Author: Dr. Prajjal Saha | HRKatha

The rise of Agentic AI marks a profound and unsettling shift in the narrative of artificial intelligence. While 2024 was consumed by the buzz around generative AI—celebrated for enhancing human productivity and creativity—the story of 2025 takes a darker turn. Agentic AI isn’t here to assist or collaborate with humans; it’s here to replace them. Unlike its predecessor, this technology’s autonomy and decision-making capabilities are poised to upend industries and dismantle traditional job roles in ways we have yet to fully grasp. Agentic AI is no incremental evolution; it is a paradigm shift. This is artificial intelligence that does not…

Power remains a fascinating and complex phenomenon. Over the past two decades, psychologists have consistently demonstrated that power—defined as control over resources, decision-making, and influence—does not inherently corrupt, but it does insulate. Those in positions of power often become less attuned to the needs and experiences of others. This is not a case of deliberate neglect or disregard but rather an unconscious drift into self-focus, as leaders become consumed by their own priorities and goals. This inattentiveness, while often unintentional, has profound consequences. Research indicates that individuals in positions of power frequently lose touch with the perspectives of their teams.…

For decades, the MBA was revered as the holy grail of career advancement—a symbol of elite business acumen and a golden ticket to the C-suite. It promised riches, prestige, and a trajectory that no other degree could rival. However, in today’s rapidly changing professional landscape, the MBA is no longer the unassailable symbol of success it once was. Rising costs, diminishing returns, and a rapidly changing job market are forcing us to confront an uncomfortable truth: the MBA may have outlived its prime. Aspiring students are now compelled to confront a pressing question: what is the MBA really worth, and…

Remote work was heralded as a revolution—a promise of freedom and flexibility, a balancing act between personal lives and professional excellence. But as the pandemic catapulted millions into working from home, a quiet transformation began. Trust broke down, and in its place, a disturbing regime of corporate surveillance emerged. The very technologies that once made remote work liberating are now weaponised to monitor, micromanage, and control employees with Orwellian precision. Let’s not mince words: workplace surveillance has spiralled into a dystopian nightmare. In their quest for productivity, companies have turned to invasive technologies that track every keystroke, mouse movement, and…

On 29 August, a few weeks after the World Whistleblowers Day, India’s largest IT services company terminated an employee who had served the organisation for over 11 years. The dismissal wasn’t just another HR decision; it was a move that has left a dark stain on the corporate world. Five years ago, the employee had filed a sexual harassment complaint against her manager. While the company claims her social media activity and alleged policy breaches justified her termination, the timing—mere weeks after a labour court ruled in favour of the company in the harassment case—raises uncomfortable, undeniable questions. What followed…

The social media recently had a field day dissecting a blunt, one-liner leave email from a Gen Z employee. To the traditionalist, this was borderline offensive: no polite preamble, no respectful request—just a direct, unembellished declaration. But should we really be shocked? If we’ve been paying attention, this shouldn’t be surprising at all. Gen Z isn’t here to play by legacy rules, and they aren’t asking for permission. This generation has grown up with autonomy at the forefront. They inform; they don’t defer. They communicate with precision, not pretence. For Gen Z, a leave email’s purpose is to notify, not…

Recently, CEO Ravi Kumar shared a remarkable statistic: 13,000 former Cognizant employees from 40 countries have rejoined the company. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a statement. It’s proof that, in an era where loyalty seems a relic, a company can still cultivate a culture people want to return to. And it speaks volumes about Cognizant’s employee value proposition at a time when others are struggling to keep their best talent. Chief People Officer Kathy Diaz noted that Cognizant has seen a 40 per cent surge in returning employees over the past two years. “We’ve seen a 40 per cent increase…

It’s no longer a hypothetical question. Has AI begun to replace human jobs? Recent headlines suggest that the answer is yes—and it’s happening faster and more quietly than we might think. According to The New York Times, some companies are employing a practice known as ‘silent firing’, making roles so unbearable that employees quit, only to be replaced by AI. No need for layoffs or pink slips—just let the machines slip in and quietly take over. And it’s not limited to one sector or role. Amazon’s recent push to get employees back to the office five days a week, despite…

There was a time when being ‘overqualified’ meant having too many degrees for a low-skill job. A glaring example occurred in Uttar Pradesh, a few years back, where a shocking 3,700 PhD holders applied for peon vacancies—jobs that required no more than a Class V education. This absurdity highlighted a broken system, but today the issue has evolved. Overqualification is no longer about degrees alone; now, it’s about being too skilled, and it’s still holding companies back. Recently, Google made headlines for rejecting a Delhi-based software engineer for being ‘overqualified.’ This isn’t just a bad hiring decision—it’s a symptom of…

The recent misstep by the CEO of a well-known ride-sharing company brought to light a critical issue: mediocre leaders, when elevated to CEO positions, inevitably crash and burn. In this particular instance, the CEO’s controversial comments on work-life balance and people management unleashed a wave of criticism, and rightly so. This wasn’t an isolated incident. The company had already been under scrutiny for its questionable people management practices and toxic leadership culture. What we’re seeing here is the sad result of mediocrity at the helm. This isn’t just about one company or one leader—this is a cautionary tale for the…

Three tragic deaths. Three employees from prestigious organisations—EY, HDFC, and Bajaj—succumbed to work-related stress. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re flashing warning signs for every employer in the country. The message is clear: this obsession with productivity at the expense of well-being is literally killing people. Work is important, but so is life. And until organisations wake up to this simple fact, the bodies will keep piling up. Employees must be happy. Not as a “nice-to-have,” not as some feel-good HR initiative, but as a non-negotiable. Employee happiness is the bedrock of business success, and any company that doesn’t get it…

Let’s call it what it is: fauxductivity is a blight on the modern workplace, and it’s spreading fast. This isn’t some buzzword to toss around in boardroom meetings; it’s a dangerous phenomenon where employees—and managers—pretend to be productive while getting absolutely nothing done. It’s the inevitable result of a toxic culture of presenteeism, where appearances matter more than outcomes. And make no mistake—this issue starts at the top. We’ve normalised an environment where simply being seen working is enough to satisfy leadership. As a result, employees spend their days drowning in meaningless tasks, papering over the real problem: we’ve lost…

When machines first entered the workplace, people feared they would erode human empathy, reducing workers to mere cogs in a productivity-driven wheel. But today, it’s not the machines that are stripping us of our humanity—it’s the companies themselves. In the relentless pursuit of performance, organisations are fostering cultures where empathy is a liability, and workaholism is a badge of honour. Anna Sebastian Perayil’s tragic death at Ernst & Young (EY) is a glaring example of this toxic work culture. Barely six months into her job, this young chartered accountant from Kerala succumbed to the stress of a job that demanded…

The practice of self-appraisal has long been a staple of performance management systems. Employees are asked to evaluate their own work, providing managers with supposedly valuable insights into their performance. However, this seemingly innocuous practice is often misguided and can lead to more harm than good. At its core, self-appraisal creates a misleading notion of what performance evaluation is meant to accomplish. When employees are asked to fill out the same form used by their supervisors, it gives the impression that appraisals are a two-way exercise, where both sides share their perspectives and negotiate a common conclusion. But that’s not…

Deel, the leading global HR and payroll platform valued at $12 billion, has continued to expand its presence in India, solidifying its position in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. In the past year, Deel’s Indian team has grown by an impressive 45 per cent, with over 12 per cent of its global workforce now operating from India across various functions including sales, partnerships, finance, engineering, and support. Fully remote and distributed across more than 20 cities, Deel’s expansion in India underscores its commitment to supporting Indian businesses in managing international teams. India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, the third largest in…

Akasa Air, India’s rapidly expanding airline, has soared to new heights with the appointment of Sejal Haribhakti Mody as its chief human resources officer (CHRO), effective September 9, 2024. Mody’s strategic leadership will be instrumental in guiding Akasa Air towards its ambitious goal of becoming one of the world’s top 30 airlines by the end of the decade. As CHRO, Sejal will oversee Akasa Air’s organisational transformation, ensuring that its talent strategy aligns with its ambitious growth plans. Her extensive experience in human resources, spanning industries such as FMCG, media, and consulting, will be invaluable in fostering a high-performance culture…

In today’s hyper-connected, fast-evolving workplace, the days of siloed operations are a relic of the past. The modern business environment thrives on cross-functional collaboration—teams of diverse expertise coming together to solve problems, innovate, and drive results. However, while the potential of collaboration is undeniable, its execution is often messy, inconsistent, and far from optimised. This is where the need for a team operating system becomes not just a luxury, but a necessity. Let’s be clear: collaboration isn’t simple. It’s a dynamic, often unpredictable process. In a hybrid world, where some teams are on-site, others remote, and many spread across different…

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), CEOs are caught in a perplexing predicament. While the technology promises unprecedented growth, it also casts a long shadow of uncertainty over the future of work. The role of a CEO has never been more fraught with complexity. As AI reshapes the business landscape, leaders are grappling with its potential benefits while navigating its risks. From addressing cybersecurity concerns to ensuring ethical AI usage, CEOs face a daunting task. But the most pressing concern for many is the potential impact of AI on their workforce. Recent research has illuminated the worries that occupy…

In the political realm, interim leaders such as Muhammad Yunus, who has recently been appointed to steer Bangladesh through a transitional period, are a common and accepted practice. This trend is now making significant inroads into the corporate world, particularly in the realm of Human Resources. The demand for interim Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) is surging, driven by the increasing recognition of their strategic importance. According to Heidrick & Struggles’ latest Fortune 1000 CHRO Trends report, the demand for interim CHROs saw a staggering 225 per cent year-over-year increase between 2022 and 2023. Remarkably, in just the first half…

In the digital age, where transparency is paramount, a disturbing trend has emerged: the proliferation of ghost jobs. These illusory positions, advertised but never intended to be filled, are becoming a growing menace in the job market. A recent survey revealed that a staggering 81 per cent of recruiters admit their companies post such jobs. In India, an online survey by Business Standard found that 73 per cent of over 1,000 respondents had encountered this troubling phenomenon, a practice that’s increasingly common across industries such as IT services, biotech, marketing, and media. Why do companies engage in this deceptive practice?…

Picture a company ensnared in the cobwebs of its past, its culture as obsolete as a VHS tape in the age of streaming. As the world around it hurtles forward, this company clings desperately to its outdated norms, blind to the dangers of stagnation. Such a company is on a slow march to irrelevance, not because it lacks talent or resources, but because it’s shackled by a culture that no longer serves its purpose. In today’s dynamic environment, companies can’t afford to view their organisational culture as set in stone. Yet, many persist in the belief that the culture they…

Imagine a world-class athlete training tirelessly, their every move meticulously planned. Yet, something is missing. No matter how skilled or dedicated, without a coach, their potential remains untapped. Coaches are the unsung heroes of athletic achievement, guiding athletes to their peak performance. Dan Moore, High-Performance Coach for the British Rowing Men’s Squad, encapsulates this perfectly when he says, “As a leader, it is my role to ensure the team is engaged and working towards a shared goal—getting the boat across the finish line in the best possible time.” Now, consider the corporate world. Would it make sense for employees to…

Taking on the role of Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) or Chief People Officer (CPO) represents a significant milestone for any HR professional. It’s a role that demands far more than just HR expertise. Think of it as being the quarterback of the people side of the business, orchestrating a complex game with high stakes. The new CHROs must remember that they are no longer just a HR head; they’re a strategic partner to the CEO, a key player in shaping the organisation’s future. This transition requires a seismic shift in mindset. While HR remains their core expertise, it’s not…

While India’s six-medal haul—one silver and five bronze—was a proud, albeit humbling, achievement, the real takeaway for corporate leaders lies in the strategies and mindsets that drive Olympic success. These are lessons that, if embraced, can propel organisations towards their own versions of gold. At first glance, the worlds of Olympic athletes and corporate leaders may seem worlds apart. Yet, they share a fundamental pursuit: high performance. However, high performance is not merely the completion of tasks or the achievement of targets. It is an elevated state of precision, relentless focus, and unyielding improvement—qualities that Olympians exemplify and that corporate…

In our hyper-connected, always-on world, the pressure to be constantly productive has reached a fever pitch. The relentless pursuit of efficiency and productivity has led to a surge in burnout rates, with employees feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from their work. To combat this epidemic, a counterintuitive approach is gaining traction: slow productivity. A Harvard Business Review study revealed the alarming prevalence of burnout, with 89 per cent of respondents reporting a decline in well-being and 62 per cent experiencing frequent or extreme burnout. The pandemic, with its forced shift to remote work, exacerbated this trend, as the lines between…

For decades, the archetype of a successful leader has been dominated by a larger-than-life persona, characterised by extroversion, charisma, and a commanding presence. However, the evolving dynamics of the workplace are challenging this stereotype, giving rise to a new breed of leader: the quietly confident individual. The traditional leadership model, often associated with the assertive, vocal, and dominant figure, is increasingly being questioned. While these qualities can be valuable in certain contexts, they may not be the sole determinants of effective leadership. The rise of remote work, the increasing diversity of the workforce, and the growing emphasis on collaboration have…