Musings, published a few times every week, are my attempt at sharing diverse perspectives to help us better navigate our lives.
The key theme I explore is how can we progress towards achieving our potential, and thereby become more accomplished & secure. Some of these ideas come from my own experience, while others come from a thorough study of management research & leadership books, perspectives from science, arts, history, and discussions with industry practitioners across sectors & functions.
Myth: People Only Leave Because of Bad Bosses
For the longest time, every other week there is a post that talks about how people leave bad bosses or quit managers and not companies.
Now while I don't disagree with this, i do feel this is a bit too simplistic. Let me explain.
DECISION FATIGUE
The ability to think to make choices and trade-offs, and therefore decisions, is what makes us human. Everyday we need to take thousands of decisions to function effectively. Some of these may well be small decisions take we take in a fraction of a second with short term or miniscule consequences, while others maybe big decisions with long term consequences on our lives for years to come. The quality of these decisions and their compounding effect has a direct bearing on the quality of our lives and the success we achieve (or not).
Define IT To Achieve It
I haven’t yet met anyone who achieved anything in life without defining what they want! And, I have also not met anyone for whom things have gone purely as planned!
Is the Experienced Indian Middle Class the Proverbial ‘Frog in Hot Water’?
There is near omnipresent trend centered on financial and career insecurity facing the Indian white collar middle class, especially those in their 30s-50s. Are we becoming the frog in hot water, not reacting fast enough to the changes all around us? Sharing my thoughts on what’s driving this, and how we could be better prepared for managing it. Look forward to hearing your perspectives on this.
What's your Ulysses Contract
What's Your Ulysses Contract
Story of the Trojan war winning Greek warrior, Ulysses, has some key learnings for us as we manage our careers. He pioneered the concept of the Ulysses contract that refers to the deal between your present self and future self.
War for Talent Just Got Skewed
The economic impact of COVID means that the war for talent will get even more skewed. Companies with deeper pockets and stronger balancesheets have the resilience to invest in prudent hiring to bolster their capabilities for the future, while most others freeze hiring, announce paycuts and look at redundancies. There is a strong analogy between today's talent marketplace and stock market in the bear run. Sharing my thoughts in the write-up below. Will be great to hear your perspectives on it.
Is It Time to Reboot Survival Instincts?
Survival instincts have been instrumental in our growth and existence since Homo sapiens first appeared on earth. However, we have substantially evolved as a species, and so should things we focus on or ways we behave consciously and subconsciously. This could be the making of life of the future, with implications on work as well. So is it time to reboot survival instincts? I have shared my thoughts in the read below, and will love to hear your perspectives on it.
Leadership in Times of Uncertainity
Leadership, even in the best of times, can distinguish how different countries, companies, institutions or even people build their destinies. In times of distress and uncertainty, leadership takes much more gigantic proportions and can be the single biggest determinant of whether and how we can weather the storm or capitulate under it. In this article I look to explore the key attributes required for leading successfully in turbulent and uncertain times. Will love to hear your perspectives on whether you agree with these or if there are other attributes you would add to this list.
COVID 19 – Catalyst for the Future of Work, and Renewed Environmental Focus
The COVID 19 situation has literally taken the world by storm. From decimating financial markets, impacting supply chains, and exposing our lack of preparedness to handle anything of this magnitude, it has wreaked havoc globally. However, there are two silver linings to the COVID 19 situation that I want to talk about today. Sharing thoughts on this in my article below, will be great to hear your experience & perspectives on it.
The ‘Value’ Paradigm Shift in Offshoring and Outsourcing
Value is fast becoming the single-most important metric on the quarterly scorecard for offshore engagements. It’s not uncommon for the senior leadership at captives to brainstorm about what additional value can be shown for this year vs. the past year.
Lessons on Change Management from Spring
Spring is the epitome of change in nature. Sharing my thoughts on 5 lessons we can learn from spring towards managing and preparing for change in our professional lives.
Compassion at Workplace
With rising stress levels both personally and professionally, there is a heightened need for compassion at work. It is important not just because it is the humane thing to do, but also because it makes great business sense. Sharing my thoughts on what compassion at the workplace means, and how we can build it in our organizations.
Impact of COVID on IT & ITES Sector
Financial impact of COVID 19 on businesses will continue to be felt for many quarters. In an optimistic scenario, the IT & ITES industry will do well to remain at 2019 levels. However, realistically we are staring at negative revenue growth and tough times for the next 6-12 moths. It will require decisive agility by the leadership teams of IT & ITES firms and prudence to get through with minimal damage. In this segment, I look to analyse the domino effect of COVID 19 on the IT & ITES sector.
Small Fish in a Big Pond or Big Fish in a Small Pond
Be a small fish in a big pond or a big fish in a small pond? This question intrigues me every so often. I have frequently heard the same fundamental question, and its myriad versions, from my friends, colleagues, and family members. Though largely used in the context of career choices, it can apply to a wider spectrum of decisions – the college or university we attend, where we choose to live, interest areas we decide to pursue (or not), and so on.
Guerrilla Warfare for Goals
New years are typically time for resolutions. But as I started down that (often precarious) road, I realized what has kept me from achieving my goals in the years (and for the better part of January 2020) that went by. It has not been a lack of intent or passion. It really has been my inability to find time for things that matter to me. I’ve been unable to consistently prioritize what’s important to me vs. where I spend my time. And this seems to be pandemic.