CEO Insights India

True leaders are not defined by the ease of their journey but by their ability to navigate adversity with resilience and purpose. As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall’. Instead of seeing challenges as roadblocks, these leaders lean into them with purpose. A purpose that allows them in a pursuit to fulfill a chance to learn, grow, and adapt. Ravi Bhushan, Country Head and CHRO at Stellar Innovations, is one such leader who has consistently turned challenges into steppingstones. Ravi’s journey began in the vibrant world of Hotel Management, where he specialized in bakery, in a pursuit to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a chef. However, after struggling to gain industry experience, he decided to pursue an MBA, equipping him with the skills necessary to influence organizational success.

Ravi joined iGATE Global Solutions (Capgemini), where he dedicated nearly a decade understanding the intricacies of corporate culture and human capital management. Rising to the position of Assistant Manager, he cultivated a deep understanding of how to motivate and develop teams. Yet, in 2015, life took an unexpected turn when he had to step away from his corporate career to care for his father during his battle with cancer.

During this challenging time, Ravi’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished. Rather than retreating, he launched Value check Technologies, a teacher-parent communication app for schools. This venture not only allowed him to apply his leadership skills in a new context but also highlighted his commitment to improving communication and collaboration within educational environments.

Ravi’s expertise in policy development and human resource strategy caught the attention of Stellar Innovations, a company undergoing a significant transformation into the financial and technology service sectors. As a consultant starting in 2019, he played a crucial role in reshaping the company’s approach to talent management and organizational development. In January 2024, Ravi took on the full-time dual role of Country Head and CHRO at Stellar Innovations, where he focuses on building a culture of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning.

Embarking on an engaging interaction with CEO Insights magazine, Ravi shares his strategies, future roadmap, and much more. Let’s delve into it.

Could you tell us about your leadership approach, and which methodologies you follow as a leader?
My leadership style revolves around creating a people-first culture, with a focus on trust, respect, and employee well-being. I believe that when employees feel genuinely valued and supported, they are motivated and more productive.

As we welcome Gen Z into the workforce, it becomes essential to recognize their needs for personal space, growth opportunities, and a sense of purpose. Therefore, I am committed to creating an inclusive workplace that encourages connection and collaboration.

To promote employees’ well-being, we offer inhouse doctors, four meals a day, and cab services to ensure they feel supported. Even when many companies cut back, we have maintained an average annual hike of 15 percent during and post-pandemic

What key factors do you consider when preparing business strategies as a CHRO?
As a CHRO, my approach to business strategy revolves around understanding industry shifts, workforce dynamics and organizational goals. The post pandemic era has transformed the way businesses operate, with hybrid and remote work models becoming prevalent.

While these models started as a necessity, many companies adopted them as a longterm strategy due to cost efficiencies. How ever, I see this as a double-edged sword, leading to challenges like decreased employee engagement, lack of team cohesion, and increased attrition.

At Stellar Innovations, we prioritize an in-office work culture to foster collaboration, leadership visibility, and accountability. This structure ensures stronger team connections, better productivity, and greater alignment with company objectives.

We believe that working from the office helps mitigate risks like moon lighting, which can compromise security, especially when handling sensitive client data. Given our compliance-driven U.S. clientele, maintaining stringent security protocols is nonnegotiable.

Another crucial factor in our strategy is continuous learning and development (L&D). We invest in upskilling employees to enhance their interpersonal and professional skills, ensuring they stay ahead in a competitive market.

Share the unique aspects which define your HR policies, and what growth and recognition oppor- tunities can employees expect?
Our HR policies take a three-pronged approach based on respect, equality, and employee development. We have an environment where everyone, from senior leadership to front-line staff is respected and given equal opportunities.

At Stellar Innovations, we believe in nurturing our internal talent for leadership roles, giving them the chance to grow through skill-building initiatives and leadership programs. To support this development, we embrace technology, with tools such as a peer-to-peer on-boarding system and an online learning management system(LMS) that help our teams continuously upskill.

Our supportive and inclusive work environment has played a huge part in our success, leading to an outstanding retention rate and zero attrition among our top leadership since 2019.

What is it that motivates you as a newage leader in your daily routine?
My motivation comes from a simple yet powerful mindset. I believe that my today should always be better than my yesterday, and my tomorrow should surpass today. As a leader, there are inevitable challenges, moments of uncertainty, and phases where things don’t go as planned. However, I always remind myself to look back at my journey and see how far I have come. This perspective pushes me to keep striving for growth and excellence. No matter how tough a day might be, I wake up the next morning with renewed energy, ready to take on new challenges. The drive to continuously improve, evolve, and create impact fuels my passion and keeps me moving forward with purpose and determination.

What is your success mantra?
I believe that the first five years of our career are golden since this is the time when our mind is most receptive to learning and development. I always advise my team to gain as much knowledge and improve their skills rather than chasing money.

If you invest in yourself during these formative years, you are setting the stage for a successful career. So, make your early years count because everything after the first five years becomes an extension of your experience.

Tell us about future goals that you are working towards.
As someone with big ambitions, I see a bright future for Stellar Innovations as we venture into exciting new domains such as healthcare and telecommuni- cation, alongside our strong foundation in the U.S. Mortgage Industry and IT services.

By the end of 2025, I am aiming to grow Stellar Innovations from 1,500 to around 3000 employees and expand our client base to over 100+ globally.

Also, our recently launched business 'Mediomix' on the healthcare sector and the possibilities it brings are incredibly exciting. I am looking forward to the opportunities ahead and the growth we will experience as we continue to explore these new ventures.

Ravi Bhushan, Country Head & Chief Human Resources Officer, Stellar Innovations
Ravi Bhushan serves as the Country Head and Chief Human Resources Officer at Stellar Innovations. A proud alumnus of PES, he is also a co-founder of Mediomix and Valuecheck Technologies.

Advice to the upcoming leaders in their role as CHRO:Stay hungry and aggressive, continuously learn and adapt to stay ahead of technological advancements. Remember, you are competing with technology, not just people. Therefore, prepare for the future, as AI and ML are just starting their growth.

•Hobbies: Cycling, Running, Exploring new places
•Favorite Cuisine: Japanese
•Favorite Travel Destination: Florida,U.S.