Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·PinnedMember-onlyHow to be better at listening?Listening is a vital communication skill that is sadly overlooked and undervalued. But being a good listener is equally important as being a good speaker, writer, or reader. Moreover, it is one of the prerequisite if you want to be a good leader. But being a good listener is not as easy as it sounds. It takes more than just passively listening to what another person says. — Communication is important in every professional setting, from client relationships to branding and from team-building to productivity. But research shows that one of the most critical aspects of communication often gets overlooked and undervalued — this important aspect of communication I’m talking about is listening. Being a good listener is…Listening5 min readListening5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·PinnedMember-onlyDon’t be ‘I’m not a numbers person’You may be intimidated by numbers. But in today’s world, you can’t have an impact by being less adept with numbers. — Many people are intimidated by numbers. I’ve heard people say, ‘I’m not a numbers person.’ But in today’s world, and certainly in tomorrow’s world, it will no longer be acceptable to be less adept with numbers because data is everywhere. You need to know your numbers and use them to…Numbers5 min readNumbers5 min read
PinnedMember-onlyHow to design work that increases employee’s cognition and learning?To successfully execute strategies in today’s hyper-competitive world, you need to have a workforce that can rapidly adapt to and master new tools, processes, and roles. The usual approach to address this challenge is to improve the supply of skills through better education. …Cognition4 min readCognition4 min read
PinnedMember-onlyPushing our opinion won’t change people’s mindOften when we think about changing someone else’s mind whether it’s in our personal lives or professional one, we think about pushing our opinion. We believe if we just come up with one more reason, fact or example, people will eventually come around. …Strategic Thinking5 min readStrategic Thinking5 min read
PinnedMember-onlyHow to avoid the trap of being fooled?Forget laymen, even experts can be fooled in the area of their expertise. People often believe claims they shouldn’t believe and dismiss ones they shouldn’t. Controlling emotions is important. — Abraham Bredius was the world’s leading scholar on Dutch painters, and particularly the 17th century master Johannes Vermeer. In 1937, 82 years old Bredius was enjoying something of a retirement swansong at his mansion in Monaco. It was at this moment in Bredius’s life that a charming lawyer named Gerard…Self Improvement6 min readSelf Improvement6 min read
Mar 11Member-onlyHow to minimize negative effects of imposter syndrome?It is common to have feelings of inadequacy or fraudulence at work. But turning these fears into fleeting thoughts as opposed to permanent restraints is vital to progress in one’s career. Most of us have experienced imposter syndrome at some point. We get worrying thoughts that make us feel unqualified…Career Advice3 min readCareer Advice3 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·Mar 3Member-onlyLearn How to Say “No”Use These Tips — Saying no is a skill you can learn. With practice, saying no is what you can do naturally, regularly, and with dignity and conviction. Earlier this month, I asked you to take a 24-hour challenge of saying no to any request you receive. How did it go? Did you feel that the difference between living a life of peace and productivity versus a life of stress and resentment could lie in one simple skill…Strategic Thinking5 min readStrategic Thinking5 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR·Feb 21Member-onlyWant to improve your life? Start by saying No for the next 24 hours.We get numerous requests, whether formal or informal, large and small, on a daily basis. Mostly, we say yes to those requests as we are careful not to disappoint others. But this people-pleasing habit can cause problems. So start reclaiming your time, relationships, and your well-being by saying ‘No, thank…Decision Making6 min readDecision Making6 min read
Feb 13Member-onlyBenefits and challenges in managing contingent workforceBusinesses have dramatically increased their use of contingent workers over the past decade as they struggle with rising labor costs and the need for a workforce that can quickly adapt to market conditions. …Workforce Management6 min readWorkforce Management6 min read
Feb 7Member-onlyWorking in a noisy open-plan office? Here’s how to stay focused and productive.Noise has been the most prominent complaint about open-plan offices. But it’s possible to perform focused work and improve your productivity. Having some strategies like these up your sleeves rather than throwing your hands in despair can help you succeed. Physical office workspaces have changed significantly over time. A few…Productivity9 min readProductivity9 min read
