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How I learned to move on and focus on what matters
Have you ever clung to something so tightly that it starts to hurt? I have. Whether it’s in personal relationships or professional connections, there’s always that moment when you sense something is off. Someone stops engaging—they ignore your calls, messages, or emails. Sometimes they even feign interest, but deep down, your intuition tells you the truth. I used to take this very personally. I’d try harder, thinking persistence would bridge the gap. But recently, I had a realization: with 8.2 billion people on this planet, I’ll be just fine if a few don’t stick around. This year, my goal is to release those connections that no longer serve a purpose.…
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Time Made = Trust Earned
Reply Time- The new KPI for Trust The new KPI for trust has been on my mind lately, especially as I keep hearing the same line everywhere: “I’ve been really busy.” And it struck me—busy is universal. We’re all juggling too many things. But I’ve also noticed something else: when something truly matters, we somehow find the time. A parent drops everything to answer a call from their child. Similarly, a manager replies mid-meeting to their boss. Meanwhile, a friend, exhausted after a long day, still finds two minutes to send you a “thinking of you” message. That’s when I started to ponder: reply time—the new KPI for trust—is more…
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When The Chase Ends
Life beyond the chase Most of us spend a good part of our lives in motion. We chase careers, recognition, relationships, milestones. We chase happiness itself, believing that once we finally “arrive,” we’ll feel complete. The chase becomes such a rhythm that we rarely stop to ask why we’re running and then suddenly the desire to chase ends. The discomfort of the breaking rhythm Then one day, the promotions no longer bring joy, applause no longer feels validating. Even relationships built along the way seem to demand more than you give back. You don’t feel angry — you feel nothing. And that “nothing” can be harder to face than failure.…
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Redefining Leadership
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m just an ordinary person. A leader? That’s not me.” Well, I used to think that way . In fact, when my mentor once asked me, “Are you a leader?” I hesitated. My gut whispered, “Yes,” but my self-doubt shouted louder. I told him, “I haven’t done anything big enough to call myself a leader. Leaders manage teams or achieve something remarkable in their careers.” He responded with a simple yet powerful question: “Do you think leaders only exist in corporate offices?” On thinking deeply, that question completely shifted my perspective on what it means to be a leader. I realized leadership is all…
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“Starting Over”- How embracing diversity and change shaped my career path
One of my favorite topics in HR is DEI, and my passion for it doesn’t come from formal study, but from lived experience. DEI- A shift in perspective Moving to a new country and starting over is never easy, especially when it means stepping away from your career. I made the conscious decision to follow my husband to the Netherlands back in 2010, prioritizing my family over professional growth. At times, it was tough and isolating, but today, as a proud mom of two boys (17 and 19), I realize I gained far more than I ever lost. The bond I share with my boys and the respect we have…
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Leadership Lessons from the Delta Works
This past Saturday, I visited the Delta Works with my family. While my husband and boys admired the engineering feat, I, as a leadership consultant, reflected on something deeper. The History Getting to know how the Dutch managed to barricade the North Sea, preventing devastating floods and carefully managing their waterways, got me curious. I wanted to understand, what triggered them to take up this enormous challenge? The tour guide took us down the memory lane of 1953. It was then, when floods claimed the lives of around 2,000 people, forcing the nation to act. The Dutch did not tackle this alone; they came together as a nation, pooling their…
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From Faith to Fortune: The Inspiring Journey of Mr.Baljit Singh
In the European landscape where questioning the divine is as commonplace as cobblestone streets, I stumbled upon a narrative that defied skepticism. Meet Baljit Singh, a Sikh entrepreneur thriving amidst the paradox of doubt and faith. Our paths crossed within the hallowed halls of our shared place of worship. A saga of three triumphant businesses was revealed to me- all orchestrated by a man who believes in a higher power. Breaking the Ice: Unveiling the Entrepreneurial Spirit Introduced to Baljit Singh, I set out to explore the depths of his entrepreneurial spirit. As we delved into the 1990s, his journey unfolded. He was an immigrant eager to embrace the new…
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To get the most out of yourself you need to tune yourself regularly, just like a musical instrument needs regular tuning
Ute- Owner of Ute’s Expat Lounge, Consultant, Coach, and Trainer for Internationally Living Families Today is the birthday of a beautiful lady who painted her life’s canvas miraculously in the Netherlands. She not just knew to navigate hers but also the lives of many others in an uncharted territory. Through this blog, I’m just celebrating Ute’s spirit of accepting life as a challenge and taking a smart route to make things happen. I got introduced to Ute through one of the Facebook forums. She is an affable professional who has an amazing flair for her work. She moved to the Netherlands in 2005, with her husband and 2.5-year-old son. In…
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Diversity and Inclusion(D&I)- Is it a sham or for real?
In recent years, the focus has largely moved to conversations around Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). Initially, it seemed like a sham to grab low-hanging fruit, so companies could fulfill their compliance targets. However, it was a sheer perception that fizzled away, when I started working for Top Employers Institute (TEI). It was interesting to learn that there are companies like TEI who “walk the talk”. I was quite impressed when the HR Director told me how much they value diversity in their workplace. I was guided to embrace diversity in its real sense, at an enterprise level and not just superficially. We looked at diversity, not only from a gender…
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“We do not believe in bad weather; we believe in good clothing”- a positive thought shared by Vyjayanthi Iyer, CEO, Navras Academy
It was India’s Republic Day celebrations in the Netherlands. The event was organized by Indians settled in this country. My son was also performing in a group cultural dance. So, I happened to be a part of the program and got to meet so many Indians under one roof. The interesting part of the Netherlands is that the Dutch don’t mind celebrating your traditions with you. You can celebrate with full zeal and enthusiasm and the Dutch try to know more about you through such events. They are curious and accepting of your values and traditions. Many Indians brought their Dutch friends along to the event and some other nationalities…