Understanding Human Psychology

I still remember the day so clearly. I was on my way to the hospital for my final check-up — the one where the doctor usually decides whether it’s time for admission. I was 8.5 months pregnant, still working till then, feeling healthy, nervous, excited, and a little overwhelmed, all at once. Just as we were driving, my phone rang. It was someone from the office IT team: “Ma’am, could you please come and collect your laptop if possible?” I told them I had already started my maternity break. But they gently insisted and requested if I could stop by, even for just a minute. It felt unusual, but something in their tone made me agree. So, on my way to the hospital, I took a quick halt at the office gate. When I reached, the IT team handed over my laptop — the same one I had been using, with my login, my files, my setup. And then they shared the reason behind the urgency. My then boss had fought for it. Not so that I would work during my break. Not to keep me “available.” Not to add pressure...

  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...

Artificial Intelligence is Really Intelligent or its just Us? It doesn’t think—it calculates. It doesn’t feel—it predicts. Yes we are talking about AI. Thinking like a philosopher I reflect on a core debate today, is AI truly intelligent or is the human intelligent who has created it. At the end of the day, AI literally mimics the human mind, however it a machine.  I think AI feels intelligent to us, as it gives us instant answers to any question we ask, better than what we have thought through, yet at the end of the day it has studied vast amount of data and works on pattern recognition. While we talk so much about AI, it's worth to pause and ask how many breakthroughs has human achieved in years as a process of evolution. AI being one of it. Maybe what we’re calling “artificial intelligence” is more aptly described as amplified pattern recognition, not consciousness, not intuition, not motivation, not emotion, not wisdom. At least not yet. That means how much ever we are floored ...

Elephant God is drinking milk. The idol has life.. How can that be possible? That was a question in many minds. But no one asked. They just believed. Their curious minds started adding logic. But magic and miracles are beyond logic.  I was in school, may be in early secondary, when I heard talks the Elephant God is drinking milk, if you offer the idol milk near the trunk, it will be swallowed. Like how? Then there was another news, it's not with any Ganesha idol, but a particular pandal's idol in Mumbai. So many devotees, without questioning, visited the pandal, to quench the thirst of their curious minds and seek blessings of the divine. That year the divine was believed to be present in the idol as if it was live.  Till date I have experienced that miracles are a part of life. We may call them blessings of the lord, we at times say it was pure coincidence, luck is another form of argument. Call it faith or blind trust, ignorance or just love for God. No one still knows if th...

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...

  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...

  Do you find yourself deflecting compliments at work? When someone appreciates your growth or contribution, do you instinctively say, "Oh, I’ve learned a lot from my team," or "It was all because of my mentors"? While acknowledging support is beautiful, do you ever pause to recognize yourself? Your effort. Your journey. Your learning. Your transformation. In many workplaces, especially in fast-paced environments, we rarely stop to track how we’re growing — mentally, emotionally, or professionally. We often forget to document the small wins, the newly formed habits, the brave conversations, the mindset shifts. Instead, we credit others for how far we’ve come. But here’s a reminder: Your learning is yours to own. Your development is the outcome of your effort, your initiative, and your consistency. That’s exactly why I wrote my book “Learnager” — a guide to lifelong learning and taking charge of your growth. 📘 You can get it here: Amazon KDP – LEARNAGER : From Learn...

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...

  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?

  I recently started reading How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith, and the first chapter struck a deep chord. It talked about how women often feel guilty or ashamed of their ambition. That line hit home for me. There were times I questioned myself: Am I being too ambitious for my age? For the stage of life I’m in? For the background, I come from? Maybe you’ve had those thoughts too — shaped by subtle messages from family, culture, or society. Sometimes not even told outright, just picked up like background noise growing up. But here's what I’ve learned — ambition is not arrogance. It's a dream in motion. The world’s most impactful leaders — women and men — weren’t apologetic about dreaming big. They rose because they dared to see beyond what existed. I'm thankful to my family and especially my husband, who saw my spark and never tried to dim it. That support has meant everything. But I also believe even without it, ambition should still be honoured, nur...

 Parenting, I’ve realized, is less about teaching and more about learning. In the early days, I would get so worked up watching my daughter mix all her paint colours into a brownish mush, splattering it across the paper—and sometimes, her face and hands. I would cringe at the mess, the stained clothes, the stickiness of it all. “Why can’t she just stick to the colouring book?” I’d ask myself. But one day, something shifted. I watched her dip her fingers into the red, then yellow, then blue. She wasn’t just painting—she was exploring . She was learning how red turns orange, how paint feels on skin, how colours mix to create new ones. It was all sensory play: touch, sight, even smell. It was art. It was science. It was joy. And I was the one who was missing the point. She wasn’t making a mess—she was making meaning. From that day on, I began to pause before reacting. I began to see her world, not through my lens of order, but through hers of discovery. I learned to breathe, smile, an...

  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...

  Coaching is not about giving solutions; it’s about entering the client’s world and seeing it through their eyes. One of the simplest, most beautiful ways to do this is through metaphors. In a recent coaching session, I was using the Wheel of Life tool and asked the coachee, “Which area of your life, if improved, would create a ripple effect on all the others?” He paused, thought for a moment, and then said, “If I get this one area sorted, it’s like a key piece of my Tetris. When that piece falls into place, everything else starts aligning.” That Tetris metaphor wasn’t just a casual line—it was a doorway. For the rest of the session, I used his metaphor: “So what’s blocking that piece?” “What would it feel like when it fits?” “What’s your next move in this game?” The energy shifted. He was more engaged, more reflective, and felt seen. That’s the power of using their language, their imagery. Metaphors aren’t decorative—they’re deeply personal. When a client shares one, it’s an in...

  After sharing my story of feeling like a fish in a pond during my maternity break, I realised how powerful metaphors are—not just in storytelling, but in coaching and everyday conversations. So often, people speak in metaphors without even realising it. “I feel like I’m sailing through a storm.” “This relationship is sunshine for me.” “When she enters the room, it feels like the air smells sweeter.” These aren’t just poetic expressions. They’re glimpses into someone’s emotional world. In coaching, I’ve noticed how easily these metaphors can go unnoticed. But for the person sharing them, these images are real. They hold emotional truth, and when acknowledged by a coach or a listener, they become powerful bridges to deeper connection and understanding. When someone says, “I feel stuck like I’m in quicksand,” don’t just nod and move on. Pause. Explore it. “Tell me more about the quicksand. What does it feel like? What helps you move through it?” That’s where the magic lies. The meta...