AN INTERVIEW WITH HEAD OF HR - COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS, TE SERVICES AND CRP FUNCTIONS, TE CONNECTIVITY INDIA

Sri. Madhukar Bhat is a Senior HR Leader having more than 25 years of experience in Indian and Multinational companies. Madhukar is a Post Graduate in Social Work from Karnataka University, Dharwad, and PG certificate in HRM from XLRI, Jamshedpur. Madhukar has various training and learning credentials like 66 hours of Coach training accredited by ICF-ACSTH, Certified HR Coaching Professional (CHCP) from NHRD, Certified MBTI –Trainer, Strategic HRM from IIM – Ahmedabad, and a few more. 

Madhukar is currently Head of HR in TE Connectivity India, Bangalore for Communication Solutions Segment, TE Global shared Services, and Corporate functions. Previously, Madhukar has worked in companies like Lincoln Helios (JV with Saint Gobain Grind Well Norton), Deccan Herald/Prajavani, and ABCON Services an HR consulting organization. 

Madhukar is a versatile, high-energy professional in conceptualizing and driving strategic initiatives to manage the entire gamut of HRM, spearheading multi-cultural teams, collaborating with vertical heads and business leaders to facilitate professional advancement across consulting, media, global capability centers, and manufacturing domain.

“You are solely responsible for your success. Always think positively, have prodigious aspirations, keep dreaming and honestly work on your dreams until you achieve them.”

1. Describe what skills and traits have made you successful.
​It has been a privilege for me to share some of the skills and qualities that have helped me become what I am today.
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Having good interpersonal relationships, having fortitude, being high on morals and integrity, having a good network internally and externally, and staying on top of the latest trends have helped me. Most importantly, I have always tried my best to stay positive when faced with adversity.

2. What is the most difficult thing about being an HR Professional?
Each profession has its own challenges. HR professionals need to balance the interests of management and employees with a humanitarian approach. Timely and accurate communication to relevant stakeholder groups is also essential.

3. What is your leadership philosophy?
Walk the talk, build trust and be passionate about developing people.

4. What is your approach to developing and retaining talent?
For a retention strategy to work, employees need to be emotionally connected and provided with the right value proposition. Nurturing culture and the practices of healthy and competitive people are the foundations of this value proposition. Key principles for implementing a value proposition include clear and transparent communication about performance expectations, competitive compensation, and benefits, career and growth opportunities, as well as a vibrant and engaging work culture.

5. Describe how you have handled an average but sincere employee.
Organizations cannot operate with only the best employees. It is important to have honest and reliable employees to achieve consistency. However, achieving optimal performance is a bare necessity in the VUCA world. My approach is to train, coach, understand them as individuals and use their strengths to improve their performance.

6. What are your thoughts on using AI in the recruitment process?
I believe in an approach that leverages technology at the same time offers a personal touch with any potential candidates. Technology is a tool to streamline processes and aid decision-making. However, the human touch is essential for candidate engagement as well as to make the right judgment about the cultural fit of the candidates.

7. How will you identify the problems in your team?
Some indicators that are clear to me are low productivity, attrition, decline in engagement levels, and less collaboration. My belief is not to get into negative politics with any team. Having regular 1:1 discussions, personal connect, and keep giving feedback at the right time have helped me.

8. High Salary or Job Security or 9 to 5 comfortable job?
It is a combination of high salary with an engaging job.

9. What makes HR unique? 
Working in HR is unique because you have the opportunity to contribute and influence people's lives. Human Resources is the function where you collaborate across all functions and learn continuously.

10. What skills, the future HR must have?
Being digital savvy, inclusiveness in your thoughts and actions, learning agility, and ability to grasp the changing business landscape.

​11. Do you agree that HR Leaders must be great storytellers?
Storytelling helps communicate effectively with stakeholders. A data-driven story with the right audiovisuals and appropriate scenario stories can yield great results.

12. What would you do with a million dollars?
Simple, enjoy life, and contribute to the needy. 

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​Interviewed by
​Shekhar Ganagaluru
HR Professional and Author

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Madhukar Bhat
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