Women leaders are scaling unprecedented heights, defying stereotypes and barriers. With resilience and innovation, they're carving remarkable success stories across industries worldwide. They are not only rewriting the narrative of entrepreneurship, but inspiring a generation, and shaping a diverse and inclusive business landscape. One such dynamic and young woman leader is Ruchi Ahluwalia, Chief People Officer at Quess Corp. Ruchi is a successful HR leader and business partner backed by an MBA degree in HR & Marketing and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from HRCI. Having been in the HR industry for over 21 years, she has held various leadership roles across multiple industries such as IT, Pharma, Optics & Optoelectronics, Automobile, Financial Services, Electrical and professional services.

In this interview with Women Entrepreneur Magazine, Ruchi shares her view on the HR industry and insights into her professional journey.

What are some of the important facets of your life and professional journey?

Reflecting on my life and professional journey, I find that it's shaped by ingrained values that blend seamlessly into both my personal and professional spaces. I embrace the concept of living life to the fullest, driven by positivity and gratitude. Believing in the notion of one life, I am thrilled about its diverse aspects – career, family, holistic wellness, spirituality, societal contributions, continuous learning, and more.

My outlook, characterized by gratefulness and joy, draws inspiration from Rhonda Byrne's books, 'The Secret' and 'The Magic,' significantly influencing my beliefs. While I've always leaned towards positivity, these books reinforce gratitude and the power of manifesting dreams, whether they pertain to career aspirations or personal goals, for myself or others. I firmly believe that a positive mindset fosters the realization of our deepest desires.

Another important facet that pushed me towards success is self-reliance, a core value that has been instilled in me since childhood by my father and saw reinforcement with my husband. The legacy of strong, progressive women in my family like my grandmom, my mom, and my mother-in-law inculcated the values of equality and respect for each individual. I have been fortunate to have had exposure to diversity since childhood due to my father’s job, which later continued with my education and career in diverse industries. It’s the bedrock of my personal and professional life, guiding my leadership style towards empowerment and inclusivity.

Can you shed some light on your leadership approach?

I consider myself a transformative HR leader, driven by a belief of constant improvement—both in individuals and organizations. I disrupt norms for positive change, striving to enhance customer focus, strategic prowess, and people practices. My track record involves building, transforming and scaling businesses, emphasizing continuous improvement in every endeavor.

What sets me apart is my unconventional approach to HR—I relate myself more as a business leader who is well-versed in HR intricacies. I prioritize aligning people with business strategies, emphasizing impact over processes. Understanding the complexity of individuals is another forte. I navigate human intricacies akin to a CFO analyzing a balance sheet— rapidly identifying strengths, areas for growth, and challenges within diverse groups.

Recognizing people's complexities, diverse values, and the need for collaboration guides my approach. Just as managing a small family circle poses challenges, dealing with larger groups demands a nuanced understanding. This insight helps me tailor HR strategies, foster alignment with the organizational goals, and facilitates effective team dynamics.

What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome it?

There are several significant challenges I encounter in my role, and I'd like to highlight a few key ones. One major challenge is balancing conflicting priorities and goals. On one hand, there's a constant emphasis on efficiency and cost reduction, focusing on digital solutions and streamlined processes. Simultaneously there's a need to invest in people - curating bespoke benefits and fostering their development. Another challenge is ensuring equality while accommodating diverse individual needs. We strive for equality in our company, yet individuals often seek personalized treatment or unique benefits.

Promoting diversity while fostering inclusivity is another critical aspect. Embracing diversity across education, geography, gender, and more is essential, yet creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and part of a unified company culture is equally important. Encouraging leadership talent from within the organization while driving fresh, innovative thinking presents its own dilemma.

Preserving core values while allowing different business units to cultivate their unique cultures is yet another delicate balance. Striving to maintain a common set of values while permitting diverse cultural expressions across various business units adds complexity.

How do you foresee the Indian HR landscape evolving in the near future?

Firstly, the human experience stands out. We prioritize humanizing experiences, ensuring they're personalized and employee-led. Tailoring practices and benefits to individual needs while putting employees in the driver's seat defines our approach.

Secondly, holistic well-being is paramount. People seek workplaces that support their journey towards overall wellness encompassing financial, physical, emotional, social, and societal aspects.

I am a staunch believer of Dave Ulrich’s HR Value Pyramid. HR professionals should constantly work on METHODS and MODELS which support the company competitiveness and value creation. HR impact on the bottom line should be measured and hence HR professionals should use Data and insights to measure the impact of their work like nobody’s business.

Ruchi Ahluwalia, Group Chief People Officer, Quess Corp

As a visionary strategist and versatile transformation leader, I enable direct growth to the business bottom line through all aspects of the human capital function. Popularly known to challenge the status quo and create a meaningful difference in people, teams, and organizations.