I recently interviewed someone fairly senior for a client. This person had so many achievements on his cv and he went on a spree trying to explain everything in detail. I kept wishing throughout the interview that he would focus on one or two and be able to go deep into those. When seeking to […]
How to Recognize Integrity in Everyday Behavior
Human nature inherently leads us to give greater prominence to the thoughts we focus on. Consequently, it is crucial to refrain from sowing negative thoughts in others’ minds. Ideas remain abstract until they are articulated, whether verbally or in writing. The more time and repetition an idea receives, the more tangible and realistic it becomes. […]
Freedom of Thought: The Rarest Skill No One Teaches
In one of my previous organizations, the annual appraisal/potential assessment form had an unusual section. It wanted to know if the person being assessed was an ‘independent thinker’. It was unusual because businesses don’t usually allow for much independent thinking! To my mind, an independent thinker is someone who has their own ideas about what […]
The Manager’s Dilemma: Balancing Autonomy and Collaboration
How does one manage a team? If you ask seasoned team managers about their most challenging task, you are most likely to hear about managing conflicts among team members as a significant contender for the top spot. Experienced team managers also recognise that conflicts primarily arise from the inherent human desire of each team member […]
The Power of Stepping Back Gracefully
During my gym workouts, I often see younger folks approach every exercise with a lot of passion, showing their strength and endurance. It is inspiring and sometimes I am tempted to follow them, but I remind myself that just because I can perhaps still do some of those heavy bench presses and squats, doesn’t mean […]
True Independence Means Freedom from Validation
I have been pondering the concept of independence. While I see financial and intellectual independence as important I feel true independence means breaking free from the need to seek validation from others. Our society puts a lot of emphasis on getting approval from strangers through physical cues (like clothes, cars, and homes), attention-seeking (likes on […]
How to Recognize Integrity in Everyday Behavior
How can one discern character and integrity in an individual? If you have ever pondered this and attempted to identify significant flaws, such as dishonesty or immorality in someone, it is an incorrect lens to employ because people will always be ready to justify and defend the more obvious issues! Instead, I propose a simple […]
Influence Without Authority: The Real Power Behind Leadership
In my advisory work, I often encounter individuals trying to find the best way to influence their respective organisations. This challenge arises at various levels, from functional leaders attempting to sway their peers in the executive team to Chairmen and CEOs navigating boardroom dynamics. Many mistakenly believe that influence stems from being the loudest or […]
Trusting Your Gut: Why Intuition Can Be Smarter Than Logic
Most of us are not very adept at dealing with uncertainty. We prefer certainties and guarantees. You know those moments when you ignore your strong intuition or gut feeling, become fearful, and seek reassurance from others, asking, “What do you think?” “Should I do it?” Our craving for certainty undermines our intuition in those instances. […]
Winning the Argument, Losing the Respect: The Hidden Cost of Being Right
Watching the recent public shouting matches between global politicians, I am reminded of a business meeting from my younger days when I argued with a colleague about something he said that didn’t make sense to me. The disagreement grew emotional, and our voices became louder. Ultimately, I managed to present some facts that my colleague […]
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