Adaptive Instruction

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LEADERSHIP ARTICLES

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Leadership Articles by Volunteer Authors

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Sustainability becomes BIG Business

Foreword by Venkat
Fashions may come and go but the need to wear a smile will never go out of fashion. Likewise, trends may emerge and go but the quest for sustainability will remain so forever. Ancient Vedic scriptures underline our deep connection and our responsibility to nature and natural resources. In this overview, Doro brings the strong role of businesses towards value creation through sustainability with the responsible measures it deserves and demands. As she put succinctly, sustainability is possible when it becomes a part of the core strategy keeping the future generations in mind. Sustainability is not something beyond the label and buzzword that demands a “new age” attention. It is in fact so fundamental that it cannot be missed in our agenda in life and business in any age.

To find clarity on the concept of sustainability in her “to-the-point” style, hear it straight from the horse’s mouth — none other than the down-to-earth Doro!

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9 COGNITIVE BIASES

Foreword by Venkat
Knowledge gives the power with potency to re-evaluate our experiences and bring new perspectives, sometimes with great insights. Such insights serve as a wedge to weigh our beliefs, values, behavior and performance. Thus, they increase our awareness of the limitations we may be carrying in terms of beliefs, approach and bias. Like invisible microbes, these ‘micro-biases’ remain intangible until they manifest with a heart-wrenching impact in the results or in our relationships – as diseases do. This underlines the importance of upgrading ourselves with new information from quality research as well as the role of awareness as a ‘catalyst’ for transforming ourselves for the better.

In this article, Alexis makes us aware of nine cognitive biases we may be trapped in, which deeply influence and may hinder clarity in our communication. The information presented is insightful and backed by research. Hoping this wonderful post from Alexis benefits everyone.

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LET’S SHARE RESOURCES

Foreword by Venkat
Resilience is the single most fitting nominee to be the ‘word of our times’ considering the need for capability to handle new and unpredictable changes in our environment. One has to develop a toolset of skills to interact with the self as well as the outer world to prepare, understand, decide and act for effective outcomes. Nothing could be more rewarding than to receive guidance from a leader who has tried and tested this toolset of skills in personal experience. Alexis does just that, bringing her hard-learned experience and knowledge in this beautiful share of the collection of books that really matter to be resilient. The collection covers habits, change, thinking, courage, consciousness, self-awareness, judgement, fearlessness and mindful communication. These are key elements for not just effective leadership but for effective living as well. Truly grateful to Alexis for the kindness in putting this together for the benefit and inspiration of others.

For a jackpot of amazing learning, ideas and inspiration, please find the list of ‘must have’ books along with the lovely short review by Alexis.

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“Better Practices” to “Best Practices”

Foreword by Venkat
The dynamic nature of our life at physical level as coordinating organ systems to the cultural level as coordinating belief systems puts us in a framework of variable conditions. These conditions bring the richness in our experience, a broad variety of problems and a wide scope to explore ideas for solutions. Hence someone or something considered as ‘Best’ is just one dot in the continuum of an ever-changing life. One may argue and be tempted to label repeated success strategy/practice as ‘the best’ but upon closer look it would become clear that the repeated success is more due to alignment of the practice and strategy to the new condition each time. The bottom-line then is to be adaptive to the change in conditions – right from the strategy to execution. This in my view is the way we work at the biological level as well – to adapt better to the environment. For the same reason, it makes little sense to even look for something called ‘best’, leave alone to practice it. What remains in our control in the drive to adapt better is to look for means and ways to get ‘better aligned’ to the conditions – and as an organized group of people to a common vision as well.

Kritika Mahajan, in her insightful writing presents a wonderful analysis on the commonly used phrase ‘best practices’ and how it relates to success, outcomes and performance. Her writing is coherent and persuades us to rethink on our assumptions with regard to strategies on improvement. Replete with clear examples and references, this is a must-read for anyone working to improve themselves and the environment around.

Explore further on Kritika’s insights and a powerful strategy to bring new changes towards improvement for all.

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THE REALITY OF MULTI-TASKING

Foreword by Venkat
There are two ways of driving a vehicle – to consider an analogy. One way is to just follow the memory of one’s driving skills and the memory of the rules / processes without much attention to the topology, weather and situation one is driving in. The second way is to integrate the inputs on topology, weather conditions and the real situation with those memory based skills. It goes without saying that the second case demands greater focus but in the end gives a safer and smoother experience. The tendencies are similar in our habits of daily living. Largely things will function without much ado by letting the brain on ‘auto-pilot’ mode doing multiple things since skills for most actions are in memory. However, the best decisions for the situation in a given context can be done only when an undivided focus and observation on the external stimuli drives the routine (just like the second case driver). The price to pay by doing multi-tasking is to leave one’s intellect out of the productivity equation and let our senses con us into an illusory sense of accomplishment. Alexis, in this eye-opening article gives an inside look into the phenomenon of multi-tasking which has become a second nature for everyone especially at work. She presents the dictum based on research studies and what we could do to be mindful and productive in the truest sense of it.

Explore the myth on productivity and multi-tasking along with practical suggestions from Alexis for a more effective living and enriching experience at work.

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Is your identity absorbed by your profession?

Introduction by Venkat

To me, a job is a car. It takes you to places, in comfort and in good company, depending on your driving skills, clarity of the destination and preparation before the start. A bigger job means a bigger car. However, life does not happen inside a car. It happens outside of it – on the mountains, in adventure trips, at the fairs, at parties, conferences, inside hotels, bars, movie theatres, music shows, family get togethers, and so on. This analogy should serve as an effective summary of the limits to which a job must be kept in our perspective with regard to our living and life purpose.

When we think our profession as our life, it is exactly like defining the space inside the car and the ride as the life. Alexis brings an important subject here, about enmeshing oneself so much in work, that it begins to define one’s identity. The results of which are damaging and this is a common problem in many corporates as substantiated by the data presented by her. This is a must read article for professionals to ensure timely actions in case they are victim to such a delusion. The recommendations provided here are of great value to maintain one’s profession in the right perspective for mental well being and a rewarding experience of life.

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“Read The Scope” links have the topics, themes, criteria and format details for each section

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