Understanding Human Psychology

I stood on a platform in the second row. Tried to gulp my nerves and stared at the open area ahead, the hall was humongous. I imagined the audience there and gulped another ball of anxiety down my throat. It was my turn, I raised my voice like a wave and I hummed the lines of the song. My teacher gave me a blank stare and after five seconds told me 'You are singing so beautifully, then why is your face like you have had castor oil?' I released the breath I was holding, and broke into a slight smile, my heart still beating of the fear of being judged of what I was there for. The same feeling which had kept me away from taking the centre spot and playing the lead singer in the western music choir. On the final day I hummed boldly, as I had got a 'great job' tag from my music teacher. Time lapse today I hold my tough emotions close to me. I write to express. I missed writing this last month when I was occupied in caregiving of my loved one. As responsibilities have taken n...

  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

  Coaching is designed to create shifts for the coachee — but if you stay with it long enough, you’ll notice something else quietly changing: you . Every coaching conversation opens a window into another person’s world, deepening your empathy. You witness raw vulnerability — and start embracing your own. You hold space for others to empty their hearts — and become a better listener in the process. You help someone chase their goals — and get nudged toward your own. Coaching transforms the coachee. But in doing so, it shapes the coach — slowly, subtly, and profoundly. What has coaching made you become — not just as a coach, but as a human being?

  Have you ever felt guilty for sleeping in on a holiday because your child’s breakfast wasn’t ready? Or skipped your workout because you had to pack a lunchbox—even when you knew leftovers were just fine? What about the guilt of choosing silence for yourself over small talk, or taking a long bath while someone else waits for dinner? We tell ourselves stories: “How can I?” “What kind of mother/partner/child would do that?” But these stories, while noble on the surface, often hide deep-rooted self-sabotage. Coaching conversations have shown me how often people hesitate to “put on their own oxygen mask first.” And yet, how can you help others breathe if you’re gasping for air yourself? Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s a life skill. It’s a leadership act. It’s a parenting practice. And more than anything—it’s your right. It takes confidence to say, “I deserve a moment.” But confidence is exactly what you get when you allow yourself that moment. What’s one “guilt-driven” act you could re...

  In coaching, one of the most powerful things we can do is honour the client’s metaphor—not just hear it, but hold space within it. Recently, I was speaking with a coachee who had made steady progress toward a personal goal. As we reflected on the journey, I asked, “What would you want to do to speed up the process?” He replied, “I wouldn’t want to speed it up. This is the optimal speed. I want to be cautious. I want to ride the boat at a speed that doesn’t make me topple.” And just like that, the metaphor emerged: the boat . As we sailed further into the conversation, he continued to build on this imagery. He spoke about milestones as islands he passed. He described how with each step, he added new tools, skills, and responsibilities to his boat. That session stayed deeply rooted in his metaphor—and it felt natural, intuitive, and authentic. When a client presents a metaphor, it’s a portal into their inner landscape. They are choosing a symbol that feels safe and familiar. When w...

  Back in 2019, during my maternity break, I decided to join my team for an office retreat. My daughter was just five months old, and though motherhood had filled me with love, staying indoors day after day had begun to feel stifling. I missed the buzz of work, the energy of my team, and the small talk over chai. So, when the chance to attend the retreat came up, I took it. On the first day, our business leader asked each of us to pick an object around us—something that symbolically represented who we were at that moment. The responses were beautiful. One colleague said they were like a tree, grounded and nurturing. Another felt like the weather—sometimes sunny, sometimes stormy. Someone said they were a pen, full of ideas. Another felt like a blank page, open to new beginnings. When it was my turn, I chose something unexpected. I had been watching the little pond nearby, filled with colorful fishes trapped inside its stone walls. I said, “I feel like one of those fishes—alive, vib...

I was witnessing a group coaching session. Lots of surface-level chatter. Until the coach asked, "What are you pretending not to know?" Silence. Someone shifted. Another crossed their arms. Then one brave voice said, "That I hate my job but feel too guilty to leave." Boom. Vulnerability unlocked the room. Others followed. Stories poured out. Real talk began. That one question cracked open a safe space. It reminded me: the right question doesn’t provide an answer. It opens a door. What’s a question that changed you? I challenge you to think of a reflective question which will help change the readers' perspective. Write it in the comments. If you’re looking for powerful coaching questions, you’ll love these reads. Check them out here. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Go to Books for Coaching 🌟  1. "Co-Active Coaching" by Henry Kimsey-House et al. A go...

  There was a time I almost said no to the journey of becoming a coach. I was drowning in self-doubt—that annoying voice in your head that whispers, "Who are you to help someone else?" I remember standing outside the room where my first coach training session was about to begin. My hand hovered over the doorknob. I almost turned back. "You don't belong here," the voice insisted. Just then, someone behind me said, "You coming in? You look like you belong here." That sentence shifted something. I walked in. That day didn't erase my doubts, but it planted a new thought: Maybe I do belong . And with every session, every stumble, every "aha" moment since, I’ve learned this: the only thing standing between you and your future self is often just one step forward. Poll: What stopped you from pursuing something you truly wanted? a) Your inner critic b) External circumstances c) Past experiences d) All of the above I've also li...

I’ve been asked, "Why do you still coach? Isn’t it hard holding space for others all the time?" Yes, it is. But it’s also the most fulfilling thing I do. I coach because of the light in someone’s eyes when they reconnect with their purpose. Because someone says, "No one's ever asked me that before." Because transformation isn’t a big bang. It’s a whisper that grows. I coach because every story shared is sacred. And I still believe in the magic of human change. What keeps you committed to your path?  a) The idea that it changes / impacts lives b) The recognition it brings  c) The freedom of expression/thought To all the coaches, leaders, and lifelong learners—here’s a curated list of books that keep me inspired. Check them out here. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Go to Books for Coaching 🌟  1. "Co-Active Coaching" by Henry Kimsey-House et al. A gold standard in coachi...

  It wasn’t a coaching session. We were just two friends catching up. She was venting about work, unsure whether to quit. I listened, then asked: "What would staying cost you emotionally?" Her eyes welled up. "Everything," she whispered. That question wasn’t planned. It came from being fully present. We talked for another hour. She didn’t quit right away, but she made changes. Big ones. Sometimes, coaching happens outside the frame of a session. It slips into coffee chats, dinner tables, and quiet walks. It's about presence, not permission. Where have you accidentally coached someone? Comment and share. For anyone who believes conversations can change lives, these books are for you. Check them out here. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Go to Books for Coaching 🌟  1. "Co-Active Coaching" by Henry Kimsey-House et al. A gold standard in coaching, this bo...

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.   Recently, in my readings, I came across a thought that struck me deeply:   Most human problems, and even unfulfilled aspirations, exist because we simply wait. We wait endlessly — for the right time, the right mood, the perfect plan, the perfect clarity.   Sometimes it’s procrastination.   Sometimes it’s fear of the unknown.   Sometimes it’s sheer lethargy or a sense of boredom.   Sometimes it’s confusion about where to even begin.   And without realizing it, life passes in the waiting. If only we could move past these invisible barriers and act, most of our goals would be within reach.   Sounds simple, doesn’t it?   But if it were, everyone would already be living the life they dream of. Taking action is easier said than done because action demands courage.   Courage to move d...

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I recently came across a line in 'The Almanack of Naval Ravikant' that stayed with me:   Wisdom is not about words or writing. Wisdom is about actions and behavior. If it were just about words, we would all be wise.   We read quotes, books, articles — we are surrounded by knowledge.   But true wisdom is not what you can repeat.   It’s what you embody.   It’s visible in how you live your life when no one is watching. This made me pause.   How often do we confuse knowing something with living it?   It’s easy to talk about patience, but can we stay calm when things don’t go our way?   It’s easy to talk about kindness, but do we practice it when someone is rude to us?   It’s easy to talk about balance, but do we truly create space for it in our day? Wisdom, I realized, is silent. ...

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. When someone tells me “you can’t do it,” something stirs deep inside me. I don’t take it as a defeat.   I take it as a challenge.   Almost like a silent voice within says, “Watch me.” But as I reflected more, I realized — what is the inner message behind such a statement?   Maybe it's not really about me.   Maybe it’s about someone else’s fear, their limited view, or their need to control.   This thought became even deeper during a recent coaching conversation.   One of my coachees shared something that really stayed with me. They said, “I grew up doing everything the way authority figures told me to. I would please everyone, seeking validation constantly. It’s so deeply rooted in me that even today, I can't do anything without needing someone’s approval. If I don't get it, I feel anxious.” Hearing them say that, ...

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Coaching isn’t just a separate activity that leaders do occasionally—it’s an essential part of leadership itself. Many leaders see coaching as a structured process, something that happens in scheduled sessions. But in reality, coaching is a skill that should be used daily, just like decision-making or communication. Most of the leaders in my organisation, have coachees assigned to them, have regular interactions and coaching connects with them. Glad that my organisation is encouraging this. #ZS Great leaders don’t just check in on their teams to discuss tasks and deadlines; they engage in meaningful coaching conversations. These conversations go beyond work updates—they help employees grow, improve, and feel truly supported. Coaching is about guiding people to find their own solutions rather than just handing them answers.   One of the most valuable aspects of c...

I recently had a coaching session where the coachee started with a clear request: "I want you to suggest what I should do about X, Y, and Z." They went on listing their concerns, looking at me expectantly. I smiled and gently reminded them, “As I mentioned before, coaching isn’t about giving suggestions. But I will be here with you to explore all these topics.” And so, we began. Through thoughtful questioning and open exploration, we unpacked each of their concerns. I watched as they reflected, dug deeper, and connected the dots in their own way. As the session unfolded, their energy shifted—from seeking advice to discovering their own insights. When we wrapped up, I asked, “What was the value of this session for you?” They took a moment and said, “It was an incredible session! I got so much clarity.” Smiling, I asked, “Did I suggest anything to you at any point?” They paused, then laughed, “Not at all. And yet, it worked like magic!” That moment—seeing the twinkle i...

Critical thinking isn’t about rejecting authority or doubting everything—it’s about approaching information with a curious and open mind. The moment we start challenging our starting points, we open ourselves to growth, change, and new possibilities. I remember a coaching session where a client was frustrated with his team. He felt they weren’t proactive and constantly needed direction. “They just don’t take ownership,” he said. Instead of agreeing or offering a quick solution, I asked, “What assumptions are you making about their behavior?” At first, he was puzzled. But as we explored further, he realized he had assumed his team lacked initiative because they didn’t care. In reality, they were hesitant because they feared making mistakes. This shift in perspective changed everything. Instead of being frustrated, he saw an opportunity to create a safe space for his team to take risks and grow. Next time you feel stuck, ask yourself: What assumptions am I making here? You might be surpr...