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Marching Sheep x Zainab Patel: Sparking Real Conversations on LGBTQIA+ Inclusion

๐Ÿ‘€ ๐ƒ๐ข๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ค๐ง๐จ๐ฐ?

๐‘ด๐’๐’“๐’† ๐’•๐’‰๐’‚๐’ 50% ๐’๐’‡ ๐‘ณ๐‘ฎ๐‘ฉ๐‘ป๐‘ธ๐‘ฐ๐‘จ+ ๐’‘๐’“๐’๐’‡๐’†๐’”๐’”๐’Š๐’๐’๐’‚๐’๐’” ๐’”๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’‰๐’Š๐’…๐’† ๐’•๐’‰๐’†๐’Š๐’“ ๐’Š๐’…๐’†๐’๐’•๐’Š๐’•๐’š ๐’‚๐’• ๐’˜๐’๐’“๐’Œ (๐‘ฉ๐‘ช๐‘ฎ, 2021).

Marching Sheep in collaboration with Zainab Patel recently held a session with one of Indiaโ€™s leading companies, and it wasnโ€™t just a routine talk on inclusion.

It was an honest, eye-opening session filled with real examples, thought-provoking questions, and interactive moments.

From immersive activities that challenged stereotypes to reflections on everyday bias, they didnโ€™t just speakโ€”they sparked meaningful conversation and action.

Together, they talked about:

๐Ÿ“ What is the LGBTQIA+ community all about?

๐Ÿ“ Why do pronouns matter?

๐Ÿ“ How do we sometimes treat people unfairly without even realizing it?

From interactive photo quizzes to real workplace stories, the session reminded us:

โžก๏ธ You canโ€™t assume someoneโ€™s identity.

โžก๏ธYou can always askโ€”respectfully.

โžก๏ธInclusion isnโ€™t performative. Itโ€™s muscle memory.

โžก๏ธThe emotional toll of โ€œfitting inโ€ is real.

โ€œ๐–๐ž๐š๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐š ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐›๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ž๐š๐ฌ๐ฒ. ๐’๐ฉ๐ž๐š๐ค๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ž๐ง ๐ข๐ญโ€™๐ฌ ๐ก๐š๐ซ๐โ€”๐ญ๐ก๐š๐ญโ€™๐ฌ ๐š๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ.โ€ โ€“ ๐’๐’‚๐’Š๐’๐’‚๐’ƒ ๐‘ท๐’‚๐’•๐’†๐’ (๐‘บ๐’‰๐’†/๐‘ฏ๐’†๐’“)

Small actionsโ€”like adding pronouns to your email signature, correcting a joke, or simply saying โ€œHi folksโ€ instead of โ€œHi guysโ€โ€”can go a long way in signaling safety.

The session ended with a question that still lingers in our minds:

โ€œ๐‘พ๐’‰๐’‚๐’•โ€™๐’” ๐’๐’๐’† ๐’‚๐’„๐’• ๐’๐’‡ ๐’‚๐’๐’๐’š๐’”๐’‰๐’Š๐’‘ ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’‰๐’‚๐’—๐’†๐’โ€™๐’• ๐’…๐’๐’๐’† ๐’š๐’†๐’•?โ€

Maybe itโ€™s time we all picked oneโ€”and did it.

Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7344244779435642884

 

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Sonica Aron Joins Global Panel on Inclusive Leadership

“๐ˆ๐ง๐œ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐›๐ž๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฒ๐๐š๐ฒ ๐œ๐ก๐จ๐ข๐œ๐ž๐ฌโ€”๐š๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐œ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐š๐ ๐ž ๐ญ๐จ ๐š๐œ๐ญ.

Our Founder & CEO Sonica Aron (She/Her/Hers) recently joined a heartfelt panel conversation hosted by a global IT giant for their leaders across countries, alongside some wonderful leaders.

The conversation wasnโ€™t just about leadership or workplace dynamicsโ€”it was about people.

About how teams today are made up of different voices, backgrounds, and ways of thinking.

About how true belonging doesn’t happen by chanceโ€”itโ€™s built, moment by moment.

Sonica shared how real inclusion doesnโ€™t need big gestures. Sometimes, itโ€™s as simple as asking someone, โ€œ๐‘พ๐’‰๐’‚๐’• ๐’…๐’ ๐’š๐’๐’– ๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’๐’Œ?โ€

Some powerful reminders from the session:

๐Ÿ’ฌ Inclusion is a choice we make every day.

๐Ÿค Trust grows when feedback leads to action.

๐Ÿง  Curiosity is the foundation of equityโ€”not categories or labels.

๐Ÿงญ Managers shape culture, not by talkingโ€”but by modeling care and boundaries.

Weโ€™re thankful for this space to pause, reflect, and talk about what truly mattersโ€”๐œ๐ซ๐ž๐š๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ž๐š๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ž ๐ž๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐Ÿ๐ž๐ž๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ž๐ž๐ง, ๐ฌ๐š๐Ÿ๐ž, ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ฏ๐š๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ž๐.

Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7343505236201783297

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10th batch of the Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP) Certification in association with FICCI Quality Forum

๐’๐‡๐‘๐๐ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“ ๐‚๐ž๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐Ÿ๐ข๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐š๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ž ๐ก๐š๐ฌ ๐›๐ž๐ ๐ฎ๐ง!

The 10th batch of the Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP) Certification Programme officially kicked off on 20th June 2025โ€”and what a fantastic start it was!

Marching Sheep, in association with FICCI Quality Forum, brought together 25 participants from 10 different organisationsโ€”creating a vibrant space filled with energy, laughter, thoughtful questions, deep reflections, and powerful peer learning.

The first session focused on the evolving role of HRโ€”from operational support to strategic enabler.

Participants explored frameworks and mindset shifts needed to lead in todayโ€™s complex world of work. The room buzzed with curiosity, insights, and shared experiences.

We’re just getting started, and the momentum is already strong.

๐‡๐‘ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ . ๐€๐ซ๐ž ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ซ๐ž๐š๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฅ๐ž๐š๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐œ๐ก๐š๐ง๐ ๐ž?

The SHRBP program continues every Friday, 2โ€“6 PM IST, until July end.

ย Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7342822316130607105

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3rd Edition of the FICCI Total Wellbeing Summit 2025

How do we move beyond perks and policies to build truly wellbeing-first workplaces?

At the 3rd Edition of the FICCI Total Wellbeing Summit 2025, our Founder & Managing Partner Sonica Aron (She/Her/Hers) joined industry leaders to unpack the evolving definition of wellbeing at work โ€” one that is deeply intersectional, inclusive, and future-forward.

In her session, Sonica highlighted:

  • How the conversation has shifted from CTCs to core culture
  • The importance of intergenerational wellbeing โ€” from millennials to Gen Z and beyond
  • Life-stage based changes that impact mental, emotional, financial, and physical wellbeing
  • The need to embed wellbeing into organisational design, leadership development, and diversity conversations
  • And why we need to listen to underrepresented voices โ€” including LGBTQIA+ employees and PwDs

Wellbeing isnโ€™t a benefit. Itโ€™s a business imperative. And it starts with awareness, empathy, and action.

Link- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7330471032056627200

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Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP) Program by Marching Sheep in partnership with FICCI

HR today isnโ€™t just about compliance or processesโ€”itโ€™s about driving business outcomes.

The Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP) Program by Marching Sheep in partnership with FICCI is for HR professionals who want to lead with intent and influence and drive tangible business results through people.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Starts June 6 | Every Friday

๐Ÿ•’ 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM IST | Live, online

Who should join?

๐Ÿ”น HR Business Partners

๐Ÿ”น Generalists, COE & OD Leads

๐Ÿ”น Talent Managers

๐Ÿ”น Line Managers ready to shift to HR

What youโ€™ll gain:

โœ” Align people strategy with business goals

โœ” Lead change with confidence and clarity

โœ” Create inclusive, high-performing cultures

โœ” Build influence across business functions

A practical, real-time action learning journey curated to navigate todayโ€™s HR challenges.

Connect with us on info@marchingsheep.com for registration or nominations.

Link- https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7326832680363270145

 

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Podcast on “Reasonable Accommodations: All You Need to Know”

๐Ÿ”Š Upcoming Podcast | May 8 | 6:00 โ€“ 7:00 PM ISTย 

“Reasonable Accommodations: All You Need to Know”

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Featuring three powerful voices:

๐Ÿ”น Mugdha, Head of HR, Chalet Hotels โ€“ on inclusive hiring & workplace policies.

๐Ÿ”น Ankit Rajiv Jindal, Inclusion Champion & Marketing Leader โ€“ on bridging business strategy with social impact.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Who should attend?

* HR professionals

* Talent acquisition ย 

* DEI practitioners

* Team managers and leaders

* Persons with disabilities (PwDs)

* Anyone committed to building inclusive workplaces

๐Ÿ“… May 8 | ๐Ÿ•• 6:00 โ€“ 7:00 PM IST

๐Ÿ”— Join us live

Letโ€™s move from awareness to advocacyโ€”together.

Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7326181936400334849

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Sonica Aron, Founder & Managing Partner at MarchingSheep, will be speaking at TEDxKIS

From Barriers to Bridges.

Thatโ€™s not just a themeโ€”itโ€™s the work we do every day.

Weโ€™re proud to share that Sonica Aron (She/Her/Hers), Founder & Managing Partner at MarchingSheep, will be speaking at TEDxKIS, Noida Youth on May 8th, under a theme that perfectly reflects our mission.

At Marching Sheep, weโ€™ve always believed that inclusion is not a checkboxโ€”itโ€™s a commitment. From mental well-being and accessibility to authentic leadership and lived experiences, Sonicaโ€™s talk will spotlight what it truly takes to build workplaces where everyone belongs.

๐ŸŽค Watch out for her session in the second half of the event (Speaker Session II)!

๐Ÿ’ฌ โ€œThe world doesnโ€™t need perfect stories. It needs real ones.โ€ โ€” Sonica Aron

We look forward to a day of powerful insights, inspiring ideas, and meaningful conversations.

๐Ÿ“Œ TEDxKIS, Noida Youth

๐Ÿ“… 8th May 2025

๐Ÿ“ Theme: From Barriers to Bridges

Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7325415670018363392

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๐—ช๐—ฒ ๐—ฑ๐—ผ๐—ปโ€™๐˜ ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐˜€๐˜†๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐˜†. ๐—ช๐—ฒ ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—ผ๐—ฝ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ถ๐˜๐˜†

This video is a powerful reminder that persons with disabilities arenโ€™t looking for favoursโ€”theyโ€™re asking for fairness.

๐Ÿ’ฌ Equal chances. Reasonable accommodations. Human dignity. Because true inclusion means enabling people to thriveโ€”not just survive.

At Marching Sheep, we work with organizations to turn intent into actionโ€”through sensitization workshops, inclusive policy frameworks, and accessibility audits.

๐ŸŽฅ Watch. Reflect. Act.

If youโ€™re looking to make your workplace more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities, connect with us at info@marchingsheep.com . Letโ€™s build workplaces where potential matters more than limitations.

ย Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7325105364658442242

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Sonica Aron on Delhi Times

Pause. Reflect. Reset.

April, the month of World Health Day, reminds us that wellbeing goes beyond just physical healthโ€”it’s about mental, emotional, and even professional renewal.

In yesterdayโ€™s edition of Delhi Times, this was beautifully echoed in a feature on sabbaticals, where Sonica Aron (She/Her/Hers) was quoted as saying that โ€œthe accomplishments made during a sabbatical are what matter mostโ€”not the break itself.โ€ Her perspective highlights how time away can be a powerful tool for growth, not a gap to justify.

Weโ€™ve seen this firsthand in our teamโ€”one member took a sabbatical last year and returned with fresh clarity and new ideas. Another begins theirs this year, embarking on a personal journey of reflection and recharge. We at MarchingSheep celebrate this commitment to personal growth and resilience.

In fact, our Strategy Director, Alok Kohli, has been a strong advocate of this mindset and spoke at TEDx three years ago, sharing his own experience with taking a career break and how it shaped his perspective as a leaderโ€”a powerful take on how stepping away can often be the best step forward

Watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gACz8EF6

If you’re a leader or organization thinking about how to create space for wellbeing, reflection, and reentryโ€”weโ€™d love to talk.

Reach out to us to learn how sabbaticals and intentional pauses can be built into your people and wellbeing strategy.

Link-https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7319963592055738369

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SHE Marches development series

I was recently asked by some one, has there been any woman in your life who has been your #rolemodel.

As I reflected and tried to articulate my answer, I realised that wasnโ€™t one, but many. Women who have had the #courage to question status quo, break the cycle of #societalnorms that shackle and constrain, have had the #resilience to live life on their own terms. One such person is Vidyashree Rai. Have known her now for more than 7 years. Have forgotten the number of initiatives we have partnered on. And the number of deep conversations we have had. Each conversation left me feeling more aware, relaxed, happier, courageous and raring to go.

So when I had to bring a speaker for one of our #SHEMarches development series, I could not think of anyone better than Vidya. And she spoke from the heart, sharing the source of her courage in the darkest moments and the source of her humility in her highest moments.

Thank you Vidyashree Rai for taking out time to #makeadifference to so many lives!

ย Link-https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sonica-aron-she-her-hers-17499a1_rolemodel-courage-societalnorms-activity-7308691006558781440-5mWs?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABS2WgB8dIo4r2vjNbQcDRxB1z3vkSekis

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DEI Certification

Driving #Inclusion requires understanding lived realities of people belonging to different dimensions of #Diversity, understanding their challenges of serving and trying to succeed in a world that is not designed for them. Gratitude to our very own Aarushi G for sharing real life experiences at different stages during the recent session in our #DEIcertification, from education to travel, to visiting offices, to applying for employment, to working with other #PersonswithDisabilities for building #employability. The fact is that for all the awareness and PR, the awareness around basic concepts like #Reasonableaccomodations #accessibility beyond infrastructure, building #disabilityconfidentorganisations #21disabilities covered under the #RPWDact2016 is still very low.

HR Desk- FICCI Quality Forum and team MarchingSheep are proud to drive a certification that truly makes a difference.

Link- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sonica-aron-she-her-hers-17499a1_inclusion-diversity-deicertification-activity-7308033300298641410-ODjF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABS2WgB8dIo4r2vjNbQcDRxB1z3vkSekis

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