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When One Door Closes

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 When One Door Closes As we step into a fresh year, it’s natural to map out grand plans and set ambitious goals. You know, the kind where you confidently imagine everything going smoothly, like a movie montage with upbeat music in the background. But life? Life prefers plot twists. It’s like a scriptwriter who loves drama and keeps forgetting to warn you about rewrites. Take me, for instance. A few months ago, in a group I volunteer with, an important team leader—someone who had just taken on their role—resigned within weeks. Since they reported to me, guess who had to deal with the fallout? Yours truly. My first reaction wasn’t exactly calm or composed. Picture me staring at my to-do list with a mixture of panic and the vague hope that someone else would magically handle it. Spoiler: they didn’t. In desperation, I called a senior member of the team and asked if they’d step in. To my immense relief, they said yes. And within days, it became clear that they were exactly what we ne...
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Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Being Humbled in Mind and Body

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  As I look back on 2024, three dominant themes emerged—each shaping the year in significant ways. Alongside these themes, three additional reflections stood out, all of which I have tried to capture authentically.  1. Navigating A Destructive Emotional Pattern One of the most important themes of 2024 was my effort to manage my emotions, particularly a recurring pattern that has shaped my reactions over the years. Early in the year, I lost my temper lashing out at people close to me. The outburst was exacerbated by having a few drinks. Upon reflection in the weeks and months that followed, I recognized this as part of a deeper pattern—triggered by feeling rejected, undervalued, or treated insensitively in situations that mattered deeply to me. The “volcano” of emotions that erupted during such moments was destructive for me and my relationships with others.  After that incident, I looked within - It was clear to that it up to me to work on this issue without ex...
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We Are All on 'Standby'....

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We Are All On 'Standby'.... In the past few days, three poignant experiences wove themselves into a single narrative that felt too significant not to share. The first is something we all experience this time of year: the turning of the calendar . One year ends, and another begins. It’s a natural time to reflect, reset, and reimagine what’s ahead. The second was attending a memorial service for a young man who tragically passed away. It was a moving tribute, but also a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. As I sat there, a friend shared about their elderly parent, deeply suffering, and said, “I wish they would find peace and move on.” The contrast was striking: here was a young man, full of life and promise, gone too soon, while another life lingered on amidst suffering. The third came from my own home. My daughter is preparing to leave for the U.S. on a standby ticket, arranged through her cousin. When people asked, “When are you leaving?” she replied, “Maybe today,” be...
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Why Criticism Often Wins

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Hello There,  As we navigate our personal and professional journeys, we often encounter moments that challenge our perspectives. I wanted to share a reflective insight sparked by my recent experiences. My Experience: The Criticism vs. Praise Dynamic During a recent presentation, I received both praise and criticism. Although I was applauded for my content, a remark about exceeding the time limit said aggressively by a peer stuck with me deeper and longer than it should have. And the feedback was very valid. It was a classic example of how we often emphasize criticism more than praise, a universal challenge among many of us. This left me contemplating, as certain parts of me were at odds with one another. On one hand, there was a part craving validation from the positive feedback, seeking the comfort of appreciation. On the other hand, another part harped on the critique, striving for perfection and viewing any deviation as a glaring oversight. This internal tug-of-war made me reali...
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"I have no intention of dying before my death" - Lessons from a Centurion

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  Living Fully and Leading with Intention "I have no intention of dying before my death." This powerful declaration set the tone for an inspiring morning, offering valuable insights for today’s leaders. We gathered in a sunlit, glass-enclosed room—a perfect setting for a Sunday filled with meaningful conversations and deep reflections. The atmosphere was warm, the coffee was perfect, but the true highlight of the morning was a discussion with a centenarian who had recently celebrated his 100th birthday. For the next hour, we were guided through a fascinating conversation about life lessons and their relevance in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world. This centenarian’s wisdom was profound, and as leaders, we were reminded that leadership is as much about character and wisdom as it is about strategy and execution. Here are some key lessons that stood out, offering valuable guidance for leaders at every stage: "I have no intention of dying before my death." This sta...
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The Power of HALT: A Simple Tool for Emotional Balance

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The Power of HALT: A Simple Tool for Emotional Balance Last week, I shared insights on the importance of trusting your gut instincts as a leader. If you missed it, you can catch up here .  This week, I’m excited to dive into a related topic: The Power of H.A.L.T. Imagine this: I woke up on the last day of a blissful vacation with my extended family, only to realize I'd slept for just three hours. As you can guess, I was a bit groggy and out of sorts. During breakfast, I noticed my mood was off and felt an unusual irritability creeping in. I even caught myself speaking in a rather sharp tone. That's when I remembered HALT! ✋ For those who might not be familiar, HALT is an acronym that stands for: Hungry Angry Lonely Tired These are common emotional triggers that can throw us off balance. Often, it's a mix of these elements at play. Let me walk you through how I applied this simple yet powerful concept: Acknowledge the Feeling : I recognized that something was off during brea...
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Trust Your Instincts as a Leader

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  🌟 Trust Your Instincts as a Leader 🌟 In our journey as leaders, listening to our instincts is crucial. One of my long-time clients, Sam (name changed), recently shared a valuable lesson: "Don't ignore your gut feeling." Here's the story: Sam was assembling a team of eight leaders, each responsible for a different vertical. One key vertical was a legacy initiative crucial to the organization. Playing it safe, Sam chose Alex, a well-qualified candidate, despite sensing their lack of interest during their initial conversation. He even enlisted a senior colleague to persuade Alex. Reluctantly, Alex accepted. However, once the project started, Alex's disinterest was evident. They avoided taking charge, expecting Sam to handle the initiative. Despite recognizing this, Sam continued to rationalize his choice, both to himself and others. Frequent nudges to Alex yielded no improvement. Even when his supervisor advised removing Alex from the role, Sam hesitated to make ...
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