Musings on Life Series

*Some people come into our lives through a particular chapter, but when they leave, that chapter suddenly feels very different.* We first met for a KYT in BBB. One year later, we worked together as the Charter Management Committee of BBB Prithvi, Venkat Sir as our Charter President, you as the Charter Treasurer, and me as the Charter Secretary. We built the chapter together. We worked together, strategised together, disagreed, fought, laughed, and found our way through things. I also had the opportunity to do strategy consulting for your business. And somewhere along the way, beyond BBB and beyond work, there was a warmth that I will always remember. You and Vijayshankar Sir treated me like your daughter. You were such a vibrant person, Shanthi Mam always carrying that beautiful smile and that wonderful energy. It is difficult to reconcile that lively presence with the fact that you are no longer here. After you passed away, I realised how much of that affection had quietly beco...

Every new leader / CEO believes they are starting fresh. They are not. They are stepping into a system that was already in motion, already strained, already carrying the weight of decisions they did not make. And yet, from day one, they own all of it. This is not just about a new government. This is every CEO taking charge, every founder entering scale, every principal inheriting a system, walking into something they did not build but are now fully responsible for. Reality 1: You are not building. You are inheriting friction. What looks like opportunity is often accumulated strain: unresolved issues, temporary fixes, invisible inefficiencies, silent dissatisfaction. Most leaders come in thinking, what can I build? Very few pause to ask, what is already breaking? Growth does not begin with expansion. It begins with resolution. You are not stepping into potential. You are stepping into problems waiting to be claimed. Reality 2: The moment you rise, scrutiny rises faster Others are not w...

Dec 11th 1882 is Mahakavi Bharathiyar’s birthday, I find myself reflecting on why, even 144 years after his birth, his words remain timeless — truly time-immemorial!! For me, it’s simple: I loved his verses. They didn’t just sound beautiful — they shaped the way I think, lead, and approach life and business. Bharathiyar’s poetry is more than literature; it is principle, courage, and vision woven into rhythm and emotion. For an individual, it speaks to the heart, inspiring introspection, values, and integrity. For entrepreneurs, it becomes a guide — urging clarity in decisions, fearlessness in action, and purpose in leadership. Millions of Tamilians, like me, feel this resonance because his verses continue to spark freedom, equality, knowledge, and bold action, generation after generation. They don’t just inspire; they challenge us to live with courage and conviction in every sphere of life. A Leader’s Uprightness One particular verse has stayed with me: "நிமிர்ந்த நன்னடை நேர்கொண...

  "What?! What are you talking about, Aparna? Leadership with heart and soul?" That’s often the reaction I get when I bring this up. People immediately imagine emotional decision-making—rushed, impulsive, clouded by anxiety or fear. But that’s a misunderstanding. That’s not leading with your heart. Whether you're a CEO, a team lead, a coach, a teacher, a mom, or a consultant— you’re doing the same thing : helping people accomplish something they couldn’t do alone. Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about action. It’s about the trust you inspire, the courage you model, and the commitment you nurture. And leading with your heart isn’t soft . If anything, it’s braver and harder than leading with authority alone. So What Does It Mean to Lead with Heart? It means connecting at a deeper level . It means being authentic, empathetic, vulnerable, and real . It means building trust—not just through words, but through consistent presence and emotional integrity. We’re human. We...

  Quiet Strength Some people mistake volume for confidence — as if being loud, interruptive, or rude somehow signals power. But real confidence doesn’t shout. It listens . It stands steady , not loud. It sets boundaries without breaking grace . You don’t have to raise your voice to raise your point. You don’t have to overpower to be powerful. Those who move with quiet conviction often hold the strongest presence in the room — not because they demand attention, but because they deserve it. True confidence isn’t in how loudly you speak, but in how deeply you’re rooted . And no one should ever confuse softness with weakness . Sometimes, Strength Looks Like Silence Sometimes, we choose relationships over righteousness . We stay silent not because we’re afraid, but because we care. We hold back our words not because we have none, but because we know what they could do. And yes, we often get judged for not standing up to someone — as if choosing peace means lacking ...

  Grief Have you heard the saying "Grief is the last act of love we give to our loved ones. Where there is deep grief there is deep love."    Did you know that grief is an experience and not a process?? Grief is a rollercoaster of emotions where love is predominant while other emotions like Sadness, Anger, Guilt, Anxiety, Confusion, Frustration, Numbness, Resentment, Yearning, Envy, Hope,Gratitude do play a part in overwhelming you.    With each passing year you think you are growing to be less affected by grief but each year is a journey of courage, battles, love, gratitude yet a strong sense of loss & void.  When a loved one passes away there are layers or many aspects of grief: v   One is the loss of the person v   Second is a sense of identity attached to the person and your relationship with him / her v   Third is a depth and intensity of your love v   Fourth is a deep connection with the loved one that e...