Dr. HARLEEN KAUR

Educator/Teacher

Dr. Harleen Kaur Dhillon is a purpose-driven academic leader who believes that education is not just about degrees. it is about awakening potential. With over 18 years of dedicated service in management education, she has transformed classrooms into spaces of confidence, curiosity, and courage. As Head of Department (MBA) at Chandigarh School of Business, Dr. Harleen has led her team with a simple philosophy: “When we uplift people, we uplift institutions.” Her work blends academic rigor with heart whether she is redesigning a curriculum, mentoring students, empowering faculty, or championing research on AI, future-ready careers, and human centered leadership. Known for her empathetic presence and electrifying energy on stage, Dr. Harleen inspires individuals to believe in their own story. Her research on emerging HR practices such as Purple Hiring and AI-driven talent cultures reflects her commitment to shaping workplaces where every human being is valued. At TEDx, Dr. Harleen brings her voice as a leader, teacher, and changemaker encouraging audiences to break limiting beliefs, embrace reinvention, and step courageously into the future they deserve.

I’m passionate about reimagining talent through Purple Hiring seeing people beyond their résumé and believing in their mindset, character, and potential. My work is driven by the belief that opportunity should be shaped by who we are capable of becoming, not just by where we come from.

Purple Hiring: The Future of Talent Is ‘Beyond the Resume.Purple Hiring is a bold shift in how we see talent a movement that urges us to look beyond the résumé and into the real potential of people. In a world where degrees, job titles, and polished CVs dominate opportunity, Purple Hiring argues that the future belongs not to the most qualified on paper, but to the most curious, adaptable and human at heart. It values mindset more than marks, skills more than certificates, and character more than credentials. As AI automates routine tasks, the true competitive advantage becomes empathy, creativity, resilience, and the ability to learn and unlearn. Purple Hiring fixes a broken system that filters out brilliant minds just because they don’t fit a traditional mold. It replaces bias with blind screening, replaces interviews with real problem solving challenges, and replaces judgment with a deeper understanding of purpose and potential. This idea matters because it can change lives: the small town student with no fancy degree, the late bloomer who learns quickly, the dreamer who thinks differently all deserve a chance. Purple Hiring is not just a hiring method; it is a call to redesign opportunity itself. And when we change who gets a chance, we change the future of work and the world

“Seeing People Beyond the Résumé” I wasn’t born into privilege. I wasn’t handed opportunities. I built myself one belief at a time the belief that potential is often hidden in the most unexpected people, and it only needs one person to see it. My journey in education and leadership didn’t begin with ambition; it began with observation. I saw brilliant students who couldn’t speak fluent English get ignored. I saw talented youth from small towns lose confidence because of their background. I saw women who paused their careers being judged more for their gap than for their strength. And one day, while watching a student fill a résumé section she felt unworthy of, something shifted in me. I realised something simple but powerful: The résumé is the least interesting thing about a human being. For the past 18 years, I have been on a mission to prove this. As an educator, a researcher in HR, and a leader shaping the future of management education, I’ve met thousands of students and professionals. Some had perfect résumés but lacked drive. Others had imperfect résumés but carried extraordinary talent creativity, resilience, curiosity, empathy, grit. These were the qualities I began to look for. These were the qualities I began to nurture. These were the qualities no hiring system was measuring. This is what led me to champion Purple Hiring the idea that talent must be seen, felt, experienced… not merely scanned through a sheet of paper. Purple Hiring is about valuing mindset over marks, character over credentials, and potential over past experience. It is about identifying greatness in people who have been overlooked simply because they didn’t fit a traditional mould. My story is not about achieving titles; it is about changing how we see people. It is about creating a world where a student from a small-town government school stands the same chance as someone from an elite campus. Where a woman returning from a career break is valued for her resilience, not judged for her pause. Where emotional intelligence, empathy, cultural understanding, and learning agility are seen as strengths not invisible qualities. I stand for a future where organisations don’t just hire employees they discover humans. My TEDx talk isn’t just an idea; it’s a revolution I’ve lived every day as a teacher, mentor, researcher, and leader. If given the stage, I want to share stories of transformation stories of hidden talent, of people who rose when someone finally believed in them, of how one shift in perspective can change a life. Because at the core of my journey lies a simple truth: When we change how we hire, we change who gets a chance. And when we change who gets a chance, we change the world. This is my idea worth spreading. This is the movement I want to ignite. This is the reason I am ready for the TEDx stage.

Behind the scenes, I have a natural ability to look at a challenge from multiple angles, break it down into smaller, manageable pieces, and find clarity where others see chaos. Whether it’s an academic issue, a team conflict, or a strategic decision, I approach problems with empathy, logic, and calmness. I focus on understanding the people involved, their motivations, and the root cause not just the visible symptoms. This allows me to create solutions that are practical, fair, and sustainable. It’s a skill I rarely talk about, but one that shapes much of my leadership.In high-pressure situations tight deadlines, unexpected crises, or emotionally charged environments I naturally shift into a steady, solution oriented mode. Instead of reacting with stress, I anchor myself, think clearly, and bring stability to the people around me. My calmness becomes a silent form of leadership, helping teams regain confidence, direction, and balance. Many assume I am simply strong, but what I truly do is absorb pressure so others don’t have to carry it alone. This quiet resilience allows me to lead with clarity, empathy, and strength when it matters most.I have a natural instinct for understanding what each person brings to the table their strengths, their fears, their potential and I consciously create spaces where they can shine. Whether it’s guiding faculty, mentoring students, or leading cross functional teams, I lead with encouragement and trust. I make people feel seen, heard, and appreciated, which inspires them to do more than they thought possible. My goal isn’t just team performance; it’s team transformation. I help individuals step into their strengths, collaborate with purpose, and contribute with pride. This ability to elevate people is one of my most fulfilling leadership traits.One of my quiet superpowers is the ability to recognize potential in people long before they recognize it in their own reflection. I intuitively notice the spark in someone’s eyes, the courage hidden behind hesitation, or the brilliance tucked away under self-doubt. Whether it’s a student unsure of their capabilities or a colleague unaware of their leadership qualities, I can sense the strengths that are waiting to emerge. I encourage, guide, and challenge them in ways that make them believe in themselves again. Watching someone rise into their own confidence is one of the most meaningful parts of my journey and it’s a gift I use not loudly, but deeply and intentionally.I have an ability to sense what someone is feeling, even when they don’t have the words for it. In conversations, I don’t just hear what people say.I hear what they mean, what they’re trying to express, and what their heart is holding quietly. This helps me connect to people deeply, guide them with sensitivity, and support them in the moments they feel unseen. Whether I’m mentoring a student, leading a team, or helping someone through a difficult phase, I intuitively recognize the emotions behind their behaviour. It allows me to respond with compassion, patience, and clarity. This silent understanding is one of my greatest strengths, and it’s something most people discover only when they truly experience my presence.There is something incredibly fulfilling about watching someone grow into the person they didn’t believe they could become. I naturally spot the places where people are holding themselves back fear, hesitation, lack of trust in their own abilities and I gently push them toward their potential. Through encouragement, honest feedback, and consistent belief, I help individuals see their strengths clearly. I motivate them to step outside their comfort zones, try again after failure, and realize that they are capable of much more than they imagine. Many people come to me uncertain and quiet, and I watch them turn into confident, self-assured versions of themselves. Being part of that transformation is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.