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Dr. Subhash Chandar
Global CHRO
Imagine a workplace where you bring your entire self and not just your skills and your to-do list. This isn't wishful thinking; it's the cornerstone of a thriving organization. As writer Betty Bender eloquently captured, ‘When people go to work, they shouldn't leave their hearts at home’. While a perfectly harmonious atmosphere might be aspirational, exceptional HR leaders like Dr Chandar can foster a work environment that ignites genuine enthusiasm, a sense of belonging, and a commitment to shared excellence. They are the architects of a space that transcends the mundane, where transparency reigns supreme, and the experience actively cultivates growth, learning, and innovation. This is particularly critical in complex industries like aviation, technology, and manufacturing, where fostering a culture of continuous improvement & excellence is paramount. Among this elite cadre of C-suite HR leaders, Dr Subhash Chandar, Global CHRO of Laminaar Aviation Infotech Group Singapore distinctly stands tall. His approach embodies the philosophy of unleashing human potential within a vibrant and dynamic work environment.
Dr Chandar’s Early Career & Defining Moments
At 19, a freshly minted graduate, Subhash landed his first job as an Employment Officer with the Government of India. Here he diligently learned the complexities of government bureaucracy amidst colleagues who were twice his age, while also recognizing the importance of being employed witnessing the struggles of job seekers and less fortunate. While this experience proved invaluable, it also ignited a passion within him – a desire to ensure that employment wasn't just a necessity, but a pathway to purpose and fulfilment. Meanwhile, his childhood dreams of joining the Indian Army as a commissioned officer came calling when he was selected after a stringent selection process. This much-aspired career path took an unexpected turn when a life-altering accident during the military training forced him to confront a shattered dream. However, this setback only fuelled his determination as he channelled his resilience into the recovery of his physical and emotional strength and embarked on a distinguished career in HR management. This early exposure to the complexities of the workforce, coupled with a defining personal experience, instilled in him a deep understanding of human endurance and the transformative power of opportunities. These formative experiences inspired his unwavering commitment to building workplaces that empower individuals and cultivate a spirit of growth and excellence.
The Glorious Experience with GE Aviation & Beyond
GE Aviation (later GE Aerospace) marked a pivotal milestone in Subhash’s distinguished HR career with an impressive ascent. As a young deputy head of his department with a workforce of just over 100 personnel, Subhash commenced his first corporate odyssey. Over the next 17 years, his vision and expertise proved instrumental in scaling the company’s workforce to over 6,600 personnel across regions. Under his leadership, where he wore multiple hats across cross-functional teams in corporate strategy, operations, projects, and more. This versatility played a key role in establishing GE Aviation's robust presence across India, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. His impressive contributions saw his rise as the Regional HR Director, overseeing the APAC and EMEA regions.
Dr Chandar's impressive career path continued with his leadership roles at the DOIL Group, Etihad Airways, and Deloitte Dubai. At DOIL, a large, family-owned business conglomerate, he led the HR and corporate strategy functions for a portfolio of 11 business units as Vice President. He spearheaded initiatives that aligned HR strategies with the overall business goals of these diverse entities. This experience broadened his understanding of cross-functional collaboration, strategic HR leadership and Board governance. Subsequently, he moved to Etihad Airways as the Head of HR for Airport Services where his expertise in Mergers & Acquisitions was leveraged in spearheading the crucial task of post-merger integration of two subsidiaries. His efficient stewarding ensured a smooth transition for the workforce, minimizing disruption and fostering a sense of unity within the newly formed entity. He further led the HR transformation initiatives, streamlining workflows and creating a more efficient HR function.
The Consulting Saga
Dr Chandar's skillsets extended beyond traditional HR. His business acumen, flair for management consulting and a passion for driving revenue growth led him to Deloitte. There, he established and led the Human Capital Consulting practice for the Middle East region with full responsibility of the P&L. This role allowed him to leverage his experience on both sides of the table – as an HR leader and a trusted consultant, helping clients across diverse industries to optimize their workforce strategies and unlock their human capital potential. His success in building a multi-million-dollar revenue segment over the next five years is a testament to his cross-functional expertise and ability to translate HR strategies into tangible business results.
Dr Chandar's expertise continues to shape the aviation industry. As the Global CHRO at Laminaar Aviation Infotech Group in Singapore, he leads the HR function across APAC, EU, and the Americas. Laminaar, a pioneer in aviation software solutions for over two decades, is poised for significant growth, and his leadership will be instrumental in building a world-class workforce to support their ambitions. CEO Insights Asia is thrilled to have the opportunity to delve deeper into Dr Chandar's insights and explore his vision for the future of HR in the dynamic aviation & tech industry. Let’s read through the fireside chat below.
What's your key philosophy as an HR leader and what motivates you at your work?
In today's fast-paced world, staying relevant is crucial, especially for managing talent with new skill sets, disruptive technologies, and the ever-changing landscape of workforce requirements. We must integrate new technologies while preserving core HR values. What works best for your organization becomes the ‘best practice’ and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. When I see my workforce transformed into achieving their highest levels of efficiency and aligned with the organization’s business goals, it motivates me. Seeing individuals flourish as professionals & a strong HR function driving the organization’s success is incredibly rewarding.
How would you define Laminaar Aviation's position in the market?
Laminaar has been a pioneer in the design and development of application software solutions for airlines, cargo operators, business aviation companies, airports, MROs, and defence & aviation training facilities for nearly two decades. Our vision is to bring to the aviation industry, simplified, cost-effective solutions that deliver efficiency, profitability, safety and compliance. Our global footprint of clients across the airline and aviation industry is a testimonial to our quality and service in this niche sector. We are an agile, adaptive, and data-driven organization that thrives on delivering products of impeccable quality that are fully customizable, but yet cost-efficient. Laminaar is on the threshold of catapulting its growth significantly with some ambitious plans in the pipeline.
Leadership is more than titles & authority; it’s about unleashing the potential in the men you lead
Why is it important for the HR function to be in sync with the organization's business strategy?
Our people are the key to our organization's success. It would be interesting to know that, unlike the other functions, there are as many as eleven specializations in HR function and each of them plays an important role. It is the vital link that aligns people's capabilities with business strategies. An HR function misaligned with business strategy is like a pilot with an outdated map. One may keep flying well but not reach the desired destination. When HR is in sync with the organization’s goals, it provides a workforce with the right talent & skillsets, develops people's capabilities to meet future needs, and fosters a culture that drives innovation. This synergy between HR and business strategy ensures that the workforce doesn’t just remain as headcounts but is built as a robust & high-performing team that propels the organization towards success.
Could you tell me about your leadership approach? What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow to lead your team?
Effective leadership transcends titles. It's about igniting passion and empowering my team. My approach hinges on four pillars: courage, compassion, integrity, and growth. I believe in speaking truth to power & fostering trust through empathy and honesty. Prioritizing individual development through mentorship and learning opportunities fuels personal and team growth. Ultimately, I cultivate a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued, fostering a united team to conquer any challenge.
What's your long-term career goal?
I see myself as the CEO of a successful business where I can actualize my potential, harness my skillsets and cross-functional expertise, and lead a world-class workplace ready for the future.
What advice do you have for upcoming industry leaders?
My advice? Ensure that you lead by example, your workforce capabilities align with your business strategies, you embrace technology, and you have zero tolerance for incompetent payloads. Successful HR leaders should have a holistic view of the business and foster cross-functional collaboration to achieve the desired outcomes.
Dr Subhas H Chandar, Global CHRO, Laminaar Aviation Infotech Group
Dr Chandar is a distinguished C-level executive with extensive experience working for Fortune 500 companies and family-owned conglomerates. Throughout his esteemed career, he has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and accolades within the industry. Dr Chandar holds a Doctorate in Business Management from Geneva and possesses an MBA in Human Resource Management from IIM, as well as an MBA in Project Management from ISB. Moreover, he has successfully completed an Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School and has obtained certifications from HRCI, SHRM USA, and CIPD UK, along with several other specialized HR management certifications. Additionally, he has been honored with the titles of Fellow of CIPD (FCIPD) UK, Fellow of the Institute of Directors (FIoD) India, Fellow of the Institute of Leadership (FioL) UK, and Fellow of the Learning & Performance Institute (FLPI) UK.
Dr Chandar is an official member of the Forbes Councils and his articles are regularly featured on Forbes and other top business publications. He is also a much sought-after speaker at various forums and conclaves, marking him as one of the top leadership influencers globally.