Interviewing The Interviewer

Over the years, I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates. Many interviewees miss a simple truth. An interview is not one sided. It’s a space where candidates must ask questions to assess the organisation, its leadership, culture, and values.

First Impression = Best Impression?

As a teenager, I was swept away by Rajiv Gandhi’s charisma and presence. Years later, leadership taught me a harder truth. First impressions may open doors, but they rarely predict who will actually perform, endure, and shape history over time.

Kerr’s Folly & Indian Hockey

Last evening, as India slipped out of Hockey World Cup contention, I thought back to the celebrations after our Pakistan win. The rewards felt generous, yet unsettling. A classic case of Kerr’s Folly, undermining teamwork in a team sport.

Never Give Up

“Never give up” is more than a phrase for me. This poem captures the faith, patience and inner strength that help me endure uncertainty and keep moving forward when the road feels long.

Sharing Success – Secret of a Winning Team!

Watching Gautam Gambhir hand over his Man of the Match award to Virat Kohli stayed with me. That gesture said everything about winning teams. When success is shared, teams grow stronger, more united, and far more resilient over time.

Welcome Aboard !!!

My son’s birthday reminded me how preparation creates belonging. Just as families prepare for a newborn, leaders must prepare for a new employee. Thoughtful onboarding is the first signal of care, intent, and inclusion from day one.

The Customer Is Always Right? Wrong!

A Diwali shopping trip turned into a lesson in customer behaviour and leadership judgment. Watching a manager side with an abusive customer made me question a belief many organisations follow blindly. Is the customer always right, or is respect non-negotiable?

Leading By Example

I have seen how quickly trust erodes when leaders say one thing and do another. Leadership becomes credible only when actions match words. Leading by example is not a style choice. It is the foundation of belief and commitment.

Reward Systems – Is “Kerr’s Folly” Alive?

I have seen how well-intentioned reward systems quietly derail performance. When incentives focus on visible activity instead of outcomes, people optimise for points, not purpose. Kerr’s Folly reminds us that what we reward shapes behaviour more than what we value.

Positional Power and Personal Power

Positional Power comes from authority linked to a role, while Personal Power is rooted in character, skill and presence. Strong leaders balance both forms of power to guide decisions, inspire followers and build lasting influence.