Sonica Aron is the Founder and CEO of Marching Sheep, a renowned HR consulting firm that specializes in Organizational Development (OD) consulting, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) interventions, and bespoke capability building. With over two decades of experience in HR, Sonica has become a prominent figure in the industry.
Sonica Aron | Founder and CEO | Marching Sheep
Her journey began with an XLRI postgraduate degree, leading her to diverse roles at PepsiCo, Roche Diagnostics, and Vodafone. Her last corporate role was as Head of HR for Consumer Lifestyle Business for Philips in India before she embarked on her entrepreneurial path in 2013. At EliteX, we are proud to have Sonica Aron as part of Fearless Business Leaders in India, 2024.
Despite considering herself risk-averse, Sonica’s career and personal experiences fuelled her passion for making a difference in people’s lives. Her supportive family and encouraging leaders inspired her to create Marching Sheep. During a sabbatical in 2012, Sonica realized the importance of people as an organization’s most valuable asset and the need for effective HR policies. Her experience and insights into diversity and inclusion gaps in the industry led her to establish Marching Sheep. Sonica faced numerous challenges when launching Marching Sheep. With no prior business experience, she navigated the complexities of setting up a company, building a website, and managing finances. The COVID-19 pandemic presented another significant hurdle as interventions were cancelled. However, Sonica and her team demonstrated resilience by adapting to the industry’s needs through pulse surveys, panel discussions, and virtual facilitation training.
“Success is not just about how a leader operates but about how a leader gets the best out of his or her team members and builds other leaders.”
Sonica also faced gender bias early in her career. Determined to make her voice heard, she started speaking up, eventually becoming a sought-after speaker at conferences and events. Her journey reflects integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to client orientation and responsiveness. Over 11 years, Marching Sheep has weathered economic and geopolitical changes, technological evolution, and the pandemic. The firm collaborates closely with clients to deliver customized HR interventions that support business outcomes. Marching Sheep’s holistic approach addresses HR strategy, development, and diversity and inclusion, helping organizations attract, engage, retain, and grow a diverse workforce.
Recognized as a thought leader in DEI and progressive HR practices, Sonica’s insights have been featured in leading publications like TOI, Hindustan Times, and Business World. Marching Sheep’s fearless commitment to driving sustainable change continues to make a significant impact in the HR consulting industry. Sonica Aron believes that humility is one of the most essential qualities a business leader should possess. She recalls attending a conference where many prominent Chief HR officers were invited to speak. While these leaders had ample time to share their insights, the content was often generic and lacked actionable takeaways. Moreover, many speakers distanced themselves from the audience by retreating to a separate room after their sessions. Sonica found this behaviour puzzling, as true leadership is about sharing knowledge and staying connected with the people who contribute to one’s success. She emphasizes that titles do not make leaders; followers do.
In addition to humility, Sonica highlights other crucial leadership qualities such as perseverance, emotional intelligence, resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to nurture team members. She believes that a leader’s success is not just about personal achievements but also about inspiring and developing others. In today’s volatile and unpredictable world, leaders must ensure their teams are mentally and emotionally supported, enjoy their work, and feel treated fairly. Sonica strives to create an environment where her team members can be their authentic selves, regardless of the business challenges.
“In every adversity or setback, we choose to take action in areas where we can make a difference, and not let the adversity overpower us.”
Sonica also stresses the importance of staying updated and continuously learning. The market is constantly evolving, and leaders must adapt to remain relevant. Collaboration and building mutually beneficial partnerships are also key aspects of effective leadership. One of the toughest decisions Sonica Aron faced was during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With clients cancelling planned interventions and revenue streams drying up, she had to decide whether to pause operations and give her team a six-month leave or to reinvent Marching Sheep to meet the new market demands. She chose the latter, focusing on adapting to the evolving marketplace.
Thanks to these efforts, not only did Marching Sheep avoid layoffs, but they also recruited new team members and honoured their commitments to summer trainees from institutes like IIM Ranchi and IMI. Sonica believes in taking proactive steps during adversity, ensuring the team remains resilient and focused on areas where they can make a difference. Sonica Aron likens careers to marathons rather than 100-meter sprints. She acknowledges that career paths are not always linear and are filled with both high and low points. During good times, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining humility and remembering that challenges can arise at any moment. The goodwill earned during prosperous times can be invaluable during tougher periods.
When faced with difficulties, Sonica views them as opportunities for learning and growth. She believes that adversity reveals strengths and weaknesses, helping individuals discover who their true friends are. These challenging times also foster creativity and collaboration in the pursuit of goals. Sonica’s journey and leadership philosophy highlight the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and the ability to inspire and support others. Her commitment to making a tangible difference in people’s lives continues to drive Marching Sheep’s success in the HR consulting industry. Sonica Aron believes that respect, humility, and inclusion are key to keeping her team motivated. She sees her team as her biggest strength and values the connection she shares with them. Transparency about her own weaknesses and openness to feedback builds trust and support among the team members. Sonica is always accessible for both professional and personal concerns, fostering a culture of honesty and mutual support.
At Marching Sheep, several strategies ensure the team stays strong and motivated. Empowering team members to take charge of their tasks fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership. Open communication is crucial, and Sonica makes sure to listen and be available. Continuous learning keeps the team updated and skilled. Acknowledging efforts with gratitude and constructive feedback helps everyone grow. Teamwork, idea-sharing, and brainstorming sessions spark innovation. Clear goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance prevent burnout and keep motivation high. Celebrating both small and big achievements keeps the team excited about their work.
“Integrity in everything is non-negotiable. Trust has to be earned.”
Sonica emphasizes the importance of personal growth within the team. Guiding and supporting each other is a core value. As a consulting organization, problem-solving and innovation are intrinsic to their work. A flat, non-hierarchical structure allows for free sharing of ideas, enabling the team to leverage each other’s strengths and think creatively.
Upcoming Projects and Goals
Marching Sheep aims to impact people’s careers and lives through meaningful interventions that promote respect and equality in inclusive workplaces. The company is committed to evolving its offerings and conducting extensive research to stay ahead. One recent initiative is the DIY playbook ’21 Marching,’ designed to help organizations build disability-confident workplaces. Another tool, ‘Marching with Pride,’ supports creating inclusive environments for the LGBTQIA community.
The team at Marching Sheep continuously upgrades their knowledge on new technologies and concepts to deliver high-impact interventions for clients. Every assignment involves multiple consultants to ensure no aspect is overlooked and collective expertise is utilized. By focusing on building capability within organizations, Marching Sheep plans to offer more certification programs and enable their clients to thrive.
Advice for Aspiring Business Leaders in India
Sonica Aron advises aspiring business leaders to be passionate about their work and committed to continuous learning and growth. Stepping out of comfort zones and pushing oneself is essential for achieving rewarding results. She shares a few principles she follows:
- No Shortcuts to Success: Hard work is essential. Sonica works diligently from Monday to Friday but takes a break on weekends to recharge.
- Integrity: Honouring commitments and maintaining trust is non-negotiable. Integrity in actions and words is crucial for building credibility.
- Perseverance: The journey has its ups and downs. Celebrating wins and not letting setbacks demotivate the team is vital. Sonica stands by her team through challenges, treating them as her family.
Sonica’s leadership philosophy and strategies highlight the importance of respect, continuous learning, and resilience. Her commitment to creating impactful and inclusive workplaces continues to drive Marching Sheep’s success and influence in the HR consulting industry.
“Designations do not make leaders. Followers do.”
