The wise owl, seated on the branch, watched the evening sun in quiet stillness. Just as she soaked in the calm, she heard muffled sobs. She turned and saw a young woman in high heels, her tear‑stained face meeting the owl’s gaze. Sensing she needed an invitation, the owl asked gently, “How are you feeling?”The …
“What is the secret to happiness at work?” the man in a white collar asked. The wise owl yawned. “How many times have I answered this, and still people ask?” “I still want to know,” he insisted. “For you, the answer is patience,” she perched. “Patience,” she repeated firmly. “I am patient, yet I remain …
Do you have an appetite for NO? As professionals, we often chase YES from our stakeholders. However, the way to Yes is through facing No. Embrace rejection without losing momentum. Hearing NO is a good news Chandra, a young professional, had no time to lose. He needed alignment from multiple stakeholders before a major launch. …
What does it take to build something great? The courage to give up what was good enough. Good enough is the enemy of great. Creating space for greatness Darshini, product head for an AI firm, worked hard with her team to rebuild their flagship product from scratch. Within a week of launch, signups exceeded targets. …
Why do executives need to do inner work? So that it frees them to achieve beyond imagination. Inner work means confronting ego which blocks the path of growth. A story of growth and ego Clint, a high-profile executive, was on track to become a partner. He breezed through interviews with confidence, convinced he knew exactly …
How to navigate workplace politics? Many professionals feel uneasy about workplace politics. Yet politics is not something you can wish away. Denial only deepens the struggle. Acceptance, detachment, and skill‑building make it manageable. From aversion to skill: Navigating office politics Bijoy, a loyal employee in a small firm, believed in merit, hard work, and minding …
Is sabbatical a good move? For many, the answer is no until they have seen someone take one. Doubts creep in – Will it hurt my resume? Will it stall my career?. However, a sabbatical can be life and career-transforming when pursued beyond utility. Sabbatical: A pause that propels growth When Abhay, a mid-career professional, …
What do Gen Z want? Every manager wrestles with this question. Their expectations from work and life signal a clear shift. The starting point is acceptance, not denial. A Zen master offers guidance A corporate executive once visited a Zen temple. He noticed a Zen master surrounded by Gen Z disciples—deeply committed, yet joyful in …
How rumination holds leaders back? Dwelling on past mistakes with self‑blame doesn’t fuel progress—it drains confidence. Focus is a leader’s most valuable asset, and rumination simply dilutes it. Rumination – Five steps backward Yogesh had excelled in every project he led. As a first‑time leader, he carried the same expectation of high performance. His learning …
How to care for your team? Do they need care? Absolutely. However, many swing to extremes – too much or too little. Care becomes either taboo or weakness. Learning to care Xavier was known as the stern leader. A go-getter with a result-oriented mindset. He dove straight into work discussions. He rarely acknowledged or learned …
