CATEGORY:CEO Chat

A PRAYER FOR EASTER

Easter is a time of piety and grace.

May we pray?

May we pray for the victims of the virus? And ask that they may get well and return to their families healthy and safe?

Then, may we pray for the dispossessed, who have been rendered jobless and/or homeless? And ask that they may get back on their feet and return to their lives of dignity?

May we pray for the medical saviors who are on the frontline fighting the disease, risking their own health and lives and families? And ask that they return to their normal routines unharmed?

May we pray for the unsung heroes who are supporting the world unseen – the sailors, the police, the food delivery staff, the armed forces, the volunteers and the caregivers? And ask that their amazing efforts be rewarded with health, safety and recognition?

Next, may we pray for the families who are isolated and ask that they are spared violence and abuse that such situations exacerbate? And ask that they come through this without further scarring and hurt?

May we pray for the relationships that are thrust into this unnatural proximity? And ask that they come through this with grace and dignity?

A prayer for Easter : let us pray for redemption and resurrection…

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#radicaladvice #purpose #ceochronicles #personaldevelopment #courage #prayer #selfbelief

The IDEAL Boss

What an amazing response to the latest #ceochronicles article, “4 QUALITIES OF THE PERRFECT EMPLOYEE”!! 
As we learnt, the 4 “P.E.R.R.fect” qualities are :

1. Proactiveness
2. Emotional Intelligence
3. Reliability, and
4. Resilience

In CEO Chronicles # 21, the Gang of Four is going to discuss the 5 QUALITIES OF THE I.D.E.A.L. BOSS.

I invite you to define your IDEAL Boss!

Please write in ‘Comments’ the 5 qualities you believe your dream boss will have!!

Whoever gets it 100% right will get a SPECIAL MENTION in the following #ceochronicles article! (And a cup of coffee with me 😊)

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Post Script :

1. For other interesting CEO Chronicles click here.
2. Follow me so that you don’t miss the next issue of CEO Chronicles.

#ceochronicles #personaldevelopment #careeradvice #mentoring #purpose #success #career #leadership #leader

WAS 2019 A GOOD YEAR?

Hi, Shesh, thank you so much for enriching us with your CEO Chronicles. One final question as 2019 comes to an end – how would you rate this year? Good, Bad or Ugly?

IT WAS THE BEST YEAR EVER!

Through 2019, did you scan the news and feel fear and anxiety? Worry about Trump and Brexit and ISIS and climate change? Feel that the world is heading for disaster?

The reality is very different.

2019 was the healthiest, wealthiest and wisest year ever in human history. Here are some facts (courtesy : Google & NYT) :

As recently as 1970, 37% of all children died before they turned 15. Miraculously, in 2019, this figure is below 4%.

In 1970, 49% if the world lived below the poverty line. In 2019, this figure is below 9%.

Also, in 1970, 52% of the world was illiterate. In 2019, in an amazing feat, less than 10% suffer this lack.

Finally, in 1970, the average life expectancy was 56 years. In 2019, this has shot up to 73 years.

In 2019, 118 million new homes got access to electricity, 73 million got access to piped water and 240 million went online.

2019 was a watershed. Humanity is healthier, safer, richer and more aware than ever before.

As 2019 bids adieu, let us count our blessings, and let us enter 2020 with hope, purpose & belief.

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May you have an amazing 2020!

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IT’S A MIRACLE!

Your article, “WHAT WOMEN WANT : A WARM WELCOME” opened my eyes! I never knew about Standard 55! Most of us are always cold in the office. Also, we often fall unwell. Some of us had raised this issue before but were never able to substantiate it.

Two colleagues and I approached the HR manager. We did some research found many studies validating what you had written.

On Thursday last week, we had our monthly management meeting. We asked the HR manager to place this matter on the agenda. During the meeting, we raised the issue of workplace temperature with the Managing Director.

Our MD is a great guy; he heard us out, went through the docket that we had prepared containing the various studies, and agreed that we must act on this asap.

On Friday, we spoke to an interior designer friend, and he gave us some information on ‘temperature zoning’ which seems a viable approach.

All 34 women in our office are excited about this change. This is the first time we have had data to back up our submission, and the outcomes are amazing.

Thank you so much! You helped perform a miracle!

(I received this message from a Purchase Manager in Singapore)

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If this post resonates with you, please click 👍🏻 below!

#radicaladvice #ceochronicles #whatwomenwant #diversity #inclusion #gender #genderawareness #workplace #workplacewellbeing

WHAT HOLDS ME BACK?

Your new series, “WHAT WOMEN WANT” is amazing! It is great that such critical issues are being discussed publicly.

In your discussions, have you explored some of the mindsets that hold women back?

SOCIAL CONDITIONING

So glad, Nisha, that you find this series helpful.

Yes, we have discussed some of the issues that hold women back. Here are three mindsets that seem to be inculcated in women from childhood, especially by our families.

ONE, women must be seen and not heard. Be polite. Be nice. Don’t argue. Be ‘ladylike’.

So, women suppress their voices, stay silent, and tolerate much more than they should.

TWO, women must ‘adjust’. Be accommodating. Be tolerant. Let things go.

So, women accept discrimination and bias. They tolerate being treated differently. They don’t stand up for themselves.

THREE, women must put duty over desire. Be giving. Put other’s needs before your own.

So, women don’t assert themselves. They don’t demand their due. They step aside instead of forward.

These are three mindsets that we need to eradicate. Mindsets that prevent women from achieving their potential.

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Have you every asked, “What holds me back?” Could YOU share a mindset that we need to change?

#radicaladvice #ceochronicles #mentoring #purpose #freedom #success #whatwomenwant #diversity #inclusion #genderawareness #leadership

HOW DO I NETWORK?

“How To Ensure Your Dream Job” made me sigh. I am just not able to network. I have to manage my job and my home. Does this mean that I can never succeed as a professional?

FORM A CIRCLE

I understand how you feel, Jamila.

There are a few barriers that prevent women from networking.

Many women cannot attend events after work. Or participate in activities that men do easily. Why? Because they are often primary caregivers.

Women also tend to avoid networking in social settings to prevent misunderstandings.

Also, women are more wired to long-term relationships rather than ad-hoc networking.

A recent study conducted by the Kellogg School of Management offers a possible solution : to form a close inner circle of women, a sisterhood.

The study found that 77% of the highest-achieving women had strong ties with an inner circle of other women.

It also showed that women who form a strong bond with other women professionals are three times more likely to get a better job than women who don’t have that support system.

Finally, the study concluded that the support system and career advice that women can provide one another are crucial to career advancement.

I have personally seen women form ‘sisterhoods’ and benefit greatly.

Please find attached a superb article about multiple women and their amazing networks.

Could you try reaching out, please?

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How do other women network? Do you have any suggestions for Jamila?

#ceochronicles #radicaladvice #whatwomenwant #networking #success #purpose #personaldevelopment

I AM AN INTROVERT, HELP ME!

Your article, “How To Ensure Your Dream Job” is inspiring as well as discouraging. I am an introvert. I am shy. Networking doesn’t come easy. Does this mean that I can never find my dream job?

PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS

Hi, Sheela. Sorry for the ‘discouraging’ part. That was NOT my intention. Of course you can find your dream job.

Yes, introverts find it more difficult to network. That is because they tend to approach it how extroverts would. You shouldn’t. You should play to your strengths. Here’s how :

One, network with intention – plan smaller or one-to-one events where you are comfortable.

Two, use diverse channels – today, you have so many digital channels (LinkedIn is a perfect example). Use them well.

Three, engage your superpower – if you are shy, don’t talk, just listen. You will be surprised at the outcome!

Four, ask questions – let the others around you do the real work.

Five, focus on rapport, not reach – build deep connections with a few, rather than shallow with many.

These are just a few tips; I am sure there are many, many more.

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Could YOU share a tip on how you would network? It will benefit all of us!

#radicaladvice #ceochronicles #businessadvisory #careeradvice #mentoring #purpose #success #fulfilment #satisfaction #freedom

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH FAILURE?

Hi, Shesh, you must have encountered failure in your career? How did you cope with it?

THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS

When I was about 35, I was passed over for promotion. I had worked hard for it, was promised it, and then my supervisor told me that she was promoting one of my colleagues to this position.

My world collapsed. There seemed to be no point in all my hard work and dedication. I wanted to resign. More than anything else, I wanted to crawl into bed and never get.

I dragged myself back home and reluctantly spoke to my wife. I cried.

She held me and comforted me. And she said the four magic words – this, too, shall pass.

She was right.

Things did not get better overnight. But in the days and weeks that followed, I learnt –

Failure is transient.

It is a dip, not a downfall.

Failure can be reversed.

And it is a great teacher.

In time, I accepted this failure, and added my learnings to my toolkit. I worked harder and smarter. Within eight months, I was promoted to an even more challenging position.

That night, my wife and I hit the best restaurant in town, and painted it red.

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Could you share how you would respond to failure? Or success?

#radicaladvice #ceochronicles #businessadvisory #careeradvice #mentoring #purpose #success #fulfilment #satisfaction #freedom

WHAT DO I CHOOSE?

Hi, Shesh, the article, “Victim to CEO” was truly inspiring. I am at a career crossroad, and there are pros and cons to which ever path I take. How do I choose?

CONVICTION OR COMPROMISE

Hi, Selwyn!

You (and all of us) always have two choices.

One, you can abide by your conviction. Or, two, you can make a compromise.

Conviction is the more difficult option. Usually this means that there is immediate or short-term risk or pain. We may have to step on some toes. Also, the future is difficult to predict, so how can we be sure that taking this path will necessarily be right?

Compromise is the easier option. By compromising, we are minimising present risk in some form. We are probably making someone else happy. Here again, the future is far away, and can be put out of one’s mind.

Both choices have consequences.

Conviction, in the long run takes you where you want to go.

Compromise, in the long run, tends to lead to further compromises, till your path is as twisted as a bundle of yarn.

I know that I have always leaned towards conviction. I have always believed in myself, walked my own path. It has been rewarding and meaningful.

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What would you choose? Conviction or Compromise? Please share your choice in the comments.

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