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 →

4-day workweek – a dream in 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 4-day workweek – a dream in 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 →

Gratitude and Disappointment

Something in office today left me feeling disappointed. I pushed through rest of the day and left office feeling dejected! On my way back home, I got a call from an ex-colleague..He has always been a strong performer. However the last year or so had been tough for him. The company he was working for … Continue reading Gratitude and Disappointment →

Enable Employees Learn to Learn

Couple of days back, I overheard a conversation between an HR partner and an employee, “You have been nominated for this program, its next month, please attend.” When the employee regretted, HR persuaded, “Hey, you should feel privileged, its only by invitation and you have been handpicked by your leader.” The employee’s response is anybody’s … Continue reading Enable Employees Learn to Learn →

My failures: that I never dared to share

I got few angry messages after I posted a blog ‘Is quitting an easier option for women’ Several expressed anguish at my inability to understand the predicament of women who had to drop out. They felt that it’s easier for someone like me to talk.. someone who has not faced challenges or failures like them, … Continue reading My failures: that I never dared to share →

Seek your inputs on ‘how to re-wire women and retain in workforce’

Thanks to my colleagues & friends who shared their thoughts on my last post Is quitting an easier option for women, I feel encouraged to launch this online qualitative study. Women do not vanish from workforce suddenly. They slowly trickle out, drop by drop, across management levels (including senior). Worldwide, organizations are focusing on enhancing … Continue reading Seek your inputs on ‘how to re-wire women and retain in workforce’ →

Is quitting an easier option for women?

It's disheartening to see professionally qualified women drop out of workforce, specially after pursuing career for decades. Why do they quit? Is it lack of grit, determination, adaptability? Or is it something else? I spoke to few women who left workforce after reaching mid or senior level. These women did not quit for personal reasons … Continue reading Is quitting an easier option for women? →