Quiet Reflections

Category: Reflections

  • The Challenge & Thrill of Continuous Learning

    The Challenge & Thrill of Continuous Learning

    Sitting for an exam yesterday, after weeks of preparation, reminded me of the complexities of continuous learning. It’s both an exhilarating journey and a formidable challenge. Balancing work, life, and studies while absorbing new concepts feels like a marathon—one that tests not just intellect but endurance.

    But despite the struggles, learning at top institutions like the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow offers immense value—not only in terms of academics but also through the brilliant minds we learn alongside.

    The Challenges of Long Courses

    Long executive programs require discipline, patience, and the ability to retain knowledge over months. At times, the sheer volume of material makes it feel impossible to keep up. Our final Economics classes were a true test of endurance. Fatigue set in, making complex topics seem insurmountable. Yet, just when we thought we had hit our limit, the sessions reignited our curiosity, proving that endurance is as crucial as intellect in executive learning.

    Then came the real challenge: exam prep. With just two weeks to revisit 14 modules, the amount of material was daunting. And when we found out the exam would feature 64 MCQs to be completed in 80 minutes, frustration—and humor—took over. Our WhatsApp group became a battleground of witty comments on how concepts were tangling in our minds.

    In the midst of this, Dr. Asheesh Jain humorously declared that we were trapped in an “Indrajaal“—a reference from the Atharvaveda where Indra ensnares his enemies in an inescapable net. It perfectly described our situation. A rockstar batchmate, Bhaskar Bhatt , elaborated on its origins, and our discussion evolved into a blend of ancient mysticism and exam preparation. Some likened it to the “Mayajaal,” while I even connected it to the 64 Yoginis, drawing from ancient Indian Tantra. When you’re buried in study material, why not add a bit of mysticism?

    Peer Power

    One of the greatest privileges of a leadership program is the opportunity to learn alongside exceptional peers and renowned faculty. It rekindles the fire that often dims under the weight of daily routines, workplace dynamics, and growing professional commitments, reminding us why we embarked on this journey of growth in the first place.

    More than just a learning experience, a leadership program expands our perspectives. Engaging with peers from diverse industries, each bringing unique insights and real-world experiences, challenges our thinking and broadens our horizons. Conversations extend beyond coursework—discussions on strategy, economics, and organizational behavior often spark new ways of looking at our own professional challenges.

    A special shout-out to my batch mates who meticulously organized study materials, making it easier for everyone to learn at their own pace. And of course, the spirited discussions, the shared problem-solving sessions, and the lighthearted WhatsApp banter made the journey even more enriching.

    Connecting the Dots: Seeing the Bigger Picture

    Beyond the classroom, the real magic lies in how different subjects start converging, offering a holistic view of leadership and business strategy. HR, economics, finance, leadership, strategy, brand, product, and customer relationship no longer feel like separate subjects but interconnected pieces of a larger puzzle.

    This ability to connect the dots is perhaps the most valuable part of the program. Concepts that once seemed unrelated now provide a structured way to understand business and leadership at a deeper level.

    And it’s not just theory—it has real, tangible impact. A big shoutout to a batchmate who aced an interview using insights from our Organizational Behavior modules. It’s a great reminder that while the 70:20:10 model focuses primarily on depth, making room for structured learning expands our breadth of knowledge. This broader perspective not only deepens our understanding but also opens doors to new horizons, enriching both personal and professional growth.

    The Pre-Exam Panic & The Fun of Group Learning

    The pre-exam phase is always a mix of panic and preparation. With so much to cover, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This time, GPT came to the rescue, generating explanations, summaries, and structured notes. The result? A 60-page cheat sheet. Ironically, it led to a new dilemma: Had I studied too much? The more I read, the more I questioned whether I was absorbing the material or just confusing myself further.

    But the real fun came from group discussions. Our WhatsApp group was buzzing with theories, last-minute clarifications, and, of course, jokes about how we’d all be staring blankly at the exam paper. It was during these discussions that the real learning happened—breaking down complex concepts and helping each other connect the dots.

    A special mention goes to our class representatives, who kept us on track with constant reminders about exam dates. He also added a “Vishesh Tippani”—a little last-minute panic to keep us on our toes, bringing back childhood memories of cramming for exams!

    Looking Forward to the Immersion

    Now that the exam is behind me, I’m excited for the upcoming immersion week—a chance to finally meet my peers and professors in person after months of online learning. While online learning builds knowledge, immersion solidifies it. The real magic of leadership development happens not just through lectures but through face-to-face interactions, shared perspectives, and real-world problem-solving. It’s an opportunity to dive into presentations, engage in face-to-face discussions, and reconnect with the faculty who have guided us through this journey. I’m looking forward to the enriching interactions, the camaraderie, and the chance to relive the college experience in a way that goes beyond virtual screens.

    Final Thoughts

    Continuous learning isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about expanding perspectives, engaging in thought-provoking discussions, and challenging our own thinking. It’s tiring, yes. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.

    For those who have juggled work and studies—have you ever been caught in your own ‘Indrajaal,’ only to have a moment of clarity that made everything click?

  • SREST: A Framework Inspired by Ancient Wisdom for Modern Well-Being

    SREST: A Framework Inspired by Ancient Wisdom for Modern Well-Being

    Today’s fast-paced world celebrates speed, constant connectivity, and instant gratification. Meals are often rushed, conversations quick and transactional, and digital devices keep us tethered to an endless stream of notifications and content. One particularly modern pitfall is doomscrolling—the habit of aimlessly consuming an endless stream of often negative content, leaving us mentally drained and emotionally overwhelmed.

    Amid this overstimulation, ancient traditions remind us of the power of self-restraint—not as deprivation, but as a conscious choice to create space, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. In Hinduism, fasting is practiced to cultivate discipline and spiritual clarity. Jainism embraces the vow of silence (mauna) to promote inner peace and mindful speech. These practices, rooted in centuries of wisdom, highlight a timeless truth: stepping back can lead us to a more balanced, fulfilling life.

    This article is an invitation to explore how these ancient principles can meet modern challenges. It introduces SREST(pronounced Shresth in Sanskrit means excellent or best, subtly reinforcing the pursuit of one’s best self through mindful restraint)—a gentle framework that encourages us to pause and reflect in three key areas: eating, speech, and technology. Rather than a strict model to follow, SREST offers areas to explore, helping us rediscover practices that foster clarity, calm, and connection.

    The SREST Framework: An Invitation to Pause

    SREST stands for:

    • Self Restraint in Eating: Exploring conscious choices around nourishment.
    • Speech: Embracing vow of silence to deepen listening and awareness.
    • Technology: Mindfully managing digital consumption.

    These pillars aren’t about rigid rules but about gently questioning automatic habits. Could stepping back, even momentarily, help us reconnect with ourselves and those around us?

    1. Restraint in Eating: Reconnecting with Hunger and Satisfaction

    Why Explore Restraint in Eating?

    In an age of abundance, food is always within reach—often engineered to be irresistible. Eating mindlessly can disconnect us from our bodies and emotions. Practicing restraint invites us to slow down, tune into genuine hunger cues, and savor what we consume.

    Possible Benefits

    • Physical Renewal: Fasting can activate cellular repair processes (autophagy) (Ohsumi, 2016).
    • Improved Metabolic Health: Supports insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation.
    • Enhanced Clarity: Eating with intention may reduce brain fog and improve focus.

    Ways to Try

    • Experiment with a 12-hour overnight fast (e.g., dinner at 7 PM, breakfast after 7 AM).
    • Pause before eating—ask, “Am I truly hungry, or just seeking comfort?”
    • Occasionally explore longer fasting periods under professional guidance.

    2. Restraint in Speech(Vow of Silence): Speaking Less to Listen More

    Why Explore Restraint in Speech?

    In a world that prizes constant communication, silence is rare but profound. Words shape our connections, yet silence can reveal what words often miss—clarity, calm, and deeper understanding. Practicing a vow of silence fosters patience and strengthens listening skills.

    Possible Benefits

    • Improved Listening: Silence invites more authentic conversations and self awareness.
    • Emotional Balance: Pausing before speaking can prevent regrettable words.
    • Heightened Self-Awareness: Quiet moments unveil thought patterns and emotions.

    Ways to Try

    • Set aside 30 minutes daily for intentional silence (e.g., during a walk or morning routine).
    • In conversations, try pausing before responding—notice how it shifts interactions.
    • Dedicate a day each month to minimal speech, allowing space for reflection.

    3. Restraint in Technology: Unplug to Reconnect

    Why Explore Digital Restraint?

    Technology offers convenience but often hijacks our attention. Doomscrolling, notifications, and endless content streams can erode focus and heighten anxiety. By practicing digital restraint, we reclaim presence in both online and offline spaces.

    Possible Benefits

    • Sharper Focus: Reducing digital clutter improves cognitive performance.
    • Better Sleep: Limiting screen time before bed supports restful sleep.
    • Deeper Relationships: Less screen time fosters genuine connections.

    Ways to Try

    • Establish device-free zones (e.g., no phones at meals or in the bedroom).
    • Create screen-free mornings or evenings to ease into or wind down your day.
    • Try a weekly digital detox—spend a day offline and notice how you feel.

    Conclusion

    The SREST framework isn’t a rigid solution—it’s an invitation to gently explore how stepping back can enhance well-being. These ancient practices, rooted in self-restraint, remain profoundly relevant today. In a world that urges us to do more, sometimes the most meaningful act is to pause, reflect, and simply rest. What might you discover by stepping back today?

  • My Leadership Journey

    My Leadership Journey

    Leadership is a journey of constant evolution. Over the past 5–6 years, I’ve grown into my role, and over time, I’ve come to realize that leadership is much more than just meeting deadlines or driving results. It’s about creating lasting impact, ensuring sustainability, and fostering efficiency that serves both individuals and teams. This understanding didn’t come to me overnight. Instead, it evolved through years of reflection, trial and error, and moments of both success and failure.

    Early in my career, I thought leadership meant pushing harder and faster to achieve more. But as I progressed, I learned that true leadership lies in enabling teams to thrive without sacrificing their well-being or losing sight of our core objectives. Here, I’ll share some of the lessons I’ve learned—the challenges we faced, the strategies we adopted, and the insights I gained through my journey.

    Recognizing the Challenges

    When I first took on leadership responsibilities, my approach was shaped by traditional methods—push harder, set aggressive targets, and demand results. While this approach worked in the short term, it came at a significant cost: burnout, misaligned expectations, and strained team dynamics.

    One of the key challenges was our approach to deadlines. The rigid, push-based model often led to unrealistic commitments. This created unnecessary stress, eroded team morale, stifled creativity, and hindered long-term efficiency.

    Another challenge was how we recognized and engaged our teams. In the rush to deliver, we sometimes overlooked individual contributions, which led to disengagement. Building a transparent and positive recognition culture became a priority, as teams needed to feel valued for their efforts.

    Lastly, balancing expectations while maintaining a healthy work culture was a constant tightrope walk. Teams often faced external pressures. Without proper alignment, these pressures led to inefficiencies and blame cycles. As a leader, my role was to guide the team through these challenges, ensuring clarity, purpose, and alignment in our work.

    The Solutions and Strategies

    1. Adopting a Pull-Based Approach I recall a project where immense timeline pressure had left the team stressed, morale low, and quality slipping. It was a wake-up call for me to rethink my leadership approach. I realized that simply pushing harder wasn’t the solution. We needed to leverage the team’s diverse skills and experiences, recognizing that occasional intense efforts were acceptable but shouldn’t become the norm. By shifting to a more flexible, impact-driven model and aligning objectives with achievable timelines, we fostered a healthier, more sustainable environment. This transformation not only improved outcomes but also reignited the team’s morale and engagement.
    2. Learning and Development Initiatives We emphasized learning and development not just for skill-building but as a path to personal growth. My journey through an MS program in Data Science and AI opened my eyes to areas I hadn’t explored, revealing blind spots and pushing me toward a fulfilling transformation. The satisfaction of gaining technical knowledge and personal growth inspired me to bring the same opportunities to my team. Through our initiatives, we encouraged certifications and workshops, resulting in all time max certifications in a year. This wasn’t just about upskilling—it created a culture of empowerment, pride, and commitment to excellence, where people felt supported in their growth.
    3. Transparent and Inclusive Recognition Recognition became a priority for me after reflecting on my own experiences of feeling overlooked despite putting in tireless effort. I realized how crucial it is for leaders to make their teams feel valued. This insight led to the creation of a recognition program—a transparent and inclusive initiative where a panel from various teams evaluates self-nominations and peer recommendations. Winners are celebrated publicly with stakeholders, highlighting their impact and fostering a culture of mutual respect. While recognition isn’t the sole motivator, timely acknowledgment can inspire creativity, collaboration, and a deeper sense of belonging. When people feel their work is genuinely valued, they contribute in ways that surpass expectations, unlocking new potential within the team.
    4. Enhancing Communication and Alignment Communication and alignment were key to fostering a cohesive team environment. We introduced initiatives like bi-weekly team morale check-ins, quarterly update meetings with stakeholders, and a tribe newsletter. These efforts ensured everyone stayed connected to our goals and progress, reinforcing the idea that every team member had a role in shaping our collective success.
    5. Leadership Sprint and Retrospection We embraced retrospection techniques using the Six Thinking Hats framework and SWOT/TOWS analyses. These exercises helped us understand team strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. They also provided a structured way to make informed decisions and continuously improve. We used these insights to better leverage learning and development platforms, ensuring our efforts were aligned with the team’s evolving needs.

    Impact and Outcomes

    The results of these strategies were profound—not just in terms of metrics, but in the healthier, more resilient team culture they fostered. We observed:

    • Improved Developer Experience: Streamlined processes and tools led to a noticeable improvement in developer experience.
    • Enhanced Project Scalability and Security: We saw enhanced scalability, performance, and security across several key projects, including major migrations and framework upgrades.
    • Stronger Team Culture: A thriving, engaged team culture was supported by continuous learning, transparent recognition, and better work-life balance.

    However, the real success lay in the cultural shift that these results represented. By creating an environment where teams could focus on their strengths, collaborate openly, and operate without fear of failure, we saw not only improved well-being but also sharper, more efficient outcomes.

    Next Steps: Continuing the Journey

    As I look back on my leadership journey, it feels like navigating a long road with twists, turns, and occasional roadblocks. There were moments when I thought I knew it all, only to find out that growth was waiting just around the corner. I know there’s still a long road ahead.

    Leadership isn’t a destination—it’s a continuous process of learning, adapting, and evolving. I look forward to the next lessons that lie ahead, knowing that each experience will continue to shape who I am as a leader.