Unusual Insights from the ETHR 2024 CHRO Conclave: When 100+ HR Leaders Discover Work, Wellness, and Witty Banter in Udaipur

By Gaurav Saini, CHRO, Wadhwani Foundation

Imagine this: you step into a luxurious resort in Udaipur, the air fragrant with the scent of fresh jasmine, and you’re surrounded by the grandeur of the Aravalli mountains. You’re greeted by the traditional Rajasthani welcome, “Khamma Ghani!” – a warm and regal start to what promises to be a two-day immersion into HR leadership. But let’s be real, you’re here for more than just the stunning views; you’re here to rub shoulders with 100+ of India’s top CHROs at the ETHR 2024 Conclave, hosted at the beautiful Ananta Resort by ETHR World.

If you’re imagining data-heavy presentations, buzzword-laden speeches about “AI,” “workforce transformation,” and “resilience,” you’d be only half right. Sure, there was a lot of that – but let me tell you, this conclave was anything but the usual. Over 1.5 days, there were unexpected moments, a few too many laughs, and insights that left everyone thinking, “Did that really just happen?”

So, buckle up. Let me take you behind the scenes of one of the most exciting HR conclaves to date – where work meets wellness, and high-level strategies meet side-splitting banter. with a spice of Generative AI...

Day 1: A Royal Welcome and a Reality Check

The grand entrance into Ananta Resort was nothing short of cinematic. Live folk music played in the background, adding a dash of Rajasthani culture as we were welcomed like royalty. You could feel a mix of anticipation and a bit of nervous energy – after all, over 100 CHROs were about to spend the next couple of days trying to outshine each other in discussions about the future of work. It’s a competition of sorts, but one with a lot more PowerPoints.

The event kicked off with the Opening Keynote delivered by the ever-charismatic Divya Dutta. Known for her acting chops, she took the stage with a motivational twist on “Stardom Beyond the Screen: Harnessing Your Inner Brilliance.” Now, let’s be honest, when someone talks about “stardom,” you expect tales of fame, glamour, and all things shiny. But what Divya delivered was something different, and much needed.

Her message was simple: CHROs are often the unsung heroes of their organizations. We’re the ones enabling others to shine while staying behind the scenes ourselves. As she spoke about the importance of letting our own brilliance come through, I couldn’t help but glance around the room. You know that moment when a room full of HR leaders simultaneously realizes they’ve been putting themselves on the back burner? It was like watching 100 lightbulbs flicker to life. Cue the collective thought: “Wait, we’re brilliant too, right?”

The unusual insight? CHROs are some of the most humble people you’ll ever meet. We’re so used to helping others grow that we sometimes forget to pat ourselves on the back.

AI: Revolutionary or Just Another Buzzword?

After a hearty networking lunch (and when I say hearty, I mean it – the dal baati churma alone was worth the trip to Udaipur), we moved into the next session: “Elevating People, Processes & Systems with AI at the Center”, delivered by Adnan Rashid from Oracle India. Now, AI is the buzzword of the moment. If you’ve attended any HR event in the last few years, you’ll know that everyone and their cat is talking about AI’s potential to revolutionize the workplace. But the truth? We’re all still figuring out what AI actually means for HR.

Adnan shared some impressive use cases about how AI can automate mundane tasks, optimize decision-making, and streamline processes. But then came the line that had everyone chuckling: “AI is great, but can it handle a CEO’s 2 AM request for a last-minute headcount report?” The room burst into laughter because, let’s face it, AI might be game-changing, but it’s not ready to deal with the unpredictability of human bosses.

And that’s where the funny twist comes in. As CHROs, we’re excited about what AI can do, but deep down, we know there’s a certain level of chaos that no algorithm can handle. Those last-minute meeting requests, those impromptu strategy shifts – that’s what HR is all about, and AI still has a long way to go before it can manage the rollercoaster that is corporate life.

The Survey Shock: Mid-Level Talent is Sinking

Fast forward to my big moment on stage. I was presenting the Survey on Job Market Dynamics, and while I was confident in the data, I wasn’t prepared for the collective reaction from the room. As the survey results were unveiled, there was an audible gasp. The data revealed something we had all feared but hadn’t fully acknowledged: the mid-level workforce is being severely neglected.

While companies have been hyper-focused on leadership pipelines and developing top-tier talent, mid-level employees have been quietly struggling. The insight? The real talent war isn’t just for leadership roles – it’s in the middle, where employees are feeling squeezed by growing expectations but fewer development opportunities.

The funny part came when someone whispered, “So, while we’ve been busy future-proofing the top, we forgot the middle was sinking.” The room chuckled, but you could tell the message hit home. It was a clear wake-up call for all of us to rethink our strategies.

After a day of deep insights and serious discussions, it was time for the much-anticipated Mehfil-e-Rajasthan – a sit-down dinner under the stars, complete with live folk music, vibrant performances, and a traditional Rajasthani feast. Now, if you’ve ever wondered what happens when 100+ CHROs loosen up after a long day, let me paint a picture for you.

We were surrounded by the Aravallis, with the moon lighting up the courtyard, ( Just Imagination as it was pouring :) and there was a palpable sense of relaxation. Gone were the stern faces of HR leaders navigating complex organizational challenges. Instead, we were a group of people sharing stories, sipping on mango lassi, and, yes, even laughing about our own professional missteps.

One of the best moments? Watching normally composed HR professionals giggle about how they’ve spent years trying to look “tough” in front of their employees. “If they saw us now,” one CHRO joked, “they’d never believe the stern emails we send.”

The laughter continued when someone suggested incorporating royal welcomes into our onboarding processes – complete with a turban, a musical procession, and perhaps even a camel or two. As absurd as it sounded, there was a kernel of truth: HR could use a little more flair.

Day 2: Meditation, Cricket, and Wisdom (Not Always in That Order)

Day two began bright and early with a wellness and meditation session led by the Isha Foundation. Now, let me tell you, watching a group of HR professionals attempt to meditate at 6:30 AM was a sight to behold. You could practically feel the mental battles going on as people tried to keep their work worries at bay. Some managed to find their zen, but I’ll admit, my mind wandered to the ever-growing to-do list.

The next session, though, was the real highlight: a keynote by Aakash Chopra, former cricketer turned commentator. At first, I wasn’t sure what cricket had to do with HR, but as Aakash began drawing parallels between managing a cricket team and leading a workforce, it all started to click.

His stories about umpires making tough calls – even when half the team is against them – had the entire room nodding in agreement. As CHROs, we’re the umpires of the corporate world, making decisions that aren’t always popular but are necessary. Aakash’s witty delivery and down-to-earth advice were the perfect blend of humor and wisdom, reminding us that leadership, whether in cricket or business, requires resilience, adaptability, and the ability to laugh at the chaos.

Elevator Pitches: HR Meets Comedy Hour

And then came the surprise hit of the conclave: the Symphony of Elevator Pitches. Each speaker had a few minutes to pitch their idea, and while the topics were serious, the delivery was anything but. One presenter compared hiring to a Bollywood family drama, complete with surprise plot twists and characters who aren’t quite what they seem. Another joked about how AI might one day be able to predict who’s going to quit before they even know it themselves – a comment that had the entire room laughing (and secretly hoping it’s true).

It was a refreshing reminder that innovation doesn’t have to be dry or boring. Sometimes, the best ideas are the ones delivered with a little humor and a lot of heart.

Final Thoughts: What Happens When 100+ CHROs Gather in Udaipur?

As the conclave wrapped up and we exchanged goodbyes, I found myself reflecting on the past 1.5 days. Sure, we had discussed serious topics like workforce transformation and AI in HR, but what stood out the most was the sense of camaraderie. We laughed, we learned, and we shared our experiences in a way that made us all realize one thing: no matter how high up we are in our careers, we’re all just trying to figure it out.

Here’s what I took away from the ETHR 2024 CHRO Conclave:

??????1.????AI is cool, but humans are cooler. Technology can optimize processes, but it will never replace the intuition and empathy that make HR special.

??????2.????Focus on the middle. The mid-level workforce is the backbone of our organizations, and it’s time we gave them the attention and development they deserve.

??????3.????HR professionals know how to have fun. Whether it’s laughing over lassi or joking about royal welcomes, our ability to connect and find humor in the chaos is what makes us great leaders.

??????4.????Udaipur is magical. If you ever need to mix business with pleasure, this is the place to do it.

A big thank you to the ETHR team for organizing an event that was equal parts educational and entertaining. And to my fellow CHROs – see you next year, hopefully with more AI solutions, more patience for midnight requests, and maybe even a camel or two in the onboarding process!