Rukhsar discovered her passion for HR during her first year of Master’s studies, and has since continued progressing through different roles in the HR domain. Currently, she is Regional Talent Acquisition, Talent Advancement and Employer Branding Manager for India, Malaysia, Indonesia Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, responsible for stakeholder management, escalations management, team engagement and team culture. 

Throughout her seven-year tenure at ABB, Rukhsar has experienced many personal milestones. However, it was especially during her pregnancy that she realised her colleagues' and managers' unwavering support and trust. “I had to step away from work quite suddenly following the advice of my doctors due to some complications. No one in the company questioned it, not even to ask for any medical reports or evidence. My HRBP at that time even reassured me that work will go on, and to not compromise my health over it.” Rukhsar appreciated the loyalty, trust and flexibility shown, to the extent that she felt ‘indebted’ for the overwhelming kindness she received.  

Rukhsar shared another instance of immense support and leadership during her maternity leave. She initially contemplated resigning, but her manager's leadership turned the tide. “My manager back then asked what was causing me to make this decision. He reassured me that whatever it was, ABB would provide the needed support.” After Rukhsar explained her concerns about the workload, her manager encouraged her to take her time transitioning back to work, assuring her that the reporting would only return to her when she felt ready. “Even though that took less than three months, knowing that I could take more time if needed was comforting.” The exceptional leadership allowed Rukhsar to adapt to the new demands of motherhood and different responsibilities at her own pace. 

Now that Rukhsar leads her team, she models the leadership she experienced in the past. “What I received as an employee, I'm only trying to give back as a leader. There needs to be the right balance. While business delivery is important, it can only happen through people. We should empathise and be understanding, as everyone is going through different journeys.” To Rukhsar, sharing responsibilities and delegating tasks based on expertise is needed for consistent results. “Some days, certain team members may contribute more, while on others, it may be someone else's turn.”  

Embracing all four ABB values, Rukhsar actively fosters team development. To her, effective leadership revolves around having an exceptional team; without them, even the most brilliant ideas can't come to fruition. "There is only so much one can do on their own. While you can provide guidance and direction, everything else is executed as a team.” Moreover, Rukhsar is grateful to her team for sticking by her during challenging times. "My team has weathered numerous storms with me. They chose not to seek easier opportunities elsewhere when things got tough. Instead, they joined me on this journey, and we've emerged stronger together.”  

Furthermore, Rukhsar highly values the company's flexible work-from-home approach. It allowed her to schedule alternate work-from-home days with her partner, where she could manage both responsibilities efficiently. “When I’m in the office, I can fully focus, as nothing from home reaches me. But whenever it’s needed, I still have the option to work from home.” This sets a positive example for her team and encourages a work-life balance for herself. Furthermore, ABB's work-from-home approach opened doors to a diverse talent pool for hiring and attracting new talents. “They don’t have to travel for interviews or relocate for jobs. People like me, who need to spend time with their children, also do not have to compromise on work.” 

Rukhsar feels immense gratitude for the countless opportunities ABB has provided for growth and learning. “ABB is very people oriented. That is what I like most about the company. Despite not having experience with people management roles, ABB saw my potential and gave me a chance.” For Rukhsar, ABB marks her fourth professional home in three years upon graduation, reflecting her penchant for seeking the right opportunities. "Without the right opportunities, environment, culture, and strong leadership, I wouldn't have stayed here for so long.” Her dedication and drive in ABB is a testament to finding the perfect blend of these elements. “I don't foresee myself leaving anytime soon. My greatest accomplishments in ABB are yet to come."