CEO Insights Magazine

Startup leaders play a pivotal role in guiding and steering fledgling ventures toward success. They embody the qualities of visionaries, risk-takers, and innovators, demonstrating the resilience necessary to overcome challenges. Driven by a deep passion for their vision, startup leaders forge new paths and leave a lasting impact on their industries. Natalia Damayanti, a seasoned HR consultant with over 25 years of experience across diverse industries, exemplifies these traits. Holding a postgraduate degree in HR management from Gadjah Mada University, she climbed the corporate ladder to Senior Management before finally establishing WMK Consulting alongside her esteemed colleagues. With a global perspective, her ultimate objective is to create a positive impact in the market, guiding organizations through the everevolving HR landscape and helping them unlock the full potential of their human capital. In an insightful interview with CEO Insights Asia, Natalia sheds light on her remarkable professional journey and WMK Consulting.

Could you give a brief account of your professional background and experiences? What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

I began my professional journey in 1994 after completing my degree in Communication from Padjadjaran University. I started as an HR Management Trainee in a renowned conglomerate group in Indonesia. Over the years, I worked in various HR roles across industries such as Telecommunications, Hospitality, IT, and even taught at a private university for four years after obtaining my master's degree in HR from Gadjah Mada University. I further advanced my career as the HR GM in a Coal Mining Company and eventually reached the position of Chief HR Officer in a large multinational company. My motivation stems from my passion for working with people. I genuinely enjoy taking care  of them, understanding their needs, developing their potential, and inspiring them to reach their goals.

How would you define WMK Consulting as an organization and its current position in the market?

In the market, WMK Consulting is currently a rising star, providing comprehensive and strategic human resources solutions. With a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of HR practices and a strong commitment to client success, we have established ourselves as a trusted partner for organizations seeking to optimize their human capital and drive sustainable growth. We position ourselves as business partners, assisting CEOs and HR leaders in overcoming people-related challenges within their organizations and transforming them into valuable human capital. As an organization, we take pride in our team of highly skilled HR professionals who possess extensive expertise in various domains of human resources. Our consultants bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to address the diverse needs and challenges faced by our clients.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

I believe in the potential and good intentions of people. As a leader, I encourage openness within my team, allowing them to express their ideas and solutions to provide the best possible service to our clients. My role is to provide them with the space to present their best solutions. Additionally, I have adopted the SERVE principles of Leadership, which I learned during my time delivering leadership training programs. This approach drives me to guide and inspire my team effectively.

Could you reflect on some of the toughest challenges you have encountered in your journey? How did you overcome and learn from them?

Shifting from being an employee for over 25 years to becoming an entrepreneur presented significant challenges for me. I had to adopt a new paradigm and approach to life, which initially proved to be quite daunting. To overcome these changes, I embraced the transition, acknowledged what steps I needed to take, and sought suggestions from my team without hesitation. I recognized their expertise and learned to rely on their valuable insights. I also learned that life doesn't always come easy; it brings challenges. It is essential to react, accept, and anticipate those challenges to navigate through them successfully.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

When we established WMK Consulting, we aimed to make an impact in the global market and become a trusted business partner for our clients. We strive to help organizations stay updated with industry trends and align with the rapidly changing HR landscape. Expanding our reach to provide expertise in global HR practices, cross-cultural management, and international workforce strategies is our goal. Navigating diverse cultural contexts, ensuring global compliance, and enabling talent mobility are crucial aspects that we aim to assist organizations with in the future.

Based on your experiences, what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?

As an experienced HR leader, my advice to aspiring industry leaders is to embrace continuous learning, develop strong emotional intelligence, foster a growth mindset, build a culture of trust and transparency, develop strong people skills, stay customercentric, embrace technology while maintaining the human connection, lead with integrity, build a strong professional network, and prioritize worklife balance. By following these pieces of advice, budding industry leaders can navigate their career paths, develop their leadership skills, and make a positive impact in the HR field, inspiring them to become effective and compassionate leaders in their own right.

Natalia Damayanti, Founder, WMK Consulting

Natalia Damayanti, Founder of WMK Consulting, is an HR consultant with over 25 years of industry experience, laying her expertise in organizational development, recruitment, and HR development. She holds a postgraduate degree in HR management and is known for her leadership approach that fosters openness, trust, and continuous learning.