Celebrating the spirit of futuristic innovations: HR 40under40 is back!

The assessments, learning journey, and jury interactions are designed to identify HR minds that are capable of bringing about the next round of innovation in HR and people development.

Technology is disrupting everything we know and do today. As the HR function rides this transformational wave, future HR leaders will have to think differently, innovate and foster new ways of looking at everything— from jobs to processes and even how businesses function. While there are many outstanding innovators and thinkers out there who will be the future of HR, there are not many platforms that can really identify the most promising out of the lot.

Unlike many other leadership awards in HR, the 40under40 awards bring in stringent processes that identify futuristic capabilities in budding HR leaders. It is a platform that brings together young HR professionals in an ecosystem of thinkers and changemakers. Launched last year by Jombay, the talent assessment and capability building firm, the Awards are unique in various ways. The assessments, learning journey, and jury interactions; and the entire process are designed to identify HR minds that are capable of bringing about the next round of innovation in HR and people development.

There are four foundational behaviours that any future HR leader needs to demonstrate — learning on the go, creative approach, business understanding and relationship with the CEO, and storytelling capabilities.

Simply put, it is not just an award but a platform for extraordinary talent possessing the ability to chart an innovative future for HR and lead the way in a world that fears disruption. What makes it even more unique and credible is the selection process. The participants go through several rounds of assessments that gauge their leadership potential, learning agility, adaptability, behavioural strengths, weaknesses and so on.

The last edition of the awards saw more than 650 young HR leaders, from the best companies across India, participate in the evaluation process, which was a highly rewarding experience for participants. They competed with the most creative and driven amongst their peers, looked at their achievements and growth objectively, participated in a gruelling assessment centre, and finally, were assessed by a team of carefully-picked jurors.

It’s about how one re-invents the HR agenda, handling a multigenerational workforce and managing a culture of differences, allowing HR to go up the value chain.

Last year’s illustrious jury comprised Yash Mahadik, Shanta Vallury, Rajkamal Vempati, Dr PV Murthy, Prabir Jha, Dhananjay Singh, Govind Ethiraj, Keshav Sanghi and Roma Balwani.

Talking of her expectations from future HR leaders, Shanta Vallury Gandhi, head-HR, CSR and internal branding, RBL Bank, says, “There are four foundational behaviours that any future HR leader needs to demonstrate — learning on the go, creative approach, business understanding and relationship with the CEO, and storytelling capabilities.”

To register for HR 40Under40, click here

At the same time, Prabir Jha, group CHRO, Cipla shares what it takes to be a futuristic and innovative HR professional in the current times. “It’s about how one re-invents the HR agenda, handling a multigenerational workforce and managing a culture of differences, allowing HR to go up the value chain.”

PV Murthy

Future HR Leaders need to bring out their analytical skills, but to be innovative, they need to dream. They should look at HR as a blank canvas and look at themselves as the architects of that picture.

Jha beautifully adds, “Anything that impacts organisational effectiveness falls under the purview of HR, and that is what future HR leaders must keep in mind at all times.”

While PV Ramana Murthy, executive vice president and global head – Human Resources at the Indian Hotels Company, is of the view that future HR Leaders need to bring out their analytical skills, but to be innovative, they need to dream. He says, “They should look at HR as a blank canvas and look at themselves as the architects of that picture.”

Yash Mahadik

For those who don’t make the cut, failures should not pull down their morale.  Application and selection process here is a great learning journey that each participant undertakes and that is what matters more.

Sharing her experience from the last year’s assessment and awards, Rajkamal Vempati, SVP and head HR, Axis Bank, reveals that some things were common among people who had won last year. “They pushed boundaries and did different things that helped them break out of the set template. They showcased a certain openness by displaying their failures and providing an honest assessment of themselves. All of this helped them articulate clearly what they bring to the table,” she elaborates.

The winners last year pushed boundaries and did different things that helped them break out of the set template. They showcased a certain openness by displaying their failures and providing an honest assessment of themselves. All of this helped them articulate clearly what they bring to the table.

With over 1300 registrations this year, the competition may have doubled, but with the in-depth assessments and the strong jury selection, the best ones will shine through. In order to stand out from the crowd, the contestants do not need to do anything fancy, but simply be themselves and at their best. Jha stresses on being authentic, “Be aspirational but don’t be a fake, because the process will ultimately cull out the reality.”

Adding to that thought, Yash Mahadik, president-global HR, Lupin, says, “Be genuine and don’t try to be politically correct.” He also has a message for those who don’t make the cut. He asserts that the failures should not pull down their morale. His argument is that more than the destination aimed for, it is the journey that is a value-add. “The application and selection process here is a great learning journey that each participant undertakes and that is what matters more,” he opines.

This is not just an award, but an opportunity for the best young HR leaders to develop themselves and gain recognition, for themselves as well as the company. Haven’t registered yet? Hurry, as the registration deadline has been extended just for HRKatha’s readers. Follow this link and nominate yourself right away!

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