Stepping into a managerial role presents unique challenges, from leading a team and making strategic decisions to effectively communicating with stakeholders. The HR Young Manager Buddy Program, one of the flagship events of the Young Leaders Department PMSM Indonesia—led by Irwan Dewanto (VP of HR, Taco Group), was created to support young HR managers in their leadership journey through a structured development framework focusing on Leading Self, Leading Teams, and Leading the Organization (SHRM, 2008). In this program, Learners (HR young managers) engage in intensive discussions with Buddies—HR Managers and Senior Managers from various industries—who provide valuable insights and mentorship to enhance their leadership capabilities.
The program is structured into four key stages: Pre-Event, Program Sessions, Final Project Initiatives, and Appreciation Night. The Pre-Event phase featured a series of Instagram Live and Zoom sessions to introduce the program and provide expert insights into leadership development. The first Instagram Live session, “Become Your Own Leader First,” was held on October 31, 2024, with speakers Bryan Gunawan (People, Transformation, & Growth Leader) and Cornellius Pantau (CHRO, Esensi Solusi Buana). A second session, a Zoom event on November 7, 2024, focused on “The Leader’s Role in Building High-Performance Teams,” featuring Posma Prima (AVP of People, Astro) and Arnold Sigisa (Secretary-General, PMSM Indonesia). The final pre-event, an Instagram Live session titled “Leadership for Organizational Growth,” was conducted on November 14, 2024, with speakers Agustina Samara (Deputy Head L&D, PMSM Indonesia) and Heriyanto (Chairman, PMSM Indonesia). During this phase, registration for Buddies and Learners was opened, starting October 31, 2024, allowing participants to engage with leadership concepts before the core program began.
The HR Young Manager Buddy Program received around 40 applications for Buddies and 50 for Learners. After a rigorous selection process, 10 Buddies and 21 Learners were chosen, representing diverse industries and locations, including Jabodetabek, Bandung, Cimahi, Surabaya, and Makassar. These participants were divided into 10 discussion groups, each supported by a Learning Partner responsible for facilitating meetings between Learners and Buddies. Officially launched on December 5, 2024, the program ran until February 18, 2025, delivering 35 sessions and accumulating over 50 hours of discussions. Sessions were conducted both online and offline, ensuring flexibility and engagement.
As part of the final stage, all Learners developed Project Initiatives based on insights gained from their discussions, aligning with the themes of Leading Self, Leading Teams, and Leading the Organization. The top five projects were selected for a final presentation and judging session to determine the program’s best initiative. The Final Project Presentation took place online on February 22, 2025, with a distinguished panel of judges: Leandy Augustiander (Learning Lead, Human Capital Division, Bank Danamon), Ramsi Dharma Tjahjadi (Head of People & Culture, DFI Retail Group Cambodia), and Yessie Fransiska Lydiana (HR, Banking Industry).
To celebrate the program’s success, an Appreciation Night was held on March 6, 2025 at Binus University FX Sudirman Jakarta, as a gesture of gratitude to PMSM Indonesia, the organizing committee, Buddies, and Learners. The event also served as the program’s wrap-up and coincided with a special Iftar gathering. Heriyanto Agung Putra (Chairman of PMSM Indonesia) also took the stage to express his appreciation, stating that this program is an outstanding initiative to foster resilience and leadership skills in new HR managers. During the events also, awards were presented to the winners of the Final Project Presentation: Ferdinan Leonardo (Tiket.com) won 1st place with his project “Team Health Check,” Bilyansyah (LRT Jakarta) took 2nd place with “Leading Organization: Enhancing Learning Agility Value,” and Arif Rahman Hakim (Sipatex) secured 3rd place with “Overcoming Resistance to Change: Leadership Strategies in Traditional Manufacturing Companies.” Additionally, Sistaria from Mamikos received the Favorite Award, selected by the organizing committee. Special appreciation was also given to PMSM Indonesia and program sponsors, including TACO, L’Oréal, Kapal Api Group, Wings, Lemonilo, Mondelez, Tiket.com, Astro, and Binus University, who generously provided freebies.
We hope this program has served as an inspiration and learning opportunity for everyone involved, both Learners and Buddies. Throughout the journey, we have gathered valuable insights and evaluations that will help enhance the program’s impact in the future, such as extending its timeline and expanding participant outreach. May initiatives like this continue to grow in the coming years, fostering collaboration, leadership development, and professional growth for future HR leaders.
As part of the final stage, all Learners developed Project Initiatives based on insights gained from their discussions, aligning with the themes of Leading Self, Leading Teams, and Leading the Organization. The top five projects were selected for a final presentation and judging session to determine the program’s best initiative. The Final Project Presentation took place online on February 22, 2025, with a distinguished panel of judges: Leandy Augustiander (Learning Lead, Human Capital Division, Bank Danamon), Ramsi Dharma Tjahjadi (Head of People & Culture, DFI Retail Group Cambodia), and Yessie Fransiska Lydiana (HR, Banking Industry).
To celebrate the program’s success, an Appreciation Night was held on March 6, 2025 at Binus University FX Sudirman Jakarta, as a gesture of gratitude to PMSM Indonesia, the organizing committee, Buddies, and Learners. The event also served as the program’s wrap-up and coincided with a special Iftar gathering. Heriyanto Agung Putra (Chairman of PMSM Indonesia) also took the stage to express his appreciation, stating that this program is an outstanding initiative to foster resilience and leadership skills in new HR managers. During the events also, awards were presented to the winners of the Final Project Presentation: Ferdinan Leonardo (Tiket.com) won 1st place with his project “Team Health Check,” Bilyansyah (LRT Jakarta) took 2nd place with “Leading Organization: Enhancing Learning Agility Value,” and Arif Rahman Hakim (Sipatex) secured 3rd place with “Overcoming Resistance to Change: Leadership Strategies in Traditional Manufacturing Companies.” Additionally, Sistaria from Mamikos received the Favorite Award, selected by the organizing committee. Special appreciation was also given to PMSM Indonesia and program sponsors, including TACO, L’Oréal, Kapal Api Group, Wings, Lemonilo, Mondelez, Tiket.com, Astro, and Binus University, who generously provided freebies.
We hope this program has served as an inspiration and learning opportunity for everyone involved, both Learners and Buddies. Throughout the journey, we have gathered valuable insights and evaluations that will help enhance the program’s impact in the future, such as extending its timeline and expanding participant outreach. May initiatives like this continue to grow in the coming years, fostering collaboration, leadership development, and professional growth for future HR leaders.
Source:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hr-young-manager-buddy-program-shaping-future-leadership-4cxnf/
Writer: Hadafi Farisa Romadlon (Project Manager)