Sujata Israni

**Championing Equal Opportunity in the Age of Social Media Misuse** In my over twenty years in the HR industry, I've seen the transformative power of equal opportunity firsthand. At its core, equal opportunity is more than a policy—it's a fundamental commitment to creating a workplace where talent and hard work are the true measures of success. The Journey of Perseverance and Dedication Navigating the intricate world of talent acquisition and leading diverse teams has tested my resilience and determination at every turn. Each challenge has underscored the importance of perseverance and dedication, reinforcing my belief that excellence is a journey paved with hard work and unwavering commitment. The Digital Dilemma: Social Media's Double-Edged Sword In today's digital age, professional interactions have taken on a new dimension. Social media, initially a platform for connection and engagement, has also become a tool that can be misused. This misuse—ranging from undermining colleagues to spreading false information—poses a significant threat to workplace ethics and professionalism. Upholding Professionalism in the Digital Age The rise of social media misuse demands vigilance and a steadfast commitment to respect, integrity, and fairness in all our digital interactions. It's crucial for organizations to implement clear guidelines and policies that address and prevent such behavior, ensuring that social media remains a positive and productive force in our professional lives. Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Inclusivity At our organization, we are dedicated to championing equal opportunity and fostering a culture of inclusivity. We believe in the potential of every individual and provide the necessary support and resources to help them succeed. This commitment is not just in our policies but in our everyday actions and leadership. A Message to Aspiring Women Leaders To women aspiring to break barriers and achieve professional success, my message is clear: believe in your abilities, stay true to your values, and don't let social media misuse or any other obstacle deter you from your goals. Your hard work, talent, and integrity will always stand out. Reflecting on the Path Forward Reflecting on my journey, I'm reminded of the critical importance of fostering a supportive and equitable environment. Together, we can overcome challenges and make equal opportunity a lived reality. By using social media responsibly and upholding professionalism, we can support each other in our quest for success. Meenakshi Jaryal Talent Acquisition Vice President Core Integra #EqualOpportunity #Professionalism #Integrity #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #SocialMediaResponsibility #InclusiveWorkplace

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Today’s market demands and uncertainty, paired with rising technologies like #AI, demand a more effective way to build your workforce. Welcome to talent-centered design — our guide to putting skills at the center of all your talent decisions so you can build your ideal workforce of the future. Read the e-book today 📙 https://bit.ly/3RgjYqT

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I often ask leaders about their favorite book. These two birds one stone strategy helps spark a conversation and narrows down my search to my next read. My latest one is a must read if you feel stuck in any aspect of your life. “Design your life” is a book by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans – Executive Director and Co-Director of the Design Program in Stanford. Word of caution: This is an exercise book; you need to invest additional hours on reflections to get the best of the book. Done in the right way, will help you:  1. Create your “Life view” and “Work view”- make a symphony among these  2. Reflect on your life pies – Work, Play, Love and Health – and helps you focus on what needs attention 3. Design multiple versions of your future life and nudge you to prototype on these ideas. I am personally satisfied by my own bias for action towards the life version I am most interested in. Please try this book! Shout-out to Varadharaju Janardhanan for your wonderful recommendation as always and a big thankyou #design #designthinking #DesignYourLife #Stanford

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Absolutely loved today's article in The Sunday Times about the growing trend of taking career breaks. It’s a breath of fresh air to see the importance of sabbaticals and extended breaks highlighted, especially in our always-on culture. The notion that taking time off, even if it's not a year-long sabbatical, is crucial for mental health and gaining perspective. It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget the bigger purpose of living. A break allows us to step back and see life in its entirety, not just as a series of tasks and deadlines. By stepping away from work, we can better appreciate the richness of life and make more meaningful contributions when we return. No need to feel daunted by the idea of taking a long break or sabbatical leave; sometimes, even a relatively extended one can work wonders. Reflecting on my recent "mini-sabbatical" to Japan was maybe a good example. Instead of sticking to one city like Tokyo or Osaka, we explored from Fukuoka to Sapporo, stopping at smaller prefectures along the way. Traveling on the Shinkansen, each stop felt like pausing to savor life's diverse experiences. It reminded me that life is not just about reaching destinations but about appreciating every moment along the way. More importantly, experiencing this journey allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of my children and share in their growth and curiosity. These moments allowed us to pause and be fully present with each other, away from the usual distractions. As they grow up so quickly, these experiences are irreplaceable. It also gave us time to take stock of where we are in life, reflect on our journey so far, and dream about the future. More importantly, embarking on this journey as a family, amidst our busy lives, is priceless. It reaffirms that the bonds we forge and the memories we create together are the true treasures of our lives. And don’t wait until retirement to start enjoying life. Each stage of our life is unique, and moments can slip away – like children growing up or our changing interests. We should make it a point to smell the roses from time to time while we can still fully enjoy the experience. Life isn’t just about the destination but the journey, so take those breaks, soak in the moments, and cherish every stage. Reflect, recharge, and remember that life is more than just a constant hustle. For now, I’m going to enjoy my Sunday cup of coffee and savor the moment. Happy Sunday everyone! #mentalhealth #worklifebalance #travel #perspective #familytime

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Most people associate feedback with the howling noise from an amplifier, whether in a literal sense or more figuratively (i.e., hearing something that is unpleasant). "Feedback is a gift" is a cliche at best, and at worst, a reminder that not all gifts are expected, wanted, or warranted; and, that in many cases, gift-giving is a one-sided transaction. However, reframing necessary developmental and constructive conversations as perspective-sharing invites dialogue, investment in change, and psychological safety. #feedback #perspective #psychologicalsafety #communication #emotionalintelligence #talentdevelopment https://lnkd.in/eUCyr2RQ

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Given the work I've been doing over the past several years across the areas of skills and pathways for new talent, talent development, and leadership at all levels, there are so many things I love about these 9 minutes, but I'll focus on a few: 1. The half-life of skills is impacting us all. 2. Learning agility is perhaps the most important skill for all of us. What you know may get you the role, but how you learn will shape your future. 3. Leaning in to ambiguity is critical to being able to solve problems now and in the future.  What sparks for you?

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When you feel safe to show up as your authentic self at work, magic can happen ✨ As leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure our teams have psychological safety at the base of how we operate.

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True story: years ago, I'm interviewing for a comp manager role. In walks the VP of Sales, who plops down and hits me with, “What should my salary be?” I realize he’s serious, so start explaining the need to understand the talent strategy, competitive landscape, and sales deal structures... you know, just comp manager basics. His comeback? “A good compensation manager would just know the answer.” 🤷‍♂️ And that, folks, is how Pequity’s Market Pulse was born— okay THAT part isn't true... but wouldn't that have been a great origin story? 😂 However conversations like this DID inspire better tools – and with the over 1M real-time pay data points in Pequity’s market survey, I can now answer that VP’s question in a snap! For anyone else dodging comp curveballs, check out pequity.com/solutions/data. We’ve got the answers you need, no crystal ball required! ✨🔮 #Compensation #data #comptech #hr #humanresources #hrtech #story #learn #Pequity #technology #compensationstrategy #compensationdata #funny #Talent #Sales #strategy

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More Ascend Leadership content is coming but I had to post this first. While waiting for my flight to Chicago, I ran into the legendary Rosanna Durruthy, famed chief diversity officer at LinkedIn, and sporting an equally epic Rebel alliance jacket. We caught up briefly before she headed to Miami and I headed to Chicago, but it was another fun coincidental moment as LinkedIn held its sales kickoff in Vegas at the same time as the Ascend convention. More reminders of the power of connection and relationships! #linkedinalum #linkedinlife #linkedin

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As a senior HR professional, I am thrilled about the Supreme Court's decision to support two years of childcare leave and 180 days of mandatory maternity leave. This isn't just about rules; it's about recognizing what modern working moms need. Think about it: When we deny extra childcare leave, it's like telling women, "Either choose your job or your family." That's not fair, and it keeps gender inequality alive. But here's why this decision rocks for everyone: Supporting childcare leave isn't just about following the law; it's about making sure our workplace is fair and supportive. When we give moms the time they need, they can focus better when they are at work. It's a win-win. Plus, it's good for business. Happier, supported employees mean better performance and less turnover. So, it's not just the right thing to do; it's also smart. And to all the amazing women out there: You shouldn't have to give up your career to take care of your kids. With policies like these, you can have both—a fulfilling career and a happy family. Now, you might wonder if this works for the fast-paced IT industry. Yes, it does. In fact, by supporting working moms, we're tapping into a diverse talent pool that brings unique perspectives and skills to the table. And as for the pace of technology, with proper support and flexible work arrangements, moms can keep up just fine. Let's use #WorkingMomsRock to spread the word and make sure every workplace is a better place for everyone. #Sankethinsights

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This guide outlines a step-by-step approach to onboarding new hires, emphasizing the importance of pre-boarding and setting expectations. It also highlights how HireBeen, an AI-powered recruiting platform, can help find candidates who are a perfect fit for your company culture, reducing onboarding friction and boosting retention rates. hashtag #HireBeen hashtag #onboarding hashtag #recruitment hashtag #hiring

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Back in the Bay this week supporting two incredible HR teams at PlayStation! I truly believe that People teams are the beating hearts of their organizations. We cultivate resilience. We shepherd culture. We drive change. In a time when the world seems to be constantly shifting under our feet, HR teams are creating anchors for leaders and teams to hold onto... Policies and processes. Roles and responsibilities. Norms and nuances. They're all islands of stability amid increasingly stormy seas. As I continue to work with more and more People & Culture leaders, I've found that highly effective HR teams invest in defining the undefined — in sharpening the blurry edges — so that employees can get on with what matters most: DOING. THE. JOB. I don't think we stop enough to acknowledge all of the monumental contributions that HR teams make. From benefits and comp to wellbeing and leadership programs — it all helps the workforce to navigate the swirl, cut through the noise, and ultimately achieve exceptional results. It was a complete joy to spend the week with some truly wonderful, like-hearted leaders. To take the time to: Acknowledge their value Celebrate their wins Build their future Huge thanks to my amazing partners — Claire Hwang, SPHR, Bierwagen, Cheryl, Orit Mazor and Christopher Koch — I'm so grateful for the opportunity to support you. I can't wait to play again!! ****************************** Hi there 👋 — I'm Sarah, and I support conscious leaders, teams, and organizations to help them live and work at their best. Follow me for honest stories, insights, and reflections as I attempt to navigate the swirl. #playstation #playstationhr #sony #sonyhr #hrleadership #leadershipcoaching #waysofworking #hrprograms #changingwork

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It turns out hasty RTO mandates may harm job satisfaction, engagement, and trust within teams. Something interesting: Despite varied policies, companies like Space X, Microsoft, and Apple faced similar effects due to RTO mandates. Want to know why the "all or nothing" tactic might not work? Check out the research on HR Dive: ow.ly/Q6k530sCHoQ #RTOMandates #EmployeeEngagement #JobSatisfaction

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Layoffs are tough, and their effects linger. To help manage the aftermath, use these strategies for fostering trust and rebuilding a strong work culture after experiencing layoffs in this article by DDI's Stephanie N. with HR Daily Advisor. #HR #LeadershipDevelopment

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Excellent (quick-read!) article with 3 (no cost!) suggestions for leaders to help improve team performance by fostering more psychological safety in the workplace: 1. be open and approachable; 2. show your human side; 3. check your biases.

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🚨 Beware of Scam Recruiters 🚨 To all those impacted by recent layoffs: I see you, I hear you, and I'm here for you. In the midst of uncertainty, it's crucial to stay vigilant. Recently, I received an email from an alleged 'Executive Search Director' pitching a job opportunity that seemed tailor-made for me. Exciting, right? Wrong. Upon closer inspection, it became clear this was a scam. The email was well-crafted, the company had a website, but something felt off. Turns out, my resume wasn't 'ATS compliant,' and surprise, there was a solution: a $19 fee for a supposedly helpful service. After 20 years in HR, I would hope I know how to make my resume ATS compliant and readable! Disheartening doesn't even begin to cover it. In these challenging times, it's essential to watch out for red flags like these. While some may try to take advantage, remember, there are countless legitimate resources out there to support your job search, whether free or fee-based. And let's not forget other heroes in this story: the mentors, HR professionals, and talent acquisition experts who genuinely want to see you succeed and can also provide advice. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you for all that you do. Stay safe, stay smart, and keep pushing forward. Better opportunities are on the horizon. 💼 #JobSearch #ScamAlert #CareerAdvice #StayStrong"

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Upskill now or face talent gaps in the future. With approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring each day, Millennials and Gen Z (Zoomers) are rapidly stepping into leadership roles. However, they face unique challenges and opportunities in the digital age – specifically around digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and leadership development. How urgent is this? Already in 2024, the US now has around 2.7 million more retirees than had previously been predicted. https://lnkd.in/eQc7TKdd

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We spend a lot of time talking about hiring, TA, the candidate experience, and the employee experience. But I want to talk about the other side of the employment story here: how well companies handle layoffs. I have found that many brands aren't really sure how to do this correctly, above and beyond the legal ramifications of what they need to know and do. Laying off workers should never be easy. It requires careful consideration of how people are treated during the process and companies need to exercise sensitivity and respect at all turns. In one of the latest TalentCulture articles, author Shawna Simcik explores the dynamic of layoffs and offers some great tips on managing the process successfully. Please chime in with your tips! 👉 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ephvTR_D

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