People Engagement: From Participation to Purpose | Surajit Bit | Senior Director – Operations & People Engagement| SHRM India, APAC & MENA

For years, People Engagement has been spoken about as a concept, sometimes even reduced to a checklist > events, touchpoints, communities, platforms. My belief is different. People Engagement is not a term. It is a purpose. A purpose that brings people together with intent, creates relevance through interaction, and builds ecosystems that last beyond a single moment or meeting.

At SHRM, especially across India, APAC, and MENA, this belief has shaped how we design experiences, build communities, and create value for the HR and business ecosystem.

The world of work today is marked by complexity – rapid technological change, shifting workforce expectations, evolving leadership models, and increasing pressure on organizations to deliver both performance and purpose. In such an environment, engagement cannot be transactional. (It must be intentional, curated, and outcome driven).

Engagement as an Ecosystem, Not an Event

One of the most common misconceptions is that engagement begins and ends with an event. In reality, events are only entry points. True People Engagement is about creating journeys—where learning, collaboration, and leadership evolve over time.

At SHRM, our approach is to bring together business leaders, HR stakeholders, solution providers, and advisors in ways that allow for meaningful exchange. Whether through large-scale conferences, closed-door CXO and CHRO roundtables, curated networking forums, or advisory-led platforms, the objective remains the same: enable conversations that translate into action.

This ecosystem-led model allows stakeholders to not only consume insights but also co-create value through shared experiences, peer learning, and sustained interaction.

Why Purpose Matters in Engagement

Purpose brings clarity. It defines WHY people show up, HOW they participate, and WHAT they take back with them.

When engagement is purpose-led:
● Conversations become more authentic
● Networks become stronger and more trusted
● Partnerships move from visibility to value

For SHRM, this purpose directly aligns with our business strategy. Conferences and forums are no longer standalone platforms; they are part of a broader engagement continuum that includes knowledge creation, capability building, market connection, and leadership influence.

Our advisory council and senior leadership team play a critical role here, helping shape agendas that reflect real organizational challenges and emerging priorities across regions.

Designing for the New-Age Leader

The expectations of today’s HR and business leaders are changing. They seek relevance over scale, depth over noise, and experience over information.
This has led us to reimagine engagement formats. Initiatives such as SHRM Unconference are designed to break traditional structures – encouraging peer-led discussions, real-time problem solving, and open dialogue. Alongside this, platforms like SHRM Tech, the SHRM Annual Conference, and our expanding MENA portfolio and foray in APAC are being designed as immersive journeys rather than one-time touchpoints.

Technology, content, and community now intersect in powerful ways. Engagement must reflect that reality – by being inclusive, flexible, and insight-driven.

The Role of Collaboration

No engagement ecosystem can be built in silos. At SHRM, People Engagement is carried forward through close collaboration between knowledge and content teams, business development, and operational excellence. Each plays a distinct role – ensuring that ideas are relevant, platforms are sustainable, and experiences are delivered with consistency and quality.

Equally important is the role of partners and solution providers. When aligned with purpose, partnerships move beyond sponsorship to become co-creators of industry impact.

Looking Ahead

The future of People Engagement lies in continuity – not isolated moments. It lies in creating platforms where leaders return not because they have to, but because they find value, trust, and growth. As we continue to build and scale this vertical across India, APAC, and MENA, my vision remains clear: to ensure that every SHRM engagement whether a roundtable, a conference, or a new-age forum contributes to a larger journey for the industry.

People Engagement, when done with purpose, doesn’t just connect individuals.

It builds communities > It shapes leadership > And it defines the future of work.