Many trailblazing women work behind the scenes, playing a crucial role in developing, strengthening, and changing the culture of the companies for which they work, as well as reinforcing the companies' values. These are the women in HR who truly are forces to reckon with.

Sima Tiwary is one such accomplished, proactive senior HR professional dedicated to providing outstanding human resource operational leadership for both small and large corporations. With over 29 years of experience in developing and re-engineering comprehensive HR functions, she is known for building employees’ trust, achieving results, and loyally supporting company goals. Sima Tiwary is currently the Chief People Officer at Rahee Group, a 75-year-old leading integrated railroad company in India.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur Magazine, Sima Tiwary elucidates more about her professional journey and Rahee Group.

Take us through your early educational journey and your prior industry experience.

I was born and brought up in Kolkata and pursued my Graduation & Post-graduation & MBA in HR. I started my career in 1994 with a big Steel manufacturing

 Company as a personal officer for almost 6 years, and then worked for various real estate companies for more than 2 decades. In this day and age, I'm a real estate expert who knows all the ropes of the industry.

Besides, I’m a Philanthropist by passion and the founding member of 'Ananthamaya' - A home for the homeless. Ananthamaya is a Project of Nirvana Foundation, A not-for-profit Organization, where we seek to improve the quality of life of destitute Elder's and make them feel wanted.

What are some important features of your expertise as an HR specialist?

Adaptability and empathy are two qualities that stand out for me, which enable me to lead from the front. The ability to adapt to new learning opportunities as they arise can aid in the development of HR skills. Empathy is another ability that a person can use to put themself in the shoes of the people who might lead them to act compassionately and do what they can to improve the situation. Empathy in dealing with people always pays off.

Define Rahee as an organization and its market positioning.

Rahee Group, founded in 1948, is a leading integrated railroad company in India, manufacturing Railway track products for over 60 years and specializing in construction of Railway Bridges, Trackwork for Metro/ Mainline Railways. Group has a pan India presence with over eight manufacturing units spread across West Bengal/Telangana and Rail construction projects in North, Central, North-East, West and East India. Quality and on time delivery are Rahee’s core values and we strive to live by our motto 'Quality First, Speed always'. These values give Rahee an edge and are a great source of convenience for its clients.

This year, Rahee is going to celebrate its 75th Anniversary of an exceptional entrepreneurial journey. It is a significant milestone that few Companies accomplish, and this makes us very proud. Our 75th Anniversary is a celebration of Rahee Group’s legacy, its a long journey, who we are today and our exciting future ahead.

"Adaptability & empathy are two qualities that stand out for me, which enables me to lead from the front"

Tell us about the various challenges you encounter in your current role. How do you overcome them?

In today's world, hiring, engaging, and retaining employees are the most pressing challenges faced by almost all HR Professionals. Today’s generations are millennials. Global markets are easily accessible by them in this fast connectivity era. For them, basic needs like daily bread butter and home are not their prime need, it is secured for them by their parents. A holistic growth and work life balance is their prime need.

Constant change in technology is another challenge. To keep the millennials engaged and retained for a longer period, a more inclusive style of leadership is required to counter these challenges in VUCA times. We should ensure that there is a healthy work culture, lucrative benefits and pay structure. HR Policies must ensure Employees overall growth and work life balance. By driving engagement initiatives, training and development programs, constant feedback, mentoring, we can encourage the workforce to become more productive. In Rahee Group, we, at times, don’t hesitate to go to extra miles, to ensure our people’s wellbeing and holistic development.

Tell us about the key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey.

I am the one who has carved a niche for myself. My life was not a lap of luxury. Whatever I tried to achieve in life, I had to put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. There is no specific milestone to count on, my entire life journey itself is a milestone, starting from obtaining my graduation, post-graduation & MBA degree or raising my daughter single handedly up to my daughter's marriage, getting a job, to reaching where I am today as Chief People Officer. All these achieved through sheer hard work and dedication.

There is a Mexican proverb that says, 'they tried to bury me, they didn't know I am a seeds'. Consistency in my perseverance has got me through all the hardships.

Drawing from your personal experience what advice would you give to young women who aspire to become HR leaders in the future?

Every business in HR should instantaneously be held to the Golden Rule that one should treat others as they would like to be treated. Young aspiring leaders should know what they want to accomplish and why, and then focus on that goal. Being adaptable, inspiring others, upskilling and being empathetic to others will help you to retain employees, boosts morale, and cut costs on recruiting and onboarding. Your educational credentials are merely the base of a pizza without the toppings. It is the toppings that make or break the dish, so hone your skills and stand out.

Sima Tiwary, Chief People Officer, Rahee Group

Sima Tiwary is a hard-core Human Resource Specialist by Profession and a Patroness by passion. She loves interacting with people, assisting them in improving their personal and professional lives, resolving problems, and developing interpersonal relationships. Also, she is passionate about improving the quality of life for destitute Elders by making them feel wanted through her Elder’s Care Home, ‘Ananthamaya - 'A home for the homeless.'