Posts

When Communication Becomes a Performance

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  There is so much stress on communication in corporate nowadays. With AI coming in and many technical skills becoming automated, communication is being called the skill to build. And I agree, it is important. Very important. But lately, I’ve been observing something. Communication is slowly becoming equal to articulation, only great articulation. If you can speak fluently, structure your thoughts well, present confidently, and use the right vocabulary — you are seen as a “great communicator.” Yes, articulation is a must. You should be able to put your point forward clearly so the other person understands you. But I beg to differ slightly. Communication is not just about how well you speak. It is also about how well you listen. And this is where I see something missing. I’ve noticed people entering conversations already prepared to prove a point. Their focus is on framing the perfect sentence, choosing the right words, building the strongest argument. But in that process, something...

When the Year Takes Off Like a Bullet Train

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  This year didn’t ease in gently. It took off — fast. Like a bullet train. Last year ended on a high, and before I could fully catch my breath, this year began on an even higher note, professionally. Work picked up pace almost immediately. New challenges, engaging conversations, demanding timelines, and opportunities that required me to be fully present from day one. And for that, I feel grateful. The year also began wrapped in family moments, celebrations, gatherings, laughter, and togetherness. The kind that you enjoy before life pulls you back into its rhythm. Soon after, the days became busy, not in a draining way, but in a stretching way. The kind of busyness that keeps you on your toes and makes you feel alive. There have already been moments that asked for focus, patience, and presence. Situations that were challenging, yet deeply engaging. The kind that don’t let you function on autopilot. And as I look ahead, I can sense that there are fun times coming too and moments of ...

Failure Is Not the Opposite of Success

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  Most of us don’t stop because we can’t do something. We stop because we are scared of failing . We don’t take that exam because what if I don’t clear it? We don’t apply for that role because what if I’m not good enough? We don’t start learning a new skill because what if I can’t keep up? We don’t say yes to a project because what if I mess it up? Slowly, fear starts deciding our life choices. What we forget is this simple truth: failure is not the opposite of success . In many cases, it is a part of it. Most people who succeed don’t do so because everything went smoothly. They succeed because they tried, failed, learnt, adjusted, and kept going. I’ve experienced this very personally. When I decided to pursue my PhD, I was scared. Not because I didn’t want it — I really did — but because I didn’t know if I would be able to manage it. The fear was very real. What if I can’t complete it? What if I’m not capable enough? Then, after I got admission, life threw another curveb...

2025: From Awareness to Influence — A Year That Changed How I Operate

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  2025: From Awareness to Influence — A Year That Changed How I Operate As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself pausing, first, to measure the year by milestones, and second to measure it by movement . Inner movement, Relational movement, and finally, Systemic movement. If I were to describe 2025 in two halves, the first half was about awareness and connection, and the second half was about stakeholder management and collective momentum. What’s interesting is that the second half could only exist because of the first. It Started With Awareness - Early 2025 gently but firmly nudged me inward. Awareness of self, patterns, what energizes me and what drains me. That awareness naturally led to a deeper connection with self, my intent, my values, my way of being in the world. And once that connection with self strengthened, my connection with others became more authentic, more grounded, and more meaningful. Conversations felt less transactional and more intentional. Listening became dee...

When Confidence Needs Vulnerability

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  As professionals, we often talk about qualities as if they are switches, like either on or off. One is confident or not, decisive or hesitant, strong or vulnerable. But I feel reality doesn’t work in binaries. I feel qualities exist on a continuum. Confidence, for instance, ranges from self-doubt on one end to arrogance on the other. Somewhere in the middle lies grounded and sound-minded confidence, like the one that listens, adapts, and still takes a stand when needed. Too little confidence can hold you back. Too much can shut others down. Haven’t we all experienced people who are holding themselves back in their professional career and are loosing out on opportunities to shine because of the lack of confidence. And similarly experienced people because of their over confidence, nearly arrogance, they can turn off their colleagues or push them into a shell. The same is true for vulnerability. At the right moment, vulnerability builds trust, deepens connection, and makes leaders...