When companies experience consistent growth year-after-year, and succeed in every aspect of #doingitright, we take notice. OS AI caught up with Chitra Rao, Director, People Operations at Softrams, a two-time Elev8 GovCon Honoree, to better understand how humility, empathy and a focus on driving people-focused initiatives forward has led to year-after-year success for this growing and innovative firm.
Communication through Growth
As a company that has experienced continuous growth and evolution year-after-year, Softrams has been deliberate about communication, ensuring there was a shared sense of purpose, a common ground of understanding as dynamics changed. Ensuring open dialogue, transparency and opportunities for real feedback, leaders focused on understanding, on an on-going basis, how people were, and how they felt as change and growth was happening.
One focus, designed to support inclusion through growth, is the Softrams Women’s Group. Formed with input from across the organization into what and why, the group creates an ecosystem that fosters networking, provides opportunities for mentorship, and helps those who want to, better understand growth in their careers. “Hearing from people from the beginning, they have a sense of ownership because they are part of the evolution of this, are helping it be what they want and need. When you lead with empathy the focus is on seeing people as who they are and what they really need.”
People are Everything
From its CEO Atchut Kanthamani, and across senior leadership, the common mantra is that its people are everything. Chitra says that makes her role easier because any ask she has related to supporting or engaging the team is met with a yes.
A common value presented by the team is the opportunity to innovate. Through demo days and opportunities to present efficiencies or improvements they have implemented, people celebrate wins across the company. “There is a culture of experimentation, of thinking outside the box that really engages everyone’s inner child, their desire to create and try new things. These activities create a healthy competition and then give them that platform through demo days to present it to other teams to inspire others.”
Driven by the Why
As the company has branched into other areas of federal service, expanding its client base and taking on new missions, Softrams has been driven by its own mission of thinking into the future to find ways to simplify the work of government, the results for its citizens. “We are always mindful of the impact of the programs we support, the day-to-day interactions of stakeholders and users. Often the policy behind a program is very complex but that does not mean we cannot simplify it for the people who need to engage.”
Understanding why people came to and stayed with Softrams required a pivot as the team transitioned to remote work. “Moving to online activities, events and social opportunities kept us in touch with people and kept people smiling during hard times. We knew that the fun, the connection was important, but we also came to realize then that a lot of what attracted and kept people was the work we were doing, the commitment to the mission. If we were ever concerned that not having access to free snacks or the cool coffee machine in the breakroom would be a deterrent, we quickly realized that was not what was the draw.”
Conveying Purpose
From its talent acquisition focus, through hiring and training, the combined messaging about innovation and moving forward the missions of its federal agencies is a driving force, bringing top talent and the right people to the company.
Part of creating a positive experience for talent is creating a flexible workspace, allowing them to find balance between supporting their teams, and carving out time for family, for hobbies, for life away from work.
Humility in Leading
Instead of leaning on titles to convey authority, Chitra says Softrams’ executive team tends to lean away from titles, not wanting people to feel intimidated to reach out. “Everyone on the team walks together, hand in hand on day-to-day and as problems arise. Any one of our leaders is a call or a message away, at any time and for whoever reaches out.”
Focused on a culture of continuous learning, inclusivity and innovation, leadership is focused on ensuring people find their space within the company. And, as it continues along its growth trajectory, continuing to build its vibrant and supportive culture will continue to be a focus.”
Advice for Industry
Whatever the size of a company, one piece of advice Chitra offers is to ensure a focus on people. “Even if you can’t deliver exactly what people are asking for or may need because of cost or whatever, find something you can deliver that will move towards that ask. See if you can prioritize one part of the bigger picture so you can deliver to your people and they can see they have been heard.”
Continuing to move forward as is possible, ensuring there is an investment in people ensures talent will come and good people will stay. “Understand where you can balance spend with changes in policy or practice and just keep moving forward incrementally, a bit at a time. At the end of the day you want to do right by people, and when they can see that, it means a lot. I have a running bucket list of things I would like to see to move the needle and we pick away at it as we can, and as it makes sense.”
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