Understanding Human Psychology

I often wonder who reads my blogs. I write because I genuinely love writing. I enjoy putting a thought together, reflecting on something I've experienced, or simply sharing an idea that has stayed with me. Yes, I post them on LinkedIn and sometimes on other social media platforms, but I have never really written with a very deliberate goal of making the blog popular or turning it into something commercial. So, naturally, I have wondered many times "does anyone actually read them?" And then, one day, at a family gathering, something happened. A very distant relative met me and, after the usual greetings, she suddenly said, "Hey Shazneen, I love your blogs! I follow them on one of the platforms you post on. I actually read them. They give me some great new topics to think about and some interesting insights." I was honestly flattered, because someone had praised my writing and that too someone I least expected was quietly reading something I had been putting out i...

  There is something interesting about growing older. When I was younger, I thought getting older meant losing something, youth, time, perhaps even a little bit of the excitement of life. Today, I look at it very differently. With every passing year, I seem to understand myself a little better. I have more experiences to look back on, more people to remember, more relationships to value, more lessons that were not taught in any classroom. And strangely, life seems to be getting more exciting, not less. Maybe it is because I am becoming more comfortable with who I am. As years add, I'm doing more exciting work professionally. Challenges keep the interest and curiosity burning. I don't feel the same need to explain every decision I make. I don't feel the same need for everyone's approval. I have become more aware of people, situations and the realities of life. I can see that not everything is black or white. Some things need patience. Some need firmness. Some need you to...

I have often heard people say to me, "How do you get it all right?" How do you manage a child and your career? How did you do your PhD while working? How do you study, work, write a book, keep learning, and still manage your family? How do you make your child study while managing your own work? Sometimes I smile because the question itself assumes that I have figured out some secret formula. I haven't. In fact, I don't think there is such a thing as a perfect work-life balance anymore. I think it is more about work-life integration. The boundaries are not always clear. While helping my child study, I may also have my laptop open. While working, I may take a call from home. While I'm at work, I may suddenly wonder whether my child has reached home or what she must be doing at school. And when I am finally in bed, supposedly in my "personal time", my mind may already be planning what needs to happen the next morning. That's life. We try so hard to sepa...

There was a time when, if someone had asked me to stand on a stage and speak, I would have wanted to disappear. Once upon a time, it was me. I too was a shy child, constantly wondering whether people accepted me. Whether I was good enough. Whether I belonged. It took me years to realize that not everyone's acceptance matters, and even among those who matter, only to a certain extent. Some lessons cannot be taught. They can only be experienced. This was one of them. For many years, I was just one among the many. Today, I know I am the one among the many. Not because I am better than anyone else, but because I have found my inner strength and my own reassurance. I still remember where it all began. I was standing on a stage for an elocution competition. A frightened little girl looking at a room full of teachers and students. I could feel the judging eyes on me. The expressionless faces made me even more nervous. I hated every second of that moment. My body gave up before my mind did...

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...

  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 ...

Don’t Fool Yourself Into Thinking You Know It All I recently came across a quote by Richard Feynman that really stayed with me: > “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”  ( https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/quote-of-the-day-by-richard-feynman-the-first-principle-is-that-you-must-not-fool-yourself-and-you-are-the-easiest-person-to-a-powerful-reminder-about-self-deception-critical-thinking-personal-growth-and-why-facing-the-truth-is-often-the-hardest-part-of-becoming-wiser/articleshow/131228463.cms ) The more I thought about it, the more I realized how relevant this is in today’s world — especially in learning, work, and even with AI around us. We live in a time where information is everywhere. You can ask AI anything, get beautifully structured answers, summaries, frameworks, presentations, even deep-sounding insights within seconds. Social media gives validation instantly. People praise your thoughts, you...

 What it really means to get Educated  She grew up in a world where the mountains were her only teachers and the boundaries of her life were drawn long before she could question them. Her days were filled with chores, silence, and a set of beliefs so deeply rooted that they felt like the only truth. She didn’t know what school felt like. She didn’t know what a classroom looked like. And she definitely didn’t know that asking questions was even allowed. But somewhere inside this girl — Tara — a small spark of curiosity refused to die. It flickered quietly, almost fearfully, every time she wondered why the world outside her home was off-limits. It glowed a little brighter when she secretly listened to people talk about things she had never heard of. And one day, it burned strongly enough for her to take the first step: to educate herself. Her journey was not just about learning math or history or grammar. It was about challenging her own reality. Every new idea she encountered d...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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?

Any employer, no matter the industry, looks for two key qualities: the attitude to learn and the ability to develop expertise over time. You cannot rely on just one and expect to thrive. A learning attitude is not just for freshers—it’s equally critical for those advancing in their careers and even leaders at the top. The willingness to adapt, unlearn, and relearn is what keeps professionals relevant. However, having a great attitude alone isn’t enough. At some point, employers expect tangible results—proof that you’ve applied your learning to develop expertise. After all, what can a company do with someone who is eager but lacks the skills to execute? Likewise, expertise without a growth mindset leads to stagnation. Success lies in the balance: stay curious, keep learning, and master your craft. When you combine the right attitude with developed expertise, you don’t just grow—you become invaluable.

  I’ve been asked many a times about this ever lasting curiosity I have to know new things, to learn, to keep writing my blogs. I’ve been asked about how I learn new courses, I study at an age where I should focus on my kid studying. When I did my PhD also, during the study and much after it, even today, I have been getting questions about what made me do it. What’s with this curiosity and thirst for knowledge! Yes I am a curious soul and I love to know new things in my sphere of knowledge. I think if one does not upgrade himself, the person’s brain rust. Simple: Education makes man more of a human, a a much better one than when he is not. My PhD topic, the Learning Organisation also means continual learning and not believing that learning is a destination or a goal. When you learn, you learn to open your mind to new ideas. You get to know what’s stored in other people’s brain. There is a sea of fresh data out there. I read it that Albert Einstein once said that the intuitive min...

  LXD, a powerful tool, has grown significantly over the years, for managing learning in both in-person and virtual environments. the knowledge you gain out of LXD courses is versatile from the understanding of technology use in learning, to understanding of different learning environments need to be managed, to understanding universal design principles, to understanding the theoretical foundations of LXD.  The pandemic accelerated this growth, as remote work became the norm. LXD's ability to set up consistent development environments from anywhere became even more valuable. It helped learning content developers, learning program owners and learning professionals stay effectively productive, regardless of location (in person or remote). To keep up with the times, LXD has embraced new technologies. The number of tools which I use as a learning professional today in the classroom is nothing compared to what I used 10 years ago.  As LXD continues to evolve and take shape, wi...

  So let's look at something very interesting today. Being a coach and trainer, I've been frequently meeting people on their personal and professional development concerns. A very prominent facet which comes out in most of the discussions is life feels like it is stuck, I'm not moving any further professionally. Hence personal life is also feeling low and dull. In an interview of Richard Bandler, I heard him say, "You can get intelligent day by day or dumber day by day. But you can't remain the same.' Now, what does this mean? And how is is related here? It means that as time passes you either use your life experiences and the learnings to improve their ways of work or they live mindless by doing dumber stuff.  So coming back to the challenge that most individuals face now-a-days. Most people who I speak to for coaching know they deserve better at work, better positions, better salary, challenging job profiles, recognition and fame in society. But how do they g...

  It's a picturesque view of nature around. Clear waters, birds chirping around, galloping dolphins, fresh breathable air, green grass, trees in full bloom. Yes we had it all. It was a brief period where we really got to see it all. The lockdown brought humans in cages and animals out of theirs. As we are now opening up again we realise the damage we are doing to nature day in and day out. How selfish can we get? We humans have already depleted much of Earth's resources.  Still if we see nature, we feel calm, composed and healed. For meditation, for inducing a deeply relaxed state, we often hear sounds of the sea waters, birds chirping, sound of the soft wind blowing. Nature continues to heal us. What are we doing to protect it? Truth is we are too busy in the world inside of us, to be really concerned about the world outside of us. We live in our heads, our life stories, our dreams. We then live in this physical world and so we do not pay attention to how nature actually is h...

  In a training session, I recently learnt about an inspiring story of a 13 year old Chennai based girl, M Nethra. The real life hero and inspiration did not know what her good deal would give her in return until it really did. The story goes, that when the first lockdown struck there were many people who were left stranded on the road, without food, without adequate supply of ration, and money to meet the daily expenses. These people, mostly the daily wage earners, at that point of time, thought that they should leave for their villages to survive or else they would have to perish in poverty. Due to the sudden announcement of lockdown and closure of state transport systems, they had only one choice, that is walk many many miles to reach their destination. They had extremely a little money to survive and they thought the best way to survive for long term is to go to their hometowns as there was no mode of earning left in the city. Their plight was all in the news and was known to...

  As I read more and more about positive self beliefs and about the conscious decision to disregard negative self beliefs, I realise how my life is changing, how each day, each passing day is summing up as more productive. For me every positive thought is making a difference. I coneciously realise that previously in the same situation, I would have got disappointed or angry in the heat of the moment.  At many times maybe to satisfy ego or maybe to put a point forward, we want to just argue or at times just feel the need for showing dominance. However, in most circumstances we land up with an event not in our favour. It either becomes a win-lose, lose-win or a lose-lose. None of it really is an I am ok-you are ok, because it's not a win-win.  Inappropriate words may not just be bad for personal life, but even professional lives of people get badly affected by it. Very recently I have observed many people who come to the brink of of doing an action which is positive for th...