When deliverables are missed, lack of time management or prioritization are assumed to be the reason, there could be a deeper issue lurking behind..
Category: Musings
The Onerous Road to Collaboration
We continuously compete and collaborate with the same people. At work, we collaborate with people to successfully complete projects, yet compete with them for recognition, critical projects, raises and promotions. While individual skills matter, Team Culture plays a big role in facilitating the transition, key elements are common goals, eliminating job hierarchy and recognising contribution to common goals. It's time for leaders to reflect, which actions of mine are nudging the team to lean towards collaboration and which are pushing them towards competition? What should we stop doing? Or continue? Or start?
Fear of Missing Out
You can opt out of a meeting, your presence is not essential, yet you join You take a day off to de-stress... but, you keep thinking about meetings you are missing.. worse still, join few meetings. You are already behind schedule on most of your deliverables, yet when a new project comes up, you raise … Continue reading Fear of Missing Out
This too shall pass…..
Migrants walking miles and miles to reach home, with a simple hope to live life with dignity Person dies waiting for treatment, even as the desperate family struggles to get a bed in hospital Thousands and thousands of people losing their jobs Daily wage earners not knowing where the next meal will come from Stray … Continue reading This too shall pass…..
Small, yet not so small……
Oh how I miss…. “Chatting with colleagues over a cup of coffee” “Stepping out of office for a quick walk after lunch” “Bumping into a colleague near coffee machine, catching up on what he /she is doing” “Admiring a colleague’s new jacket or her comfortable and stylish shoes” “Getting ready for work, walking into office … Continue reading Small, yet not so small……
Say to whom its meant
You are unhappy with a team member who is taking undue advantage of flexi work hours. He often comes late, and leaves at normal time. He misses deliverables. You give him feedback, yet you don’t see much change in his behavior. Few days later, you express your frustration in a team meeting with 15 other … Continue reading Say to whom its meant
Leadership Paradoxes
To take lead - and to recede into the background To plan meticulously – and to be flexible with your planning To express opinion – and to be create space for other opinions To be visionary – and to be pragmatic To aim at consensus – and to be able to cut through To trust … Continue reading Leadership Paradoxes
Women empowerment is a social and cultural issue
The other day I went for annual health check. When I go to hospitals, I indulge in a bit of chit chat with the technicians, receptionists & nurses. It’s a habit I picked during first few years of my career (I used to sell hi-tech medical equipment to hospitals). The technicians and nurses were gatekeepers, … Continue reading Women empowerment is a social and cultural issue
Why 4 days workweek is not for India?
“Why aren’t organizations in India progressive like Europe? Companies in Europe are moving towards 4-day workweek. Look at us, we want to go back to 6-day workweek. 50 hours’ week is common in India! Why can’t we learn from Europe?” Employees in India often complain about longer work hours and higher work days. While we … Continue reading Why 4 days workweek is not for India?
Individual performance is contextual
“I might be put under performance improvement plan in upcoming performance appraisal, what should I do?” I received this frantic call from an ex-team member Shweta (not real name). I had a long chat with her, trying to understand where things went wrong and helping her work out options. This conversation brings to fore the … Continue reading Individual performance is contextual
