You don’t have to show that you are the smartest in the room responding to a question. You could be the smartest if you were the best listener and responding, not to impress but to answer to the point. #OfficeTruths

The top line is important. The bottom line is even imore so. The most important, is the line of trust that one needs to achieve. With trust on your side, all other lines are within easy reach. #OfficeTruths

Develop a hobby outside your work. Can be anything, anything you love. Will absorb you with purpose and care, the source of your joy. Will add value to your self esteem at work. #OfficeTruths

Safety first they say. When team members own up to you that they are unable to do a task, know that you have created a safe space. Where mistakes are owned up without fear. Where ideas are encouraged without judgment. And the head held high. Something precious. #OfficeTruths

At times we receive gifts. Some tangible, some intangible. Receiving gifts is an art. Thanking the person is an even bigger art, with grace and authenticity. Even unwanted gifts. Now that is not easy. #OfficeTruths

A circle of trust is important for everyone. Where we feel safe and are at our vulnerable best. Without a fear of judgment. And anxieties unknown. We all wish for a circle of trust. #OfficeTruths

Don’t expect perfect confidentiality. Things go around, much to your embarrassment. Best is to share with caution and stay your tongue on anything contentious. Your conscience is your guide. Those juicy gossips are best left unsaid.#OfficeTruths

What breaks a team member’s back is apathy. When the manager shows total lack of concern towards the issues raised by the team member. Raised many times over. Resignation. The behaviour still remained unchanged. A culture crack. #OfficeTruths

Just sometimes you are blamed for something that you are not responsible for. And, you are in no position to defend yourself. All protestations have failed. Best to wait it out and clear the air at the right time. Calls for inner strength, and friends of course. #OfficeTruths

Be careful with your choice of words. When, where and how, and the way you say it. All your hard word can be destroyed in a moment by a careless comment made at an inappropriate time. Even if you think it is funny. #OfficeTruths

All is good if your manager trusts you. The day you notice a minor change, know that there is something you may have done perhaps inadvertently to cause that shift. Best to check and clarify instead of sitting on anxieties. #OfficeTruths

Mentor musing: ‘When you speak, do so clearly and for someone to understand you. Not for you to show off that you are clever. And don’t forget to listen, listen to what is said and more importantly the unsaid’#OfficeTruths

All it takes to get something done is a resolve. All it takes is a simple step to walk that resolve. All it takes is to stick to a resolve. And all it takes to let it all crumble is a misstep in that resolve. All it takes is to never ever give up that belief. #OfficeTruths

Many a time we don’t know what we really want. We choose options that are fail safe and end up tripping regardless. Steady careers don’t start as such. A rocky start is ok. You will figure out your passion and that will get you to move ahead.#OfficeTruths

Just sometimes, a person with great technical skills are passed over for promotions. When they knock on the doors of leadership positions, little do they know that their entry has much to do with their communication skills or the lack of. #OfficeTruths

Dear Manager, be careful in your choice of words, situation and intensity when scolding a team member. They will remember it long after, and for some it could even be traumatic. Temperance is always better than excess. #OfficeTruths

Dear Manager, a ‘check- in’ chat with your people will tell you a lot of things. Your team member will give you soft signals that if you don’t pick up, don’t be surprised when they tender their resignation. Every ‘quit’ has a prior notice. Subtle though.#OfficeTruths

He was unsure if he should stay or leave the organisation. He then met his manager, who made no attempt to retain him when he said he had intentions to leave. That alone made him stronger in his resolve to quit. Small gestures matter. #OfficeTruths

Dear Manager, it is important to give a second chance to your team member. And more importantly, doing so with grace. We all make mistakes, we learn. Am sure you were also given a second chance. #OfficeTruths

Dear hiring manager, always let the candidate know about the status of the interview. The ‘we will let you know’ is interpreted as a ‘reject’ even if you think it could be a good hire. #OfficeTruths