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.

Gaurav Kumar 2/19/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/19/21

Is Reality Singular?

We always believe that there is a singular truth to our circumstances and reality is how we see it. This creates an illusion of objectively viewing things.

Gaurav Kumar 2/17/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/17/21

Peer Litmus Test

How we come across to our peers is a good litmus test for measuring our readiness for the next level. The more open minded, collaborative (or not), and fair we are, the greater our readiness and chances for a promotion. For it takes content, humility and willingness to look at the bigger organizational picture vs. your own goals, to be respected by peers.

Gaurav Kumar 2/16/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/16/21

The Invisible Hand

Invisible hand is there not only in economics but our professional journeys as well. Sometimes, we get the right break or end up meeting the right people that propels us. Equally, there are times when we have done our best, yet things seem to be falling apart.

Gaurav Kumar 2/12/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/12/21

The Messenger Matters @ Work

At work the messenger matters as much as the message!

When giving feedback or even appreciation, choosing the messenger is critical.

Gaurav Kumar 2/10/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/10/21

Consistency

Consistency is the key towards achieving our goals

Gaurav Kumar 2/9/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/9/21

Relfect

It's so important to think and reflect on what we think everyday.

Gaurav Kumar 2/8/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/8/21

Time

Time is dichotomous.

Gaurav Kumar 2/5/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/5/21

When I am Dead by RabindraNath Tagore

I cannot help but share these beautiful lines from Sir Rabindranath Tagore. They seem so much more meaningful in the context of what we have witnessed in the pandemic. To make authentic connections is what makes us human!

Gaurav Kumar 2/4/21 Gaurav Kumar 2/4/21

Question & Persevere

Our professional journeys are determined by our continuous ability to question and persevere.

Gaurav Kumar 1/31/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/31/21

Humility is Key

Humility is key to build authentic relationships, whether with peers or your team.

Gaurav Kumar 1/29/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/29/21

Change is Inevitable

Change is inevitable.

We cannot resist it.

Better still if we can plan or create it.

Gaurav Kumar 1/27/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/27/21

All for One, and One for All

"One for all and all for one"

Corona times have been a great reminder to live by the famous lines from the novel The Three Musketeers.

Not everyone is impacted the same way by COVID. Some are lucky to not have contracted it, while others have got COVID but are either asymptomatic or have minor symptoms. Then there are those amongst our friends and colleagues who are severely impacted - either individually or through their families & friends. Some have experienced unparalleled grief.

Gaurav Kumar 1/26/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/26/21

Rational Vs. Reasonable

There is difference b/w being rational and reasonable. Rational means always doing things that are logical, without getting emotions into decisions.

The fact is we are emotional beings, and what we do is dependent so much on what makes us feel better (not always logical).

We often beat ourselves up in hindsight on things we could have done better/ more logically. We need to remember that it’s more realistic to aspire towards being reasonable i.e. identifying our priorities & taking decisions based on them (vs. conventional wisdom).

Gaurav Kumar 1/22/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/22/21

Kindness is need of the hour

Our teams are going through a lot. People are either impacted themselves or have their immediate friends and family reeling under the effects of COVID. Needless to mention the panic like situation and fear that's all around.

We need to be sensitive to our colleagues. Everyone is emotionally charged and going through difficult times. It is important to be doubly careful in what we say to our teams and how we say it.

Gaurav Kumar 1/20/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/20/21

Hope

These lines from Shawshank Redemption capture it perfectly -

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

Gaurav Kumar 1/19/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/19/21

dichotomous TImes

Never have I seen such a dichotomous situation in the last 20 years!

There is fear of COVID and rampant hiring in IT/ ITES companies going hand in hand.

Gaurav Kumar 1/15/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/15/21

I swear my charger is not there!!!

I often find myself telling my wife or my mom -"I swear the knife isn't in the kitchen shelf or the charger isn't in the socket by the fridge". This is typically followed by the mom or wife coming back shaking their head, how vigoursly depends on their mood, showing me the the knife and charger were exactly where they said it was (and where I checked it wasn't). It's embarrassing to admit but happens to me so often, typically at least once a day.

Gaurav Kumar 1/14/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/14/21

Patience

Patience and biding your time is an underrated virtue.

Gaurav Kumar 1/12/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/12/21

Professionalism

Professionalism has no correlation to a person's title, hierarchy in the organization, or even the size of the organization that one represents. It is a way of life!

Gaurav Kumar 1/11/21 Gaurav Kumar 1/11/21

Can i Please be happier

Aspiring to be happier is a slippery slope

Being happy and successful can be achieved, unfortunately trying to be happier cannot. The latter is a slippery slope, with a shifting goal post without much end.