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.
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!
Humility is Key
Humility is key to build authentic relationships, whether with peers or your team.
Change is Inevitable
Change is inevitable.
We cannot resist it.
Better still if we can plan or create it.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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!
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.
Anticipation of reward
It is the anticipation of reward, not it's fulfilment, that makes us act. The higher the anticipation and/or more lucrative the reward, the greater the will to act. That's the critical role of dopamine in enabling us to strive forward towards our goals.
Falliable is OK
We are all fallible, and that’s ok
Often, with the best of intentions and while trying to be careful, we can come up short! We could end up having an emotional outburst, propagate a flawed perspective, have a perspective bias in our way of working, etc. Last week, in a debate with a leadership team member I was convinced how what I was saying was right
Experience Teaches you
Experience doesn't mean we don't feel anxiety or know it all when a tough or unexpected situation comes up. But it does mean we are better prepared, and usually don't overreact like we would have if we were going into it as a greenhorn.
Choices are a Mirror
Is choice a mirror to our natural inclinations?
Giving choice to people is the best and easiest way to find out about their natural inclination and character. This is as true in professional life as it in personal life.
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.
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.