Most people think they’re ready to lead long before they actually are. It’s a misconception I’ve seen time and time again - high performers who assume leadership is just the next step, the natural reward for excelling at their job. But leadership isn’t a prize; it’s a responsibility. It doesn’t … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2025
The Illusion of Freedom: Why Entrepreneurship Isn’t an Escape
There’s a common misconception about entrepreneurship that refuses to die: the idea that starting your own business is a way to escape authority, to finally break free from the suffocating grip of a boss. It’s an appealing fantasy - one where you call the shots, answer to no one, and shape your … [Read more...]
The Friction That Sharpens Us
Disagreement is not failure. It is not a problem to be solved, nor a threat to be neutralized. It is, at its best, an invitation - one that challenges our assumptions, forces us to articulate our reasoning, and stretches the limits of what we know. The discomfort of disagreement is not a signal … [Read more...]
The Hidden Door in Every Conflict
We assume too much about other people. We assume their intent, their rigidity, their unwillingness to listen. We assume they have already made up their minds, that they are uninterested in a real conversation, that they won’t hear us no matter how well we articulate our point. But what if they … [Read more...]
Leading from the Flanks: The Art of Presence Without Overshadowing
Leadership is often framed as being out in front - setting direction, taking charge, and pulling people along. But true leadership, the kind that endures and transforms, is just as much about standing to the side, watching, anticipating, and stepping in precisely when needed. Strengths and … [Read more...]
Would I Live This Life Again?
There’s a question we rarely ask out loud, though it quietly follows us through every chapter of our lives: If given the chance, would I live this life again - or would I want something entirely different? It’s not the kind of question that arises on a Monday morning while checking emails or … [Read more...]
The Talent You Can’t Replace
Some people impress. Others transform. And then there are those who inspire. Over the years, I’ve worked alongside incredible colleagues, mentors, and partners - people whose impact isn’t just measured by their output but by the way they change the very nature of how work gets done. At OCF, I see … [Read more...]
Carrying Identity with Pride and Humility
I am writing this from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, waiting for my connecting flight back to Canada. My trip to India, which was good for both my heart and soul, has left me reflecting deeply on my own identity. Travel has a way of pulling thoughts to the surface, and this time was no … [Read more...]
Be the Person They Rely On, Not Just the One They Manage
These are unprecedented times, with the amount of political, financial, and social shifts happening - all in parallel, and all influencing each other. It is but expected that folks are feeling overwhelmed and jittery. The impact on international students and foreign professionals is even more. … [Read more...]