Dale Carnegie India hosted its Expert Forum 2024, bringing together HR leaders and industry experts to address workplace perception gaps and foster organizational collaboration. The virtual forum, themed "One Vision, One Team: How to Bridge Perception Gaps Across Roles," explored strategies for creating aligned, high-performing workplace cultures.
Dr. Robert A. Coleman, Director of Research & Thought Leadership at Dale Carnegie & Associates, opened the forum by presenting the latest white paper "Bridging the Gap – Aligning Workplace Perceptions Across Organizational Levels." The research highlighted critical misalignments between leadership, middle management, and employees, offering actionable solutions for enhanced communication and trust.
The forum featured an expert panel moderated by Dr. Coleman, with distinguished speakers:
- Pallavi Jha, Chairperson & Managing Director, Dale Carnegie India & Walchand PeopleFirst
- Sanjay Jha, Executive Director, Dale Carnegie India
- Noha El Daly, Global Vice President, Managed Services & Global Accounts, Dale Carnegie & Associates
The discussions sparked insightful contributions from attending HR leaders. Usha TK, AVP & Head HR at Borderless Access, emphasized how the sense of big picture varies across teams: "In highly collaborative environments, each team's experiences and perspectives are distinct, yet interdependent."
Jehangir Ardeshir, President and MD of TIPL at Terex, addressed the critical role of leadership authenticity: "Employees are perceptive. They observe whether leaders are institution builders or merely transactional. This perception, along with the authenticity of leaders' values, shapes organizational behavior." He also highlighted the delicate balance needed in organizational dynamics, adding that "Both friction and collaboration bring value. The challenge lies in managing the balance between the two."
Emmanuel Gosula, Senior Manager - Talent Development at EPAM, raised an intriguing perspective on alignment: "With 20% of people contributing to 80% of the work, is it necessary for everyone to be on the same page? The key is to align critical contributors while enabling broader collaboration."
The panel moderators enriched the discussion with their expertise. Sanjay Jha emphasized the importance of leadership responsibility: "Senior leadership must introspect and evaluate whether they are actively fostering inclusivity within the organization. Leadership is not just about strategy—it's about building a culture where every voice is valued."
Pallavi Jha highlighted the universal nature of organizational challenges: "Across the globe, employees face many similar issues. Organizations function like communication pyramids, with each individual viewing situations through their unique lens. The goal is to bridge these perspectives and foster mutual understanding."
Noha El Daly addressed the fundamental question of alignment: "Sometimes it's essential to question: What does being on the same page mean, and why should people align? Defining alignment is the first step toward achieving it."
The dimension of workplace perceptions emerged as a key theme, with Krishnamurthy B, Manager - Talent Management & Development at Fosroc India, noting: "Employees from different geographies bring unique experiences and perspectives to the table. Recognizing and valuing this diversity is crucial for building cohesive teams."
Key Actions for Alignment: The forum identified essential strategies for achieving organizational alignment. These include strengthening communication channels, ensuring individual contributors clearly understand company goals, and having leaders proactively explain how each role fits into the bigger picture. The importance of providing career advancement opportunities for managers was also emphasized.
Dr. Coleman highlighted key drivers of alignment: "Creating a sense of pride in the workplace and maintaining employee engagement emerged as crucial factors. When combined with targeted communication efforts and clear career pathways, these elements form the foundation for sustained organizational alignment."
Impact and Future Direction: The forum provided actionable insights from Dale Carnegie's research, emphasizing methods to foster trust, improve communication, and create unified cultures. " As the forum concluded, Pallavi Jha, Chairperson & Managing Director of Dale Carnegie India, left attendees with an inspiring message about the importance of growth, shared goals, and the power of belief in achieving organizational success. She emphasized that aligning individual aspirations with organizational objectives starts with a foundation of open communication.
"Growth is not just about numbers; it's about creating environments where people thrive, align with shared goals, and feel valued for their contributions. Believing in your team and fostering mutual trust are fundamental to achieving this alignment," she said. "Communication is the cornerstone of any successful organization. When leaders actively listen and foster dialogue, it bridges perception gaps, builds trust, and empowers teams to perform at their best."
About Dale Carnegie India: Dale Carnegie Training India, with over 21 years of experience, has partnered with 8,500+ clients and trained more than 700,000 candidates. As part of the global Dale Carnegie brand, it specializes in delivering measurable business results through innovative training methodologies.
