Engineering HR for Agility
Harshit Upadhyay
Director HR,
Sapiens
Rigid, one-size-fits-all talent strategies no longer work in today’s fast-paced tech industry. As businesses navigate rapid technological advancements and shifting workforce expectations, HR must evolve beyond administrative functions to become a strategic enabler of growth and innovation. The key lies in balancing structure with flexibility, efficiency with creativity, and processes with people-centricity—a philosophy that Harshit Upadhyay, Director HR at Sapiens, embodies in his transformational approach to talent management.
With a career spanning Infosys, Publicis Sapient, and now Sapiens, Harshit has gained deep insights into managing talent across diverse organizational models. Large IT firms provided him with a strong foundation in scalable processes, but he also saw how rigid frameworks could stifle agility. At Sapiens, he is breaking that mold—driving adaptability, fostering empowerment, and aligning HR strategies with business objectives.
His approach is anchored in three core pillars: fostering a culture of collaboration and authenticity, driving continuous learning and upskilling, and positioning HR as a strategic business driver. By leveraging real-time feedback, data-driven insights, and a futurefocused mindset, he ensures HR is not just a support function but a force that accelerates growth.
Harshit isn’t just keeping up with HR trends; he’s defining them. By striking the right balance between structure and flexibility, he is ensuring Sapiens remains an agile, innovation-driven workplace where employees thrive, and business goals are met with precision. Speaking with TradeFlock, Harshit opens up about his work, challenges and strategies.
What unique HR challenges does InsurTech face, and how do you address them?
InsurTech is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by rapid technological advancements and stringent regulatory shifts. To stay ahead, we prioritize deep domain expertise, ensuring our employees understand the intricate insurance landscape and can develop customer-centric, compliant solutions. The war for top-tier tech talent is intense. We combat this by building a powerful employer brand, forging partnerships with elite universities, and offering competitive rewards to attract and retain the best minds in the industry. Great leaders build great teams. Our cuttingedge leadership programs empower managers with the skills to drive high performance and foster innovation. As generative AI reshapes the industry, we are proactively upskilling our workforce, arming them with AI expertise to develop next-gen, value-driven insurance solutions.
Share an HR initiative that faced scepticism but later became a game-changer.
When tasked with enhancing managerial effectiveness, I introduced a gamified performance barometer—an idea initially met with scepticism. The digital tool tracked scores across competence (skills), impact (team engagement), and value (client success through innovation and execution). Managers earned points for learning new skills, applying them effectively, and upskilling their teams. Higher-order points were awarded for breakthrough client solutions, with top performers receiving differentiated rewards and fast-track growth opportunities. Despite initial doubts, the initiative proved transformative. In just a year, 60% of managers improved their scores, driving higher client value and leadership recognition. This shift reinforced a culture of continuous learning and innovation, turning sceptics into firm believers.
How do you develop leaders' cognitive and creative skills while ensuring business success?
Developing cognitive and creative skills in leaders while maintaining business performance requires a personalized, growth-driven approach. At Sapiens, I co-created a leadership development program featuring customized labs and workshops that challenge leaders to think strategically and innovatively, ensuring alignment with business goals. As a strategic HR partner, I advocate for continuous feedback and self-reflection, enabling leaders to refine their approaches. Encouraging them to leverage real-time data on team dynamics, business metrics, and client satisfaction, I help them make informed, creative decisions. This holistic approach ensures leaders not only develop key skills but also apply them effectively to drive sustained business success.
How does your "People Engineer" mindset transform traditional HR functions?
Embracing the “People Engineer” mindset transforms HR from a traditional function into a strategic, data-driven force. It means leveraging analytics for smarter talent acquisition, development, and retention—ensuring HR aligns seamlessly with business goals. By treating HR as an engineering challenge, we streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance employee experience through cutting-edge technology. This approach fosters systematic problem-solving, addressing workplace culture, skill gaps, and engagement with precision. Scalability and customization become key, enabling tailored HR solutions for teams and individuals. A commitment to continuous improvement ensures feedback-driven refinement of policies, making HR a dynamic, business-aligned powerhouse rather than just a support function.
What outdated HR practice should be retired, and how are you addressing it?
The biggest HR myth that needs to go? The “onesize-fits-all” approach to employee engagement and motivation. Employees have unique aspirations, work styles, and career goals—so engagement strategies must be tailored for impact. At Sapiens, we introduced personalized career paths, allowing employees to choose between individual contributor and team management roles. Our flexible hybrid work model empowers employees to balance professional and personal commitments effectively. Another outdated practice? Relying solely on annual performance reviews. We champion continuous feedback and regular check-ins, ensuring real-time growth, alignment, and engagement. Moving beyond rigid structures, HR must evolve to drive meaningful, employeecentric experiences that fuel success.
