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.
Humility to Keep Going
To have a project derailed from the plan is human, and probably happens in many situations both personal and professional. It happens to be the best of us. This is not what distinguishes the successful from the unsuccessful.
Pronouns Matter!
He/ him; She/ her; Them/ they; or any combination of thereof
I knew broadly what this meant, at least so I thought. It meant people were sharing their gender alignment or what they preferred to be addressed as.
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.
Stereotyping
We carry #stereotypes of what makes for a successful career in a particular role.
For instance, to be successful in HR you need to be more empathetic, or people in marketing need to be outgoing, or the finance person needs to be awesome at maths, or to be an entrepreneur you need to be a risk taker etc.
Bring Me the Problem OR Solutions
For decades there has been a well meaning debate on which approach works better in grooming our people and ensuring they freely share their concerns.
A. Don’t come to me with a problem alone, but come to me with a solution
B. Come to me with a problem, it’s my role to help you find the answers
The Gen X and Y Conundrum
The Gen X and Y Conundrum in India
For the longest time (pre 1990), job options were limited in India. Most people worked in the government sector & a few in the private sector. People spent their entire lifetime in one job before they retired. Business options were limited to a select few who either had the capital or were daring to venture out on their own.
The Red Slide
During my analyst days, once we finished a report we would submit its printout to the project lead for review.
The lead would, in a classic teacher style, review the printed version with a red ink pen.
Supply & Demand of Job Market
Supply & demand factors influence market dynamics, & the job market is no different. In the services sector the dynamics vary by experience level.
Email - the productivity Killer
31-38% is the proportion of time professionals spend on official emails every day. This amounts to 2.5-3.1 hours per day!!!
We have many aspirations and thoughts that keep evolving on a daily basis. Sometimes I think to myself what would happen if all we think of in our professional sphere materializes instantly.
The What’s In IT for Me Question?
What's in it for me?
Sometimes we are tapped to take up an assignments that is a stretch or outside of our comfort zone. In these situations we have 3 options
A. Say No
B. Say Yes, and Trust the System
C. Say Yes, But Ask What's in it for me
Shouldn’t Hard Choices Be Simple
Shouldn't our hardest professional decisions really often be the simplest ones? For, the reason they are hard is that, the options at hand are equally good (or bad).
Family Matters
When a family member is feeling low or in a downward spiral, it heavily weighs on everyone in the family.
Bike Riding with a Toddler
Last year, I was trying to teach my 5 year old how to ride a bike without supporters. It was challenging to say the least.
Last year, I was trying to teach my 5 year old how to ride a bike without supporters. It was challenging to say the least.
Every evening I would start by cajoling him to come for practice. Most days I managed to convince him, but not always!