Self-worth

I still remember the day I walked into Taj Bengal, Kolkata in 1993. We had won a big contract and our boss took us out for lunch to celebrate. As I walked into the hotel's grand lobby, I was both wide-eyed and panic-stricken. Thoughts raced through my mind: "Am I shabbily dressed? Do I even … Continue reading Self-worth →

Recognizing biases

As I was scrolling through Instagram; a graceful kathak dance caught my attention. As I paused to watch the reel, I realized that it was a male dancer. I loved everything about the dance… except a man dancing in a style typically associated with women.. My first reaction was that of disgust!! My initial reaction … Continue reading Recognizing biases →

How far have you come?

Few years back, I was interviewing candidates for a role in my team. After meeting several candidates, I shortlisted two. Person A, let’s call her Jenny, was from Mumbai. Her parents were both highly placed in government. She lived in Malabar Hills and went to one of the best schools in town. While doing her … Continue reading How far have you come? →

The why of knowing-doing gap

“I know that I must exercise, but I never seem to get out of the bed in time” “I know that I must start preparing for a project, but I keep delaying it” “I know that I must have the difficult conversation with my colleague, but I keep pushing it” Knowing-doing gap is real. We … Continue reading The why of knowing-doing gap →

The zigzag path to progress

I still remember the day my haiku got accepted in a reputed magazine. I was thrilled! After months of learning and facing countless rejections, I was on the verge of giving up when this good news arrived. It felt like the breakthrough I had been waiting for. My confidence soared as I saw a few … Continue reading The zigzag path to progress →

Self-worth

Our biases…

Friendship or Productivity

Catching up with colleagues at work is important. It goes without saying that small talk helps in building rapport and relationships. Light-hearted conversation can also uplift morale and reduce stress. It may also lead to picking up ideas or becoming more org savvy…. Here’s what happens when small chit chats don’t remain small anymore!! And … Continue reading Friendship or Productivity →

BUT Vs AND

Words are powerful; tiny shifts in our language can lead to big impact. Before reading on, pause for a moment and reflect – which word do you use more often: BUT or AND? Say you are in a meeting, and you share a new idea. Your manager responds, "that's a great idea, but we don't … Continue reading BUT Vs AND →

Handling disrespect @workplace

Last week I posted the six micro behaviors of disrespect at workplace. I received several inquiries about the best ways to deal with it. Here are my thoughts, inviting my LinkedIn friends to build on these thoughts. I believe that actions can be taken by multiple parties: managers, bystanders and the employees facing disrespect. Here’s … Continue reading Handling disrespect @workplace →