“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
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
Our 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 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
Do you paraphrase?
Imagine your colleague comes to you for guidance. She is extremely upset about the obstacles she is facing with another team, how frustrating it is to work with them. You listen to her carefully; before offering any solution, you say, “I understand you are upset; three things are bugging you….……., am I correct?” You are … Continue reading Do you paraphrase?
6 Micro behaviors of disrespect
Things that make you feel disrespected… I was interviewing a Gen Z. This young engineering graduate said, “Respect is non-negotiable; if I feel disrespected, I will quit, even if I have no other offers in hand.” This sentiment is not exclusive to any generation; the need to feel respected is fundamental. While life circumstances or … Continue reading 6 Micro behaviors of disrespect
What do you spread – doom or cheer?
I remember my early days as customer support engineer. A product that we had launched with a lot of fanfare, positioned as one of the best in the market, had some inherent technical problems. We sold it in large numbers; all the new products were failing in the customer sites. No one could identify the … Continue reading What do you spread – doom or cheer?
Perspectives 