Posts

Kuch to Log Kahenga, Logo Ka kaam hain kehna

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  Kuch to Log kahenge, #Logo ka kaam hain kehna!  (Ignore the above if you do not understand Hindi) Linkedin is flooded with posts about the  very disappointing Jaguar logo change.  Getting the elephant out of the way,  let me say that I don't like it either.  Now let's get on with this post :)  The visual accompanying this post  shows the recent Logo changes.  These are some pretty big,  popular, global names.  Do you see a trend?  A trend of simplification?  Simplification of font/style?  'Design' leaving the logo and  simple font itself becoming design.  The traditional perception  of a 'logo' has always been  a 'symbol', a design element, not the actual name of the brand.  A few brands like SONY, Coca Cola  & many of the luxury brands had their  name as their logo but it was often stylized  to stand apart, in some or the other form/design. But the 21st century and more specifically,  the last decade or so has seen many brands  simplifying their l

Hidden Gem

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  We live in times when Social Media Influencers are exposing "Hidden Gems" on a daily basis.  With an explosion of those posts, the meaning of 'Hidden Gems' has almost become 'Hidden in Plain Sight'  Just like, "When everything is a priority, then Nothing is a priority" Consider this as a 'Hidden Wisdom Gem' for a lazy Sunday :)  #SundayFunday #HiddenGem #CoachHemant

Appraisals shouldn't trigger fear and anxiety

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  Appraisals shouldn't trigger fear and anxiety in people. Managers and Sub-ordinates alike.  People are left scared as  well as scarred by Appraisals.  Managers & Sub-ordinates alike.  Appraisals have a purpose to serve  but most of us are doing a bad job at it.  Managers as well as their team members  dread the appraisal talk as it is seen  as conflict & confrontation.  Managers think they need to justify  the rating they have given while  the team members need to  justify their self-appraisal.  It is seen as a win-lose game,  where one need to convince the  other while holding a divergent view.  Rarely is there an alignment between  the manager and the poor team member  (blessed and lucky are the ones who have)  Appraisals need to change so that they actually serve the purpose.  Some thoughts …  1. Managers need to be educated, trained and sensitized about how to go about conducting the appraisal and preparing for it (which is not a few days effort but an entire year lon

Layoffs are a Double-Whammy

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  Layoffs are a Double-Whammy  BUT You are the Hero of Your own Movie,  and the Director too.  Layoffs are a  Double-Whammy! You not only lose a job,  but you are losing the job  at a time when market is bad.  Many companies are laying off  and hardly anyone is recruiting.  You are searching for the new job, and so are thousands of job seekers,  creating an imbalance in demand-supply.  Very little demand and high supply means  that there are others ready to take that job  at a lower salary for the sake of their survival.  This increases the chances of not clearing the  job interviews even when you were very good.  And leads to 'learned helplessness' (youtube it). And you have all the time in the world to worry,  to ruminate, blame & question your capability and to allow imposter syndrome to take root and grow.  The same can happen even without losing your Job.  You can go through similar cycle of lowered sense  of self-esteem and self-confidence when  you miss a promotion o

Leave the Table when Respect is no longer being served

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  You must find the courage to leave the table when respect is no longer being served  Disrespect hurts,  but it doesn’t define  your ultimate self-worth.  More than anything else,  its Disrespect at Work that  creates a very Toxic Workplace  So here are some insights to turn  disrespect into a source of strength 1 - Disrespect reflects the other person.  It's often about their insecurities,  not your value. 2 - Composure is your superpower.  Stay calm, don't let disrespect  shake your confidence. 3 - Set boundaries.  Clearly communicate  what’s acceptable behavior. 4 - Self-respect is your shield.  When you know your worth,  disrespect can't break you. 5 - Stand up for yourself.  Assertively address disrespect  when necessary. 6 - Empathy diffuses tension.  Try to understand  the root of disrespect. 7 - Choose your battles wisely.  Not all disrespect  deserves a reaction. 8 - Self-improvement.  Use moments of disrespect  to reflect and grow.

YOU, the Manager and leader is to be blamed for Mediocre Work Culture

  When Mediocrity becomes a Work Culture, YOU, the Manager and leader is to be blamed.  *𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥, 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦—𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘴.* said Kamal Haasan in his book.  And it is so true. When you lower your standards and your expectations; everybody else also does the same thing  In an organization,  what you tolerate becomes acceptable,  the bad becomes acceptable,  and the worst is okay.  And Your good has become great  Is that an organization that you want to work for?  Is that a work culture that you want to create?  As a manager and as a leader  What you deem acceptable  defines the standard  - of your organization  - of the work product  - of the work culture You are responsible for the Work Culture around You !  #WorkCulture #CoachHemant #GrowthMindset #LeadershipDevelopment 

Build the damn Door first.

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  Don't just wait for Opportunity to knock on your door. Build the damn Door first.   Many believe that we are mere  victims of our circumstances,  catching whatever opportunit ies  happen to come our way.  "We can’t create opportunities.  We have to wait." they say. Wrong. I beg to differ. Opportunities  don't just happen — they're created.  They are drawn to those  who are ready & prepared,  those who have positioned  themselves to seize them.  You have to be proactive,  to design your life with intention,  and not leave it to chance and destiny. It’s about living by choice, not by chance.  This means learning more continuously,  networking, and refining your skills,  so when the right moment comes,  you are not just ready for them; you are the one they want. Don't just wait  for opportunity to  knock on your door.  Build a beautiful door,  paint it in vibrant colors,  and invite opportunity in.  Take charge, and  live the life you design,  not the one h