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"Be a guide who empowers others, nurtures growth, and celebrates progress at every step. Leadership is not a solitary journey; it’s about building meaningful relationships and paving the way for others to succeed," the CHRO of Vena Energy shares.
Leaders who aspire to go far and be successful in their journey of leadership should think about leading with your head, heart, and gut — it is this combination of intuition and courage that drives innovation and helps you lead with conviction, Anna Ho, Chief Human Resources Officer, Vena Energy, believes.
The above has proven fruitful for her, earning her the gold award for 'HR Leader of the Year’ at the HR Excellence Awards 2024, Singapore. Having joined Vena Energy during what she calls a pivotal transformation, the leader was met with challenges and opportunities anew in creating synergy, ones she faced head on with her team by her side.
In this interview, she dives deep into the experience, sharing lessons and learnings as food for thought.
Q What was the motivation that sparked your passion & business case for pursuing your outstanding people strategy?
My passion for HR is fuelled by the vision of reaching greater heights alongside our people. At Vena Energy, our people strategy ignites creativity, collaboration, and innovation, cultivating an environment where individuals can thrive. This synergy between personal growth and organisational success drives us toward our vision of building a world with no compromises—one that is carbon-free and sustainable.
By nurturing a culture of excellence, we empower talent to pursue bold aspirations, ensuring the company’s success and the growth of the team that propels it forward.
Q Looking back, can you share a challenge that you overcame in your journey of HR excellence? How did you triumph?
Integrating diverse cultures presents one of the greatest opportunities for growth and innovation within HR and organisations. I joined the company during a pivotal transformation, as our newly formed organisation emerged from the merger of several entities acquired by GIP—a melting pot of varied values, processes, and practices.
I have driven open dialogue and collaboration, forging bridges that united diverse values and processes. This approach fostered a shared sense of purpose and belonging, creating a powerful synergy that helped scale the business from 300 to over 1,000 employees in just six years. Through empathy, resilience, and adaptability, we turned this challenge into a journey of collective elevation, proving that unity can transform even the steepest terrain into a path of possibility.
Q Beyond the recognition, what impact do you hope your feature in the HR Excellence Awards would have on the HR community and manpower landscape?
Being featured in the HR Excellence Awards is more than personal recognition—it reflects the collective efforts of our team at Vena Energy. I hope this acknowledgement inspires the HR Community to dream of summits beyond the horizon.
By embracing inclusivity and innovation, we can build organisations that not only achieve their goals but uplift every individual along the way
My aspiration is to spark a movement where HR leaders reimagine their roles as enablers of growth and sustainability, cultivating workspaces that empower people to soar higher and redefine the landscapes of success.
Q Could you share some advice you would give to others aspiring to follow in your footsteps?
I encourage you to lead with head, heart, and gut. Lead with your head by setting clear goals and making thoughtful, data-driven decisions. Lead with your heart by fostering trust, cultivating belonging, and celebrating the human spirit that drives collaboration and creativity. And lead with your gut—trusting your instincts to navigate uncertainty, embrace bold decisions, and take calculated risks. Leading with gut means tapping into your inner edge—your ability to push past fear, challenge conventional wisdom, and seize opportunities that others might hesitate to take.
It’s this combination of intuition and courage that drives innovation and helps you lead with conviction.
Be a guide who empowers others, nurtures growth, and celebrates progress at every step. Leadership is not a solitary journey; it’s about building meaningful relationships and paving the way for others to succeed. The true measure of leadership lies not in the heights you reach alone, but in the legacy you leave by lighting the path for others to follow.
Q Let's talk inspiration! Who has been a driving force behind your success?
I am privileged to have had many mentors throughout my journey, including our CEO, Nitin Apte, and the team at Vena Energy. Their steadfast support and shared commitment inspire me every day. True leadership, for me, is about uplifting others, and we are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.
Together, we have cultivated a culture that enables us to reach new heights in our mission to accelerate the energy transition for a more sustainable future. This collective spirit of collaboration fuels my passion and drives our shared pursuit of excellence. Together, we are engineering a greener and brighter future for all.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Photo: Provided
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