Why doesn’t learning turn into behaviour?

In Episode 1 of Habits of High-Performing Organisations, Johanna Beresford sits down with HR Director Stephen Dixon-Mould to unpack why leadership intent, values and initiatives often fail to stick, and why habits matter more.

This episode explores how small, repeatable actions shape culture, why behaviour change must be observable and reinforced, and what leaders need to focus on as work, AI and organisational pressure continue to accelerate.

A practical, reflective conversation for leaders, HR and people professionals who want culture change that actually works.

As we come to the end of 2024, we reflect on the journey of exploring equity, diversity, and inclusion in India through our "IND&I" podcast series, highlighting actionable insights and powerful messages shared by our incredible guests.

Manasi Bharati revisits some of the series’ key moments - from addressing workplace inequities and mental health to tackling the motherhood penalty and inclusive recruitment practices. This episode ties together the themes of intention, equity, and shared responsibility that have defined the series.

Join us as we celebrate India’s legacy of diversity, acknowledge the challenges ahead, and make a collective resolution to champion inclusion in 2025 and beyond.

We extend our thanks to all our guest speakers: Tanvi Nair, Dr. Ritu Anand, Animesh Kumar, Parveen Shaikh, Sukanya Ramachandran, Anupama Kapoor, Amith Prakash, Damini Ghosh and Shirshendu Pandey. We also want to thank our team members who made this series possible – Jai Thade, Manasi Bharati, Prachi Laddha and Manshi Mehta.

Let’s continue the conversation and build workplaces and communities that are truly inclusive.

This episode delves into one of the most crucial topics - workplace legislation surrounding ED&I. Whether you’re an employer, HR leader, or a diversity advocate, legislation is essential to creating workplaces where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive in an equitable, inclusive and accessible environment.

The host, Manasi Bharati, along with our guest speakers, Shirshendu Pandey, a talent and organisational development professional and author, and Damini Ghosh, a legal, regulatory and public policy expert talk about the evolution of legislation in India, its gaps and the inclusion of new policies in the future.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬:

Shirshendu Pandey is a talent development expert who brings a wealth of experience in competency-based learning and innovative training solutions. Having led impactful L&D initiatives in the financial services sector, he has a keen understanding of how to tailor learning strategies that drive both inclusion and growth in diverse work environments.

Damini Ghosh is a corporate legal professional with a strong background in commercial law, compliance, and contract management. Damini’s extensive experience working across corporate and legal frameworks gives her unique insights into the critical role that legal compliance plays in fostering inclusive and equitable workplaces in India, especially for persons with disabilities.

This episode delves into the Motherhood Penalty and bringing people back to work

We discuss the concept, effects, and actions to combat the motherhood penalty within the Indian workplace and the necessity of bringing people back to work.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬:

𝗔𝗻𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗺𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿

Anupama Kapoor is a passionate advocate for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion with over 20 years of experience across sectors such as Financial Services, Banking, IT, and Aviation. Her expertise lies in building inclusive workplaces by integrating gender lenses with business strategies.

Anupama mentors women professionals for sustainable careers and consults organisations to mainstream marginalised communities. Having worked across Asia Pacific, the US, and India, her multicultural insights drive her vision for fostering social inclusion and women's economic empowerment.

𝗦𝘂𝗸𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗻

Sukanya has over 15 years of experience with Wipro and has held various roles in HR business partnering, talent management, executive compensation, variable pay design, and geo compensation and benefits.

Over the years, she has particularly enjoyed working on areas such as long-term incentives, mobility, succession planning, geo compensation, and variable pay design. She currently manages - DEI and People Sustainability, Culture office.

Notably, Sukanya was recognised as one of the Top 100 HR professionals under 40 by Jombay in 2019. She has received training in Merce IPE methodology, is a certified assessor by XLRI, and is an expert in long-term incentives certified by AON Hewitt.

In this episode, Rethinking Recruitment: Skills-Based Hiring and Socio-Economic Equity, we discuss the importance of breaking away from traditional hiring practices and how adopting skill-based recruitment can open possibilities for people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We delve into how this approach helps bridge the socio-economic gaps in India, empowering organisations, the economy, and the society.

Tune in to hear the practical steps for and benefits of broadening the talent pool beyond degrees and prestigious institutions.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬:

𝗔𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗮𝘀𝗵

A seasoned professional with 2 decades of experience, Amith is responsible for championing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) for employees across Asia-Pacific at Randstad Enterprise and strategic clients in the region. As an ED&I Specialist, Amith works toward positioning ‘diversity as a differentiator and inclusion as the integrator’ with a focus on talent attraction, retention and growth.

Amith’s past experience includes working with a Japanese automobile manufacturer as part of their corporate communications and public policy team and subsequently with one of India largest IT MNC's as their global lead for diversity and inclusion.

Amith is a certified ‘Design Driven Leader’ from MIT, ‘Engagement Expert’ by Dale Carnegie & Aon-Hewitt and an Accredited Management Teacher from All India Management Association, New Delhi. Amith has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 Leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ by the World HRD Congress in 2021 and amongst top 100 HR leaders for 2023 and 2024 by HR Success Talk. Amith’s favourite adage is – ‘We are what we do repeatedly. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit’.

This episode delves into the significance of mental health in the workplace, particularly within the Indian context.

We shed light on alarming statistics revealing high levels of burnout, anxiety, and depression among corporate and government employees in India. We uncover key factors contributing to workplace mental health issues, such as the unpredictability of daily life, high power distance, and the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health.

We also emphasise the two-way relationship between inclusion and mental well-being, highlighting the importance of addressing mental health not only for the benefit of employees' personal lives but also for the overall enhancement of workplace dynamics and productivity.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬:

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗸𝗵

With over 22 years of experience in the educational and development sector, Parveen brings a wealth of expertise in psychological interventions – from mental health counselling to life skills training to career counselling to assessments. Her strong aptitude for strategy building and team development, has enabled her to successfully conceptualise and implement a wide range of impactful initiatives and she has a proven track record of creating and delivering end-to-end psychological products and operations, thereby making a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals. She has worked with with diverse organizations including corporates, schools, colleges, NGOs, and government bodies.

𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗿

Ex-President of HR & Transformation at Zee Entertainment

With extensive experience in orchestrating large-scale transformations in multiple sectors, including Media & Entertainment, Financial Services, FMCG, and Non-Profits, Animesh is well-versed in leading strategic change initiatives. His expertise lies in post-merger integrations, scaling companies, and guiding businesses through the digital revolution. He also specialises in working with family-managed businesses and promoters, employing a trust-first approach and a nuanced understanding of change management. His approach is centred around building trust, aligning visions with strategic directions, and introducing best practices in governance and operations to ensure sustainable growth and transition towards institutional excellence.

India's rich diversity is both its strength and its challenge. Despite the nation's long-standing mantra of "Unity in diversity," the journey toward true equality, particularly in the workplace, has been complex. While efforts have been made to ensure equality, the focus on equity—ensuring fair opportunities for all—has often been lost.

In this episode, we explore the multifaceted challenges of addressing inequalities across education, religion, and gender in the Indian workplace. Our guest speakers, Tanvi Nair (She/Her/Hers), an outspoken advocate for gender inclusion and a DE&I catalyst, and Dr. Ritu Anand, a pioneering leader in HR and diversity, share their insights and experiences on fostering a more inclusive and equitable work environment in India.

Join us as we explore how organisations can bridge the gap between equality and equity, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, has a fair chance to thrive.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬:

𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗿 (Pronouns - She/Her/Hers) is a Business Analyst by profession with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) focused in Statistics from Pune University. She is an out and proud Trans woman, a TEDx speaker, and refers to herself as a DE&I Catalyst. She works extensively in gender sensitization and creating awareness about the importance of inclusion.

𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘂 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 is a Pioneering Thought Leader in Human Resources, Leadership & Diversity. As the former Chief Leadership & Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President HR at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Dr. Anand has been instrumental in shaping the organisational culture and talent strategies that have propelled TCS to global recognition. Her contributions to the HR field have been widely recognised, including being named one of the Top 20 HR Influencers by HR 40under40 and one of LinkedIn's Top Voices of India for two consecutive years.

In the prologue episode of our IND&I podcast series, "ED&I in India—A Historical & Cultural Context," we explore the unique journey of equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) in the Indian context.

Join our experts, Jai Thade and Manasi Bharati, as they delve into the roots of inclusion in India, exploring the deep cultural and historical factors that have shaped the journey of equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I). This episode sets the stage for our series, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of fostering an inclusive environment in one of the world's most diverse nations.

In this episode of the series, Lloyd Emeka talks with Luke Windeatt-Dickens, Director of Global Enterprise Solutions, GoodShape.

GoodShape are a health management platform that helps employers support their employees’ physical, mental and social wellbeing.

During our conversation, we discuss fostering inclusive cultures within the context of SMEs and start-ups, how this can be achieved and some of the key learnings derived in recent years. To conclude our conversation, Luke also shares some perspectives with regards to equity, diversity and inclusion and how this might develop over time.

In this episode, Lloyd Emeka talks with Janet Tidmarsh, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Whitbread.

Whitbread are a leading hospitality business responsible for brands such as Premier Inn and Beefeater.  In recent years, Whitbread has received external recognition and awards for their work within the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) field. 

During our conversation, we discuss some of the contributory factors that enabled Whitbread to successfully implement EDI initiatives, key learnings derived so far and the progress they are continuing to make within this area. 

We conclude our conversation with some thoughts and perspectives on future directions for the EDI field.