productivity for the benefit of the organization.

Ruhie Pande, CHRO, Godrej Capital

Ruhie Pande Currently Serves As the Chief Human Resources Officer at Godrej Capital. She holds an MS in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a PGDBA in HR from Symbiosis Centre for Learning & Development. With her extensive education and experience, Ruhie has had a significant impact on the human resources industry.