This morning, observing some herons fly by, I realized that not all birds fly the same way. The thought spiral resulting from that realization started evolving into an elegant lesson about how organizations work and why moving up the ladder demands more than just ambition. It demands transformation. Near the Ground: The Fast Fliers Near… Continue reading What birds taught me today about Organizational Hierarchy
CSR, Sustainability, and ESG are not Synonyms
Enough. CSR, sustainability, and ESG are not interchangeable concepts, and treating them in that manner creates confusion in boardrooms, classrooms, and corporates alike. They are not three labels for the same thing. Confusing them is like calling a sparrow, an ostrich, and an eagle the same bird, the differences matter too much to ignore. In… Continue reading CSR, Sustainability, and ESG are not Synonyms
The Many Schools of Thought on Corporate Sustainability
As I progressed through the NPTEL course on Business Ethics, I found myself increasingly drawn to a deeper question: how should we understand corporate sustainability through the lens of different schools of thought? Beneath the surface of any “sustainability strategy” lie radically different motivations, philosophies, and frameworks. These are not merely stylistic variations; they reflect… Continue reading The Many Schools of Thought on Corporate Sustainability
Learning in Public
For a long time, I have encouraged people I work with to write more. Not because everyone needs to become a writer, but because writing is one of the most powerful ways to learn. The same applies to speaking, taking a session, facilitating a discussion. At first, the pushback is predictable. “I’m not ready.” “I… Continue reading Learning in Public
Is War Natural to Humans? A Conversation That Stayed With Me
Last week, I was speaking to a friend who tried to explain that the wars we see around the world today are simply a reflection of a natural human tendency. His argument was straightforward: humans, despite all our claims of civilization and progress, remain part of the animal kingdom. In nature, competition for dominance, territory,… Continue reading Is War Natural to Humans? A Conversation That Stayed With Me
The Curious Case of Internal Combustion
Imagine it is 2026. For over a century, we have driven electric cars. We plug them in at home. They hum softly. They have few moving parts. They rarely break down. Cities are calmer. Mobility is seamless, predictable, almost boring in its reliability. And then a startup announces a breakthrough. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the founder… Continue reading The Curious Case of Internal Combustion
The Face of Gender Equity
She is everywhere. Her photograph appears in annual reports. She is quoted on panels and in internal newsletters. LinkedIn celebrates her journey. She has become the face of gender equity in the organization. She did not volunteer for this role. It emerged around her. Her story is often told as a success story: talent, perseverance,… Continue reading The Face of Gender Equity
The Secret of Why I Loved My Jobs
I like to preface this personal article with a simple statement: to have a long, satisfying career, you need to love what you do. I also confide that I am not a self-help guru. Let me start with my story. Except for the first nine years of my career, I can confidently say that I… Continue reading The Secret of Why I Loved My Jobs
Sustainability Reporting: The New Bottleneck to Ease of Doing Business
The world over there is a seeming shift in the corporate echelons. With trade barriers being raised, and recessionary forces looming on the horizon. They are trying to discard any obstacles that might encumber the work. And, sustainability reporting is being perceived as one of those — a primary challenge to ease of doing business. … Continue reading Sustainability Reporting: The New Bottleneck to Ease of Doing Business
Return to Classroom
After years and decades of working in the corporate sphere, interacting with 1000’s of corporate stakeholders, millions of miles on business travel, I decided to replace my desk-drawer cabin with a desk-no-drawer classroom. So, as the ‘old replaced the new’ in 2025, I started anew and afresh — being a student all over again. Indeed,… Continue reading Return to Classroom