Understanding Human Psychology

When I first received an email from a senior stakeholder about a task I had to deliver, my immediate reaction was overwhelm. The scope seemed too vast, the expectations too high, and I found myself questioning—had I committed too much? Doubts crept in, and the weight of the responsibility felt heavier by the minute.   At first, I kept overthinking, trying to solve everything in my head. But when I finally sat down with my team and discussed the task, something shifted. As we broke the problem down together, the path forward became clearer. What initially seemed complicated now had a structure, and I could see exactly how to approach it.   By the time the meeting happened, I was prepared. And to my surprise, everything went smoothly. The very thing I was overthinking had now turned into a well-managed discussion. Looking back, I realized that stepping back and seeking support was the key.   We often believe we must figure everything out on our own, but that’...

Some days feel like a whirlwind—back-to-back meetings, endless emails, and barely a moment to breathe. I was having one of those days, too busy even to grab a proper lunch. As people passed by, waving politely, I stayed put, resigned to yet another meal replaced by tea or hot water.   But then, something changed. A colleague walked in, saw me buried in work, and instead of just acknowledging my exhaustion, she did something unexpected. She insisted that I eat, she took my food, heated it up, and placed it in front of me. “Eat,” she said, giving me those ten minutes I wouldn’t have taken for myself.   It was such a simple act, yet it meant everything. In a world where we often assume that people will manage on their own, she reminded me how powerful it is to have someone by your side. Small gestures—a warm meal, a kind word, a thoughtful act—can make a difference in ways we don’t always realize.   That day, I learned something important: You don’t have to ma...

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to talk to someone who truly listens? It’s like looking into a mirror and seeing yourself clearly. I once had a friend who never opened up about his struggles, always brushing things off with a joke. One evening, instead of laughing along, I simply said, “I feel like you’re carrying something heavy. I’m here if you want to talk.” He paused, then finally shared what had been weighing on him for months. People open up when they feel reflected, not interrogated. When they sense that you’re not just hearing their words, but truly seeing them. Being a good listener isn’t just about silence—it’s about making the other person feel safe enough to speak.

  Imagine planting a seed and expecting a tree to grow overnight. Absurd, right? Yet, when we meet people, we sometimes expect them to trust us immediately. But trust, like a plant, needs time to take root. I once had a coaching client who barely spoke in the first few sessions. He answered in short phrases, careful not to reveal too much. I didn’t force him to talk. Instead, I nurtured the conversation, just like a gardener cares for a seed. I asked open-ended questions, gave him space, and reassured him that there was no rush. And one day, he started talking. He shared what was truly bothering him, and from that moment on, our conversations flourished. It reminded me that trust isn’t built overnight. It grows when given the right environment—patience, care, and understanding.

  A river doesn’t force its way through a mountain—it carves its path over time, with patience and persistence. That’s exactly how trust builds in coaching conversations. I remember a colleague at one of my previous workplaces who rarely spoke about personal matters. Every conversation was surface-level, guarded. I never pushed. Instead, I simply showed up—listening, sharing, and being present. One day, unexpectedly, he started opening up. What changed? She knew she wouldn’t be judged. People open up at their own pace. Just as a river flows steadily, trust grows when there’s space to be heard. You don’t need to force it. Just be there, and when they’re ready, they’ll flow into the conversation naturally. I usually tend to practice this by telling my coaching client to just let the conversation take shape on its own and allow the space.