Going beyond career goals

What's your career goal? This is most managers' favorite question. They ask to ensure that our responsibilities in the organization align with our career goals. They want to be helpful in our journey. All good, but I've always found it awkward to answer that. It’s not that I have an absurd goal that people would … Continue reading Going beyond career goals →

On counting our blessings

We all have things to be grateful for, yet we often fail to remember them. That's because we don't value those things the way we value something we don't have yet. Some of us think whatever we've achieved, acquired, or been blessed with all along the way was meant to happen, so it doesn't make … Continue reading On counting our blessings →

Want something? Ask.

As kids, whenever we showcase our talents, such as reciting a rhyme, drawing, or dancing, to our family, we'd get appreciated for it. Similarly, if we did well in school or were adept at answering questions in class, our teachers would acknowledge and hold us in high regard. Childhood seemed effortless. However, things change when … Continue reading Want something? Ask. →

Product management wisdom and why context matters

If you're a PM, you're more likely to follow Silicon Valley PM thought leaders to learn about the latest trends in product management. You may even have taken up a few PM courses to learn a thing or two about best product management practices. I can relate. What I've observed being a part of the … Continue reading Product management wisdom and why context matters →

My thoughts on job compatibility

So many of us are conditioned to evaluate if we're good enough to be hired for a specific role in a company and try hard to crack the interview. But we hardly think about what we look for in a company and assess if the company is a good fit for us. We're wired to … Continue reading My thoughts on job compatibility →

My two cents on decision-making

When at a crossroads, we experience anxiety and feel overwhelmed about making a decision. Whether it be a small decision or a life-altering one, the way we perceive this scenario could be the same. Sometimes we fight the thought of what's morally acceptable and not. We invite many factors to determine if our decision is … Continue reading My two cents on decision-making →

Work on things you want to get better at

One standard piece of advice I've heard from many is to work on things that we are good at and would excite us. The rationale behind this advice is to double down on things we have expertise in and experience a sense of satisfaction while working on familiar tasks. This is good advice, but I could … Continue reading Work on things you want to get better at →

Going beyond our work identity

Anytime I meet a stranger or an acquaintance, I introduce myself using my professional identity. "Hello, I work as a PM at a startup."And that's it. It's as if there's nothing more to me than being a product manager at an early-stage startup. Hence, my conversations revolve only around tech, SaaS, etc. Though this is a … Continue reading Going beyond our work identity →

Well, unconditional love is a myth

I find the concept of "unconditional love" funny. The truth is that no relationship is unconditional. Some of you might find this thought hard to digest because it could hurt your ego or collapse your firmly held worldview. Well, take a deep breath and listen to me. Be it a parent, spouse, or child, no … Continue reading Well, unconditional love is a myth →

The trap of wanting to be right

All of us have had difficult conversations in our life. A conversation turns bitter when we don't allow the other person to express their views because it could hurt our beliefs. When this happens, the other person will simply unhook themselves from the conversation because they feel exhausted that we don't get it. The devil … Continue reading The trap of wanting to be right →