Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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After the storm

The magic of first steps

The chaos of the chase

The applause of hitting milestones

The struggles of staying afloat in crisis

The highs of flying on the tailwinds

The lows of facing the headwinds

All lessons for life

There is no mountain

Without a valley to across

The struggles of the climb

Amplifies the success at the summit.

Reach beyond knowing

Every step leads the way

Trust the self  in every step

Let the clouds roll in

For the view is truly worth it all…

After the storm.

Savvy


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Dignity of being

Its not pride. It’s dignity,

That you need with you.

Much is the difference between .

In no uncertain moment

Lose your sense of dignity.

For dignity is divine

For it embodies your spirit & soul

Pride is just a human emotion. 

If ever you face a situation

Where anothers words & deeds 

Leave you broken

Remember  its just your pride & ego

That feels deflated in the moments.

It’s just a phase of life it will pass.

Your dignity stays with you

In the way you handle

With no loss of grace

Stay dignified, stay graceful.

Savvy


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The bouncing ball

Bouncing ball

Think of any organization, like a bouncing ball. No two moments are alike Change is order of things. In such moments the leaders at the top need all the support they can get from their team. And for that clarity in communication be it timely updates , to them & to the team is equally  paramount.

When the ball bounces are extreme, it could be many factors, like the winds of change that’s affecting it. Let’s call it external forces be it political, economic,global changes and more…

No one can predict things to the T but if risks are part of the buisness, then leadership needs both resilience from the entire team and quick decision taking to keep the company ‘ball balancing’  afloat.

In times of internal instability from unexpected forces within the company, affecting the state of buisness the leaders need  more than just attention to detail to bring the dissenting fragments and solve crisis .

It’s a given that even in stable times there is always going to be  that bounce in the ball think of it as the pulse in the heartbeat. Just that the force and velocity is a little more manageable . Acknowledging it as a part of risk management  makes it more realistic than procrastinating  from planning for it.

Whatever be the force, the torque generated decides the nature of impact it has. Being prepared and building the resilience muscle and creating a strong srategic team in easier times, helps in times of crisis management.

Embracing the changes is about  understanding the experiences of highs and lows as a part of the journey. And most of all seeing the setbacks as an opportunity  to bounce back stronger again.

What do you think ? 

Savvy Raj

 


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Affirm the good

On Managing Behaviour

Whether as a parent, a partner, a teacher, a manager or leader, we all come across challenges in behavior.

Here are few pointers…

Being  critical is easier

Being an example is what matters

To pave the path of positive change

Affirm the good with consistency

Appreciate a deed well done

Behavior transforms in time.

Savvy


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How to manage a difficult conversation?

In the course of my career over the years handling teams of various departments, people management  became my forte while experiencing many instances which needed agility in communication.

Here are few pointers…

If you can help it thoroughly prepare yourself  with research so that you are prepared to handle any objections well.

Try to choose when and where to have a difficult conversation.

Always start with a positive mindset and speak with concern without blaming .

Make sure you are clear about what you want to communicate.  And deliver your stance  clearly  without any ambiguity.

Speak in the right tone as per the situation.

Listen actively well to acknowledge  emotions and  understand so you can respond than react.

If there is too much tension or another impasse it is alright to pause, take a  short timely break to diffuse tension and then recoup

Be focussed on what you wish to communicate and steer the conversation if it veers off topic.

Be open to alternatives and  perspectives and see if you can  find common ground to stay flexible to foster collaboration.

Resolve issues find win win solutions & clear issues.

Do you remember  any instances of  difficult  conversations you have had? How did you manage it?

Savvy


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Are you feeling lonesome and blue?

Are you lonely and perhaps  feeling lost?

Are you afraid of being lonely?

Loneliness is a silent killer.

Not easy to deal with. It can catch  you when you are least aware.And it may seem challenging with the changing season.

Every person alive might have to battle it in different  degrees one time or another  in their lifetime .

Often it may be, the fear of ending up alone that people make wrong personal choices. 

Often those very choices are the reason one feels lonely.

For there are times you can be feeling lonely in a room full of people.

Sometimes you have a life partner but feel there is no true companionship.

Sometimes you are actually alone with nobody around and hence feel lonely.

Circumstances may be different  and varied for every one but the condition is one, of being lonely.

There is a thoughtworthy words I read, that comes to mind on loneliness.

Loneliness is the poverty of the self

Solitude is the richness of the self.

Now that changes the perspective doesn’t it .

What you envision your life, life becomes, such is the power of visualization and intention.

No matter where you are or who you are with,

Remember, you are never truly lonely if you flip the script…

Think you have you

Value the life you have

You are alive as yet

And you are enough for you.

Savvy


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On Conflict Resolutions

Building bridges of understanding 

Listen first. Give your opponents a chance to talk. Let them finish. Do not resist, defend or debate. This only raises barriers. Try to build bridges of understanding”. Dale Carnegie

Have you managed and resolved conflicts in virtual teams? If so, you will agree on how much communication matters in building bridges of understanding.

On Virtual Conflict Resolutions

Conflicts and its resolution are part of teams dynamics. An empathic approach to that is inclusive, non-judgemental, proactive  and  open to establishing safe discussion spaces creates positive outcomes in virtual scenarios.

In virtual team management  scenario, it is important to define and understand what matters to each person or team to find the path forward. Creating a mutual connection virtually  bridges over misunderstanding, encourages trust and strengthens relationships, leading to positive communication.

Being objective, mindful and  awareof unconscious biases that influence perception helps create a roadmap towards resolutions.

What are your challenges in managing virtual conflicts?

How do you resolve them? Do  share your perspectives.

©Savvy Raj


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Perfect imperfections

Perfection is never the inspiration for nothing is perfect always.

Acknowledging ones imperfections & managing it with grace is true inspiration.

The need for perfection creates undue pressure. Being able to work on the journey without undue pressure can be joyful journey.

What are your thoughts?

©Savvy Raj


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Power of words

Team management

Building people up is a skill worth valuing and investing in. For great teams are not formed simply by hiring for roles. A whole lot of nurture and consistent care goes into team building. A strongly motivated & purpose driven team is empowering for any organisation no matter the odds.

Besides all the values and skill training imparted to a team there is one very important  team builder that makes all the difference. The power of positive words, used and conveyed by the leaders, the appreciation, that is authentic, genuine hopeful and trustful. This is a game changer that drives home the message that we are together, no matter what.

One kind word changes the trajectory of the day.

Here are a few positive ways to communicate with your team.

Words that share genuine care and support :

How are you doing?

What are your challenges now?

How can I support your growth?

Words that create confidence and empowers:

I believe in you.

I trust your judgment.

Tell  me more about what you think we should do?

Words that share appreciation for the effort and encouragement :

This calls for a  celebration

Thank you

If you haven’t already do try incorporating these words in your conversations with your team from today and watch the power of these words unfold.

©SAVVY RAJ


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Building Trust in teams

Trust & Idea sharing

Building trust creates a rapport for greater communication.
Besides listening actively, addressing any issues and finding resolutions together immediately builds trust in a team. Being authentically approachable adds to the trust. Creating a transparent process and protocols for idea sharing helps. Showing appreciation for the ideas generated brings forth confidence to share more. Most importantly, giving credit where it is due by acknowledgements fosters trustful teams. Creating a responsive, cohesive and collaborative team requires transperncy in purpose.

©Savvy Raj


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Unshackling

Evolution happens in the changes that are a precussor to transformation.

A conscious unshackling of patterns of thought brings forth new and diverse ways of thinking. Every now and then a diversity acknowledges new associations and breeds creativity.

A deliberate action that reaches out far and wide to step out of conventional thought patterns is never easy especially as most often humans like to feel safe and secure in comfort of knowing of a stability.

Change can be unsettling and startling for most…

To accept and acclamatize in the new shifts.

As humans much of our creativity is often boxed in association of concepts and experiences and their correlation.

To creates new spaces for light is to step up in the gamut of creativity there need to be, a dare into the unknown that explores dimensions beyond.

Are you ready for the unshackling?


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Sustain yourself

How much of you do you give in any relationship?

Today I am sharing a thought Provoker. This came as a social media forward. But it was thought worthy and I do have a few questions as well.

Speaking of relationships, have you felt drained out beyond compare?

Instead of feeling energetic after an interaction or a conversation, have you felt like when will it end?

When was the last time you felt a little too empty?

Do you stop giving, if you feel it is an unequal relationship and you feel pulled from all directions or due to habit or situation you continue to give as you do?

If you are a giver by nature, can you actually stop yourself at all?

It’s truly important to acknowledge your emotions and feelings. It helps to know your energy shifts.

A Stringed Existence

There is a lot of inextricable strings of emotions linked to relationships but if you are constantly feeling drained out and exhausted when with certain people, perhaps you need to check if you have over invested yourself. Be it in career as a workaholic or in family where your sense of self is feeling lost.

You have one life & it is your life…

Pause and take a breather and set yourself back on course.

While there are many kinds of people you meet. And it is really OK to be extra helpful, and give the best you can. In fact it energizes abundance to manifest in life… For when you give from a spring well of kindness, nature sets in motion, a share of kindness back to you in its own time.

Yet like many are energy givers, there are many energy takers. Often unknown to themselves they behave in a way that saps anothers energy when they are around you.

Do remember who ever you are with… Giving more or less will not have value. For less is not fulfilling and more is just excess and will never be utilised. But will certainly tilt your balance for sure.

In your actions too, exercise this wisdom and you will find yourself in a good space.

And most of all…

Choose your tribe well. It makes all the difference.

©Savvy Raj


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Dance your stress away

Movements are energy in action.And movements in a dance can heal and transform lives for the better.

How?The physicality of a series of rhythmic or structured movement like in a dance creates a chemistry of changes to integrate the body mind and soul in a flow gradually towards health and vitality.

©Savvy Raj


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Value Of Mistakes

When we mix little curd, the whole milk become curd which increases its value . We take butter by churning ,which is costlier than milk n curd. When we heat the butter it becomes Ghee (Clarified Butter) which is expensive than milk & curd.

The ordinary milk when curdled, churned n heated, its value increases as Ghee.

Grape juice is not expensive. When fermented it becomes the more expensive wine.

If u make a mistake it doesn’t mean you are bad or useless. Pressures and mistakes make a man better & more experienced.

Colombus made a mistake on his voyage. He lost his way which resulted in the discovery of America.
Alexander Fleming’s mistake resulted in the invention of life saving Penicilin.

Never let ur mistakes make u fall. Your failures will polish you. It helps you identify where you went wrong, which plan failed, which approach becomes wrong.

What we learn from our mistakes, will lead us to the right path, to success.

Translated from tamil by my mother Anjana.


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Your Circle

A young entrepreneur I know, just does not seem to have the time or patience to listen to the employees. She says how can she find time to run the company if she has to hear them all…

Well it’s actually valid as her company has more than hundreds of people.

I have had many things to say about the issues, worries and problems that are of concern, but as her friend and confidante too, it is somewhat very challenging to get the messages across all the time.

Here I share a few of my observations as suggestions that may work for holistic development of any organisation.

It is very important…

To know your circle of people.

Those who work with you

Those who work for you.

To show genuine care & understanding.

Genuine appreciation and acknowledging people for their work without favouritism makes a huge difference.

In return

You as a leader understand much more

Of what motivates them

Or challenges them

And you begin to create

Possible ways to make a meaningful difference

And grow together.

And if by chance you sense a lack of common purpose

You know you need to be ready to draw a line,

And let them go, if need be.

But all the same it’s important to be aware of, and connect with your circle of people well.

What do you think?

©Savvy Raj