‘I received a great deal of trust from my teachers’

He has worked with several multinational companies across different areas of HR. At present, he is working independently as an HR consultant and collaborates with companies as well as management schools, helping them design curriculum and strengthen their HR frameworks. Broadly, his work revolves around applying his overall experience in HR rather than being tied to one organisation. Meet Vikrant Mathur, an alumnus of Apeejay School, Noida, who studied here from Class IX onwards.

In a candid interview, the batch of 1999-2000 student talks about the core values from the school that have stayed with him.

You have moved from corporate roles to consulting. How has that shift been for you?

When you work within a company, you operate within defined rules, structures, and guidelines. Working independently gives me the freedom to experiment, try new approaches, and even make mistakes and learn from them. Right now, it is a mix of things, since I may return to a full-time role later, but this phase has given me valuable flexibility and learning.

What experiences from your school shaped your leadership style?

I received a great deal of trust from my teachers. Whether it was academics or extracurricular responsibilities, they gave me space instead of micromanaging me. That helped me learn faster and at my pace. It also built a sense of empathy. Today, in my professional life, I try to give people that same space. I believe in letting people understand things, make mistakes, and learn, rather than constantly pointing out errors. Trust is important, especially in a workplace where different generations are working together.

What core values from the school have stayed with you?

Integrity is one of the strongest values I carried forward. Giving your full effort to whatever you do, and seeking help when needed, is something I learnt early. The school also instilled the importance of hard work and putting your heart into things. Interestingly, I did not like the school much in the beginning, but over time it gave me some of my best memories. In fact, my twins are set to join this school this year.

Any one memory from school that stands out the most?

Becoming the Vice-head Boy and then the Head Boy within a short span of time was a big moment for me. Back in 1999 to 2000, during the Kargil War, I had the opportunity to meet the then late Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as a representative of the school. Experiences like that, at the age of 16 or 17, leave a lasting impact.

What is one big misconception about HR?

HR tends to be disliked because it can come across as bureaucratic, rigid, and rule-driven. But if HR allows people to work more freely and encourages collaboration, it leads to better ideas and stronger systems. The key is to balance rules with empathy, listen patiently, and try to help people.

What should students focus on today to stay future-ready?

You need to work hard, stay grounded, and pay attention to detail. Life may be more comfortable today, but the expectations from work have not reduced. Whatever the field, the effort required remains high. So focus on depth, discipline, and understanding what is needed at the moment.