Category: Uncategorized
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There are moments when the rules change without asking our permission. Something enters your world unexpectedly, rearranges your priorities, and makes you question what you thought you knew about tomorrow. I have been thinking about what it means to lead yourself when you cannot lead the situation. When you cannot fix it. When you cannot…
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Recently, I spent two days facilitating a leadership programme for a group of experienced professionals. As I watched the conversations unfold, listened to the questions being asked and observed the expectations participants brought into the room, I found myself thinking about something completely unrelated to leadership. Marination. Yes, marination. Because the more I thought about…
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“The quality of an interview is determined long before the first question is asked.” Over the years, I have conducted interviewing skills workshops for hundreds of managers across industries. Some were interviewing for the first time, while others had spent years hiring people and leading teams. Yet irrespective of their experience, I noticed something surprisingly…
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Employee engagement in India is under visible strain. According to ADP, engagement levels have dropped to 19% in 2025 from 24% in 2024, marking one of the steepest declines globally. Alongside this, 30% of employees report daily stress, and nearly half the workforce is actively considering a job switch. These are not just workforce statistics.…
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The other morning, I was making idlis. There is something deeply calming about the process. The batter had fermented overnight, quietly transforming while no one was watching. I poured it gently into the moulds, placed them in the steamer, and closed the lid. And then, there was nothing to do. No stirring. No flipping. No…
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The other day, I was having kimchi with dinner after completing a full day of Individual Development Plan conversations. It had been one of those long but meaningful days – listening, asking questions, encouraging reflection, and helping people think about their growth. As I took the first bite of kimchi, something struck me. Kimchi is…
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When I look back at my career, I often think of the innumerable stories. What stands out is not the promotions or the achievements. It’s the journey itself. I cherish every challenge, every choice, every small victory, and every moment I doubted myself yet kept showing up. Young Mother, Big Dreams and a Tough Start…
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As a leadership consultant, I’ve facilitated countless 360-degree feedback debriefs. And there’s a pattern I see almost every single time. The leader starts reading the report, nodding along at first. Then a sharp comment arrives. It might be about not being inclusive enough or needing to listen more. Suddenly, the energy shifts. The focus moves…
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One of the most unforgettable moments from my early days in the hospitality industry came during a grand banquet function. Everything was going smoothly. The décor was elegant, the guests were arriving on time, and the kitchen had outdone itself. The final course of the evening was a Hyderabadi classic. It was Qubani ka Meetha,…
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Just Like Canapés When we think of leadership, we often think of visibility. Big decisions. Strategy decks. Townhalls. Announcements that echo across the organization. I’ve worked with many teams. When I look back at the moments that truly shaped the culture, they were rarely dramatic. They were small. Almost invisible. And yet, they changed everything.…