As an organizational system grows complex, it hardens through processes, beliefs, mindsets, legacy decisions and culture. However, most change in complex organizations is implemented with a short-term focus on results. Let’s do this differently and we get that. This plug and play approach to change may lend short-term results but organization pays the cost elsewhere in form of unsustainability of new practices, other impacts, employee morale etc. Change in a complex system requires much more than just communicating purpose and plans of change. Leaders make a mistake of assuming that change com ..read more

In his book “Poke The Box”, Seth Godin asked a powerful question, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” For me, this question led to a significant mindset change – from working within the boundaries of known to trying new things out. The question helped me discover new potentialities within the self, find opportunities at the intersection of my skills and take up newer learning projects over the years. Asking Right Questions We live in a world where answers are all around us. Prompt the Generative AI tools right and you’ll get answers. But simply having answers is far ..read more

First, a disclaimer – I am no expert in having great conversations. But I do know that quality of our conversations shape the reality and culture we live and work in. I have seen countless meetings, planning sessions and leadership off-site sessions that were organized to facilitate conversation – but often end up being a forum for people to protect their ego, show their status or demonstrate their power through the words. People dread meetings like these and why not? It doesn’t get anything done and worst, hurts the morale! In lean terms, ineffective conversations that don’t educate, inform ..read more

My mantra for 2022 was “Go with the flow” and the journey in 2022 took me to some very interesting places. By nature, going with the flow means there will be interesting twists, turns and hurdles that we need to find our way through, much like the stream of water that alters it course as it flows. I started as a solopreneur in year 2021 – something that I always wanted to do. Being a solopreneur enables me to express myself fully through my work in more than one areas in a way that adds value to the customers. It has been and continues to be an exciting exploration of the world outside and wit ..read more

To respond effectively to adaptive challenges like the pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, financial crisis etc., organizations cannot rely on top-down problem solving. Such challenges require emergent leadership from across the board within organization to make sense of reality, iterate solutions, adapt and learn along the way. How do leaders go about creating a culture of learning and adaptability? In her research, Herminia Ibarra of London Business School identified five critical leadership skills that organizations should prioritize in order to build a culture of adaptability and learning. T ..read more

The emotion of the team is a sum-total of emotions and feelings that members of the team experience. Left unnoticed, unexpressed, and unattended, these emotions can grow toxic to harm relationships or grossly undermine team’s potential. Leaders have a choice of either noticing those emotions intentionally and intervening constructively when needed or just ignore the emotions to focus only on the outcomes and the process. Tuning into team emotions, fostering productive work relationships, building trust, and building a conducive environment within the team is the constant work of leadership ..read more

One of the highlights of my journey of learning and sharing online has been consistent recognition by Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM India) in their annual list of top Indian HR Influencers on Social Media since 2012. I am glad to be featured again this year. I am still inspired every time my work is recognized because it enables me: To grow network and belong to communities of people who not only choose to share ideas and insights online, but do so through the lens of their own experiences working with people and organizations. To validate my thinking, challenge it at times a ..read more

Putting your ideas out there requires courage. When you do that, you want your ideas to reach as many people as possible. In a connected world, expanding the reach of our ideas brings along diverse connections, serendipitous opportunities and exposure to great new ideas. My friend Becky Robinson, who released her first book titled “Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause” defines reach as: “Reach is not only about creating the biggest possible audience for your work. It’s also about the lasting impact your work can have. Reach means expanding your audience ..read more

As attrition soared amidst pandemic, companies had to initiate short term measures to retain their best talent which included tactics like special salary hikes, off-cycle pay outs, work-from-anywhere options and offering special learning opportunities. At a strategic level, even when most companies acknowledge the need for building people-centric cultures, the legacy mindset and systems that many large companies have in place stifle that intent. Structures built for helping people grow end up suffocating them. That’s because aspiration for growth, unlike career paths (ladders), may not always ..read more

Over-explanation, too much of context setting and long meetings indicate lack of preparation before communication. For many of us, it is difficult to be brief when we write or talk. Long winded and unfocused conversations in meetings is a waste that costs us our focus and productivity. Being brief when communicating is a sign of respect for the other person’s time. In the world of information overload, brevity is a gift. In this context, I read Joseph McCormack’s book “Brief: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less” in 2018 for two reasons – I am passionate about improving communication in organ ..read more