Stirring the Winds of Change

Sanjeev Tripathi, Senior General Manager and Country HR Manager, OSRAM India, hails from one of the most historically significant towns in our nation. Despite the inherent uncertainty of life, his roots in his community have instilled in him with a grounded sense of humility and a visionary mindset. This unique perspective led him to embark on a mission to transform the way HR is practiced in his own small way. Recently, Sanjeev shared his insights on the world of HR. His profound sense of purpose and thoughtful approach to life are evident in the way he thinks and approaches every aspect of his work. In an exclusive interview with The Corporate Citizen, Sanjeev delves deeper into his personal and professional journey, discussing his upbringing, his corporate career escapades, and much more

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and it takes time to build. But once it is established, it can lead to fruitful and productive collaborations, even in the face of challenges

-Sanjeev Tripathi

Corporate Citizen: Enlighten our readers about your background.

Sanjeev Tripathi: I hail from a humble abode in a quaint settlement near Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. My lineage comprises of kin who have dedicated themselves to the noble cause of civil services and freedom fighters. The ambience that surrounded me was high on motivation and inspiration. I completed my early education in my hometown and went on to procure a graduation degree in Science. My love for education was limitless and my thirst for knowledge was unquenchable, and I understood that learning is the very essence of life. This led me to pursue a Master's degree in Humanities. Later, I went ahead to acquire an HR degree from XLRI and even had the privilege of being associated with research PhDs from Vedik Wellness University, Bangalore and Florida.

Apart from academics, I was also a zealous participant in extracurricular activities. I firmly believed that these activities help build character and imbibe subtle nuances in one's personality. I was fortunate enough to be a part of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which proved to be the turning point in my life, as it moulded me into the finest version of myself. My aspirations also leaned towards contributing to social welfare, and my endeavours in this direction helped me carve a better future for myself. These experiences have all contributed to shaping me into the individual that I am today.

CC: Tell us about your experience in NCC and how it has influenced your professional life. What valuable lessons did you learn during your time there, and how have you applied them in the corporate world?

Participating in NCC instilled a strong sense of discipline in me, regardless of my background. We were required to wear the same clothes, attend parades at the same time and on the same schedule, and this taught me the value of discipline. Additionally, NCC provided me with an opportunity to learn about the significant contributions of the defense services to our country. Many people, especially those of my age at that time, were likely unaware of the sacrifices made by defense personnel in their everyday lives. This experience instilled a deep sense of patriotism and gratitude in me towards those who serve our country.

These values of discipline and patriotism have stayed with me and have driven my work with the NGO I founded, Disha Life Skills. We focus on providing life skills training to underprivileged students, with a focus on mental and emotional health. Our goal is to help these students avoid falling into the trap of frustration and achieve overall wellness. NCC inspired me to give back to society in this way, and I am grateful for the values and lessons I learned during my time there.

CC: Tell us a bit more about your NGO.

Our NGO, Disha Life Skills, is headquartered in Gurgaon, and while we may be small in size, our values are deeply held. We are committed to spreading the essence of education, and we collaborate with formal educational institutes to promote the psychological wellness of children. Our NGO has formed partnerships with a few educational institutes in the area, where we work with them and their students to prevent negative habits and instil an understanding of the importance of good psychological health alongside academic learning. I often visit the NGO to teach the kids. I have beginning to learn that it is my safe place, where I relax and teach them.

CC: How has that experience enriched your life?

I am pleased to share that I have received more than what I have given while working with these children. Despite coming from emotionally and economically unstable backgrounds, their eagerness to learn and grow is truly inspiring. Most of them aspire to become doctors, police officers, or even IAS officers, but their lack of exposure to the real world can be limiting. As an NGO, we strive to broaden their horizons and encourage them to dream big and create positive changes in their communities.

We also teach them essential values and how to avoid bad habits like smoking and drinking. Many of them come from families where smoking and drinking are common, and we make sure to educate them on the harmful effects of such habits. It's heartening to see some of these children even going to the extent of protesting and going on hunger strikes to persuade their parents to quit smoking, with successful results. It's gratifying to know that our efforts are creating a positive impact and bringing about a change in their families and communities.

In addition to that, we also educate the children about road safety and the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike. We emphasised the fact that road accidents are responsible for more deaths than even the Covid-19 pandemic. We are glad to say that our teachings have had a positive impact, with the children even persuading their parents to follow traffic rules and regulations.

Our primary goal is to instil values like resilience, hard work, and optimism in these children, while making a positive difference in their lives. This experience has been incredibly empowering and humbling, and we hope to continue making a positive impact on the lives of these children.

We should embrace the potential for making mistakes rather than fear them. Mistakes are not necessarily indicative of moral failure, but rather a natural by-product of taking risks. In fact, risk-taking is essential to the startup ecosystem that has contributed to our country's independence and current economic growth rate

CC: Your profound interest in civil and social services is quite remarkable. Does this inclination play a significant role in your comprehensive understanding of HR?

In all honesty, I agree with you. After I graduated, I was unsure about which field to pursue my Master’s degree in. It was then that I discovered the Humanities and conducted extensive research, which led me to discover my passion for HR. I was confident that I would excel in this field as I possessed the ability to connect and collaborate with people. Through my learnings, I firmly believe that HR is built upon three pillars: people, culture, and compliance.

In regard to people, it encompasses the well-being, development, and management of individuals. The culture of HR is focused on the future, where the current work environment should promote diversity and inclusion beyond gender, such as creating opportunities for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBT community.

The culture of HR must be forward- thinking, in addition to compliance, which I see as a social system. Similar to a family, where a core vision and framework are needed to drive its success, in HR, we must also drive the framework of addressing people-related issues. This concept fascinated me, which led me to pursue HR and continue practising for over two decades. And I cannot think of a better profession to pursue.

CC: It is said that the place where you are born shapes your personality. So how has your hometown shaped you into a better person or shaped your personality?

It's undeniable that one's surroundings, family, and upbringing contribute significantly to their character development. The formative years are crucial in shaping an individual's personality. Personally, I attribute my upbringing to my parents, society, social leaders, teachers, and hometown for moulding me into who I am today. Additionally, my friends have played a significant role in broadening my horizons. Many of them have become senior officers, bureaucrats, or members of the Indian Armed Forces, and their journeys are incredible. Despite our respective paths, we all share memories of envisioning our futures together.

This collective experience has fostered an overall ecosystem that has seeded values within me, much like a tree, with deep- rooted principles. Specifically, my society has taught me about the importance of ethics, relationships, and honesty. Building strong relationships is essential for working with others and creating opportunities for oneself. Lastly, understanding people is crucial for achieving success. These various channels of my upbringing have given me the strength and courage to handle things professionally without forgetting the emotional quotient.

CC: You mentioned your grandfather was a freedom fighter. Have you heard any stories passed down through generations about their experiences?

Yes, I have heard many stories. I come from a society where my family has a history of freedom fighters. My hometown is Rewa, which has a background of social movements and rebellion against the norm. For example, during the British era, many freedom fighters like Saeed Kedarnath, who was a friend of my grandfather, and others, fought for independence and even faced punishments for their actions. Later, when the Congress government came into power, Rewa became a laboratory for social movements led by leaders like Lohiaji, Kriplaniji, and Acharya Narendra, who used to camp there. This environment shaped our family's mindset to always question the status quo and have the courage to take a different perspective with an open mind.

We were taught from a young age to think about society and the nation and to take responsibility for leading and making a positive impact. We were challenged by our family members to be knowledgeable and wise, as we were expected to lead society and take responsibility for the future. This sense of accountability was instilled in us from childhood. So, our family stories are not just about doing a job or service, but about making a difference and contributing to society. Overall, our family's history is one of courage, rebellion, and a sense of duty towards the betterment of society.

The culture of HR must be forward-thinking, in addition to compliance, which I see as a social system. Similar to a family, where a core vision and framework are needed to drive its success, in HR, we must also drive the framework of addressing people-related issues

CC: Can you recall any stories?

For instance, back then when Saeed Kedarnath was around 17-18 years old, he faced punishments from the British for his involvement in the freedom movement and eventually lost his life. On the other hand, my grandfather’s cousin, Harivansh Tripathi, lived a long life and was always vocal about his views on society and the country. Our family was focused on being responsible leaders and contributing positively to society. Their fight against the norm encouraged to challenge casteism and traditional standards and to strive for knowledge and wisdom in order to fulfill our responsibilities towards the society in the future. Such stories and teachings have shaped our family's outlook and values. So, we come from a lineage of freedom fighters and leaders who have always dared to question the norms and make a difference in society.

Their stories pushed us to think critically, have an open mind, and take responsibility for the betterment of our society from a young age. We are proud of our family's history and the values that have been passed down through generations. We believe in making a positive impact on society and taking a stand for what is right. This is the legacy we carry forward from our ancestors who fought for independence and dedicated themselves to the service of the nation. As such, our family has always been known for having a different view, having the courage to express our opinions, and striving to be responsible leaders in society. We were encouraged to be knowledgeable, and wise, and take on the responsibility of leading and shaping the society of tomorrow.

CC: How has the education you garnered helped you in your corporate and personal life?

XLRI is a highly esteemed institution in our country, and I must emphasise that the faculty there are truly exceptional. Their teachings have provided me with a broader perspective. What sets XLRI apart is that only the classrooms and library are air-conditioned, and the rest of the campus is subjected to extreme temperatures. As a result, even those residing in the hostels must seek refuge in the library or classrooms, fostering a culture of learning. The institution's location has been heavily influenced by the philosophies of Vivekananda and Jamshetji Tata; whose statue still stands on campus. The institution places significant emphasis on social responsibility and aims to produce leaders who can excel in the corporate world while making a positive impact on society. This is evident in their projects, such as working with rural and tribal communities to understand their needs and design programmes to assist them. Overall, XLRI is a remarkable institution that instils not only professional excellence but also a commitment to social welfare.

CC: Can you tell me the best corporate advice you have ever received?

As someone who has navigated a corporate career, I've come to realise that we should embrace the potential for making mistakes rather than fear them. Mistakes are not necessarily indicative of moral failure, but rather a natural byproduct of taking risks. In fact, risk-taking is essential to the startup ecosystem that has contributed to our country's independence and current economic growth rate of over eight per cent.

Looking back at our country's history, we see that we've made progress by broadening our perspectives and challenging limiting beliefs. In the past, we were told not to cross oceans or deviate from societal norms. However, it's important to explore what lies beyond our comfort zones in order to grow and improve.

Similarly, we must recognise the value of both male and female contributors in our society. By empowering women to take an active role in shaping our nation, we can create a more balanced and just ecosystem. I remain optimistic about the future and believe that embracing risk-taking, expanding our perspectives, and empowering all individuals are key ingredients to progress and growth.

It's important to explore what lies beyond our comfort zones in order to grow and improve. I remain optimistic about the future and believe that embracing risk-taking, expanding our perspectives and empowering all individuals, are key ingredients to progress and growth

CC: You've had the opportunity to work in HR across a range of industries. Could you explain how the implementation of HR practices varies across different industries?

I was fortunate enough to get the experience of working in HR across different industries. I've noticed that while the basic HR structure remains the same, the implementation can vary based on the specific needs of the industry. It's like having the same body but wearing different clothes depending on the situation.

For instance, the needs of a hotel will differ from those of a building materials company or a retail organisation. However, the overall HR strategy of training, recruiting, retaining, and ensuring employee growth remains fundamental.

So, in my experience, I've had to tailor my approach to meet the specific needs of each industry, while keeping the basic HR principles in mind. This includes providing internal learning opportunities to help employees grow both professionally and personally. Ultimately, HR serves as a foundation that supports the organisational paradigms based on the customer's need, while also ensuring the well- being and development of its employees.

CC: What as per you are the three best HR practices which can help in business development?

According to me, the three HR practices that can greatly contribute to business development are: Firstly, HR professionals should have a strong understanding of business numbers and operations, including supply chain mechanisms, production and sales, as well as cost-benefit analysis. Secondly, the company culture should be inclusive and transparent, with leadership leading by example to ensure that the values and ethos are ingrained at all levels of the organisation. Lastly, HR should focus on developing employee capabilities, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the future needs of the company. This involves providing training and learning opportunities to enhance their existing skill sets and sharpening their capabilities to help them perform their roles more effectively.

Empathy allows HR professionals to connect with employees on a deeper level, understanding their needs and concerns. And effective communication ensures that HR professionals are able to convey important information clearly and effectively. These two traits can make a huge difference in the success of an HR practitioner

CC: Do you agree that talent acquisition is a bigger risk than recession?

No, I do not agree that talent acquisition is a bigger risk than recession. Both are part of a natural cycle, and while there may be challenges or adjustments required during a recession or during the talent acquisition process, neither should be considered a risk. Instead, it is important to have a good understanding of both and ensure they are complementary to each other. By achieving a balance, any risks can be minimised or mitigated. Additionally, organisations can learn from the example set by the defense services, who face their own challenges but remain committed to their mission and purpose.

CC: What is the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest professional challenges I have faced is managing a cross-cultural team from different locations in the country. Having worked in various parts of India, including Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, I had to come up with different mechanisms to deal with colleagues in different cities. Additionally, I had to manage a union in Chennai, which required a special strategy. The biggest hurdle was gaining their trust, even though I was not part of their community or society and did not speak their language or eat their food.

To overcome this challenge, I had to be transparent and act with integrity. I would communicate my intentions clearly, stating the bottom line, and asking for partnership rather than asserting my way or the highway option. The ultimate goal was to make the organisation successful, and both the union and I were aware that this could only be achieved if we worked together. Building trust was crucial, and I was able to gain their trust by demonstrating that I had their best interests at heart.

Managing a cross-cultural team requires sensitivity and understanding of different cultures, customs, and communication styles. It is important to be flexible and adaptable in one's approach and to communicate clearly and transparently. Trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, and it takes time to build. But once it is established, it can lead to fruitful and productive collaborations, even in the face of challenges.

CC: A book that changed your corporate career path?

There are a couple of books that have impacted my life both personally and professionally. One of them is Go Kiss the World, the autobiography of Subroto Bagchi, one of the founders of Mindtree, Indian technology MNC. This book has changed my perspective towards my overall individual growth. Bagchi comes from a modest background and started as an outsource labourer before becoming the president of Wipro and then founding our company. He talks about the meaning of success and how it's not just about earning money but finding one's own definition of success. This book has helped me understand that everyone's definition of success can be different, and it's essential to find one's path to success.

Another book that has shaped my professional life is Dare to Lead by Dr Anil K. Khandelwal. Dr. Khandelwal started as a PO and worked his way up to become the MD of the Bank of Baroda, where he transformed its profitability three times. He talks about putting analytics in the field, being upfront, and being honest with people. This book has inspired me to be transparent and honest in my dealings with colleagues and partners.

Apart from these books, I also swear by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. His thoughts on inclusivity, the power of education, and being equal with the world, have guided me in my personal and professional life. He emphasised that we cannot afford to be isolated and must share our knowledge and ideas with others while also learning from them.

As for how often I read, I make it a point to read every day. Reading has become a habit that has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It has given me new perspectives, broadened my horizons, and helped me become a better leader.

CC: Any word of advice for the freshers who wish to enter the HR field?

As someone who enjoys working in HR, my advice to others in the field is simple: be a good human being with empathy. Effective communication skills is the key to success. There's no need for rocket science or complex strategies. Empathy allows HR professionals to connect with employees on a deeper level, understanding their needs and concerns. And effective communication ensures that HR professionals are able to convey important information clearly and effectively. These two traits can make a huge difference in the success of an HR practitioner.

CC: When not working, how do you enjoy your free time?

My hobbies include meditation, writing Hindi poetry, maintaining diaries and journals, and working with underprivileged children. I find joy and fulfilment in these activities when I'm not working. And yes, I do enjoy reading as well.