Humanising People Strategy With Listening and Data: Dawn Wong

💡 Episode Key Insights

• From Setback to Purpose: Entering HR With Empathy [00:02:00]
Dawn shares how being laid off during pregnancy inspired her to enter HR, driven by a personal mission to create more compassionate workplaces.

• Be Kind, Not Just Nice: Redefining Performance Conversations [00:10:00]
She explains the difference between avoiding hard truths and showing genuine care, emphasising kindness as honest, constructive feedback rooted in empathy.

• Every Voice Matters: How VaynerMedia Keeps a Pulse on People [00:16:00]
From 15-minute chats with every employee to structured surveys, Dawn blends human connection and data to build trust and surface actionable insights.

•  Culture Beyond Contracts: Building a Unified Talent Experience [00:14:00]
Rejecting a narrow focus on “employee experience,” Dawn outlines how contractors and freelancers are integrated into learning, community, and culture.

•  Coaching with Data: Empowering People Managers Through Insight [00:23:00]
Dawn discusses how manager feedback data sparks honest dialogue, helps elevate leadership, and strengthens human-centric culture at scale.

 

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Human-Centric HR: Building Moments That Matter

In today’s rapidly changing workplace, the role of Human Resources has shifted from traditional administrative tasks to more strategic initiatives that focus on employee relationships and culture. Dawn Wong, an HR veteran, strongly believes in creating "moments that matter" for employees, emphasizing that genuine care and connection are central to successful HR practices.

She draws on personal experiences to illustrate how empathetic HR practices not only influence individual career journeys but also cultivate a work environment where employees feel valued and heard. Dawn shares,

“I started my HR career 16 years ago because of my son...I wanted to make a difference. And the difference that I want to make is really go into HR, making sure that other people will not have the same experience as me."

Dawn’s philosophy is a testament to the growing trend of human-centric HR—one that cares deeply about the people it serves and strives to build a supportive cultural ethos.

The implications of this approach are vast. Organizations with human-centric philosophies tend to see higher levels of employee engagement, reduced turnover, and a more inclusive workplace. By focusing on creating meaningful interactions with employees, HR professionals can lay the groundwork for a thriving, people-first organization.

 

Diverse Perspectives: A Catalyst for Growth

Embracing diversity is not merely a compliance checkbox but a strategic necessity that drives innovation. As Dawn Wong highlights, diversity extends beyond mere representation to encompass a wide range of skills, backgrounds, and viewpoints.

“Very lucky that I'm able to try a lot of different industries as a whole. I wasn’t from HR...That was a moment that really matters to me."

Dawn’s commitment to fostering a diverse team is reflected in the intentionality behind hiring practices at VaynerMedia, where the goal is not just culture fit but culture add—an approach that underscores the value of a mix of experiences and perspectives.

"For example, recruitment...how do you ensure that it has to be a balance of both male and female," she cautions, illustrating the meticulous care required in assembling a truly diverse team.

Implementing diversity and inclusion (D\&I) initiatives requires a conscientious approach from leadership, whereby organizations must prioritize this as a core value, leading to a culture where all voices feel valued and included. This strategic embrace of diversity positions a company as a leader in innovation and adaptability, critical in today's fast-paced business landscape.

 

Engaging Through Feedback: The Pulse of Employee Sentiment

Maintaining a consistent feedback loop and open channels of communication is essential for understanding and improving employee experience. Dawn's approach to employee engagement is transparent and rooted in regular, meaningful conversations. Upon joining VaynerMedia, she embarked on a "virtual APAC tour" to personally connect with each employee. 

"I really wanted to learn why they joined the organization, what makes it a difference that Vaynermedia is providing," she explains.

Additionally, Dawn understands the importance of data-driven decisions in refining employee engagement strategies. By leveraging tools that capture qualitative and quantitative feedback, leaders can paint a comprehensive picture of organizational health and make informed improvements.

"That was the first flavor that I have when it comes to getting the voices from the people. We do surveys...simple surveys," Dawn explains.

Through the practical application of feedback mechanisms, organizations can not only keep their fingers on the pulse of employee sentiment but also inspire a sense of shared purpose across the workforce. This strategic alignment strengthens an organization's agility and capability to drive growth.

Reimagining Future Workplaces

The conversations around evolving workplaces continue to stress the significance of adaptability and flexibility. The rise of the gig economy presents a future where traditional modes of employment increasingly give way to non-linear, project-driven work engagements.

"The environment is very agile when it comes to business. You have to be agile as a business as well, which means a business is run by a bunch of talents," Dawn astutely notes.

Forward-thinking organizations recognize the vital role of diverse employment arrangements for meeting future workforce expectations and attracting top talent. Such a future-oriented perspective enriches the organizational fabric, ushering in a new era of innovation and competitiveness. This strategic openness is a transformative shift worth adopting for any organization poised to secure a spot at the frontier of industry excellence.

Embracing the future of work with a mindset that values human connection, diversity, and open communication is not just a function of HR—it is a comprehensive approach that ultimately steers companies toward a successful, adaptable future.

 

Related Resources

• Connect with Dawn Wong

• Connect with Fung Tai

• Join the HR Impact community: Sign Up

 

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MEET OUR GUEST

Dawn Wong

 

Dawn Wong has over 20 years of professional experience leading APAC HR teams in startups and global MNCs across technology, internet, e-commerce, retail, manufacturing and now the creative and media industries. 

In VaynerMedia as  Head of People and Experience, APAC, Dawn’s goal is to build the most human-centric organization of all times with a culture of empathy & focusing on creating moments that matter to talents of diverse backgrounds. Passionate about all things people and culture, Dawn is a strong advocate of building exceptional HR teams & people leaders, giving back to the HR community, and transforming talents’ experiences through digitalisation and creativity. 

Ever curious in the latest and greatest of what the digital landscape has to offer, continuously championing the belief that curiosity will always lead to a path of knowledge and opportunities. Prior to joining VaynerMedia, Dawn had led and built award-winning HR teams in Rakuten and LinkedIn, providing strategic guidance in building business and championing talents.