Last week, on my way to office, I heard Arijit Singh’s song “Nashe si chad gayi oye” (I am intoxicated.…) I had heard this song before in parties; somehow it didn't stick. That morning, I don’t know what happened, but the carefree energy and passion of the song gripped me. It kept playing in my … Continue reading Oh dear, how we miss the bygone days
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!
Mumbai Sojourn
Couple of things have triggered me to write this blog. In few weeks I would complete two years of living in Mumbai, away from my family. More importantly, I experienced the real rainy day of Mumbai on 29 August (300 mm rain in few hours). It is almost akin to rites of passage, a test … Continue reading Mumbai Sojourn
Learning from a chance encounter
Last Friday when I headed for Mumbai airport, like all other Fridays over last two years, litte did I know that I am about to step into one of the most valuable hours of my life. I had a heavy lunch, so instead of going to the food court, I headed to the Jet Airways … Continue reading Learning from a chance encounter
My mother – I learned from you as well, not just father
Most of my childhood memories are monopolized by my father; I was very close to him. My mother’s silent love and care were dwarfed by my father’s strong presence, overt expression of love, storytelling (he was an awesome storyteller) and countless other things. As a child, I thought of my mother like a shadow, whose … Continue reading My mother – I learned from you as well, not just father
Generous Maternity Benefit is good, but not enough
The Maternity Act in India has doled out some wonderful benefits; a generous 26 weeks leave, compulsory crèche, work from home options and so forth. Many organizations in India are beginning to offer all this and more! No doubt this is a welcome move, but it’s time to take a pause and ponder if it … Continue reading Generous Maternity Benefit is good, but not enough
Employee loyalty is dead; tips for organizations in this new reality
A statement made by a senior HR leader with decades of experience, struck a chord with me. He said that couple of decades back, if a person was changing jobs every few years, he would hesitate to hire that person. However, today if a person has stayed in the same organization for a long time, … Continue reading Employee loyalty is dead; tips for organizations in this new reality
Dear life
Oh dear life, you are so full of surprises! Just as I imagine things are in control, you spring a challenge, throwing everything upside down, Just as I feel the looming dark clouds unbearable, you wave a magical wand opening vistas to a clear blue sky. When my heart is brimming with joy, a tear … Continue reading Dear life
Are the millennials really so different? Or is the difference exaggerated?
Gen Y or the millennials is probably the most studied generation both by consulting firms as well as academia. Several studies have been done on their work preferences; highlighting the significant difference from its previous generation, the Gen X. Most common findings from these studies highlight that millennials: Don’t work for paycheck instead, they work … Continue reading Are the millennials really so different? Or is the difference exaggerated?
Pathways to success
It happened almost two decades back, but I vividly remember the emotions as if it happened yesterday: sense of failure and melancholy. I was facilitating a session on Key Account Management for the first time, I had prepared for it for days. But, by lunch time, the participants were walking out of the room! They … Continue reading Pathways to success
Employee engagement is not enough
Organizations constantly strive to enhance employee engagement. What does an engaged employee look like? Let’s consider the example of Cyrus, an employee working with an organization for a decade. He is loyal, speaks highly about the company, is committed, comes to work every day, does not complain, works hard and puts in efforts to do … Continue reading Employee engagement is not enough
Perspectives 