Michael Morris is the Chavkin-Chang Professor of Leadership at Columbia Business School, and one of the world’s leading scholars at the intersection of culture, cognition, and leadership. A cultural psychologist by training, his research has shaped how we understand identity, influence, and the psychology of change across global contexts. Over a career spanning decades, Prof. Morris has published over 200 academic papers and founded Columbia’s Leadership Lab and Behavioral Lab. In this episode, Prof. Morris and Subbu unpack the deep instincts that shape our collective lives—from the psychology of sports teams to corporate leadership—and why culture is not fixed, but dynamic, contested, and constantly evolving. To listen to the full episode, go here: bit.ly/m/cult_m We cover:- Prof. Morris' journey from literature and cognitive science to pioneering cultural psychology- The origin story of the field—and why it had to reemerge after being sidelined for decades- Why culture is not what people say, but what people signal- What South Korea’s 2002 World Cup team taught us about identity and adaptability- Peer, hero, and ancestor instincts—and how they shape organizational behavior- What leaders often get wrong about culture change- Why the legitimacy of the messenger matters more than the message- How companies like Infosys, HCL, and GM shifted culture through surprising signals- The future of cultural analysis in an age of AI and big data

Michael Morris is the Chavkin-Chang Professor of Leadership at Columbia Business School, and one of the world’s leading scholars at the intersection of culture, cognition, and leadership. A cultural psychologist by training, his research has shaped how we understand identity, influence, and the psychology of change across global contexts. Over a career spanning decades, Prof. Morris has published over 200 academic papers and founded Columbia’s Leadership Lab and Behavioral Lab.In this episode, Prof. Morris and Subbu unpack the deep instincts that shape our collective lives—from the psychology of sports teams to corporate leadership—and why culture is not fixed, but dynamic, contested, and constantly evolving.To listen to the full episode, go here: bit.ly/m/cult_mWe cover:- Prof. Morris' journey from literature and cognitive science to pioneering cultural psychology- The origin story of the field—and why it had to reemerge after being sidelined for decades- Why culture is not what people say, but what people signal- What South Korea’s 2002 World Cup team taught us about identity and adaptability- Peer, hero, and ancestor instincts—and how they shape organizational behavior- What leaders often get wrong about culture change- Why the legitimacy of the messenger matters more than the message- How companies like Infosys, HCL, and GM shifted culture through surprising signals- The future of cultural analysis in an age of AI and big data

Culture Matters

Signals, Stories and Tribal Instincts with Prof. Michael Morris

Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, and one of the world’s foremost thinkers on organizational behavior. Best known for her pioneering work on psychological safety, Amy’s research has transformed how leaders build trust, foster learning, and create high-performing teams. Her books—including The Fearless Organization and Right Kind of Wrong—have become must-reads for anyone serious about culture and innovation. In this episode, Amy and Subbu dive deep into the science of failing well, teaming in a hybrid world, and why psychological safety isn’t about being nice but about being brave. We explore the roots of her work, lessons from early setbacks, and what it takes to build resilient, learning-focused organizations in an age of AI, burnout, and constant change. In this episode, we cover:<ul><li>Amy’s unconventional journey—from working with Buckminster Fuller to redefining team learning</li><li>The surprising discovery that launched psychological safety research</li><li>Common myths about psychological safety</li><li>How hybrid and remote work are reshaping interpersonal risk-taking</li><li>The difference between errors and failures, and why most organizations confuse the two</li><li>What “intelligent failure” looks like, and how to cultivate it</li><li>Why team-based learning is the underappreciated engine of innovation</li><li>The link between psychological safety and burnout—and what leaders can do about it</li><li>A systems-thinking lens for navigating consistent, variable, and novel work contexts</li><li>Amy’s next big question: Given the larger societal and technological changes around us, how do we make work work for everybody?</li></ul>

Amy Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, and one of the world’s foremost thinkers on organizational behavior. Best known for her pioneering work on psychological safety, Amy’s research has transformed how leaders build trust, foster learning, and create high-performing teams. Her books—including The Fearless Organization and Right Kind of Wrong—have become must-reads for anyone serious about culture and innovation.In this episode, Amy and Subbu dive deep into the science of failing well, teaming in a hybrid world, and why psychological safety isn’t about being nice but about being brave. We explore the roots of her work, lessons from early setbacks, and what it takes to build resilient, learning-focused organizations in an age of AI, burnout, and constant change.In this episode, we cover:Amy’s unconventional journey—from working with Buckminster Fuller to redefining team learningThe surprising discovery that launched psychological safety researchCommon myths about psychological safetyHow hybrid and remote work are reshaping interpersonal risk-takingThe difference between errors and failures, and why most organizations confuse the twoWhat “intelligent failure” looks like, and how to cultivate itWhy team-based learning is the underappreciated engine of innovationThe link between psychological safety and burnout—and what leaders can do about itA systems-thinking lens for navigating consistent, variable, and novel work contextsAmy’s next big question: Given the larger societal and technological changes around us, how do we make work work for everybody?

Why learning to fail well can be a superpower with Amy Edmondson

Ankur Mehra is a creator economist, bestselling author of Pixels to Profits, and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices on the creator economy. With a diverse career spanning the armed forces, big tech, and media, Ankur brings a rare blend of structure, strategy, and storytelling to the world of digital creators. He has worked with platforms like Facebook and Instagram, built media partnerships with cultural icons like Rajinikanth, and today champions the rise of creator-led ecosystems. In this episode, Ankur and I unpack how the creator economy is not just disrupting media—it’s reshaping leadership, organizations, and the future of work. We explore what it means for CEOs, CHROs, and employees to embrace their voice, create content with purpose, and build communities—not just audiences. In this episode, we cover:<ul><li>Ankur’s journey from lieutenant in the Indian Army to creator economy evangelist</li><li>The media moment that changed how he saw purpose at work</li><li>Why creators are the new media, and what that means for influence and trust</li><li>How CEOs and CHROs can lead with content and culture through employee-generated content (EGC)</li><li>The 5C and 3R frameworks that decode the complexity of content creation</li><li>Mental health, originality, and fighting FOMO in a content-saturated world</li><li>A thought-provoking glimpse into the decentralized, creator-led future of the internet</li></ul>

Ankur Mehra is a creator economist, bestselling author of Pixels to Profits, and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices on the creator economy. With a diverse career spanning the armed forces, big tech, and media, Ankur brings a rare blend of structure, strategy, and storytelling to the world of digital creators. He has worked with platforms like Facebook and Instagram, built media partnerships with cultural icons like Rajinikanth, and today champions the rise of creator-led ecosystems.In this episode, Ankur and I unpack how the creator economy is not just disrupting media—it’s reshaping leadership, organizations, and the future of work. We explore what it means for CEOs, CHROs, and employees to embrace their voice, create content with purpose, and build communities—not just audiences.In this episode, we cover:Ankur’s journey from lieutenant in the Indian Army to creator economy evangelistThe media moment that changed how he saw purpose at workWhy creators are the new media, and what that means for influence and trustHow CEOs and CHROs can lead with content and culture through employee-generated content (EGC)The 5C and 3R frameworks that decode the complexity of content creationMental health, originality, and fighting FOMO in a content-saturated worldA thought-provoking glimpse into the decentralized, creator-led future of the internet

Leading in the Creator Economy with Ankur Mehra

Gurucharan Singh Gandhi (Guru) is the CHRO of Vodafone Idea Limited and has held leadership roles at Madura, Aditya Birla Capital, Max Life Insurance, and more. He’s the author of Kabir in Corporates and Careerathon, and a passionate marathon runner who brings a poetic clarity to life and work. In this episode Guru and I explore how careers are best viewed as long-distance runs rather than short-term races. Guru shares his unconventional, adjacency-led career path and the life lessons that came from embracing change, nurturing endurance, and respecting the track—whether in work or while running a marathon. In this episode, we cover:<ul><li>Guru’s zigzag yet intentional career journey across sales, L&D, and HR</li><li>Why personal evolution is the real foundation for career growth</li><li>The metaphor of running – from hydrating well to forgetting the last race – and how it mirrors modern careers</li><li>Learning to recognize your own “drivers” and how not to get trapped by comparison</li><li>How resilience, reflection, and mentorship help you navigate downturns</li><li>What forgetting the last race teaches us about transitions and adaptability</li><li>A provocative take on the future of work – and why the question should be “whose future of work?”</li></ul> Whether you're early in your career, rethinking your path, or just looking for a fresh take on leadership and growth, this episode is a thoughtful listen packed with insights.

Gurucharan Singh Gandhi (Guru) is the CHRO of Vodafone Idea Limited and has held leadership roles at Madura, Aditya Birla Capital, Max Life Insurance, and more. He’s the author of Kabir in Corporates and Careerathon, and a passionate marathon runner who brings a poetic clarity to life and work.In this episode Guru and I explore how careers are best viewed as long-distance runs rather than short-term races. Guru shares his unconventional, adjacency-led career path and the life lessons that came from embracing change, nurturing endurance, and respecting the track—whether in work or while running a marathon.In this episode, we cover:Guru’s zigzag yet intentional career journey across sales, L&D, and HRWhy personal evolution is the real foundation for career growthThe metaphor of running – from hydrating well to forgetting the last race – and how it mirrors modern careersLearning to recognize your own “drivers” and how not to get trapped by comparisonHow resilience, reflection, and mentorship help you navigate downturnsWhat forgetting the last race teaches us about transitions and adaptabilityA provocative take on the future of work – and why the question should be “whose future of work?”Whether you're early in your career, rethinking your path, or just looking for a fresh take on leadership and growth, this episode is a thoughtful listen packed with insights.

Your career is an enduring marathon with Gurucharan Singh Gandhi

Dave Ulrich is ranked #1 management guru by Business Week, named one of the Top 10 Creative People in Business by Fast Company, a Top 5 Executive Coach by Forbes, and consistently featured on the Thinkers50 list of the world’s most influential business thinkers. Dave has written over 30 books, shaped the field of HR as we know it, and continues to inspire with his unwavering passion for ideas with impact. In this episode, Subbu and Dave discuss Dave's illustrious career spanning over 4 decades, how he keeps going even today, the evolving definition of culture, how culture impacts customer value, the importance of hope, and a whole lot more. Key topics discussed:<ul><li>How Dave got interested in the field of organizational behavior and theory</li><li>Dave's OCD - Organization Compulsive Behavior</li><li>What keeps Dave going even today</li><li>Why does culture matter?</li><li>How the definition of culture has evolved over the years</li><li>A bold new definition of culture</li><li>Why culture transformation efforts may fail</li><li>Rituals turn personal habits into realized values and guiding principles</li><li>When rituals can become powerful in an organizational context</li><li>A lesson from Dave's mentor: the late CK Prahlad</li><li>Employee experience v/s team performance</li><li>The need to look seriously at mental health in a work setting</li><li>The 5 waves of employee experience</li><li>HR is on the cusp of transformation, thanks to AI</li><li>Word-ball game!</li><li>The future of work and the emphasis on culture</li><li>How stay relevant in the world of AI</li><li>Honoring Dave's legacy</li></ul>

Dave Ulrich is ranked #1 management guru by Business Week, named one of the Top 10 Creative People in Business by Fast Company, a Top 5 Executive Coach by Forbes, and consistently featured on the Thinkers50 list of the world’s most influential business thinkers. Dave has written over 30 books, shaped the field of HR as we know it, and continues to inspire with his unwavering passion for ideas with impact.In this episode, Subbu and Dave discuss Dave's illustrious career spanning over 4 decades, how he keeps going even today, the evolving definition of culture, how culture impacts customer value, the importance of hope, and a whole lot more.Key topics discussed:How Dave got interested in the field of organizational behavior and theoryDave's OCD - Organization Compulsive BehaviorWhat keeps Dave going even todayWhy does culture matter?How the definition of culture has evolved over the yearsA bold new definition of cultureWhy culture transformation efforts may failRituals turn personal habits into realized values and guiding principlesWhen rituals can become powerful in an organizational contextA lesson from Dave's mentor: the late CK PrahladEmployee experience v/s team performanceThe need to look seriously at mental health in a work settingThe 5 waves of employee experienceHR is on the cusp of transformation, thanks to AIWord-ball game!The future of work and the emphasis on cultureHow stay relevant in the world of AIHonoring Dave's legacy

How Culture Can Influence Customer Experience with Dave Ulrich

Aruna Gopakumar is the founder of leadership consulting firm Navgati and The School Of You. Aruna is also co-author of the book 'And How Do you Feel About That’. She has spent over two decades helping leaders navigate complexity, build emotional intelligence, and create meaningful impact. She is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and also an expert in the area of Transactional Analysis. In this episode, Subbu and Aruna discuss a whole host of topics, including why it's time we shifted the narrative around mental health at the workplace. Key topics: <ul><li>Aruna's very unique career arc spanning engineering, MBA and psychotherapy!</li><li>The motto - Build and they will come!</li><li>The journey to becoming an author</li><li>Stories of personal transformation</li><li>Shifting the narrative on mental health at work</li><li>Aruna's new venture - The School Of You</li><li>Down the rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland</li><li>Thoughts on the future of work</li></ul>

Aruna Gopakumar is the founder of leadership consulting firm Navgati and The School Of You. Aruna is also co-author of the book 'And How Do you Feel About That’. She has spent over two decades helping leaders navigate complexity, build emotional intelligence, and create meaningful impact. She is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and also an expert in the area of Transactional Analysis.In this episode, Subbu and Aruna discuss a whole host of topics, including why it's time we shifted the narrative around mental health at the workplace.Key topics:Aruna's very unique career arc spanning engineering, MBA and psychotherapy!The motto - Build and they will come!The journey to becoming an authorStories of personal transformationShifting the narrative on mental health at workAruna's new venture - The School Of YouDown the rabbit hole with Alice in WonderlandThoughts on the future of work

Shifting the narrative around mental health with Aruna Gopakumar

Tessa West is a Professor of Psychology at New York University and a leading expert in the science of interpersonal communication. This is the second time that Professor West has come on this show – to listen to our first conversation, check out episode 12 of this podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into her latest book – Job Therapy, How Do You Find Work That Works For You Key topics covered -<ul><li>Our psychological relationship with jobs and careers </li><li>Can a job fundamentally change a person?</li><li>Why we need to hear tough feedback</li><li>Take the daily stress test </li><li>How to do some psychological self-digging</li><li>Uncovering the 5 types of 'career-goers'</li><li>In your quest for compensation, don't forget status</li><li>How status differs from power</li><li>What to do when you feel like an underappreciated star</li><li>Dealing with the newcomer hump </li><li>Your skills are great, but are they helpful?</li><li>The big reveal!</li><li>Why leaders need to think about the psychological well-being of their teams</li><li>Head or heart, where do you start?</li></ul>

Tessa West is a Professor of Psychology at New York University and a leading expert in the science of interpersonal communication. This is the second time that Professor West has come on this show – to listen to our first conversation, check out episode 12 of this podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into her latest book – Job Therapy, How Do You Find Work That Works For YouKey topics covered -Our psychological relationship with jobs and careers Can a job fundamentally change a person?Why we need to hear tough feedbackTake the daily stress test How to do some psychological self-diggingUncovering the 5 types of 'career-goers'In your quest for compensation, don't forget statusHow status differs from powerWhat to do when you feel like an underappreciated starDealing with the newcomer hump Your skills are great, but are they helpful?The big reveal!Why leaders need to think about the psychological well-being of their teamsHead or heart, where do you start?

Finding work that works for you with Tessa West

Deepak Jayaraman's mission is to help people play to potential. He strives to do it through his advisory work as a coach and sounding board, as a podcaster and as an author. As an advisor, Deepak works with Leaders and Organizations with a growth mindset and helps them play to their full potential. Deepak has been curating the Play to Potential Podcast since Dec 2016. In this episode, Subbu and Deepak discuss Deepak's unconventional career path, navigating the 'messy' midlife, the paradox of self-awareness, discovering our values and a whole lot more. Key topics covered:<ul><li>Why Deepak chose an unconventional career path </li><li>Lessons from long distance running</li><li>Getting to Work-life harmony</li><li>What inspired Deepak to write his book - Play To Potential</li><li>Type 1 v/s Type 2 personalities</li><li>How to navigate the 'messy middle' of life</li><li>Why it's OK to let go of the trapeze</li><li>The paradox of self-awareness</li><li>Cultivating internal and external self-awareness</li><li>Three ways to discovering our values and principles</li><li>The FLAVOUR Model of leadership</li><li>"Where to play" is the most strategic question</li><li>6 inspiring stories of people living a FLAVOUR-ful life</li><li>Crafting a FLAVOUR-ful work culture</li><li>The word-ball game</li><li>Midlife is the time for opportunities</li><li>Being fluid about our identities</li></ul>

Deepak Jayaraman's mission is to help people play to potential. He strives to do it through his advisory work as a coach and sounding board, as a podcaster and as an author. As an advisor, Deepak works with Leaders and Organizations with a growth mindset and helps them play to their full potential. Deepak has been curating the Play to Potential Podcast since Dec 2016.In this episode, Subbu and Deepak discuss Deepak's unconventional career path, navigating the 'messy' midlife, the paradox of self-awareness, discovering our values and a whole lot more.Key topics covered:Why Deepak chose an unconventional career path Lessons from long distance runningGetting to Work-life harmonyWhat inspired Deepak to write his book - Play To PotentialType 1 v/s Type 2 personalitiesHow to navigate the 'messy middle' of lifeWhy it's OK to let go of the trapezeThe paradox of self-awarenessCultivating internal and external self-awarenessThree ways to discovering our values and principlesThe FLAVOUR Model of leadership"Where to play" is the most strategic question6 inspiring stories of people living a FLAVOUR-ful lifeCrafting a FLAVOUR-ful work cultureThe word-ball gameMidlife is the time for opportunitiesBeing fluid about our identities

Playing to your true potential with Deepak Jayaraman

James is the founder of Behavioral science practice firm More Than Now. He’s an expert in bringing behavioral science into organizations, and is changing the workplace one experiment at a time. Priya is a co-conspirator behavioural scientist and works closely with James at More Than Now. She is a London School of Economics and Harvard University graduate, and is particularly interested in the field of wellbeing.  Key topics discussed in this episode:<ul><li>How James Elfer founded More Than Now </li><li>How Priya got hooked to behavioural science thanks to Danny Kahneman's work</li><li>The power of experimental research within organizations</li><li>The problem with organizational decision making processes</li><li>Solving organizational problems and contributing back to science</li><li>Will your inclusive leadership program work? Test it first</li><li>Redefining our approach to developing leaders  </li><li>Marrying goal-setting with the Fresh Start Effect</li><li>Boosting psychological safety across the organization</li><li>Behavioral science to boost talent attraction </li><li>Rethinking unconscious bias training</li><li>Behavioral science jokes!</li></ul>

James is the founder of Behavioral science practice firm More Than Now. He’s an expert in bringing behavioral science into organizations, and is changing the workplace one experiment at a time. Priya is a co-conspirator behavioural scientist and works closely with James at More Than Now. She is a London School of Economics and Harvard University graduate, and is particularly interested in the field of wellbeing. Key topics discussed in this episode:How James Elfer founded More Than Now How Priya got hooked to behavioural science thanks to Danny Kahneman's workThe power of experimental research within organizationsThe problem with organizational decision making processesSolving organizational problems and contributing back to scienceWill your inclusive leadership program work? Test it firstRedefining our approach to developing leaders  Marrying goal-setting with the Fresh Start EffectBoosting psychological safety across the organizationBehavioral science to boost talent attraction Rethinking unconscious bias trainingBehavioral science jokes!

Bringing behavioral science into organizations with James Elfer and Priya Gill

Nitin More is the founder of Brainaayan, a consulting organization focused on leadership development, people manager development, DEI, and building high performing teams. Nitin’s work encompasses neuroscience, psychology and associated areas. He has a PhD in linguistics, and has spearheaded Learning and Development with firms such as Facebook and Google. In this episode, we discuss Nitin’s career journey from a PhD in linguistics to an L&D professional, the role of language in shaping culture, how we can build resilient organizational cultures and so much more! What we discussed:<ul><li>Nitin's background as a linguistics professor</li><li>The crucible experiences of Nitin's career</li><li>How to scale a culture</li><li>The role of language in shaping culture</li><li>The research on organizational resilience</li><li>Bouncing back from adversity</li><li>Key findings from the research</li><li>The factors that can make you more resilient</li><li>How can organizations build resilient cultures?</li><li>The word ball game!</li><li>The future of leadership development</li></ul>

Nitin More is the founder of Brainaayan, a consulting organization focused on leadership development, people manager development, DEI, and building high performing teams. Nitin’s work encompasses neuroscience, psychology and associated areas. He has a PhD in linguistics, and has spearheaded Learning and Development with firms such as Facebook and Google.In this episode, we discuss Nitin’s career journey from a PhD in linguistics to an L&D professional, the role of language in shaping culture, how we can build resilient organizational cultures and so much more!What we discussed:Nitin's background as a linguistics professorThe crucible experiences of Nitin's careerHow to scale a cultureThe role of language in shaping cultureThe research on organizational resilienceBouncing back from adversityKey findings from the researchThe factors that can make you more resilientHow can organizations build resilient cultures?The word ball game!The future of leadership development

Shaping resilient cultures with Nitin More

R Gopalakrishnan (Gopal) has spent over 50 years in executive roles at both Unilever and the Tata Group. He is one of the most celebrated leaders and incisive authors in the corporate world today. Harish Bhat is a marketer, bestselling author, poet and columnist. Harish has spent all 37+ years of his career with the Tata group, and until recently Harish was Brand Custodian of the group. In this episode, Subbu, Gopal and Harish dive into the legacy of Jamsetji Tata. They discuss how the philosophy of one of the greatest Indians of the 19th century has left a lasting impact on successive generations of business leaders of the Tata Group. Key points: <ul><li>Tribute to Shri Ratan Tata</li><li>How the experience of working at the Tata Group shaped our guests' outlook towards life</li><li>How Mr. Bhat found a writing mentor in Mr. Gopal</li><li>How the book idea for Jamsetji Tata came to be</li><li>Why is Jamsetji Tata among the greatest Indians of the 19th century?</li><li>Is 'enlightened capitalism' an oxymoron or can community and enterprise go together?</li><li>The river source as an analogy to the birth of organizational philosophy</li><li>How Jamsetji Tata focused on worker welfare by way of pension, insurance and more </li><li>Learning from failures - the story of Tata Shipping Line</li><li>People are tougher to build than factories!</li><li>How successive leaders have groomed talent at the Tata Group over the years</li><li>Hire for attitude, train for skills</li><li>Note of thanks</li></ul>

R Gopalakrishnan (Gopal) has spent over 50 years in executive roles at both Unilever and the Tata Group. He is one of the most celebrated leaders and incisive authors in the corporate world today. Harish Bhat is a marketer, bestselling author, poet and columnist. Harish has spent all 37+ years of his career with the Tata group, and until recently Harish was Brand Custodian of the group. In this episode, Subbu, Gopal and Harish dive into the legacy of Jamsetji Tata. They discuss how the philosophy of one of the greatest Indians of the 19th century has left a lasting impact on successive generations of business leaders of the Tata Group.Key points: Tribute to Shri Ratan TataHow the experience of working at the Tata Group shaped our guests' outlook towards lifeHow Mr. Bhat found a writing mentor in Mr. GopalHow the book idea for Jamsetji Tata came to beWhy is Jamsetji Tata among the greatest Indians of the 19th century?Is 'enlightened capitalism' an oxymoron or can community and enterprise go together?The river source as an analogy to the birth of organizational philosophyHow Jamsetji Tata focused on worker welfare by way of pension, insurance and more Learning from failures - the story of Tata Shipping LinePeople are tougher to build than factories!How successive leaders have groomed talent at the Tata Group over the yearsHire for attitude, train for skillsNote of thanks

Uncovering the legacy of Jamsetji Tata with R Gopalakrishnan and Harish Bhat

Vivek Gambhir is a Venture Partner with Lightspeed. He’s also the Chairperson of the Board of boAT Lifestyle. He serves on the board of a number of firms such as Honasa Consumer Limited and Magic Pin. His career has spanned leadership roles with firms such as Godrej Consumer Products and Bain & Co. Vivek also runs the weekly blog Monday 8am which has over 20k subscribers.Sunder Ramachandran brings 20 yrs of experience across healthcare, financial services, and technology, including a 5-year stint as an entrepreneur, during which he founded a consulting firm serving companies in the business process management space. Sunder is currently the head of transformation and commercial excellence at Dr. Reddy’s, with stints spanning firms such as GSK, Pfizer, JLT and more.  In this episode, Subbu, Vivek and Sunder discuss the factors that can help professionals navigate a successful corporate career, including continuous learning, being an effective team player, giving and receiving feedback, bringing your best self to work, successfully transitioning across roles and much more. Key points - <ul><li>The career arcs of Vivek and Sunder</li><li>The backstory behind the book - Headstart</li><li>The idea behind a 'to-learn' list </li><li>Effective team work requires the right team culture</li><li>Consider an appreciation tracker to keep your team motivated </li><li>Why asking for feedback is critical for self-improvement</li><li>Bring your best self to work</li><li>Working through adjacencies as you pivot roles</li><li>The three-day rule as the litmus test to moving roles</li><li>The 'Slingshot move' can aid your transition</li><li>How to be a go-getter</li><li>Why it's important to build your personal brand</li><li>The authors' favorite stories from the book</li><li>How a health scare shifted Vivek's outlook towards work and life</li><li>Thoughts on the future of work </li></ul>

Vivek Gambhir is a Venture Partner with Lightspeed. He’s also the Chairperson of the Board of boAT Lifestyle. He serves on the board of a number of firms such as Honasa Consumer Limited and Magic Pin. His career has spanned leadership roles with firms such as Godrej Consumer Products and Bain & Co. Vivek also runs the weekly blog Monday 8am which has over 20k subscribers.Sunder Ramachandran brings 20 yrs of experience across healthcare, financial services, and technology, including a 5-year stint as an entrepreneur, during which he founded a consulting firm serving companies in the business process management space. Sunder is currently the head of transformation and commercial excellence at Dr. Reddy’s, with stints spanning firms such as GSK, Pfizer, JLT and more. In this episode, Subbu, Vivek and Sunder discuss the factors that can help professionals navigate a successful corporate career, including continuous learning, being an effective team player, giving and receiving feedback, bringing your best self to work, successfully transitioning across roles and much more.Key points - The career arcs of Vivek and SunderThe backstory behind the book - HeadstartThe idea behind a 'to-learn' list Effective team work requires the right team cultureConsider an appreciation tracker to keep your team motivated Why asking for feedback is critical for self-improvementBring your best self to workWorking through adjacencies as you pivot rolesThe three-day rule as the litmus test to moving rolesThe 'Slingshot move' can aid your transitionHow to be a go-getterWhy it's important to build your personal brandThe authors' favorite stories from the bookHow a health scare shifted Vivek's outlook towards work and lifeThoughts on the future of work 

Give your career a Headstart with Vivek Gambhir and Sunder Ramachandran

Jay Van Bavel is a Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at New York University, an affiliate at the Stern School of Business, Director of the NYU Center for Conflict & Cooperation. He is co-author of the award-winning book "THE POWER OF US", and an award-winning teacher and public speaker.  In this wide-ranging conversation, Prof Jay and Subbu discuss a new way to think about our identities, how bias, prejudice and discrimination work, how to dissent well, and a whole lot more. Key topics:<ul><li>How Prof Jay got interested in the field of social psychology</li><li>How principles of prejudice can be used to unravel team conflict</li><li>The wine-and-cheese party that brought the co-authors together</li><li>How our identities are shaped (it's not what you think)</li><li>The significance of Minimal Group Studies by Henry Tajfel</li><li>Our identities are constantly shifting</li><li>How do we throw away parts of our identity that no longer serve us?</li><li>How do we surface our biases and start acting on them?</li><li>Dealing with backlash against DEI initiatives</li><li>Is there a right way to dissent?</li><li>Why effective leadership matters for team culture</li><li>Engaged followership v/s Quiet Quitting</li><li>Tyrants, but of the petty kind</li><li>Word-ball game</li><li>Do we over-identify with our work-selves?</li></ul>

Jay Van Bavel is a Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at New York University, an affiliate at the Stern School of Business, Director of the NYU Center for Conflict & Cooperation. He is co-author of the award-winning book "THE POWER OF US", and an award-winning teacher and public speaker. In this wide-ranging conversation, Prof Jay and Subbu discuss a new way to think about our identities, how bias, prejudice and discrimination work, how to dissent well, and a whole lot more.Key topics:How Prof Jay got interested in the field of social psychologyHow principles of prejudice can be used to unravel team conflictThe wine-and-cheese party that brought the co-authors togetherHow our identities are shaped (it's not what you think)The significance of Minimal Group Studies by Henry TajfelOur identities are constantly shiftingHow do we throw away parts of our identity that no longer serve us?How do we surface our biases and start acting on them?Dealing with backlash against DEI initiativesIs there a right way to dissent?Why effective leadership matters for team cultureEngaged followership v/s Quiet QuittingTyrants, but of the petty kindWord-ball gameDo we over-identify with our work-selves?

How our identities are shaped with Jay Van Bavel

Pramath Raj Sinha wears many hats – he is a serial entrepreneur, having founded organizations like Harappa, 9.9 group, Vedica Scholars Program for Women, and is President at UpGrad. He is an institution builder – he was the Founding Dean of ISB and is the Founder and Trustee of Ashoka University. In this episode, Subbu and Pramath discuss the importance of mentorship, the value of education, how careers are transforming today, and how founders can build distinctive workplace cultures. Key topics covered<ul><li>Pramath's reflections on building institutions </li><li>The value of education and mentoring</li><li>Why Pramath wrote his latest book - Learn Don't Study</li><li>How the workplace and careers are transforming today</li><li>Building distinctive workplace culture as a founder</li><li>Why founders need to build self-awareness </li><li>The word-ball game!</li><li>Entrepreneurship is about recovering from failures</li><li>Everyone is a leader</li><li>The future of education and impact of AI</li></ul>

Pramath Raj Sinha wears many hats – he is a serial entrepreneur, having founded organizations like Harappa, 9.9 group, Vedica Scholars Program for Women, and is President at UpGrad. He is an institution builder – he was the Founding Dean of ISB and is the Founder and Trustee of Ashoka University. In this episode, Subbu and Pramath discuss the importance of mentorship, the value of education, how careers are transforming today, and how founders can build distinctive workplace cultures. Key topics coveredPramath's reflections on building institutions The value of education and mentoringWhy Pramath wrote his latest book - Learn Don't StudyHow the workplace and careers are transforming todayBuilding distinctive workplace culture as a founderWhy founders need to build self-awareness The word-ball game!Entrepreneurship is about recovering from failuresEveryone is a leaderThe future of education and impact of AI

Constructing distinctive work cultures with Pramath Raj Sinha

Jimbo Clark works across APAC with individuals, teams and organizations on achieving transformational change. He excels at meaningfully facilitating activities, games and simulations to bring new awareness of possibilities and clear actions for future improvements. In this episode, Jim and Subbu talk about what it takes to enable meaningful change for people, and how this can be transformative for not just individuals, but also teams and organizations. Key topics: <ul><li>Why Jimbo Clark decided to move to Taiwan from the US</li><li>Jimbo's "Working Retirement" philosophy to life</li><li>Busting the myth about people not wanting to change </li><li>Why less is more</li><li>The origin story of THE BOX </li><li>Helping people think out of THE BOX</li><li>Making the unconscious, conscious</li><li>Applying THE BOX in the context of a period of transition</li><li>The Word Ball Game!</li><li>My experience with THE BOX</li></ul>

Jimbo Clark works across APAC with individuals, teams and organizations on achieving transformational change. He excels at meaningfully facilitating activities, games and simulations to bring new awareness of possibilities and clear actions for future improvements.In this episode, Jim and Subbu talk about what it takes to enable meaningful change for people, and how this can be transformative for not just individuals, but also teams and organizations. Key topics: Why Jimbo Clark decided to move to Taiwan from the USJimbo's "Working Retirement" philosophy to lifeBusting the myth about people not wanting to change Why less is moreThe origin story of THE BOX Helping people think out of THE BOXMaking the unconscious, consciousApplying THE BOX in the context of a period of transitionThe Word Ball Game!My experience with THE BOX

How to think out of your own box with Jimbo Clark

Learning, Leadership and Organizational Development expert Subbu Kalpathi talks with leading academics, researchers, authors, corporate leaders, consultants and subject matter experts on the topic of organizational culture. From harnessing the science of happiness at work to innovations such as the 4-day workweek, Culture Matters will challenge the way you think about your people strategy for the new world of work.

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Culture Matters

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