Published on HR Voice by TPOsirji
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Author: Deepanshu Anand
Designation: Regional Head of TA Operations – Sweden & EMEA, Ericsson
Certified Life & Career Coach (UK) | AI Enthusiast
I’ve spent 20 years watching the global talent landscape evolve from my desk at Ericsson, leading teams across 18 countries and four different generations. I’ve seen the ‘Great Resignation’ and the ‘AI Explosion.’
But as I observe campus drives this year, I see a pattern that worries me.
India has the smartest youth in the world, yet we are raising a generation of ‘Silent Experts.’ You can build a neural network in an afternoon, but you hesitate to ask a clarifying question in an interview. You are masters of the screen but strangers to the art of articulation. You want a global career, but you’re afraid to leave your home city.
If India is to lead the AI revolution as a global innovation hub, we don’t just need more coders; we need articulate innovators. Here is my “I’ve Got You” (IGY) blueprint for our students, our colleges, and our corporate world.
To the Students: Your Degree Gets You the Interview; Your Voice Gets You the Job
In my 20 years, I’ve hired thousands of people. I have never once been moved by a line of code alone. I am moved by the person behind the code.
• Stop Being a “Silent Expert”: The biggest mistake I see today is hesitation. If you don’t understand a question, ask. If you have a unique perspective, share it. AI can give an answer, but only a human can provide context.
• The “City” Ceiling: I handled 22 countries across Americas and now 78 in EMEA (Europe, middle East and Africa)because I was never afraid to move. In 2026, the world is your office. If you aren’t willing to leave your city, you are putting a ceiling on your soul.
• Soft Skills are “Durable” Skills: Tech stacks change every six months, but the ability to persuade, to lead a team, and to show empathy is a “durable” skill. Be an AI Enthusiast, but remain a Human Expert.
To the Corporates: Leading 4 Generations is an Art, Not a Science
• Hire for “AQ” (Adaptability Quotient): We must stop looking for candidates who “fit” our current mold and start looking for those who can “stretch” it.
• The IGY Culture: We must prove to the youth that we have their backs. If we want them to be flexible and move for a role, we must provide the “Safe Ecosystem” that makes that transition worth it.
To the Faculty: Let’s Build ‘Employability,’ Not Just ‘Graduates’
Academia and Industry must stop speaking different languages.
• Collaboration is Key: Campus drives shouldn’t be the first time a student meets a corporate leader. Let’s bring real-world AI use cases into the classroom.
• The Articulation Lab: Every engineering and tech course should have a mandatory “Storytelling” component. Let’s teach our youth how to sell their ideas as effectively as they build them.
The Vision: India as the World’s ‘Human-AI’ Hub
India is already a tech powerhouse, but the next frontier is Value-Added Innovation. This requires a safe and positive ecosystem where students aren’t afraid to fail, faculty isn’t afraid to experiment, and corporates aren’t afraid to mentor.
When we combine India’s demographic dividend with the “I’ve Got You” mindset, we don’t just grow our GDP—we grow our global influence.
I’ve got you. Now, let’s see you lead.
About the Author
Deepanshu Anand is a seasoned global talent acquisition leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategic hiring, talent operations, and workforce transformation across multiple regions. Currently serving as the Regional Head of Talent Acquisition Operations for Sweden & EMEA at Ericsson, he has led talent strategies spanning dozens of countries and multiple generations of professionals.
Deepanshu’s career reflects a deep commitment to human-centric hiring, leadership development, and the future of work in the age of AI. His thought leadership on career readiness, adaptability, and innovation has been published and shared widely with global audiences, making him a respected voice in HR, coaching, and technology communities. He is also a Certified Life & Career Coach (UK) and an active AI enthusiast, advocating for the combination of human skills and technology in building future leaders and innovators.
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