Empathy, Purpose, and Innovation: Insights from HR Visionary Sarah Siyani
Sarah Siyani, a progressive People & Culture leader with over two decades of experience in dynamic, matrixed organizations, shares her invaluable insights on the evolving landscape of HR and leadership. As the former Executive Director of People & Culture at Aldar Education in the UAE, Sarah has been at the forefront of transforming HR into a purpose-driven, strategic partner that enhances organizational effectiveness and cultural change. Her passion for people-centric approaches and her belief that individuals can make a significant difference have earned her recognition, including the prestigious Leadership award at the 2023 mentl Awards.
In this exclusive pre-event interview, Sarah delves into the challenges facing HR professionals, the importance of empathy in leadership, and the keys to successful cultural transformation.
Q: As a progressive People & Culture leader, what do you believe are the most significant challenges facing HR professionals in today’s rapidly evolving work environment?
Sarah: There are several key challenges that HR professionals are grappling with in today’s dynamic workplace:
- Adapting to Hybrid Work Models: We need to balance flexibility with productivity and ensure equitable access to opportunities for both remote and in-office employees. It’s crucial to build and rely on cultures underpinned by trust and communication.
- Talent Retention and Engagement: In a competitive market, retaining top talent is more challenging than ever. We must focus on employee well-being and building a strong employer brand.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): It’s essential to embed DEI in all facets of the employee lifecycle, going beyond just recruitment.
- AI and Automation: We’re tasked with integrating new technologies while preserving the human touch in talent management. With five generations in the workplace now, we must ensure nobody is left behind, use tech responsibly and thoughtfully, provide appropriate training, and ensure the shift to digital makes sense.
- Leadership Development: We need to equip leaders to manage uncertainty and drive cultural change effectively. It’s important to recognize that leaders can drive goals and set high expectations while leading with kindness and empathy – the two are not mutually exclusive.
Q: As the winner of the 2023 Mentl Awards’ Leadership Award for ‘Empathy in Leadership’, how do you incorporate empathy into your leadership style, and why do you think it’s crucial in today’s workplace?
Sarah: I incorporate empathy into my leadership style through several key practices:
- Active Listening: Creating safe spaces for employees to share their experiences and concerns without judgment.
- Personalized Support: Understanding the unique challenges of each team member and providing tailored support.
- Modeling Vulnerability: Being respectfully and professionally open about challenges and encouraging authenticity across the organization.
Empathy is crucial in today’s workplace because it fosters trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging, which are essential for engagement, innovation, and resilience. Importantly, people matter, and leading with empathy encourages people to believe they do.
Q: With your experience across various industries and organizational structures, what do you see as the most critical factors for successful cultural transformation in a company?
Sarah: Based on my experience, I believe the most critical factors for successful cultural transformation are:
- Clear Vision and Purpose: Aligning the transformation with a clear and compelling organizational purpose.
- Leadership Alignment: Ensuring leaders model desired behaviors and act as cultural ambassadors.
- Employee Involvement: Engaging employees at all levels to co-create the culture, fostering ownership and buy-in.
- Continuous Communication: Maintaining transparency and consistent messaging throughout the process.
- Measurement and Feedback: Regularly assessing progress and adjusting based on feedback.
Q: You’re known for your inspiring and purpose-driven approach. How do you maintain this mindset, especially during challenging times or when facing resistance to change?
Sarah: Maintaining an inspiring and purpose-driven mindset, especially during challenging times, requires:
- Focus on Impact: Reminding yourself and the team of the broader impact of your work on people’s lives.
- Personal Reflection: Regularly taking time for self-reflection and continuous learning.
- Building a Support Network: Surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals who share your values and can offer support and inspiration.
- Celebrating Progress: Acknowledging and celebrating small wins along the way to maintain motivation and momentum.
By staying connected to the purpose behind our work and focusing on the positive impact we can make, it becomes easier to navigate challenges and inspire others to embrace change.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you believe will be the most critical skills for HR professionals to develop in the next 5-10 years?
Sarah: In the coming years, HR professionals will need to focus on developing several critical skills:
- Digital Literacy: Understanding and leveraging HR tech and data analytics for strategic decision-making will be crucial. As technology continues to evolve, HR professionals must stay ahead of the curve to effectively utilize these tools.
- Agility and Change Management: The ability to adapt quickly to shifting business needs and drive change initiatives will be more important than ever. HR professionals need to be flexible and proactive in their approach to organizational challenges.
- Emotional Intelligence: Cultivating empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills to lead diverse teams will remain a cornerstone of effective HR leadership. As workplaces become more diverse and complex, these soft skills will be invaluable.
- Strategic Thinking: Aligning HR initiatives with broader business goals will be essential. HR professionals need to think beyond traditional HR functions and understand how their work contributes to overall business success.
- Global Mindset: Navigating cross-cultural dynamics in increasingly globalized workplaces will be a key skill. As businesses continue to expand globally, understanding and managing diverse cultural perspectives will be crucial.
Q: What aspect of “Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue” are you most looking forward to, and what do you hope attendees will take away from your session?
Sarah: I’m excited about several aspects of the “Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue”:
- Sustainability in Talent Management: I’m most excited about exploring how organizations can leverage digital tools and platforms to embed sustainability into talent management strategies. This is a crucial area where technology can make a significant impact.
- Aligning Employee and Customer Experience: The conversation around aligning employee experience (EX) with customer experience (CX) is critical, especially in fostering a workplace culture where people thrive and feel valued. I believe this alignment is key to organizational success.
- Creating Effective Hybrid Work Environments: In my session, I hope attendees will take away actionable insights on creating a hybrid work environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing and engagement. This is a challenge many organizations are currently facing.
- Importance of Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence: I aim to highlight the growing importance of what’s often referred to as soft skills and emotional intelligence in leadership. I want to emphasize that empathy and human connection remain essential, even in a digital-first world.
- Redefining HR’s Value: I’d like to encourage non-HR business leaders to think about the value of HR differently, moving away from a typically operational function to one that propels organizations and people forward with the right leadership, team and infrastructure.
- Balancing Innovation and Human Touch: Ultimately, I want to inspire leaders to adopt a holistic, people-centered approach that balances innovation with care, ensuring their digital strategies enhance—not replace—the human touch in talent management.
Sarah Siyani’s insights offer invaluable guidance for HR professionals and leaders navigating the complexities of the modern workplace. Her emphasis on empathy, purpose-driven leadership, and adaptability provides a roadmap for creating more effective, inclusive, and resilient organizations in an increasingly digital world.
Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with Sarah and other thought leaders at the upcoming 3rd Middle East Digital Talent Ecosystem Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. This event promises to be a hub of innovative ideas and transformative conversations around the digital future and talent ecosystem. For more details and to register for this unmissable event, visit here.
