“Beta, teaching is a woman’s job. Why don’t you pursue engineering instead?” This waswhat Rajesh Krishnan heard from his relatives when he announced his decision to become a primary school teacher. Today, after eight years of teaching, he’s not just educating third-graders – he’s challenging deep-rooted biases as he believes his examples are more inclusive and representative of the inclusive …
The Role of Men as Allies in Gender Equality at Work
Last week, a male executive sat in my office, tears streaming down his face. “I don’t want to be CEO,” he confessed. “I want to be a stay-at-home dad, but I can’t tell anyone.” In the same week, a female client expressed frustration about being labeled “too aggressive” for displaying the same leadership qualities that earned her male colleagues praise. …
Leadership by Example: How mentors Cultivate Organizational Culture
In the dynamic realm of business, where strategies and markets shift like sand, one constant remains: the power of leadership by example. The essence of this approach lies in mentors embodying the values, behaviors, and ethics they wish to see in their teams. By demonstrating core values, mentors don’t just set standards—they become the living embodiment of the organizational culture …
Balancing Act: Work-life balance strategies for the 21st century
An organizational concept known as “work-life balance” enables workers to effectively divide their time and attention between their jobs and other significant facets of their lives. Organizational psychologists may recommend putting work-life balance initiatives into place if they discover that staff members are depressed or anxious. Enhancing the work-life balance of staff members enables them to generate more and better …
The Unseen Backpack: Supporting Mental Health in Invisible Battles
In the bustling world of business, the spotlight is, more often than not, placed on outward accomplishments and observable triumphs. However, amid the hustle and bustle, there exists a quieter, often overlooked realm—the realm of mental health. Just like an unseen backpack, many professionals carry the weight of invisible battles, grappling with stress, anxiety, and other psychological challenges behind the …
Paws for Thought: The Therapeutic Power of Workplace Pets
The inclusion of pets in the workplace has garnered increasing attention due to its profound impact on employee well-being and productivity, backed by a growing body of research. For instance, a study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that interacting with animals can igger the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with stress reduction and social bonding. This physiological …
Addressing Work-Life Balance Challenges in Springtime
Spring appears, colouring the world with bright shades, seducing us with warmer weather and the promise of new initiatives. However, an important aspect is often overlooked between the excitement associated with removing winter layers and planning outdoor adventures: the balance between work and life. Spring renewal’s unique energy and feeling create problems that can ruin the delicate balance between professional …
Workplace Diversity: A new norm
Audre Lorde once said, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences”. One can view diversity as putting together different pieces of fabric. As unpleasant as it might seem to look, it has its own charm and is worth embracing and fostering in the workplace, despite the intricacies. Diversity …
Workplace Bullying and Personality Traits
Scenario 1:Harish mails the report to his boss before leaving the office and when he is about to make a move his boss calls him inside his cabin and says “You call this a report? How can you not present the data in excel even after these many years of experience? Scenario 2:Harish mails the report to his boss before …
The Influence of Anxiety Disorders on Work Performance
“Mental illness is a disease and like any other medical condition individuals need support, interventions and continued care to address their symptoms”– Angeleena Francis. According to a global prediction provided by Forbes Health in an article titled “Mental Health Statistics,” there are expected to be 374 million cases of anxiety disorders worldwide in 2023, a 25% increase from the previous …