One such song is Hotel California and the line that makes me ponder most is – ‘we are all prisoners of our own device’.
I reflect, on how are we ‘innocuously’ doing this because it is obvious that no one sane in this world would like to give up their freedom, their most valuable possessions for anything.
As we progress in our lives each day, achieving our goals and fulfilling our desires, what is this trap that we may be designing in the bargain?
On one hand, we are becoming dependent on external factors while on the other I begin identifying with things that are temporary.
The sign that I am a prisoner would be seen through my reaction to everything there is a threat of any of these things being taken away from me.
Firstly I begin living in a way that I want to protect and guard these things (which create intense anxiety within) and
Secondly, when they change (a natural law), I go berserk.
Real progress is to become aware of these ‘golden chains’ that we are prisoners of and to look them in the eye and say ‘ridiculous’!
prakashchugani
The sales battlefield is tougher than ever.
But sometimes, what you need is not more effort; it is sharper tools.
.
Imagine this…
You are in a market where competition is fierce, customers are demanding more, and despite working harder than ever, the results just don’t reflect the effort.
It feels like pushing a boulder uphill, only to see it roll back down.
This is the reality for many businesses today, and the team at SOUQ ALSIRAJ recognized it.
That is where the SalesAcceleratorProgram Workshop came in.
It was not about working harder; it was about working smarter.
It was about sharpening the saw.
Over the course of the session, we focused on:
🧠 Identifying hidden potential within the team and the market.
💡 Uncovering strategies that were untapped or underutilized.
⚙️ Shifting the mindset from struggle to strategy; because sales isn’t just about effort; it is about precision.
The transformation was incredible.
By the end of the workshop, the room was not just filled with professionals, it was filled with leaders ready to take on #2024 and step into #2025 with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose.
We realized together:
The market will always be tough. The competition will always grow. But those who thrive are the ones who step back, sharpen their skills, and wield their tools with precision.
As we move into 2025, let’s commit to not just working hard, but working smart.
Let’s rule the market, not just survive it.
To every professional reading this:
Take the time to reflect.
Where are you spinning your wheels?
What is one thing you can sharpen today that will change the game tomorrow?
Here is to making sharper strategies, smarter moves, and stronger teams.
Fire, the wheel, generative AI and many more brilliant things in between.
Each of these innovations has brought an invaluable and positive ‘shift’ in the way humans have been experiencing life.
No wonder Victor Hugo stated that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come…
As each of us in particular and the world in general grapple with overwhelming challenges and issues, I simply wish to remind each of us of an idea that has perhaps been escaping us.
A liberating idea that has the potential to make us experience real freedom!
Each of us has the freedom to choose our attitude and to find meaning in our lives even if we cannot choose the conditions around us.
As you reflect on the circumstances around you, at home, work, and in your relationships – a lot may be happening that may not be as per your liking or expectation.
Pause…
Take a deep breath…
Shift your thinking from the problem state and the helplessness that comes with it to solutions and options that lie before you.
This may seem quite obvious, however, please remember that the difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas but in escaping from old ones!
Today, become more aware of this phenomenal ability of yours and exercise it to the max!
Have you experienced one of those days when everything has been going ‘wrong’
Less sleep…
Lots of activity…
Very less result…
Life seems to simply plod its way forward, nothing positive to feel great about, blah blah blah….
Well, I was having one of those days… and I could sense my energy really sapped!
I noticed that because of this, I was not leading my team in the most optimum way…
I was not able to give them my full self….
I was being very taskoriented, looking for things that were not okay and completely ignoring the good work that had been put in and was very irritable….
Although I spent a good 2 hours with them in executing a project that we had to deliver, noticed that it was a drag both for me and my team.
Definitely, left them demoralized!
Fortunately for my daily evening reflections, as I looked back, I realized that there would be many times when things don’t go my way and I could feel terrible about life in general, however, it is very important for me, before I get to meet my team, to resolve myself fully, be whole once again and be ready to meet them.
It may even be okay for me to be vulnerable in sharing how I feel, so I permit myself to be whole again.
Unless I feel good about myself, I will only transfer ‘negativity’ to others and that is irreparable.
Love to hear what you do to ‘become whole again’



Conflict gets a bad reputation.
It is often seen as something to avoid, a storm to weather or a fire to extinguish.
But…
What if I told you that conflict is one of the most powerful opportunities for growth, innovation, and stronger connections?
At my recent session on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Management (NCRM) with the brilliant minds at SP Jain School of Global Management – Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore & Sydney, we tackled this head-on.
Together, we explored how conflict, when approached with the right mindset and tools, is not the end of a conversation, it is in fact the beginning of a transformation.
One moment that stood out was a participant’s insight:
“Every negotiation is an opportunity to understand, not just to agree.”
That perspective shaped our conversations on reframing conflict as a chance to uncover underlying interests, align goals, and create winwin solutions.
Negotiation and conflict resolution are not only about strategy but more about empathy, clarity, and intention.
When we approach these situations as collaborators instead of adversaries, the outcomes are remarkable.
So, the next time you face a toughconversation or a ensenegotiation….
Pause!
Don’t fear the conflict, lean into it.
You might just find that the storm clears faster than you thought, leaving behind a stronger foundation.
What is your take?
Is conflict an obstacle or an opportunity in your world?
One of my big commitments was to value everyone for their contributions, their uniqueness, and not to take anything for granted….
I saw myself slip big time yesterday when I overlooked someone’s contributions to a project and reacted to a few that ‘I considered’ incorrect!
A reaction is unguided, unpredictable and usually is not the best thing to do in any situation…
When I looked back, I felt there were so many things that I had to be appreciative about which went unnoticed, and even if their behaviour was incorrect, I could have approached it in a much better way.
So I ask myself, what would it take to stay consistent with my commitment, and to avoid such ‘damaging‘ slip-ups…
I noticed that in this instance, “I had to simply be more present and empathetic.”
Before diving into the nitty-gritty of work, I could take a moment to understand their journey so far (in delivering towards the project).
How else can I empathize with someone without knowing what they had to go through…
Once done, I will be in a much better space to respond rather than react…
It is only then that I can respect them and value their contributions.
This is one of my takes, would love to know your take!
Picture this: You are at a familygathering, and someone says something that does not sit right.
Maybe it is about a touchy family issue, a strained relationship or an unspoken tension in the room that has been bubbling for years.
You want to address it, but you hesitate, wondering if saying anything will make things worse.
Sounds familiar?
In my recent session on DifficultConversations with one of Dubai‘s largest realestate developers, this scenario struck a chord.
Just like with family, workrelationships sometimes mean handling sensitive topics with care. We all have that one conversation we dodge, maybe with a teammate, a manager, or even a long-time colleague, usually for the following reasons:
1. Lack of SelfEsteem that leaves me crippled with emotions such as fear, ego and anxiety
2. Lack of Skill & Competence not knowing where to start or how to respond to disagreements.
But here is the thing…
Managing difficult conversations well can resolveconflicts and lead to better understanding,
During the session, we focused on tools for respectful dialogue, helping people voice their thoughts without sparking defensiveness or damaging trust.
The lesson?
Often, it is not the conversation that is difficult; it is our fear of the unknown. But with the right approach, these moments can bring people closer rather than push them apart.
When was the last time you had one of these moments?
And how would things change if you handled it with courage, patience and transparency?
Here is the thing about innovation;
It is not always about bigbudgets, cuttingedgetech, or fancytitles…
Sometimes, it is about that wildidea that no one thinks will work…
The one that seems so out there, that people hesitate even to say it out loud….
In my recent session on Innovation, we did not just talk about creating new products or solutions…
We explored what it takes to foster a culture where no idea is too wild, and risk-taking is encouraged.
Because here is the truth: Realinnovation happens when we permit ourselves to challenge the status quo, even if it feels uncomfortable.
The question is…
?
?
?
Are you bold enough to nurture those “crazy” ideas that just might change everything?
Change.
It creeps in unexpectedly, leaving us with that all-too-familiar knot in our stomachs.
Whether it is a newproject at work…
a shiftinmanagement…
or
something as simple as adjusting to a new routine…
The feelings of anxiety and fear often resurface
It is not just the unknown that worries us, it is the sense of losing control.
But here is something we rarely discuss:
Change is only as overwhelming as we let it be….
In my recent ChangeManagement session, we explored how fear and resistance are natural but don’t have to hold us back.
Creating spaces where people feel informed, involved, and prepared can turn anxiety into action and uncertainty into opportunity.
How do you feel about change?
Do you brace for impact or lean into it?
A few days ago, I had the privilege of doing the bookreading of Negotiateor Stagnate, at the legendary NilgiriLibrary in Ooty.
A few days ago, I had the privilege of doing the bookreading of NegotiateorStagnate, at the legendary NilgiriLibrary in Ooty.
Imagine stepping into a place where the air is cool with a highland breeze, being greeted by the scent of oldparchment and polished wood. The walls are lined with shelves that have stood the test of time, holding stories from centuries past.
The light filters in through tall, narrow windows, casting a golden glow that wraps around you like an old friend.
It is a place where words carry weight.
It reminded me of a negotiation I had once, which started off rocky.
We were all in a cold, sterile boardroom, and tensions were high.
But then, by some stroke of luck, we moved to a quieter space, a small, forgotten room in the building, with worn leather chairs and a calming, timeless air.
Everything shifted!
In that room, we started to listenmore, and talkless, and somehow, without force, we came to a resolution that worked for everyone.
Sitting in the Nilgiri Library brought that memory back, showing how the atmosphere can change not just the tone but the outcome of any negotiation.
Sometimes, the environment teaches us more than any strategy ever could.
Have you ever felt a place guide your decisions?