Tiny Ripples, Big Waves (Yes, you are a superhero)

 

Tiny Ripples, Big Waves (Yes, You Are A Superhero)



Three weeks ago, I got a call that left me both flattered and a curious (always a good combo for humility).

It was from Vaibhao, someone who had attended one of my workshops a few years ago. He’d moved to a new company and was now organizing a two-day meeting. And guess who popped into his mind as the right person to facilitate it? 

In our catch-up, he mentioned a very specific moment from our interaction three years ago. He went on to describe it: He’d made a presentation that looked fine, sounded fine, and the audience politely nodded along. And then, apparently, I asked him:

“What’s missing from this?”

According to him, I pointed out—gently, I hope—that his heart, his energy, his emotion were absent. It was all data, no Vaibhao. And he told me that bit of feedback stuck. Since then, in every presentation, he makes sure to let his own enthusiasm shine through.

For me, that was a passing comment. For him, it was a pivot.

And of course, once he said this, I started thinking about all the small moments that shaped me. A professor (Everett Rogers) who once took me out for a humble vegetarian sandwich in Los Angeles and changed the trajectory of my choices. Another (David Dapice) who wrote me a recommendation letter, balancing my less-than-stellar academics with a kind eye on my strengths. A supervisor (Steve Chapman) who, in my very first interview, named and celebrated what I was good at.

If I brought these up to them today, I doubt they’d even remember. But their words and actions left fingerprints on my life.

So here’s my invitation this week: do that tiny thing. Offer the feedback. Share the encouragement. Give the time. What seems minor to you could be a turning point for someone else.

And if you’re willing, write back and tell me about the small kindness or sharp nudge that changed your life. Or try out one of these “small actions with big ripples” this week and let me know how it felt.

You can indeed be a Superhero by doing small acts

And if you’d like a 2-minute visual reminder of this idea, here’s a short video that beautifully captures it: The Power of Small Actions (YouTube): https://youtu.be/WHtzsvKKB9E?si=DcegZ1mgLsdrQmF3

With warmth (and a smile at how our “small” is often someone else’s “big”),
Sanjay


HAPPINESS CATALYST | Leadership Coach
Helping Busy Professionals Lead More Fulfilling Lives 
sanjaychaganti.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“This is what is available.”

Image
Last week, I wrote about how the halfway point of the year is a natural invitation to pause, reflect, and reset. A gentle checkpoint. Not the dramatic “New Year, New Me” kind—but more like a quiet  “Okay, how am I doing?” Today, I want to stay on that path, and share a phrase that recently struck a deep chord with me: “This is what is available.” It came from an exceptional leader I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past year—someone I admire deeply, not just for his sharp mind, but for the way he navigates complexity with this calm, steady presence (the kind of person who could probably defuse a ticking time bomb  and  make you a cup of tea at the same time). When I asked him what principles had shaped him, he shared this line—something his father used to say often:  “This is what is available.” It’s not a shrug. It’s not resignation. It’s an anchor. A quiet way of saying: stop spinning stories about what  should  be. Start engaging with w...
Read more

We Are All on 'Standby'....

Image
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...
Read more

Never Search Alone Methodolgy to Job Search

Never Search Alone is a structured, community-driven job search methodology developed by Phyl Terry , author of the book Never Search Alone: The Job Seeker’s Playbook . It flips the traditional solitary job hunt model into a collaborative, transparent, and emotionally supportive process . Here’s an overview of its core ideas and methodology: Core Principles of Never Search Alone (NSA) Don’t Search Alone Job search is lonely, especially in mid-career or senior roles. NSA recommends forming a Job Search Council (JSC) —a small peer group of 3–6 people who meet weekly to support, guide, and hold each other accountable. Values-First Job Search Instead of chasing titles or companies, NSA encourages aligning your job search with your core values and what truly energizes you. Embrace Emotional Truth Job hunting can trigger anxiety, self-doubt, or imposter syndrome. NSA creates space for you to acknowledge and process emotions so they don’t derail your confidence or focus. T...
Read more