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
Category: Musings
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?
Triggering Butterfly Effect
Guess where I captured the picture of this beautiful butterfly? Right in my balcony, in the heart of a concrete jungle heart. Not just butterflies, different species of birds like tailor, wagtail, parrots also grace us occasionally. It’s the magic of a tiny patch of greenery we nurtured in our 5 by 20 feet balcony. … Continue reading Triggering Butterfly Effect
How much should you tell incoming manager?
Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) are meant to support and guide an employee to improve his or her performance, bring it to satisfactory levels. Yet, statistics reveal a stark truth: between 50% to 80% of PIPs end in disappointment, leading to voluntary or involuntary exit. Here’s my personal experience from yesteryears. I had taken over a … Continue reading How much should you tell incoming manager?
The best managers are terrific detectives
Imagine this scenario: Two employees, Sam and Sarah, both failed to meet several goals last year. Seems like they're in the same boat, right? Well, not necessarily. Behind the scenes, their reasons for underperformance could be worlds apart. Now, picture yourself as their manager. You want to be fair, but you also need to hold … Continue reading The best managers are terrific detectives
The Roots of Hesitation
I remember receiving feedback few years ago: “You are always willing help others. But if you are to succeed in the long run, you need to learn to seek support.” The feedback took me by surprise, I had never really given it a serious thought. Also, as I reflected on the frequency / areas for … Continue reading The Roots of Hesitation
Time is Not Money
Couple of weeks back, I ran a poll on LinkedIn: "Time is Money" – YES or NO. 97% respondents agreed that Time is Money. Only 3% said that time is not money. I agree with the minority, here’s why: Money can be protected or grown through right investments. Whereas time can neither be saved nor … Continue reading Time is Not Money
The Power of ‘I’
Same garden, same pot, same soil! Yet see the difference in the two hibiscus flowers blooming on the same morning! Not just in size, but in terms of texture of the petals as well. This demonstrates the power of an individual. Living, studying, or working in the same ecosystem, some flourish, some just about survive … Continue reading The Power of ‘I’
Perspectives 