Deeksha Saxena | Director - Talent | GroupM - EssenceMediacom

Deeksha Saxena’s fascination with the intersection of people and business strategy has led her to become an HR leader. “Throughout my academic and early professional experiences, I was drawn to understanding human behaviour and motivation,” she explains. For Deeksha, HR represented the perfect blend of leveraging her people skills to help individuals excel in their careers while also contributing to organisational success. Today, as the Director - Talent at GroupM - EssenceMediacom, she stands out as an HR leader with over twelve years of experience. 

A career in HR

Deeksha's approach to both her career and life is underpinned by resilience. “Resilience is not just about bouncing back from setbacks but also about maintaining a positive attitude, adapting to change, and continuously seeking growth and improvement,” she states. This quality has guided her through various personal and professional challenges. Her ability to navigate and thrive amidst uncertainty has empowered her to address complex talent management issues, drive organisational change, and support her teams effectively. Her journey through diverse roles in organisations such as PayU, Asahi India Glass, and now GroupM has been defined by resilience—a trait she considers pivotal to her professional and personal success. 

HR: Challenges, opportunities and the future

According to Deeksha, one of the biggest challenges facing HR today is the intense competition for talent. “The war for talent has become a critical challenge, with a competitive job market and evolving skill requirements,” Deeksha observes. At GroupM, she has tackled this issue through several strategic initiatives that enhance employee engagement, build a compelling employer brand, personalised career development, and embrace DEI. Reflecting on 2024, Deeksha highlights the critical role of agility and adaptability in the evolving work landscape. “The ability to pivot quickly and embrace change is paramount,” she notes. Organisations that offer flexible work options and focus on employee well-being are better positioned to attract and retain top talent.

As for the future, Deeksha envisions HR evolving into a strategic business partner that empowers a diverse, agile, and digitally-driven workforce. “My vision for HR in 2025 is to create an environment that fosters continuous learning, inclusivity, and innovation,” she says.

Driving HR excellence at GroupM

In her current role, Deeksha has been instrumental in advancing HR capabilities and adding significant value to the organisation. Her initiatives include:

• Building a performance-driven and career growth culture: She has implemented comprehensive goal-setting and performance review methodologies, such as the 9-box and 5-point scale. “This approach has significantly increased productivity and engagement within the organisation,” she notes.
• Encouraging talent development of high-potential employees: She spearheaded a High Potential (HiPo) Talent development program, which led to the promotion of 55% of identified HiPos within two years, maintaining a retention rate above 80%. 
• Designing effective succession planning: Deeksha has designed and implemented succession planning initiatives that ensure smooth transitions in key roles, contributing to organisational stability and growth.
• Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI): Her DEI-focused interventions, including women profiling, retention strategies, and unconscious bias training, have increased engagement scores and improved retention rates. 
• Progressing employer branding and organisational development: Deeksha has led efforts in internal and external employer branding and organisational development projects. “Aligning business strategies with talent capabilities has improved operational efficiency and fostered a high-performing culture,” she explains.

Recognition for Are You In The List 2024 awards

Participation in the People Matters and Are You In The List Awards powered by Aon has been a rewarding experience for Deeksha. The assessment process helped Deeksha assess her competencies, helping her understand her strengths and areas for improvement. “The feedback and evaluation helped me gain a clearer vision of the skills required to excel in today’s dynamic HR landscape,” she says. This recognition has validated her leadership capabilities and inspired continuous learning and growth.

Deeksha Saxena exemplifies a dynamic and resilient HR leader with a strategic vision and commitment to excellence. Her ability to navigate challenges, drive talent initiatives, and embrace evolving trends positions her as a leading HR figure in shaping the industry's future.

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