The UpLevel Podcast
In the first year of the pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%. And employers with workers who are experiencing mental health issues spend more than $5,500 on average in turnover costs per year per employee. In addition, according to a late 2021 Gallup Survey; 85% of employees are experiencing a level of disengagement at their workplaces, and 73% are actively looking for new employment. The Great Resignation for many has become The Great Realization. It’s clear that mental health, well-being in the workplace, and having an up-leveled consciousness are more important than ever, both for individuals themselves and for organizations.UpLevel Productions is committed to ending the stigma around mental health as well as humanizing the workplace to create cultures of well-being which is why we create content, experiences, and trainings that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive and connected place to be. Each series in the podcast shares stories, knowledge, and know-how from experts in leadership, wellness, mental health, and the humanization of the workplace and our schools.
The UpLevel Podcast
"How to Thrive Across Cultures & The Art of Cultivating Right Relationships” with Rasika Saikia
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, catch an inspiring episode as we sit down with Rasika Saikia, an HR leader with over 17 years of experience at a big tech company. Rasika shares her incredible journey from Asia Pacific to the US, scaling onboarding programs to reach over 100,000 employees, and navigating the complexities of cultural transitions and leadership.
Together, we dive deep into the concept of "right relationships," relationships as evolving entities that thrive on trust, psychological safety, and empathy. Rasika's wisdom on fostering inclusive spaces, embracing vulnerability, and supporting immigrant women through career shifts makes this a must-listen episode for leaders, professionals, and anyone seeking to build deeper, more authentic connections in their lives!
In This Episode:
- Rasika shares how trust, empathy, and intentionality build the foundation for deeper, more meaningful connections—much like ascending step by step on a ladder of trust.
- Hear how Rasika’s father, an educator, championed relational learning—emphasizing the value of connection over just finding answers.
- Reframe relationships as dynamic opportunities for growth, essential in navigating our increasingly polarized world.
- Gain insight into Rasika’s passion for supporting mid-career immigrant women through life’s big shifts—whether relocating, changing careers, or balancing caregiving.
- Explore how coaching unlocks empathy, fosters collaboration, and amplifies diverse voices at the leadership table.
- Discover how to honor cultural differences while leaning into universal principles—love, respect, and authenticity—as cornerstones of inclusive leadership.
About Rasika:
Rasika Saikia is a Senior HR Leader with over 17 years of experience at Google. She supports leaders globally on organizational design, change management, and establishing a high-performance culture. She has helped design and facilitate programs geared towards building manager and leader capabilities and leverages her deep coaching expertise as a certified Co-Active professional coach and a SHRM-certified HR professional. Rasika has worked at international locations. She had a regional role in Asia Pacific that required her to travel across offices and collaborate with leaders around the globe while experiencing different cultures. In 2016, she made a big career move to transfer to the US to lead a Global Onboarding program and scale it to over 100k employees across thousands of locations and manage a strong team of Program managers.
As part of her commitment to continued learning, Rasika further expanded her career by making a lateral move from Learning and Development space into Business HR space to support leaders navigate organizational challenges. Rasika is passionate about supporting her community, especially mid-career immigrant women to navigate career shifts in a new country while balancing caregiving responsibilities.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasika-saikia/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts/
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