In this eye-opening episode of Hireside Chats, we tackle a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of workplace diversity: neurodiversity. While diversity of thought is gaining traction, neurodiversity—encompassing conditions such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia—is still not a priority for many organizations. With unemployment rates for neurodivergent individuals as high as 30-40%, much higher than those without disabilities, it's clear that more attention is needed.

Join us as we speak with Dr. Sharanya Anil, Founder-Director of DIRECT and a leading cognitive and neurodiversity-affirming specialist. Dr. Anil shares her insights on the reality of neurodiversity in Indian organizations and the critical steps companies can take to foster a more inclusive, supportive work environment.

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(00:58) Part 1: Introduction to guest and the platform

(02:46) : To start, could you tell us a bit about your background and the work you do? We'd love to hear about your journey and how your expertise supports organizations in creating more inclusive workplaces.

(04:40) Many people have misconceptions about what neurodiversity is and what it entails in a workplace setting. So, what exactly is 'neurodiversity,' and why is it essential for companies to embrace it in the workplace?

(06:06) Part 2: Breaking the Stigma – Neurodiversity in Indian Workplaces

(06:38) : What are some of the biggest misconceptions you encounter regarding neurodiversity, in professional environments? How do you see stigma manifesting specifically in the Indian corporate environment, and what impact does it have on neurodivergent employees?

(8:46) : From your experience, what would you say is one of the most effective ways to begin reducing stigma at an organizational level?

(11:26) You've worked with a lot of organizations that have successfully advocated, accommodated neurodivergent individuals and organizations. So it'll be great if you can help us give some examples, some anecdotal inputs. How can we do that?

(11:09) Part 3: Accommodations that Work – Practical Solutions for Neuroinclusive Workplaces
(11:26) You've worked with a lot of organizations that have successfully advocated, accommodated neurodivergent individuals and organizations. So it'll be great if you can help us give some examples, some anecdotal inputs. How can we do that?

(15:06) Now, in your experience are these initiatives that require a lot of budget or, you know, it's more the intent that counts.

And if, if we have the intent, do they, do these programs really require very large investments?

(16:42) Part 4: Where and How Organizations Can Begin Their Neuroinclusion Journey

(17:04) : What do you think are some of our Indian ethos, the Indian cultural advantages of supporting neurodivergent behavior, if at all there exists one?

(19:41) Do you think the current generation, the millennials, the Gen Zs being a lot more open in advocating neurodiversity in accommodating neurodiversity than let's say. Gen X or the previous generation, especially when it comes to the professional context?

(21:56) What would be your top two or three pieces of advice to some of our listeners who could be neurodivergent who are listening to this conversation right now?

(24:11) Part 5: Rapid Fire Round

(24:33) : One book or resource you’d recommend for leaders on neurodiversity?

(25:00) : A skill that neurodivergent individuals bring to workplaces that often gets overlooked?

(25:11) : What’s one neurodiversity-friendly workplace practice everyone should try?

(25:48) : One piece of advice you’d give to a company starting its neuroinclusion journey?

(26:25) : So last one, a little more personal doctor, what would be one of the most fulfilling moments in your career?

(27:04) Part 6: Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Hireside Chats, we dive into one of the most pressing topics in today’s workplaces: balancing work and wellness. As discussions around mental health gain momentum, it's become clear that supporting employee well-being is essential for thriving in a high-pressure environment. Our guest speaker is Vamshi Vasudevan, founder of Anyo, a mobile app focused on mental health and emotional wellness. Vamshi’s personal journey of self-discovery has transformed her into a passionate advocate for mental wellness, guiding her mission to reshape how organizations approach employee well-being.

Join us as we explore the rise in workplace stress, the need for organizations to foster supportive environments, and practical strategies for avoiding burnout traps. Get ready for an insightful conversation on cultivating trust, openness, and flexibility within teams, and the importance of integrating emotional wellness into the workplace ethos.

Guest Bio

Vamshi Vasudevan

Vamshi Vasudevan is a mental health and emotional wellness advocate and the founder of Anyo, a groundbreaking mobile app that supports mental wellness through a blend of traditional wisdom and modern science. Vamshi's journey into wellness began with her own experiences of self-discovery, where she identified limiting beliefs that hindered her growth. This transformative journey led her to create Anyo, where the core philosophy centers on holistic approaches to mental health that resonate with the challenges faced in today’s workplaces.

With a commitment to empowering individuals and organizations alike, Vamshi has dedicated her career to transforming mental health practices, making well-being accessible and actionable for all. In this episode, she shares her insights on navigating workplace stress, the common burnout traps employees face, and how organizations can cultivate a culture that values emotional wellness just as much as productivity.

(00:57) Part 1: Introduction to guest and the platform

(02:43) Can you start by telling us a little about your personal journey into mental wellness? What led you to create Anyo?

(04:36) Part 2: Part 2: Handling Workplace Stress

(04:43) How do you think employees and organizations should protect themselves from this high-pressure environment, and what steps should they take?

(07:23) In your opinion, what makes a mentally healthy workplace? What are some practical, everyday steps businesses can take to ensure emotional wellness is part of their core values?

(11:34) What Anyo does and how can organizations benefit by using the product.

(14:11) Can you share with us some common themes you’ve seen in therapy rooms related to workplace stress?

(18:23) What advice would you give to companies looking to integrate mental wellness into their HR policies?

(20:13) Part 6: Rapid Fire and Conclusion

(20:32) If you could introduce one wellness practice to every workplace, what would it be?

(20:53) Personally, one wellness practice you cannot live without.

(21:01) Your favorite wellness app other than Anyo?

(21:23) The unique combination of technology and wellness— is it a boon or a bane, according to you?

(22:30) When it comes to genders, do you feel that their requirement from a wellness app is different, or does Anyo cater to all genders as such?

(23:29) Your personal mantra or affirmation that you live by?

(23:43) What is the best book on mental health that you've ever read, and is there a set of books that you would like to recommend to our audience?

(24:26) Is there a way we can address mental health?

(26:18) Part 4 Closing thoughts

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it on your socials to help us reach as many ears as possible. So, until next time, stay tuned.

In this episode of Hireside Chats, we explore an emerging trend that’s reshaping the C-suite - Fractional Executives. As new economy companies prioritize agility and innovation, roles like fractional CFOs and CHROs are taking center stage.

Our guest speakers are two trailblazers in the fractional leadership space, Srinivasan V Swamy, Founder of CFO Bridge and CTO Bridge, and Suresh Bethavandu, Founder of KFW and CHRO Bridge. Together, they unpack the rise of fractional leadership, discuss the benefits, challenges, and the profound impact these leaders are having on startups and SMEs.

Tune in as we dive deep into the future of leadership, the strategic advantage of fractional roles, and how companies can leverage this model to thrive in dynamic markets. Plus, get insights into real-world success stories and expert advice on determining if a fractional executive is right for your business.

Guest Bio:

Srinivasan V Swamy is a true trailblazer in the fractional CXO business. As the Founder of CFO Bridge and Co-Founder of CTO Bridge, Srinivasan is an independent director, sleep advocate, business mentor, and growth partner, offering outsourced and virtual CFO services to SMEs and startups;

Suresh Bethavandu, Founder of KFW and CHRO Bridge - Suresh is a Talent Transformation Specialist with a passion for the human side of business he has over 25 years of expertise across every imaginable HR role.

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(00:53) Part 1: Introduction to guest and the platform

(01:43) Part 2: The Rise of Fractional Leadership

(02:06) To kick things off, can you tell our audience what a fractional CFO or CHRO is and how they differ from a full-time role? Why are fractional roles becoming more popular, especially in new economy companies?

(04:49) Can you tell us the story of how you got this idea? How did this idea come to be? And a little bit of insight into how the last decade has been for the CFO bridge?

(09:09) Do you really think a fractional CHRO can create an impact both in terms of value and in terms of lower costs for some of the new emerging organizations?

(13:23) Can you think of an example as to how a fractional CFO has been able to create the same impact or more impact despite working across multiple engagements or assignments?

(17:56) For the fractional CFO or the CHRO, how important it is to build trust with the existing ecosystem?

(23:29) Part 2: Challenges and Considerations

(23:50) What are some of the challenges that you have seen in this model and overcome them? Have some of those challenges that you overcame earlier, are they helping you in redefining the way the model has to be introduced to the new economy, new growth companies?

(27:45) The fractional CXOs, do they need to have certain additional skills or different types of type of skills to be successful in a setup such as this? What is the adaptability, especially on the skill side, that they need to have to be successful in a typical fractional kind of an engagement?

(32:39) Part 3: Rapid Fire Round

(32:57) When you recruit fractional CFOs, what is that one must have skill that you look for?

(33:14) What is the common misconception about fractional execs that all of us carry, the world carries?

(33:38) One thing you wish companies, prospective clients of yours companies knew about the fractional exec role?

(34:00) How do you determine whether a fractional CXO is successful or not successful?

(34:54) Part 4 Closing thoughts

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review or share it on your socials to help us reach as many ears as possible. So, until next time, stay tuned.