Podcasts.
People Matters Unplugged is your front-row seat to the strategies exceptional leaders use to drive success in today's dynamic world of work. Hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Content Strategy at People Matters, this podcast brings you candid conversations with top HR leaders across geographies, industries and organisation sizes.
Each episode takes you beyond the buzzwords—into the real, behind-the-scenes thinking on navigating modern talent and organisational complexities.
Whether you're leading a team of 10 or 10,000, People Matters Unplugged offers actionable insights, bold ideas, and fresh perspectives to help you lead with purpose and adapt with confidence.
Tune in, reflect, and reimagine what's possible.
Episode 1
EP 1: A Culture of Learning
Priyanka Anand
Our first guest of Season 2 has more than two decades of experience delivering HR programs that transform business: Priyanka Anand, vice president and head of HR at Ericsson, for South East Asia, Oceania, and India. On People Matters Unplugged, she talks about how Ericsson invests in a learning culture where employees are the architects of their career trajectory.
Episode 2
EP 2: A Culture of Synchrony
Animesh Kumar
Animesh Kumar, President – HR and Transformation at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, is our guest for episode two of the second season of People Matters Unplugged. An expert in orchestrating and leading transformation processes in global businesses, Animesh believes that the key to success is to understand change as a whole and not as the sum of its parts.
Episode 3
EP 3: A Culture of Change
Jaclyn Lee
In this week's episode of People Matters Unplugged, we're steering our focus towards a topic that has become increasingly crucial in the wake of the digital revolution and the pandemic's transformative impact on the business landscape – organisational culture change. Before the pandemic, the world was already navigating the challenges of Industry 4.0, prompting businesses to reevaluate and adapt their organisational strategies. However, with the advent of new tech innovations, the pace of change has tripled. Our guest, Jaclyn Lee, a distinguished figure in the HR discipline with over 25 years of experience in both Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, sheds light on the complexities of culture transformation.
Episode 4
EP 4: A Culture of Openness
Mukta Arya
Mukta Arya, CHRO for APAC at Societe Generale, knows very well the intricacies of turning an organisation into an employer of choice, while cultivating a high-performance culture. Mukta embodies the idea of a modern talent leader. She is both creative and adaptable, and ready to take on challenges innovating in the space of people & work. Today, she shares the secrets of unleashing the potential of talent in Asia Pacific.
Episode 5
EP 5: A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Peter Attfield
The narrative of talent development isn't a monolith. Instead, it's a constantly evolving story of individuals who embrace continuous learning as a vocation. They welcome change and strive to stay ahead in their chosen fields. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we speak to a leader who has become one of the most highly regarded speakers and thinkers in the realm of People & Work – Peter Attfield, Chief Talent & Learning Officer at Jardine Matheson.
Episode 6
EP 6: A Culture of Talent Retention
Kevin Freitas
India, along with Brazil and Japan, are among the countries where it is most difficult for employers to retain talent. Competition is fierce and winning over the right people in an emerging market is not easy. Our guest Kevin Freitas, CHRO of fantasy sports platform Dream11, shares with us how HR teams are working to enhance the candidate experience.
Episode 7
EP 7: A Culture of Leadership and Growth
Ewan Clarkson
From London to New York, to all across Asia, Ewan Clarkson has found a lot more unites global work cultures than divides them. The best experiences at work have been around creating a meaningful environment where people can be the best version of themselves. As Chief People Officer of PwC Mainland China and Hong Kong, Ewan recommends an "outside-in" approach to understanding a company's external environment and situating their people development programmes at the heart of the solution. Ewan shares his insights in this episode of People Matters Unplugged.
Episode 8
EP 8: A Culture of Tech Enablement
Piyush Mehta
Innovate. Experiment. Execute. This continuous cycle of improvement is at the heart of Genpact's culture. With its proprietary tools – from Genome to Amber – the company has been on the leading edge of innovation, using technology to empower its people. Piyush Mehta, CHRO of Genpact, tells us all about it in this episode of People Matters Unplugged.
Episode 9
EP 9: Inspiring Women
Jaclyn Lee, Mukta Arya and Priyanka Anand
Revisit the words of wisdom of three inspiring women who graced People Matters Unplugged with their presence: Jaclyn Lee, Mukta Arya and Priyanka Anand. Each of them offers insights into how they lead with courage and conviction at a time when women are taking on more prominent roles as business leaders and culture curators.
Episode 10
EP 10: A Culture of Inclusive Leadership
Susie Gleeson-Byrne
Susie Gleeson-Byrne takes us through the concept of cultural dexterity and how it applies to leadership in global organisations. In this conversation on People Matters Unplugged, she provides practical tips for uniting teams with diverse cultures.
Episode 11
EP 11: A Culture of Excellence
Ewan Clarkson, Piyush Mehta and Susie Gleeson-Byrne
Where does a great work culture start? In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we revisit real-world examples from Ewan Clarkson, Piyush Mehta and Susie Gleeson-Byrne about how they build a culture of excellence in their respective organisations.
Episode 12
EP 12: A Culture of Partnership
Arun Dinakar Rao
HR leaders aren't just business partners but business leaders in their own right. That's the message of Arun Dinakar Rao, Chief People Officer at Birlasoft. Arun believes maintaining strong employee connections is at the heart of thriving organisations. Listen to his views
Episode 13
EP 13: A Culture of Compassion
Elisa Abalajon
In times of crisis, compassion and empathy set apart great leaders from ordinary ones. It's a test of character for those placed in charge of others. This is one of the many lessons we learned from Elisa Abalajon, CHRO and Agile Transformation Lead at Universal Robina Corporation.
Episode 14
EP 14: A Culture of Stewardship
Saurabh Govil
Stewardship is all about having a holistic approach to leadership and organisational success. Individual contributions have a direct impact on the organisation. When we aim high as a team, we do it for our collective good. That's a lesson we learned from our guest, Saurabh Govil, President and CHRO at Wipro.
Episode 15
EP 15: A Culture of Alignment
Rizwan Khan
When business and talent leaders are aligned in their mission, employees are able to understand the impact of their work more clearly. This alignment is what fosters a sense of purpose and motivation. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, we speak to a leader who believes in translating vision into impact: Rizwan Khan, Vice President of People & Culture, at Porter.
Episode 16
EP 16: The Key to Effective Leadership
Jerry Colonna
Radical self-inquiry - a courageous inward journey - must be a leader's first priority. Only with this clarity can they lead teams where everyone shares purpose and a sense of commitment. This principle inspires Jerry Colonna, founder and CEO of @Reboot.io, in his work to help hundreds of leaders find their deepest mission. In a new episode of People Matters Unplugged, we have the privilege of speaking with Jerry, who shares his unique insight into how a leader's unattended wounds can affect their role and effectiveness.