Understanding Human Psychology

I recently came across an article about AI "reading the room." The idea was fascinating. Imagine you're facilitating a workshop or leading a meeting, and AI is continuously analyzing the room. It tells you whether people are engaged, whether they are distracted, whether your energy has dropped, or whether you need to change your approach. As someone who has facilitated learning sessions for many years, I had mixed feelings. Facilitation has never been just about knowing the content. It is about being present. It is about noticing the person who suddenly sits back in their chair, the participant who leans forward because something sparked curiosity, the one who hesitates before speaking, or the smile that tells you an example has landed well. It is about sensing the energy in the room and adapting in real time. Can AI do that? Maybe, to some extent. It can probably detect facial expressions, body posture, eye contact, speaking patterns, or periods of silence. It may even t...

  Take your work seriously. Don't take yourself too seriously." I recently heard this thought in a podcast featuring Kunal Shah, and it stayed with me long after the podcast ended. He spoke about how there have been brilliant thinkers, inventors, and leaders who have done extraordinary work, and yet, over time, many of them have faded into history. He even mentioned how people working at the Bombay Stock Exchange didn't know who its founder was. It made me pause. We spend so much of our lives worrying about what people think of us, whether we are successful enough, whether this one meeting went well, whether someone appreciated our work, whether this week has been good or bad. We carry the weight of every little event as though it defines our entire life. But does it really? I don't think the message is to become careless. In fact, I think it's quite the opposite. Take your work seriously. Do it honestly. Do it sincerely. Give it your best. Learn from it. But don...

  Ive forever been pro learning from the times of my college days. Untill school I felt I did not have a choice of what I wanted to study about. But then in college, I had almost all the subjects of my choice. I loved to study for the fondness of knowing more about the topic, especially when the subject was psychology. I also noticed that the teachers one encounters are also responsible to bring out the interest of the student in that subject. And touchwood all my psychology teachers were those kind of teachers who developed our interests and engagement. After that time, I learnt and loved to study. I completed my graduation in entire psychology and then masters. While I was at work, there was a time when I was dealing with labour and thats when learning about labour laws was what I invested my time in, my second masters was the reason behind it. But curiosity kills the cat! So I went on to invest my everything to my PhD studies, it took years, money, effort and a lot lot of brain ...

  I was recently revisiting The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, and one agreement stood out differently this time: “Always do your best.” We hear this phrase all the time — put your best foot forward, give it your 100%, strive for excellence. But somewhere along the way, “your best” became confused with “the world’s best.” And that’s where the pressure begins. When Ruiz talks about doing your best, he isn’t pushing us toward perfection. In fact, he repeatedly reminds us that our “best” is not a fixed benchmark. It changes from day to day, with our energy, our circumstances, and our emotional bandwidth. Some days your best looks like running three projects at once. Other days, your best looks like simply showing up. Both are valid. But the world doesn’t always view it that way. We’re surrounded by expectations — from society, parents, teachers, bosses, even peers. Somewhere, without realising it, we start performing for the world, not for ourselves. We begin to believe that “doi...

  Many are redefining what retirement means, and some are achieving it earlier than expected. Imagine retiring in your 40s, like some did during the voluntary retirement schemes in nationalized banks and government institutions. Today, this trend extends beyond those sectors. Individuals seeking a slower pace of life, meaningful experiences, and quality time with loved ones are opting for early retirement. With great salaries in their early careers, some have made savvy investments, enabling them to pursue alternate passions and laid-back lifestyles in tier 2 or 3 cities. The shift in thinking is clear: life is too short for long commutes and extended work hours. Instead, many prioritize time with family and partners, valuing experiences over professional achievements. This path isn't for everyone, though. It requires smart financial planning and saving wisely. Those who've taken this route often cite the importance of living life on their own terms. As we navigate changing wor...

  “Teacher, I need one more supplement!” — said someone in class. Instantly, all heads turned toward the bright student who had already filled up the main answer booklet and still had more to write. We all knew the rule: a 10-mark answer must have an introduction, body, and conclusion. It should be at least two and a half to three pages long. If you managed four pages, you were considered above average — likely to score well. This belief — that the more you write, the more marks you get — isn’t something of the past. It still exists. From time immemorial, our education system has valued learning and recall. It tests memory. But does it test intelligence? That brings us to a deeper question: Should education be about testing intelligence at all? Isn’t the real purpose of schooling to help children learn new concepts, develop skills — both academic and life-related — and grow from where they are? Recently, I came across an interesting development — some education boards now provide a...

  There was a time when conversation starters would be about weekend plans, food, family, office, and traffic woes, now in many conversations, whether at work or over coffee, it's somehow loops back to AI. From did you watch that show? To- Did you try that AI tool? Did you tell ChatGPT to do this? It's a talk we have as as way of life. Earlier, conversations at work were largely transactional: updates, reminders, or basic planning. But AI has transformed the quality and direction of our discussions—into deeper reflections about how it's shaping work, creativity, ethics, and identity. Our conversations have shifted from catching up to keeping up with AI. AI has become second brain, a friend in the pocket, a co-pilot always available to steer the ship with you. However, we need to be updated about this latest technology. Learning about how blur are the lines between AI and human.  AI is no longer a buzzword. To learn more about this evolving technology one must be on top of n...

While reading How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith, one particular chapter stopped me in my tracks — Reluctance to Claim Your Achievements. It’s something many women professionals experience: the instinct to deflect praise, to share credit (even when it’s not due), and to soften the spotlight when it’s pointed their way. As I read about a senior professional who, even in a high-stakes interview, kept mentioning her colleague’s contributions over her own, a vivid memory of mine surfaced. A few years ago, I had led a significant Learning & Development and Talent initiative in my organization — a program that required months of effort, stakeholder management, creative design, and seamless execution. When the project concluded successfully, I was called out in a team meeting for the achievement. Instead of standing tall in that moment, I instinctively slid into sharing mode. I said, “It was a team effort,” and even added names on the presentation slide to acknowledge...

  Why Learning Faster Than the Competition Isn’t Optional Anymore — It’s Survival There’s a quote I keep returning to — “The only sustainable competitive advantage is an organization’s ability to learn faster than the competition.” – Peter Senge And it’s not just for organizations. It’s true for individuals too. In today’s world, if you're standing still, you're falling behind. This quote became the heartbeat of a chapter in my book “Learnager” — a book that isn’t just a guide to learning, but a mindset manual for those who want to thrive in fast-paced corporate landscapes.  LEARNAGER isn’t about being a student again. It’s about becoming a lifelong, self-driven learner — someone who embraces reflection, adapts quickly, and transforms knowledge into meaningful action. Why is this important? Because learning is your real leverage. Not your title. Not your years of experience. Your ability to unlearn, relearn, and evolve. And if Senge’s insight resonates with you, LEARNAGER show...

  Six Years, Many Dreams Six years ago, on 16th July, a little heartbeat made mine grow stronger. Today, she turns 6 — my daughter, my mirror, and often, my teacher, she shaped me to be a better human. I find myself reflecting not just as a parent but as a learner what these years have been for me, how I've grown up. Because alongside her, I’ve grown too as a better human. Through phases of chaos and calm, through questions and quiet moments, she’s unknowingly taught me the power of resilience, reinvention, and reflection. And today, on this special day, another dream quietly takes flight. I’m thrilled to share that my book LEARNAGER From Learning to Leading in The Real World is launching today. 📘 Available on: Amazon KDP – LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World   https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx   Pothi Print Book https://store.pothi.com/book/dr-shazneen-gandevia-learnager/ Pothi e book https://store.pothi.com/book/ebook-dr-shazneen-gandevia-learnager/ The...

  In a noisy world full of fast answers, we need people who ask thoughtful questions – not just to others, to oneself too! Am I agile enough to break assumptions about  concept? Do I feel curious when someone talks to me or I jump to make a conclusion? We need Learnagers — people who stay open, reflective, and resilient. People who don’t just absorb information but seek transformation . Who learn not just to advance, but to contribute . The more we learn, the more we can lead, listen, and lift others up. And that, truly, is what the future of leadership looks like.   Order from Amazon KDP LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World   https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx

  Most people consume content but don’t truly absorb or apply it. The Learnager flips that. You’re not just watching videos or reading quotes. You’re turning learning into action . Reflection, discussion, feedback — these are the muscles that build lifelong learning. We are also learning to learn better 😊 A Learnager doesn’t wait for formal training. They create learning moments. They build knowledge like a habit. And they grow quietly, deeply, and consistently. Order from Amazon KDP LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World   https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx

In the age of AI, one skill will never go out of fashion — your ability to learn. Being a Learnager means you're not afraid to ask questions, explore new perspectives, and update your thinking. Lifelong learners don't fear change — they flow with it. Learnager is not just a book; it's a reminder that agility starts with learning, and confidence is the byproduct of clarity. It has many exercises and strategies to get you started on the path towards lifelong learning. So gear up to be a Learnager! Upgrade your mindset. The rest will follow. Order from Amazon KDP LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World   https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx  

  Lifelong learning isn’t just about collecting certifications or attending webinars. It’s about adapting to the new learning. It’s about relevance to the real world. It’s about staying deeply connected to the world and your evolving self. It’s an exciting place to be. In my book Learnager , I challenge the idea that learning stops with school or any other formal education. Real learning happens in conversations, experiences, feedback loops, and the risks we take when we grow. Risk? Those which push us outside our comfort zone. If you're still learning, you're still leading. That’s the power of lifelong learning. Order from Amazon KDP LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World   https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx

  In a world that keeps evolving, staying curious isn’t just optional — it’s survival. A Learnager is someone who refuses to retire their curiosity. They are not defined by age or title but by their attitude toward growth. Whether you're 18 or 58, you can choose to learn with the enthusiasm of a teenager. Hence, the term Learnager . It’s a mindset that blends wisdom with wonder. The book helps you with simple exercises to put that into practice. You don’t need to chase every trend. You just need to ask, “What can I learn today?” Stay curious. Stay young. Stay a Learnager. Order from Amazon KDP LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World   https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx