Winner's story: Prasad Kumar

Prasad from Singapore shares his story reflecting on his personal connection to the Smiths Values particularly integrity, respect and passion. In his entry, Prasad describes how Smiths has become a “second home” where integrity and respect are not just words, but values that are genuinely lived everyday.

When I joined Smiths, I brought with me some corporate and plant experience, but more importantly, I carried two values very close to my heart - ethics and integrity. I have always believed that in these two, there is no middle ground. You either stand for them fully, or you don’t. There is no “in-between” score.

What made Smiths special from day one was how deeply these values were lived - not just spoken. Along with ethics and integrity, I experienced something equally powerful - respect. Respect for people, respect for ideas, respect for differences and respect for doing what is right even when it is not easy. I realised very quickly that this was a place where I could be myself, where I didn’t have to compromise on what I believed in. That alignment between personal values and organisational values became the foundation of my journey.

Over the past decade, I haven’t just worked at Smiths - I have lived it. I have flourished, grown, learned, stumbled and risen again. There have been moments of pride, moments of challenge, and even moments of emotion - but through it all, Smiths has been constant, like a home that shapes you and stands by you.

One of the most unique aspects of Smiths is its culture. It is rare in the corporate world to find a place where you can reach out to anyone, where hierarchy doesn’t create barriers and where conversations are open and genuine. Here, we don’t just talk about values - we live them every single day. These values are not imposed; they are shaped by our people, making them a true reflection of who we are.

Throughout my tenure, every piece of work I have been part of has been guided by these values. Whether it was hiring the right talent, managing complex union interactions, employee relations, supporting employees through difficult separations, or simply doing my day-to-day job with passion - there was always one constant question in my mind: Are we doing this with integrity? Are we showing respect? Are we doing the right thing?

I have had the privilege to contribute to initiatives I am deeply proud of: onboarding female career returnees, hiring female candidates in manufacturing roles for the first time, supporting the Engineering Pune Centre creation during COVID, and nurturing early-career talent and many more. Each of these milestones wasn’t just an achievement - it was a reflection of Smiths’ commitment to inclusion, growth and doing the right thing.

One moment that truly stands out in my journey was the union wage negotiation during the COVID period. It was a challenging time - the business environment was uncertain, and emotions were high. Our wage agreement was nearing its end, and we were navigating both a renewal and new demands. It could have easily turned adversarial. But we chose a different path - the Smiths way.

We stayed grounded in our values: respect for people, transparency, and fairness. Every conversation acknowledged the concerns of employees. We ensured people felt heard, even when discussions were tough. We focused on open communication, explaining the realities of the business while genuinely listening to employee concerns. It wasn’t easy, but through mutual trust and understanding, we successfully signed a four-year wage settlement.

That experience reinforced one of the most important lessons of my career: as an HR professional, you must balance empathy with practicality. Respect people, but also be honest about realities. When you combine respect, integrity, and fairness, even the toughest challenges can lead to meaningful outcomes.

Another moment that will always stay with me is how Smiths responded during Covid. At a time when uncertainty surrounded the world, Smiths showed what it truly means to care. Supporting employees even when work was impacted reflected a deep-rooted respect for people beyond just performance. It felt like the organization was standing beside its people, just like a family would. And this connection with Smiths values did not just stay within the workplace - it became part of my life beyond work as well. I still remember when my son was just 5 years old, he would curiously ask me, “What are Smiths values?” Those small conversations at home turned into meaningful discussions about respect, integrity, and doing the right thing. Today, he is 9-years-old, and he not only remembers those values but understands them in his own way. For me, that is one of the most special parts of this journey - that what I learned at Smiths has become a part of my family.

These are no longer just organisational values; they are our family values, shaping the way we think, act and grow together. And I am certain these are life skills he will carry forward forever. I have also been incredibly fortunate to work with inspiring leaders - who have trusted me, guided me and given me opportunities to grow. Their belief in people has been a cornerstone of my journey.

For me, Smiths is not just a company. It is a place where values meet action, where people matter, where every individual has the opportunity to grow and make a difference. I feel proud, grateful, and privileged to be part of this incredible journey - and I look forward to many more milestones ahead.