Inspiring leader

Ever worked with a boss who inspired you? They probably did these 5 things.Imagine you have created a proof of concept for a new solution.You present it to your leader, let’s call her Sonia. She listens to your presentation and finally says, “I appreciate your efforts in putting this together. However, I am not comfortable … Continue reading Inspiring leader →

When everyone says YES

You share an idea in the meeting and people start nodding:“That’s a brilliant idea!”“Absolutely, let’s get started.”“This could really move the needle.”“Totally agree.”“Wow, love it!”It feels like a win! If you are the senior most person in the room, it's time to PAUSE.Ask yourself the reasons for YES. There are two possibilities here:1. Your idea … Continue reading When everyone says YES →

Social media

Tara is a young woman whose husband has slipped into coma after a car accident. Played by Kalki Koechlin in Waiting, overwhelmed and alone, Tara says,“You know how many followers I have on Twitter? - 5800.How many are there with me here: zero"This statement underscores the digital world we live in today. We boast of … Continue reading Social media →

Happiness

I was feeling lazy and restless last weekend. A friend had recommended couple of TV series. I spent the weekend binge watching.On Sunday evening, instead of feeling relaxed, I felt worse, totally washed out!Let’s rewind a bit, ask yourself: When was the last time I felt genuinely happy?Aristotle identified happiness as the ultimate goal of … Continue reading Happiness →

I Logged Off LinkedIn for 3 Weeks—here’s what happened

I was on vacation, spending time with my family. Those two weeks were precious, time that we rarely get. I had a decision to make: stay active on LinkedIn: post, scroll, comment, stay “visible”—or fully unplug. I chose to PAUSE. And I extended it to shake off the jet lag, and felt like me again. … Continue reading I Logged Off LinkedIn for 3 Weeks—here’s what happened →

The Manager’s Paradox

Some years back, my son — then a young boy — asked me a cheeky question. “I am your only child… so I can’t ask you who your favorite is. But you have worked with many team members over the years. Do you have a favorite?” I smiled and said, “Yes… I do have a … Continue reading The Manager’s Paradox →

What does silence mean to you?

I was facilitating a two-day leadership workshop. One participant stood out—not for what he said, but for what he didn’t. He sat there like a mouse—listening and scribbling, barely speaking. Not in the large group, not even within his small group. As a facilitator, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is he uninterested? Is he struggling … Continue reading What does silence mean to you? →

Small steps…

"I don’t get to exercise much..." I thought one day. “On average I manage to go for a walk about 2.5 kilometres in 35 minutes, four times a week.” “Is it enough? Shouldn’t I be doing more?” I was almost self-deprecating, when I realized how wrong I was. I did a quick math. My little … Continue reading Small steps… →

Pause…

Ever noticed what a butterfly does when it rains?It finds a safe spot—tucked behind a leaf, beneath a flower, under a branch—and wait it out. Once the skies clear, it takes off again—graceful and alive.In our work and lives, we all go through unexpected storms: a failed project, an unexpected lay-off, illness, a personal setback … Continue reading Pause… →

REEL vs REAL LIFE

A few days ago, I was scrolling through social media when I came across a post from a friend. She had just returned from a jungle safari. The pictures were incredible—especially the close-up of a tiger. In the next post, she shared her excitement about an upcoming trip to the US. There were also snapshots … Continue reading REEL vs REAL LIFE →