Although the phrase Design Thinking has been bandied about lately in many discussions that go beyond product design, its origins date back to the concepts of systems thinking. As contrasted with Linear Thinking, Systems Thinking is a discipline that requires anyone engaged in making decisions about any topic or matter to look at all the implications of a change as that change affects everything...

After being in this career—my fifth—for 16 years and having now worked with almost 6,500 clients globally, I have run the gamut of client challenges. My clients range in their ages from 18 (out of high school, choosing a career path) to 65+ (retired, not knowing what to do). The range of their profession also is equally varied: From high-tech executives to physicians to those in...

“Getting ahead in a difficult profession requires avid faith in yourself. That is why some people with mediocre talent, but with great inner drive, go much further than people with vastly superior talent.” – Sophia Loren     Much has been written and talked about having grit and using that to accomplish your goals, dreams, and vision. In her TED talk Angela...

Next Friday, May 9, I have been invited to speak at that the National Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Global Alumni Meet in Burlingame, CA, near San Francisco. Although, I often speak extemporaneously, if not impromptu, I thought it would be good to publish a perspective on this as my blog. This blog is not meant as a script for my talk at this NITK Annual meeting next week, but as a framework...

As a child growing up in India I have fond memories of playing Snakes & Ladders with my siblings and our neighborhood friends. This ancient Indian chance game, popular worldwide even today is marketed in many countries by Parker Bros. In the US it is also sold as Chutes & Ladders. In this 10×10 squares board game everyone starts on square one (now you know where that phrase came from) and...

“Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.” – Dr. David M. Burns Now having worked with some 6,500 clients from many countries I’ve tracked the behaviors of those who succeed in their careers. There are some common themes that are shared by all...

After having worked with thousands of clients, coaching them to improve their careers, there are some common themes that seem to have a universal applicability in how they impact a career, either positively or negatively. During the past 17 years I’ve found that these same rules come into play again and again, and yet people seem to be oblivious to their existence or impact on their...

Tickle: verb: Lightly touch or stroke (a person or part of the body) so as to excite the nerves and (usually) cause laughter, spasmodic movement, irritation, or annoyance.   Prospects often come to me after they have frustrated themselves developing their own message and after pursuing avenues for their career growth by trial and error that did not pan out. Typically, they start...