Shahana Banerjee, Author at just human

Everything has changed, and yet nothing has changed

Class of ’23, prepare for wisdom from you 25 years ago! Armed with degrees, chai and Maggi-fueled memories, we stepped into the corporate world, clueless yet hopeful. Today, we’re IAS officers, teachers, entrepreneurs, couch potatoes, die-hard corporates, and weird podcast hosts. Each path unique, each fulfilling. Success isn’t one-size-fits-all, it’s about building a closet full of experiences tailored to you. So, explore, experiment, discover and remember there is no such thing like an ‘ideal career’. Cheers to your journey!

The Power of Obvious Questions

We highlight the power of asking “obvious” questions in the workplace and highlights how it can lead to valuable insights. Shahana explains that too many workplaces accept the status quo instead of questioning why things function the way they do. Through a scenario about overwhelming meetings, she illustrates the need to continually question existing paradigms for better organizational design and functionality. Asking sharper questions can inspire crucial changes, enhance work culture and overall productivity.

Horrific Corporate Jargons

A CEO loves using the phrase ‘sacred cows’ to motivate his team, unknowingly he is being quite offensive. This is just one of many corporate jargons, used all so often, that can unintentionally offend so many people – from religious groups, to vegans, pacifists, animal lovers, the differently abled and even younger generations who just can’t relate. It is yet another reminder of how important mindful leadership is.

Listening Labs – How to truly listen to the heartbeat of your organization

The Listening Labs, a methodology that combines Appreciative Inquiry, Storytelling, Active Listening, and Root Cause Diagnosis, offers a deeper understanding of the employee experience through shared stories. Contrary to traditional survey methods, these labs reveal the intricacies of the human experience at work, highlighting the challenges, joys, and choices employees navigate daily. Illustrative narratives shared in the labs emphasize issues such as the impact of grief in the workplace, the struggle to balance personal life and work commitments, and the failure of one-size-fits-all career paths. By bringing the voices and experiences of employees into focus, Listening Labs pave the way for more meaningful, human-centered changes in the workplace.

S2E02 – Striving for better with Sarena Lin, Former Chief Transformation and Talent Officer, Bayer

In the latest episode of the Mindful Leadership Podcast, we talk to Sarena Lin, a fantastic globetrotting exec and former Chief Transformation and Talent Officer at Bayer. From Taiwan to America at 13 with zero English, to carving out an impressive career spanning Ivy Leagues, renowned companies, and continents, she’s truly resilient. Sarena shared experiences and insights from her impressive journey.

What we get completely wrong about Culture…and what to do about it

Frustrated CEO John learns the hard way that culture, not just strategy, is vital for business success. His company’s underperformance was due to a culture that promoted siloed goals and politics, and an organizational design that created barriers. The post emphasizes that understanding and shaping the company’s culture by aligning it with strategy and encouraging desired behaviors is key to overcoming such hurdles and executing strategy successfully. It suggests listening, building trust, creating a collective identity, and sustaining momentum are critical steps for building a strong culture.

Leadership Best Practices don’t make a great leader. But here’s what actually does.

The future of work demands mindful leaders, not just best practice followers. Effective leaders are those who authentically care, trust their team, and understand their impact. These leaders don’t just do things differently, they do different things altogether. It’s not about ticking boxes but making real connections and providing actual support. This authentic, purposeful leadership can be achieved through inner work, not just activities but meaningful outcomes. The discussion points out that Mindful leadership is the path to address the leaders’ burnout and the leadership challenge.

Shahana Banerjee