We’re back with the second episode of Fika Friday at The Office Season 2 - our space to sit down with workplace trailblazers and unpack the evolving relationship between people and work. This time, I had the pleasure of chatting with Anjali Raghuvanshi, Chief People Officer at Randstad India. And trust me, this one is packed with practical wisdom, delivered with authenticity and clarity.
Anjali is no stranger to leading transformation at scale. With deep experience at one of India’s largest staffing companies, she brings a rare dual perspective: as a leader shaping internal people strategy and as someone who understands the pulse of the broader talent marketplace. Add to that her recognition as CHRO of the Year by Business World People in 2022, and you know you’re in for a thoughtful conversation.
Reframing the Return-to-Office Debate
One of the most striking things Anjali said early in our conversation was this:
"It's not that I just think about me and people will just follow. Those days are gone."
That single line perfectly sums up the moment we’re in. Command-and-control is no longer the playbook. Today’s employees want context, clarity, and purpose. They’re asking thoughtful questions like: Why should I come to the office? What’s the value for me? What are we building together?
And organizations have to be ready with answers.
Anjali shared that she hears these questions often. People are comparing offers not just on salary, but on flexibility, autonomy, and alignment with their personal values. It's a very different equation than the one we saw even five years ago.
Purpose is Not a Buzzword
In this environment, leaders can’t afford to talk in abstractions. Purpose isn’t a slide in a town hall deck, it has to be lived. “Why am I here?” is no longer a philosophical question. Employees want to know how their work matters, and what they’re gaining by being part of your organization."
This is something we’re seeing across the board at Mapiq. The best workplace strategies right now connect it to something deeper: trust, contribution, and shared value.
Engagement Starts with Experience
Anjali drew a direct line between employee experience and performance. If someone doesn’t feel supported, whether they’re in the office or remote then their engagement drops. And when engagement drops, productivity is never far behind.
"People can be productive from anywhere, but only if they’re truly engaged."
This is a critical point. As workplace leaders, we have to optimize for meaningful experience.
Don’t Copy the Headlines
Another highlight of the conversation? Anjali’s blunt advice to companies that mimic what they see in the news: “Stay away from the media and what media is saying. Look within, look internally and do the right things for your people.” I couldn’t agree more. There’s no universal rulebook for hybrid work. Success lies in understanding your own context and building solutions from there.
At Mapiq, we help organizations uncover that context through data: real insights about how space is used, what people want, and where gaps exist. That’s how you build hybrid models that actually work.
Visibility Still Matters
While remote tools have improved, my guest made the case that visibility still matters, especially in moments of ideation, team building, and leadership presence. She pointed out something many of us have experienced: calendar invites can’t replicate impromptu chats. Presence still carries value, even in a flexible setup.
It’s a delicate balance, but one that modern workplace design can support if we’re intentional.
Brand is Built from the Inside Out
Anjali also touched on how the employee brand is becoming more visible and more important than ever. Thanks to social media and platforms like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, your internal culture is now externalized.
That’s why trust, transparency, and alignment matter so much. People talk. And the stories they tell shape your brand just as much as your marketing does.
Well-Being Is Leadership
Finally, we touched on personal routines. Anjali starts her day with meditation and a glass of warm water with Indian spices. It is a reminder that well-being starts with the individual. Leaders who model balance create permission for others to do the same.
And yes, physical offices still matter. Anjali sees them as places of belonging, collaboration, and energy, spaces that offer something virtual meetings simply can’t.
Final Thoughts
My conversation with Anjali left me energized and deeply reflective. She speaks with clarity, compassion, and conviction. And perhaps most importantly, she reminds us that trust, but not control is the currency of modern leadership.
If we want people to show up, we have to give them reasons. Purpose. Flexibility. Growth. Connection. These are the levers that matter now.
Listen to the full episode to hear Anjali’s practical advice and personal reflections on building trust in a hybrid world. Catch Fika Friday at The Office wherever you get your podcasts!
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