How do our beliefs influence what we see? Ladder of Inference by Chris Argyris brings out this concept exceptionally well.Let’s take a common example from our lives, especially if we have teenage children at home. Say, you teenage son goes out for a party on Friday night. The curfew time is 10 pm.The clock turns … Continue reading Ladder of Inference
Author: Padma Rajeswari
At the outset, I would like to thank you for stopping by my Blog.
I believe that there is nothing right or wrong in this world. What’s right in this moment and context may be wrong in another moment and context. This belief has inspired me to name my blog ‘Perspectives’.
Perspectives is a platform for me to share my experiences, thoughts and perspectives on various subjects. You may have a different point of view. I look forward to hearing them, these are the triggers for rich and deep conversations.
On personal front, I live in Mumbai, India. I love to read; Somerset Maugham and Nevil Shute are my favorite authors. My favorite books are The Razor’s Edge, Mrs. Craddock, Chequer Board and Gone with the Wind. I am thankful to my father who inculcated the habit of reading in me early on.
I am also passionate about traveling, I have been to most parts of India and to several countries across the globe.
On professional front, I work in Human Resources function. Over two and half decades, I have worked across multiple industries and cultures. I focus on Leadership Development, Talent Management, Visioning and Culture, Large-scale change, Employee Listening & Engagement, Employee Well-being, Inclusive work culture, HR effectiveness, Behavior and Mind-set shifts through sustained interventions
I currently lead Organization Effectiveness Function for Aditya Birla Group, a $44.3 billion conglomerate with 120000 employees across 35 countries.
I sincerely hope that you will enjoy reading my blog. I look forward to your thoughts and suggestions.
Thank you!
What is authenticity
Authentic people stand out for who they are. It’s a joy to connect with them, be at work or in personal life. “Be authentic” is an advice oft given to leaders to help enhance their effectiveness.What exactly is authenticity? Is it something that can be only felt or experienced?Or are there elements of concreteness to … Continue reading What is authenticity
Rethinking Performance Appraisal
Let’s look at the experience of two friends – Sam and Sonia – management graduates working in the same organization, but in different functions.Being the first performance appraisal, both are anxious. They exchange notes, boost each other’s morale and decide to catch up later.Here’s a glimpse of Sam’s conversation with his manager.They first discuss each … Continue reading Rethinking Performance Appraisal
Pond paradox – big or small
The Pond Paradox - Big or Small?Few days back, I ran a poll, featuring two idiomatic expressions:a) Would you rather be a small fish in a big pond?b) Or a big fish in a small pond?But before we dive into the responses, let's unpack the depth of these phrases:Small fish in a big pond describes … Continue reading Pond paradox – big or small
Rooted in Purpose – Baobab Tree
Baobab tree, also known as the ‘tree of life’, is iconic to Africa. Recently, I had the privilege of seeing the magnificent Baobab closer to home, nestled within the confines of Mumbai zoo. Despite being thousands of miles away from its native land, the Baobab tree's presence ignited a reflection on the essence of Purpose.Purpose, … Continue reading Rooted in Purpose – Baobab Tree
Associative memory – a pathway to empathy
One night, I had a rough sleep and woke up feeling grumpy. As I stepped into my balcony, I noticed a single shiuli flower blooming on the plant. Its fragrance instantly took me back to my childhood memories of Durga Puja - the drum beats, new clothes, delicious sweets, and fun with friends.In just a … Continue reading Associative memory – a pathway to empathy
Homemakers – Unsung Sheroes
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate women leaders and achievers from across sectors, showcase the impact they have created.Yet, one segment quietly recedes into the background…..HOMEMAKERS! Women who have made a personal choice not to pursue active careers.Their photos do not flash on the cover page of magazines or fill the social media feeds.Yet, they … Continue reading Homemakers – Unsung Sheroes
Truth and Dare – Employee Dilemma
At the end of the performance feedback discussion, your manager asks, "What feedback do you have for me?" Will you give honest feedback?I ran this poll last week, 69% said they will give candid feedback to the manager.Accepting constructive feedback from a team member is not easy. Once a team member told me, “Padma when … Continue reading Truth and Dare – Employee Dilemma
Crows, boots and onboarding
The first few weeks in a new organization are brimming with excitement, yet can also feel overwhelming:- Adapting to the new work styles can feel like breaking into a new pair of boots.- Deciphering all jargon, the 3-4 letter acronyms flying around like a flock of noisy crows.According to BCG report December 2023, a whopping 28% of … Continue reading Crows, boots and onboarding
Imposter Syndrome – can it be you?
About 70% people, not just women, experience imposter syndrome at some point in their life. (University of Texas, Permian Basin).Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt despite evidence to the contrary.Here are the five things that helped me deal with imposter syndrome whenever it plagued me.1. Acknowledge it and accept that I … Continue reading Imposter Syndrome – can it be you?
Perspectives 