I remember my manager from yesteryears. I was leading a cross-functional project for the first time. I was struggling to influence couple of stakeholders. She gave me feedback, “Padma you need to be more assertive with your stakeholders.”However, she didn’t stop at that. She shared few tips from her experience, invited me to shadow her … Continue reading Recongizing a good manager
The powerful curved line
“Why are you smiling?” asked my colleague. When I said, “just like that,” he gave a suspicious look. We can smile… without any reason. Here’s the Science behind Smile When we smile, we activate several facial muscles: the corners of our mouth lift & skin around our eyes crinkle. As our facial muscles relax, they … Continue reading The powerful curved line
A tool for enhancing your effectiveness
What if there was a tool that could reveal your hidden strengths, help you crush your blind spots, and make you a better person and professional. Enter the Johari Window (developed by Joseph Luft & Harry Ingham), a simple 4 part framework answers two questions: What do you know about yourself? What do others know … Continue reading A tool for enhancing your effectiveness
Boundaries
👉 “You are expected to be always on.”👉“You are teased as you are a teetotaler.”👉“People are baffled when you leave an office party early.”In today's diverse workplace, where multiple generations, genders, and backgrounds converge, boundaries are more important than ever. Yet, they often blur, leading to a workplace that's less respectful and inclusive.Here are the four … Continue reading Boundaries
Longer or smarter?
Sonia regularly spends long hours at office. Whereas, Anita leaves office on time most days.🔵 Is Sonia a high performer? And Anita a work shirker?🔵 Is sitting long hours regularly a sign of productivity or a sign of ineffectiveness?🔵 Do long hours show dedication or is it a performance illusion?Truth is sitting longer is not … Continue reading Longer or smarter?
What’s your frontline feeling?
I recently visited an electronics retail chain to purchase an OTG, a relatively simple product. Despite the product's modest price, the sales rep took time to understand my specific needs and suggested a product that fit them perfectly. When I showed interest in a different option, he patiently walked me through the pros and cons … Continue reading What’s your frontline feeling?
Empathy or Accountability
Imagine one of your team members, a strong performer in the past, is struggling. Her father is undergoing cancer treatment and she is the primary caregiver. Over the last six months, her performance has dipped significantly. Other members are stepping in, however it is creating additional pressure and affecting the overall team performance. Unfortunately, you … Continue reading Empathy or Accountability
Emotions are akin to Virus
Imagine this scenario: It’s Monday morning; you reach office bubbling with energy and enthusiasm; you are looking forward to kick-starting a new project. You walk into a conference room to attend a cross-functional meeting. Everyone in the room is quiet and tense, perhaps after a heated argument. The leader walks in with a frown. You … Continue reading Emotions are akin to Virus
Making Vulnerability Easy
Early in my career as a customer support engineer in a hi-tech medical equipment company, I encountered a situation that taught me a lesson on vulnerability. I had attended a training on Holter, a machine that measures a person’s ECG throughout the day. I couldn’t grasp few aspects; but I choose to stay silent, as … Continue reading Making Vulnerability Easy
Whose idea?
We see it all the time in organizations… An idea or suggestion from a junior team member is ignored, only for a senior leader to echo the same idea and have it hailed as a breakthrough. The value of an idea depends on its source rather than its merit. Everyone agrees on creating a culture … Continue reading Whose idea?
Perspectives 