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?

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

What comes first: mindset or behavior?

Few weeks back, I ran a poll: “Can we shift behavior without shifting the underlying mindset?” 10% said YES 15% said DEPENDS 75% respondents said NO Here are my thoughts; quite aligned to these responses. Right incentives or punishment can indeed shift behavior. I am reminded of my early career years with Larsen & Toubro. … Continue reading What comes first: mindset or behavior?

Accountability in Teams: What holds us back?

I remember working on a critical project along with a good team. Our roles were clearly outlined, we supported each other and enjoyed working together. Yet, our manager struggled with some of the project deliverables. She would get frustrated having to be the one to always hold up the standards. As I reflect, I see … Continue reading Accountability in Teams: What holds us back?