From Wounds to Wisdom: Harish Iyer on the Power of Calling People In
In a deeply moving episode of the DiversiTea podcast by Avtar and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Harish Iyer — Senior Vice President and Head of DEI at Axis Bank — shared his journey of resilience, identity, and inclusive leadership. Celebrating 25 years of Avtar’s DEI impact, the conversation was a powerful reminder that inclusion begins with self-awareness and empathy.
The Many Faces of Identity
Harish describes his life as a series of “serial coming outs” — first as an animal lover, then as a survivor of child sexual abuse, and later as a gender-fluid person. “Life is too beautiful to fit into just one gender,” he shared, encouraging us to lead with authenticity. His story shows that our identities are not to be hidden, but honoured and embraced.
Talent and Identity: Not Mutually Exclusive
Harish firmly challenged the idea that talent and identity must be separated. “I don’t drop my queer identity when I come to work,” he emphasized. At Axis Bank, he’s spearheading inclusive initiatives that reflect real-life experiences — like Housework is Work, which acknowledges unpaid domestic labour as skilled contribution. For Harish, inclusion isn’t a corporate trend — it’s a strategic and moral imperative.
From Margins to the Mainstream
Rather than placing the burden of proof on marginalized groups, Harish stresses that the onus is on the majority to create space. He critiques checkbox DEI efforts and calls on organizations to “reflect the society they serve” — diverse, evolving, and human.
The Courage to Call People In
At the heart of the discussion was a powerful message: move from “calling out” to “calling in.” In a world quick to polarize, Harish encourages compassionate conversations. “Wokeness just means being awake to truth,” he said. He views conflict not as a problem, but as the beginning of meaningful change.
Final Reflections: Humanizing the Workplace
Harish believes storytelling is the most powerful catalyst for transformation. “To build a humane organization, you need to build a human organization,” he said. He also practices five minutes of morning gratitude — a quiet reflection that fuels his energy, purpose, and optimism
Catch the full episode of DiversiTea for more on inclusion and culture – one story at a time! Click Here.
