Leadership is not about telling, it is about asking.
It is about creating space for others to think, grow, and step into their own potential.
Recently, I had the privilege of working with the top leaders at Sobha Constructions, guiding them through a transformative session on Leading Others.
The focus?
.
Moving from directive leadership to a coaching-based approach—where powerful questions spark reflection, and meaningful conversations unlock growth.
When leaders shift from instruction to inquiry, they don’t just lead; they build future leaders.
They elevate their teams, creating a culture of empowerment, trust, and continuous learning.
And at the heart of it all?
Being deeply aligned with our values, because great leadership starts from within.
The real challenge is not just managing people; it is inspiring them to lead.
And that is the kind of leadership that creates lasting impact.
empowerment
The difference between a downward and upward spiral is simply shifting from ‘why’ to ‘wow’.
During my visits to a business school in Mumbai, whenever possible, I opt to travel overnight by train as it gives me good space to contemplate, relax and rejuvenate.
During one of my recent travels, just above the place where I was lying, was the A/C vent. It was noisy and blowing quite hard leaving me literally frozen and feeling uncomfortable.
It did not take time for my thoughts to spiral downwards like…
why did I get this seat…
why can’t the railway authorities pay more attention to these details…
I will spoil my health if I continue this way…
I should never travel via train anymore…
I was almost ready to seal the deal and make a firm commitment to call it quits when I caught myself asking an innocuous question…
Prakash, did you have any pleasantmoments during this journey?
In a flash came the voice of the lady who earlier was sat next to me, the brilliance and respect with which she conversed with her 5-year-old boy; my surprising success in dissuading myself from drinking coke (which I love to consume with salted peanuts during my travels) without any feeling of ‘deprivation’, and many other pleasant things that happened that I had taken forgranted and overlooked.
It was a moment of epiphany for me as I experienced a complete psychological and physiological shift from a victim to a victor…
from a state of feeling impoverished and helpless to feeling enriched and empowered…
The best part is this shift took less than a second…a mere inquiry into ‘what went well’, and I was instantly ‘beamed up’!
What is the practical application of this?
There is a certain comfort that I get into where I take for granted people and things for. I fail to recognize their value, lose gratitude and begin undermining my fortune.
Researchers from Harvard Business School, Boston University and MIT found that the more we get to know others, the less we like them (Less is More: The lure of ambiguity or why familiarity breeds contempt). Over time, the law of diminishing marginal utility kicks in.
Here are a few things we can do when we find ourselves stuck in this downward spiral, be it with my boss, my spouse, my work environment, company, colleagues, or my gym instructor:
1. Prioritize: My state of mind matters most. By seeing what is right with the world and being grateful, I am not doing anyone else a favour. I am doing it because I care for my well-being.
2. Mastery: I realize that I have the power to choose my thoughts and hence to manage my feelings. I choose to be a master of my feelings rather than a victim.
3. Shift paradigm: Our vision controls our perception and our perception becomes our reality.
Therefore, embrace the ‘wow’ moments, and watch how your reality transforms with a sense of mastery and empowerment!
In the regular hustle and bustle of our lives, we easily get caught up in the whirlwind of our emotions. Sometimes they hit us like a tidal wave, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
But what if I told you that these emotions are actually our allies, our guides through the intricate labyrinth of our inner world?
Think about it for a moment…
When we are angry, guilty, or afraid, it is like our internal alarm system is going off, trying to tell us something important.
It is like nature’s way of saying, “Hey, pay attention! Something is not quite right here.”
But here is the kicker:
Most of us don’t really know how to listen to these subtle messages.
We either suppress them, hoping they’ll go away on their own, or we let them run wild, wreaking havoc on our lives and relationships.
But, how do we decode these emotional messages and harness their power for good?
It starts with a simple yet profound exercise: expanding our hawareness.
Take a moment right now to pause and tune in to the sounds around you…
Now Really listen…
Notice the loud ones that demand your attention and the soft ones that often go unnoticed.
Allow your awareness to expand beyond the obvious, seeking out every subtle sound that graces your ears.
In those moments of heightened awareness, you will begin to realize something remarkable, that your brain is a focus freak.
It is constantly seeking out patterns, trying to make sense of the world around you. And when you give it the space to do so, you open the door to a whole new level of understanding and insight.
Now, imagine applying this same level of awareness to your emotions!
Instead of running away from them or letting them run the show, you embrace them with open arms, inviting them to speak their truth.
You listen, not with judgment or fear, but with curiosity and compassion.
While doing so, you will discover that beneath the surface of anger lies a deep well of hurt or injustice.
The veil of guilt hides a powerful lesson about your values and boundaries.
And within the shadow of fear resides an untapped reservoir of courage and resilience.
So, the next time you find yourself caught in the grip of anger, guilt, or fear, remember your emotions are not your enemy, but your greatest teachers.
Embrace them, listen to them, and let them guide you on the journey toward greater self-awareness and empowerment.