May 22, 2020
Introduction to People Analytics book cover with insightful notes on leadership, HR strategies, and talent management for enhancing career growth.

Book Review: Introduction to People Analytics

People Analytics will undergo a big shift. How do we build a people function that is relevant for the post-Covid world? HR will need to offer measures of productivity, engagement and skills.  Analytics can be a great conversation starter, because it is hard to argue with insights that are data-driven. This book can be a good read for everyone in HR. The line that stayed with me was, “HR will not be replaced by data analytics. But HR people who do not use data and analytics will be replaced by people who do.”

May 21, 2020
HR communication concept: "A Question to Human Resources" text explores new language in workplace, sparking thoughts on leadership and career talent development.

A Question to HR: Are You Learning The New Language?

This is the first time in the world of work when the leader is as uncertain about the future as the employee. This democratisation of information or lack of it is creating a new contract between the employer and the employee. When leaders admit they are vulnerable, they are building trust. Being able to say, ‘I don’t know’ is a new phrase the leader has to get used to. It takes a courageous and self-assured leader to admit that it is their judgment and not precedence they are relying on.

May 14, 2020
Street art with vibrant colors frames a cool shop entrance, next to "Employee Experience Design" text, perfect for HR leaders and career-oriented authors exploring talent.

Employee Experience Design: Making It Boundaryless

Do the employees trust the intent of the leaders? Without trust, even the best of EX designs will be looked at with suspicion. Is the leader fair? Does the leader have integrity? The biggest element for great EX is to co-create it. The company’s policies reflect the assumptions the employer has about the employees. When Netflix said they offered unlimited vacation, they said the employee could be trusted not to misuse it.

May 7, 2020
Cartoon illustrating a CEO's late webinar, humorously questioning traditional HR upskilling methods. Encourages a rethink of work, career, and leadership.

Time to change the work template

Most online classes are excruciatingly boring because they have the speaker continue for long stretches without involving participants. This can be done through polls, parallel chats, drawings, videos, quizzes, built in every few minutes. It is hard for the speaker to see the facial expressions of the learner. That is essential to build engagement.

April 9, 2020
Book cover featuring the title "Healing the Workplace with Trust" over a serene water backdrop, promoting leadership and career growth with HR insights.

Healing the Workplace with Trust

One thing is for sure. The world of work has changed. The psychologist Erik Erikson refers to building trust as the first stage of human development. Knowing that we are interdependent, and we trust each other is the reason to hope for a better tomorrow. War and natural disasters can be powerful forces that form bonds that last a lifetime. We can turn this pandemic to be a force for rejuvenation.

March 28, 2020
Tackling biased algorithms starts with human assumptions. Leadership in work and career fosters talent and honest HR practices.

Before fixing bias in AI, let us fix our own

Something happens to us when we see ourselves as the majority. The people who are not like us become invisible. The majority writes the rule book to favor themselves in every way. Think of the challenge of left-handed people who wish to play the guitar or use a pair of scissors. The French word for right is “droit” and that is how adroit becomes a synonym for skilful in English. The left hand is called “gauche” in French which is how we describe something that is socially awkward.

March 21, 2020
Man working at a desk, reflecting on career and leadership in video calls. Tips on talent development and HR from a seasoned author.

Video Calling? Think Like a Vlogger

I asked a friend who creates video blogs and hence is a vlogger. Many of us now need to use video calling to stay connected to work. Here is what he said, "Who knows video calling better than a vlogger? They use their videos to capture the attention of millions of viewers. When you are video calling your colleagues, you are using the same medium of the video. It is the new medium you are using to share your ideas. It is your new medium to influence the world. So think like a vlogger."

March 6, 2020
Illustrated cover of a book titled "Why Exceptional Interns Never Eat Alone," highlighting networking and leadership in career growth.

Why Exceptional Interns Never Eat Alone

Your internship opportunity can give you sharp clues about yourself that are priceless. There are 4 big ideas and a bonus idea. Often you’ll see restaurants offer a tasting menu, usually several dishes of small portions, with each bite-size course showcasing the chef’s skill. Now, imagine your internship as a […]
March 5, 2020
Cartoon illustration highlighting work dynamics when a peer becomes a boss, featuring themes of leadership, career moves, HR challenges, and backup plans.

My peer became my boss

I always believe that a transition is like the trapeze act you may have seen. When a performer releases the bar and is caught by another performer, the "catcher," who hangs by his or her knees on another trapeze. After the first performer leaves the trapeze bar and is held by the colleague, for a brief period of time the performer is in mid-air without any support. Transitions are like that in-between moment. They are scary but manageable.