At the heart of every successful HR leader is a passion for creating meaningful connections and fostering growth. For Kareena Kaur, Chief Human Resource Officer at AEON Bank Berhad and a winner of the ETHRWorld SEA HR Icons 2025, this philosophy is a daily practice. Her journey to HR leadership was unconventional, initially training as a lawyer before an accidental entry into Industrial Relations provided her with a fresh perspective that shaped her professional trajectory.
Kareena now spearheads the transformation of AEON Bank’s organizational culture, emphasizing people-centric strategies to enhance employee satisfaction and business success. In an exclusive conversation with ETHRWorld Southeast Asia, she discussed her leadership approach, advocating for navigating the daily HR chaos with humor while keeping the human aspect central to organizational change.
“Navigate the daily HR chaos with a sense of humor and remember that people are more than just their job titles,” Kareena advises, emphasizing the importance of empathy and humor in her leadership style. Her commitment to driving change with an empathetic approach is evident in her initiatives at AEON Bank.
Adapting to Change with Empathy
Kareena’s leadership philosophy has evolved from a focus on technical and procedural aspects of change to a more holistic view that integrates understanding and empathy. Early in her career, change initiatives often faltered due to ineffective communication and a lack of understanding. Recognizing this, Kareena stresses the importance of aligning individual contributions with the organization’s narrative, helping employees see their role in the bigger picture and transforming the narrative of change into one they can embrace.
Overcoming Challenges in a Diverse Workforce
Leading change in a digital bank like AEON presents unique challenges, particularly in maintaining employee engagement and motivation across a diverse workforce. Resistance to change often stems from perceived loss of control, but Kareena tackles this by fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered and valued. Clear communication about the reasons for change is essential, especially within a multigenerational workforce, necessitating tailored engagement strategies.
Innovative People-Centric Initiatives
Kareena has implemented several key initiatives at AEON Bank to address modern workplace challenges and foster a thriving work environment. The adoption of a hybrid working arrangement with full flexibility allows employees to manage their work hours and location, significantly improving work-life balance and productivity. Additionally, just-in-time learning modules address specific skill gaps as they arise, complementing skills-based development programs and making employee development more relevant and impactful.
Exciting Future of HR and Organizational Change
Looking to the future, Kareena is excited about the opportunities for HR to redefine its role in the age of AI, focusing on creating meaningful human experiences. As a digital bank, AEON is deeply connected to the real economy, with a mission to uplift underserved communities, marking a true evolution for HR as a strategic business partner.
Kareena envisions the future of organizational change management shaped by three key trends: simplicity in processes, personalization in experiences, and authenticity in leadership. By streamlining workflows, personalizing change initiatives, and fostering authentic leadership, HR can build trust and motivate employees to embrace change.
New Initiatives on the Horizon
Kareena is gearing up to launch a modular leadership program at AEON Bank, focusing on fostering collaboration, co-creation, and developing essential skills like influencing and stakeholder management. This program aims to empower employees to drive transformation and enhance their leadership capabilities. Furthermore, an expanded well-being program will offer mental health support, stress management workshops, and initiatives promoting work-life balance.
A Message for Today’s HR Leaders
Kareena believes that managing change is not just about new processes but about connecting the dots and empowering people to do things differently. Curiosity, trust, and empowerment are crucial for navigating the complexities of organizational change, ensuring that HR leaders can lead their teams effectively in an ever-evolving landscape.
Note: This article is inspired by content from https://hrsea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hrtech/how-ethrworld-sea-hr-icons-winner-kareena-kaur-tackles-the-daily-hr-chaos-with-a-sense-of-humour/121109034. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.