Couple of weeks back, I had a lunch date with my ex-colleague’s daughter. Post her masters, she was working with a mid-sized organization. She was enjoying her work and doing very well. Full of energy and ambition, she asked, “aunty, what skills should I pick up - ones that will help me through my career? … Continue reading Future-proof Capabilities
Tag: personal effectiveness
Attention to Details
Several years ago, I worked with a #leader who was passionate about attention to details. Go to him with a document that has few typos, or inconsistent font, bullets, words, data and he will push the document back to you with a smile and say, “I am sorry, I can’t go through this note. It’s … Continue reading Attention to Details
Epistle from Magnolia Blossom
Last month, we visited the Company Garden in Mussoorie. Walking in, we saw lines of trees covered with pink flowers. From a distance, they looked like Cherry Blossom. As we walked closer, we saw lines of trees in full bloom, covered with incredibly gorgeous pink-white flowers. Mildly fragrant, they resembled lotus buds in shape and … Continue reading Epistle from Magnolia Blossom
Sankofa – spring into future stepping on past
Few days back, I was reading articles on culture. I came across this phrase ‘Sankofa’. It is a Ghanaian expression; it refers to a mythical bird whose feet are firmly planted forward while its head is turned backwards carrying a precious egg in her beak. It represents the old African adage, “always remember the past … Continue reading Sankofa – spring into future stepping on past
Carpe Diem!
Last week I had taken a short break for Christmas in a lovely resort in Kolkata. One morning, sitting in a comfy lounge chair under warm morning sun, I was reading Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah (a gripping tale set in the background of 900-days siege of Leningrad during World War II). Suddenly out of … Continue reading Carpe Diem!
Learning or Performing Mode
“Are you in learning mode or performing mode?” I recollect our master facilitator call out every time we began a practice session. We had to say aloud, “I am in learning mode” Initially, I wondered about the difference it would make. Gradually, it became obvious; while in learning mode, we were willing to experiment and … Continue reading Learning or Performing Mode
What fuels us?
https://www.istockphoto.com/illustrations/intrinsic Think of a time you received a coveted recognition, or a promotion or a salary increase you were aspiring for? Close your eyes and recollect your emotions at that moment, on that day. Exhilarated? On cloud nine? What happens few days or weeks later? You still take pride in your achievement, but the joy … Continue reading What fuels us?
When work becomes boring
You take up a new area of work; you are excited about the challenges, opportunities, and the learning. You work on it and over time you learn the ropes. What happens after few weeks or months, depending on the nature of the work? Does the same work which excited you a short while back begins … Continue reading When work becomes boring
Three questions to leverage the most from an experience
An experience – be it professional or personal – is a strong conduit to individual growth. We all go through experiences like assignments, new projects, leading or being part of a cross-functional team, or even a difficult conversation or negotiation. Irrespective of its outcome, every experience adds to our capability. An honest reflection on three … Continue reading Three questions to leverage the most from an experience
Life is akin to a road….
Learning 1 Irrespective of how fast we drive, there will be people ahead of us. Irrespective of how slow we drive, there will be people behind us. It's pointless competing with others on a road! Compete we must, but with self, not others! Learning 2 There are stretches of road that are smooth, like carpeted … Continue reading Life is akin to a road….
Perspectives 