Browse Category: Leadership

Talk Session on Who Moved my cheese? – On Mindset and Change Leadership Management

I am grateful for the time and energy of several PFSians who gathered to make our recent Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri session engaging, participative, and vibrant with their positive thoughts and perspectives.

I thoroughly enjoyed delivering a talk session on “Mindset Change” at our apartment complex, PFS (aka Purva Fountain Square) in Bangalore. Every weekend, the group meets up to discuss a topic of common interest, debate a new area inspired by a book or incident, or impart learnings from the real world.

During the harvest season, it was especially rewarding to connect with this community and share insights on the power of mindset. Our conversation was both enlightening and enjoyable.

Attached is a photo of the event. Thanks again to all who attended!


The topic was inspired from the book- ‘Who Moved my cheese?’ a book written by Spencer Johnson and apparently must have been shared multiple times as key learning material for several entrepreneurs and corporate professionals to discuss the Impact of Changes in our lives.

Find the Youtube Video here :


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  1. Introduction: In the session, we discussed the main concepts from the book and highlighted its key takeaways. We explored how the book relates to change and adaptability in both personal and professional contexts.
  2. Real-life examples: During the session, participants shared real-life examples of their experiences adapting to change in their roles, companies, or individual capacities. We discussed the lessons learned from these examples.
  3. Interactive exercises: To help participants experience the emotions and challenges of dealing with change, we used props and interactive exercises during the session.
  4. Attitude and mindsets: The group also explored their own attitudes and mindsets towards change, reflecting on how they can be more adaptable and embrace change.
  5. Self-reflection: This session was also used as a self-reflection time for participants to ponder on their next best alternatives and possibilities for their own “cheese stations” (referring to the book’s metaphor of “cheese” as a metaphor for what people want in life).

Conclusion: We emphasized how the session can help participants understand the importance of being adaptable and embracing change in order to thrive in today’s fast-paced, volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.

These are the key lessons from the book :

Powerful Life Lessons from the book " Who Moved My Cheese?

Having Cheese Makes You Happy

The More Important Your Cheese is To You, The More You Want To Hold Onto It.

If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct

What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?

Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old.

Movement In A New Direction Helps You Find New Cheese.

When You Move Beyond Your Fear, You Feel Free.

Imagining Myself Enjoying New Cheese, Even Before

I Find It, Leads Me To It.

The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese,

The Sooner you Find New Cheese.

It Is Safer To Search In The Maze Than

Remain In The Cheeseless Situation.

Old Beliefs Do Not Lead You To New Cheese.

When You See That You Can Find And

Enjoy New Cheese, You Change Course.

Noticing Small Changes Early Helps

You Adapt To The Bigger Changes That Are To Come.

Move With The Cheese & Enjoy It !

Question : How do you see change? What has been your experience with managing change ?

#leadershipdevelopement #trainingdevelopment #facilitating #newbeginning #coachingforsuccess #successcoachranjinirao
#mindsetshift #mindsetchange #changebeginswithus #bookreviewclub #intellectualclub #professionals #outlook #positivity

IBM Digital Influence Program – Richard Ivey Case Study


The Digital Influence program had been launched in February 2010, after almost eight months of planning. Seventy-five software subject matter experts (SMEs) were selected to help the firm achieve its desired objectives.

On August 16, 2011, in dialogue with Roshni Sengupta, Digital Strategy and Marketing manager, IBM Software Group, India/South Asia, (see Exhibit 1), Bajaj asserted that IBM’s achievements, though commendable in such a short time, were not unexpected.

However, the objectives of the digital influence strategy—an increase in brand perception and the creation of technology evangelists— remained to be achieved.

Within a year, in 2011, share of reach for all the brands had improved substantially. Lotus had the maximum rate of increase at 1,933 per cent, followed by Information Management (IM) with 421.8 per cent.

Although the percentage increase was as per the projections, Bajaj was hesitant about declaring victory at this point.Was the model sustainable? What challenges did IBM face in the implementation process? Would the current plan of operations help IBM gain market space and create technical evangelists?

Read the case study here >>
https://www.coursehero.com/file/64958142/IBMs-Digital-Influence-ProgramW13109-PDF-ENGpdf/

My souls calling through Mandalas

“When I started leading mandala art workshops in the corporate world, I questioned whether it would be effective and what value I could offer to participants in terms of fostering joy and happiness.

Today, I achieved one of my bucket list goals: conducting a workshop with the world’s largest search platform (which was a no-brainer, in my opinion!). The workshop focused on promoting well-being and mindfulness for the company’s India team.

Despite their busy schedules, more than 15 participants took 60 minutes to dive deep and ‘search inside themselves.’ As a result, they found creativity, concentration, focus, and inner peace. This workshop was a collaboration with Ozone Inc.

I’d like to express my gratitude to @ozone_inc for the opportunity.

Through serving audiences and witnessing their ‘Aha’ moments, I discovered that my true purpose is to bring joy into their lives.

What is your soul’s true calling or purpose? What are you currently doing to pursue it?”

breakthebias #breaktherules #happyinternationalwomens day2022

8 Traits of a Great Leader in Any Context


What are some of the qualities and traits that differentiate between the good and the extra-ordinary leaders?

Through history we have known hundreds of thousands of leaders -and probably millions today, leading the economy or workplaces to their capacities.

1. Integrity: If a leader isn’t honest and doesn’t adhere to a moral code, how can they willingly expect other people to follow them? When people see that a person walks the walk in addition to talking the talk, they have more respect for that person, and more natural desire to follow them.

2. Confidence. A good leader is confident in their ability to lead. If they’re timid and afraid, nobody is going to feel confident following them. A leader who speaks with assertion will find their orders followed effectively, while a leader who hems and haws will frequently open themselves up to negotiation.

3. Commitment. A good leader needs to have resolute commitment to their goals if they want their team to unflaggingly follow them uphill. When a leader shows passion, drive, and a willingness to get their hands dirty, the team will rally to the cause.

4. Communication. It’s incredibly frustrating to work with someone who doesn’t clearly spell out what they want. While miscommunication has literally lost battles and felled empires, good communication can help a leader and their team carry out a mission effectively.

5. Accountability. Nobody wants to work for someone who points fingers and passes the buck. It’s whiny, childish, and almost pitiful to see someone in power try and lay the blame on others, especially when those others are the proverbial little people beneath them. By contrast, people appreciate the humility that comes with a sense of accountability—they find it endearing and bonding.

6. Empathy. The best of leaders not only commands a team—they know their team. A leader who knows names, faces, and stories is someone with a team that feels appreciated, which in turn translates into success.

7. Empowerment. You may think that people have a natural tendency to avoid work, but that’s not entirely true. People actually want to feel useful, and appreciate a leader who can empower them to make the right choices without micromanaging.

8. Intelligence. You don’t have to be the brightest crayon in the box about everything, but you better know what you’re talking about if you’re a leader—and if you don’t, at least surround yourself with people who do.

What comes to your mind when you think of extra ordinary leadership?

Mental Health n wellness

Was delighted to be a part of this very engaging discussion yesterday evening though for a short period of time 💜❤️

the need arises for mental healthcare with the fact that our culture and population is becoming more and more oriented towards nuclear family culture and joint family structures and cultures are ceasing to exist … So the people at home who are extra sensitive and extra emotional need to pour out their angsts and worries and share their pain with someone who understands them without judging them . And this factor is becoming rarer and rarer …

Thereby people repress or suppress their thoughts or emotions resulting into anxiety and depression. Also results into migraine or frequent headaches . The mental illness is a phenomenon that needs to be addressed with kindness and compassion and empathy .

Conversations were very enriching – catch up on Twitter using #bac68#mentalhealthcarematters

With @nvmantra@dramitinspires
@lsmurthyls and our colleagues Ana panelist #Mr Vijay

6 Traits of a Great Leader in the Workplace

When we think of leadership, we sometimes think of epic moments like George Washington crossing the Delaware, or Martin Luther King Jr. speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But what makes a leader great in a less epic venue, like work?

1. Communication

A good leader at work is a good communicator and clearly spells out expectations. Not only that, they foster good communication between their team. A great leader goes above and beyond leveraging chats, emails, and texting groups to bring their team together around workplace issues. They don’t just offer tools for networking—they help develop a sense of how to communicate effectively.

Download Business Communication Clipart Png PNG Image with No Background -  PNGkey.com
Source

2. Empathy

A good leader in the workplace cares about their employees and shows it. Remembering the details of their lives and asking follow up questions (in a non-invasive way) about spouses, children, parents, and life events shows that they care about their employees and view them as more than just human chattel.

Empathy | Skills | Matter
matter.com

3. Approachability

A good leader is someone who people are not afraid to approach with a question or concern. Sometimes the office door needs to be closed. But when it doesn’t, leave it open, and maybe even have a bowl of candy or some coffee for visiting employees. They shouldn’t dread your office like they did the principal’s; they should know it’s a safe haven they can turn to for help.

Defining Collaborative Leadership – Cross Collaborate
source : Cross collaborate.com

4. Generosity

Everybody loves a boss who does nice things for the team, whether it’s renting a food cart for lunch or taking everyone to a movie. Bosses and managers who use rewards to motivate their team rather than threats and punishments will find they have a much more effective workforce.

Leadership High Res Stock Images | Shutterstock

5. Passion

As the captain of the team, you’ll find that leading with example is the best way to go. If you’re plugged into the mission of your company or care about what your business does, that enthusiasm will be contagious and spread to your workers. Read up regularly on your field, network at events and attend conferences to be a cutting edge player in your line of work.

1,014,771 Leadership Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock
istock.com

6. Firmness

Nobody wants a tyrant for a boss, but they also don’t want a pushover. A good leader needs to be firm and resolute and also know when to put their proverbial foot down in a respectful way, whether it’s breaking up a water-cooler party or discussing mismanaged time with an employee. Clarify your principles and rules and stick to your guns—although per our earlier points, know when to bend the rules for extenuating circumstances.

Free Vector | Leadership concept in flat style
freepik.com

Prototyping phase in Design thinking/Sprints

By far one of my favourite sections in Design thinking workshops is the Prototyping phase -where participants/Cohorts learn to build solutions with their hands .They sketch , they create 2D/3D models and have fun.

Why this is the most engaging and rewarding phase of the workshop?

It’s because as designers or participants they have been working right from their vision or goal to identifying stakeholders to creating Empathy Maps, Persona Maps and Defining the Problem statement. Post which they generate multiple ideas and then come to a idea filtration methodology to prototyping ideas/solutions and testing the same with the users.

“For many designers, prototyping is where the fun begins. Sometimes the key to good empathy is sharing or co-creating a prototype with your users and getting feedback. Prototyping helps us learn, solve disagreements, and test hypotheses quickly and with minimal repercussions.”

Rapid prototyping is an iterative learning process that acquires and expresses increasingly complex information of higher fidelity over time through repetitive and cumulative cycles of build, test, see, and refine.

Prototypes are traditionally used in design and engineering environments, but when they become integral to other organizational cultures, they serve to develop a creative mind-set that is able to effectively focus on imagining, socializing, and testing any idea, including work processes, team structures, business models, and, of course, products and services.

Because every output of design thinking begins as a prototype, think of them as part of a culture and not specifically as a tool.

Prototyping is the way to open up that dimension; it’s a relatively low-cost, hands-on activity that helps bring people on to the same conceptual page, uncover new knowledge, and identify and mitigate design and development risks early on. This is done to avoid downstream costs while also building up critical assets for the internal and external communication and socialization of ideas. As part of the hands-on approach, prototyping typically seeks to involve and engage multiple stakeholders and so-called end users as participants at every stage of iteration, from paper to final production.

The next time you are stuck and needing to apply your ideas / solutions in a practical manner and invalidate assumptions – Apply prototyping and see what could happen!

Sources: Ideo.org

Design Thinking Handbook

Invision : Rapid Protoyping

5 Tips to Maximise your Efficiency

5 Tips to Maximise your Efficiency

Everyone has only twenty four hours a day, whether you are a beggar or the richest man in the world. There is simply no exception. Why, then, is it that some people manage to accomplish so much in a day, while some simply while their time away and end up wondering where all their time went to?

Since there is no way to make a day last more than twenty four hours, the next best thing we can do is to maximize efficiency in using our time. Here are five tips to help you accomplish that end.

1) Make a to-do list

Having a to-do list gives you a sense of direction and lets you know exactly what you are supposed to accomplish for that day. A common mistake for beginners is trying to stuff in too many things at a time, and ending the day disappointed at failing to accomplish all of them. This is normal and as time goes by, you will have a firmer grasp of your own abilities.

2) Block out your time

Blocking out your time enables you to create a to-do list more effectively. It allows you to set how much time you should spend on each individual activity, and the sense of urgency prevents your mind from wandering and improves your focus.

3) Focus on one thing at a time

The power of focusing on one thing at a time is of utmost importance and ties in with the rest of the points. While multi-tasking is a common activity in today’s fast-paced world, we must be realistic and realize that many items cannot be grouped together and done simultaneously. Focusing on one thing at a time not only allows you to maintain full concentration on that one activity and allowing you to complete it fast, it also results in a high quality of work as your attention is not diverted to other issues.

4) Give yourself a break

All work and no play, makes Jack (and the rest of us) a dull boy. Workaholics often have this thinking that giving yourself a break is being too indulgent, and is something to be avoided at all costs. However, the truth is that this is not only detrimental to your health and absolutely boring, it also zaps you of the energy required to function effectively. In short, an occasional break or reward for yourself is essential.

5) Set goals

Setting goals is somewhat similar to writing a to-do list. The difference is that it instead provides you with a big picture view of your objectives. Classify your goals into short-term, middle-term and long-term for a clearer picture of what you hope to achieve.

If you diligently take action and implement the give steps in this article, you will be well on your way to maximizing your efficiency and to having a renewed sense of vigour in carrying out your daily activities!

Every Person Should Have These 5 Life Goals aligned to values

I have heard about goals, they often sound like something that changes year to year, and frequently has to do with my money or my weight loss. I have spent years in weight loss strategies and in gyms and paying trainers . I realized something deeper – it was never about my weight loss at all .. when I started focusing on these top 5 areas in my life and made them my core values – things started shifting immensely.

Here are 5 goals that every person should strive toward every day :-

#1: Finding and Realizing that True Happiness within

Happiness is not really a destination as much as it is a state of mind. A billionaire could be miserable about what they don’t have, while a homeless dude could be happy to score a hot shower and a cooked meal at the local shelter.

Happiness is all about perspective. While goals relating to tangible things like money can prove unsatisfying quests, the search for genuine happiness is one that will help you gain a more fulfilled and serene life.

#2: Integrity

From business to interpersonal relationships, when you live life with honesty and commitment to ethical values, you’ll find that a rewarding sense of wholeness awaits you. Integrity is a goal that will help you feel like you’re making the world a better place with your presence.

#3: Fulfillment

You can plug away at a nine-to-five job until you retire, but chances are that’s not going to make you live life to the fullest. You’ll be one of those faceless people in the crowd who live for the weekend—then trudge back to work.

Instead, reflect on who you are, your strengths, your desires, and act accordingly. Whether it’s learning to find meaning at work, a career path that challenges you, or engaging with some satisfying hobbies, fulfillment in life is a great goal.

#4: Meaningful and Healthy Connections

Human beings are social creatures, so forging good relationships is the key to thriving and feeling happy. Family, professional, and personal relationships are all crucial components to providing a sense of connectedness with the rest of humanity—so make good friendships and foster existing links with family.

At the same time, relationships do need boundaries, so learning how to create healthy interactions is also crucial for developing your sense of identity.

#5: Self-Worth

Nobody can be successful in life if they’re down in the dumps, so fostering a sense of self-worth is an esteemed goal that every person should pursue. There are many simple ways to do this—for example, treating yourself with dignity and respect by wearing clean clothes and practicing good hygiene.

Education is also a key component to developing a sense of worth, because with that knowledge comes better opportunities a sense of security.