My Journey as a People & Culture Leader

Culture is the invisible thread that ties an organisation together. It’s the essence of how people work, collaborate, and grow. Over my years in the People & Culture space, I’ve learned that fostering a strong culture is not just about policies and perks—it’s about people, purpose, and passion. With this vision I have been augmenting a culture that empowers, engages, and evolves with time at CARS24.

The Early Realisations

Culture is more than just words. In a dynamic startup environment, every individual has a profound impact on the company culture. It demands strong, consistent cultural values that align with the vision and as HR leader I believe in wearing multiple hats, balancing strategy with hands-on execution and promoting open communication, adaptability, and a sense of ownership. 

Fostering loyalty and engagement early on is crucial. Building a strong connection with employees, offering growth opportunities, and creating meaningful benefits can help with building a strong culture and driving retention. Data-driven HR decisions are often undervalued early on and I believe that making HR processes measurable is key to identifying improvements and challenges. Implementing simple HR metrics and leveraging HR tech tools can help track progress and identify areas of concern even at the ground level.

The Need for Clear Communication

In a fast-moving environment like ours, it is imperative that we communicate clearly, transparently, and regularly with our people across all roles to avoid inefficiencies and aligning people with company goals and changes. Consistency is key!

Leadership’s Role: Walk the Talk

Culture isn’t just HR’s responsibility; it’s shaped at every level, especially by leadership. One of the pivotal moments in my career has been coaching senior leaders to embrace transparency and vulnerability. People don’t just listen to what leaders say—they observe what they do. Encouraging leaders to share their challenges, celebrate team successes, and truly listen to their people should be the tenet at our core

Lessons Learned: The Journey Continues

Reflecting on my perpetual journey, I’ve learned that fostering culture is not about grand strategies but about small, consistent actions. Culture thrives when people feel seen, heard, and inspired. As a People & Culture leader, I have the privilege and responsibility to nurture an environment where people don’t just work—they belong, grow, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.

Building culture is a continuous journey, and I’d love to hear from other leaders and experts —what strategies have worked for them? Let’s keep the conversation going!