Attitude Makeover

We hit half a century! For the milestone Episode 50, I couldn’t have had a better guest than my dear friend and the powerhouse - chief by role and chef by passion - Kanishka Sharma a.k.a. The Tenth Muse, co-founder of Bengaluru's scrumptious NAVU Project! We celebrate together with a conversation fuelled by growth and the courage to chase dreams.

Beyond her delectable dishes, Kanishka's journey is a melting pot of passion, challenges and triumphs. Bringing it all, we talk about lived experiences, entrepreneurial journeys in a passion economy and food - from frog legs to Podi Idli! As somebody who took the plunge long before me, we relate and share our thoughts on navigating personal relationships with money, adversity, partnerships and people along the way.

She’s a woman entrepreneur and a woman chef, both together. She breaks the mold. What it means to leave a legacy while finding reasons to Go to work every single day, our conversation is filled with takes and takeaways, especially for young women yearning to move the needle.

“Me and my dreams have always come second, but now they are my first priority” - Every aspect she touches upon is a testament to THE Attitude Makeover that ultimately leads us to our personal growth fueled by passion and purpose. TUNE IN NOW!

P.S. A huge shoutout to all those who have stuck by my side through the rollercoaster of 50 episodes. Every story has been a catalyst for change, here's toTable of Content:*

00:00

The Spark of Episode 50

Kicking off a milestone episode in the world of transformation.

01:52

Kanishka Unveiled: From Early Beginnings to Culinary Star*

Discover the formative years that forged the future chefpreneur of Navu Project.

06:17

Of Pen and Palate: A Dual Passion

How a writer's love for words intertwined with an insatiable love for food.

07:15

The Culinary Awakening

The defining moment that ignited a culinary journey.

08:26

More than a Meal: The Artistry of Cooking

Delving into the depths of what it truly means to be a chef.

09:52

Moonlighting: Not Just a Side Hustle

Redefining moonlighting and its empowering impact.

10:43

A Connoisseur of Taste & Aesthetics

The duality of Kanishka's expertise: From flavors to visuals.

12:17

Taking the Culinary Leap

The catalyst behind Kanishka's audacious shift.

14:24

Self-Reflect & Strategize: The 5-Year Vision

Were there any reservations in her transformative journey?

15:29

Life Post-Leap: The Triumphs & Trials

A raw look into the post-transition phase.

17:44

Unyielding Spirit: Kanishka’s Resilient Journey

Celebrating the tenacity of never giving in.

20:09

The Tenth Muse: More than a Moniker

The literary soul of Kanishka, intertwined with her culinary art.

23:08

From Intimate Gatherings to Culinary Adventures

The inception of Navu Project and its evolution.

26:14

Guiding Stars: Kanishka’s Inspirations

Behind every great chef is a myriad of muses.

30:18

Artistic Alliances: Collaborating to Create*

Diving into Kanishka's symbiotic collaborations.

31:01

Navigating the Kitchen: A Woman's Perspective

The unique challenges and triumphs of being a woman chefpreneur.

32:47

Crafting a Legacy: Navu's Aspirational Impact

Building a beacon for the next generation.

33:29

Behind Navu's Doors

A sneak peek into the ethos and operations of Navu.

35:43

The Navu Brigade: Excellence & Expectations

The heart and soul behind Navu's success.

36:24

Synergizing with Pallavi

Discovering the magic of a unified vision.

39:01

The Rollercoaster of Entrepreneurship

Overcoming hurdles to create a culinary empire.

40:39

Cooking through Crisis: The COVID Challenge

Navigating the tumultuous pandemic waves.

44:31

Navu: A Living Dream

A deep dive into Kanishka’s emotional connection with Navu.

45:46

A Journey of Passion, Patience, and Perseverance*

The exhilarating ride of personal transformation.

49:00

Finding Self Amidst the Flames

A chef's tale of self-discovery.

49:31

Embracing the Attitude Makeover

Kanishka's unique take on metamorphosis and evolution.

52:21

Signing Off: The Journey Continues

Closing a chapter but the story continues...many more!

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The video version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoH6BT-8HDiUsjeeVJQ0KTw

Hello and welcome, to a brand new episode and yet another purposeful conversation of Attitude Makeover! I’m joined by Pradeep Menon, CEO and MD of HSBC Technology, and we hit the nail on the head on all things leadership in today’s day and age.

From styles and salient features of leadership to associated pitfalls and resilience - Pradeep helps us deconstruct the skill set of a contemporary leader with a focus on creating an enabling ecosystem and one who is less about the person/persona and more about the impact on collaborative team(s).

We touch upon all the classics of the CEO mindset driven by validation in parts and a sense of purpose overall. “Expect the best, prepare for the worst'' - Pradeep says about the role of a leader that is metamorphosing increasingly in our digital world. We also find out more about his journey, the “north star”, unlearning, empathy, ability to adapt to the unknown, changes & conflict and a whole lot of personal growth takeaways for individuals across fields.

It is not so much about what you are chasing but more about the mental makeup that takes you there - Pradeep puts leadership in perspective in relation to individual Attitude Makeover in this. Tune in now!

-- Connect with Me --

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/sowjanyashetty

Video version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoH6BT-8HDiUsjeeVJQ0KTw

Table of Content

00:00 - 03:48 Introduction

Dive into an insightful conversation on leadership & the CEO mindset.

03:49 - 06:37 Meet Pradeep Menon

Discover Pradeep, not just as a leader but an unwavering friend.

06:38 - 09:58 Staying True Amidst Global Exposure

How global experiences shaped Pradeep without altering his core.

09:59 - 11:41 Crafting Your Career Vision

Decipher the roadmap to aligning steps with bigger career goals.

11:42 - 18:53 The CEO’s Driving Force

Peel back the layers on the motives behind a CEO’s ambition.

18:54 - 22:11 Evolving Leadership Styles

From authoritarian to invisible servant leadership, see what’s changing.

22:12 - 24:30 Ideological Harmony

Master the challenge of coexisting amidst varied ideologies.

24:31 - 27:20 Mastering Servant Leadership

The art of servant leadership, pivotal at every leadership step.

27:21 - 34:01 Hallmarks of Effective Leaders

Key qualities that propel a leader to greatness.

34:02 - 40:15 The Adaptation Game

Why unlearning and relearning are essential tools for a leader’s arsenal.

40:16 - 42:11 A Leader’s Branding

Grasp the power and necessity of personal brand-building.

42:13 - 44:03 Decision Making: A Leader’s Lifeline

How crucial decisions can be the difference between success and survival.

44:04 - 46:11 Tackling Leadership Burnouts

Address the burnouts that 40% of leadership professionals face.

46:12 - 48:36 Pradeep’s Transformational Trio

Closing words & the invaluable 3Bs of transformation.

Hello everyone, welcome to another brand new episode featuring Sushant Gupta, Founder & Chairman of SG Analytics, a Global Insights and Analytics firm he founded in 2007. We sat down to delve deep into the concepts of sustainability and inclusion - a holistic perspective that goes beyond mere tokenistic definitions. It also interestingly took us through various other nuances that crop up within them.

With analogies of nature and drawing parallels to organisational structure and professional interview setups, Sushant wonderfully articulates his values, beliefs and newfound thought discoveries. He sets the foundation that being completely open and becoming aware of true selves are prerequisites to achieve a regenerative thriving form, individually and professionally as part of an organisation.

Further, we understand the interplay and stereotyped complexities of masculinity, femininity and an internal balance of both. Beyond concepts, we discuss hard questions while seeking achievable realities. As his company’s motto goes ‘Life’s Possible’ and Sushant talks about compassion and inclusion (as more than just cultural settings) that shape it.

Be it leadership, culture, collaboration and meritocracy - A man and a woman view it differently. We talk about the difference, the foundational similarities and the necessary equalisers. Identifying as a cishet man, Sushant brings forth a perspective which needs to be heard especially by the men, within various communities.

As someone who is a firm believer of sustainability, inclusion and women empowerment, Sushant made for a refreshing and important conversation. “There will always be something to agree upon,” he said and that’s the thought with which you must tune into the full episode now!

#analytics #datascience #attitudemakeover #mindset #journey #leadership #culture #masculinity #femininity #

-- Connect with Me --

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attitudemakeover/?hl=en

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Audio version of the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/15qNxNpjPlBclAnWRNm4aV

Hi there, welcome to episode number 47! I’m beyond thrilled to be joined by Geetha Manjunath, Founder and CEO of Niramai Health Analytix, which is developing a novel solution for detecting early stage breast cancer using machine learning. Geetha is a researcher-turned-entrepreneur and is a genius with a holistic perspective and mindset that balances both these hats adeptly!

This conversation is about understanding the researcher mindset and how it translates to entrepreneurship, business and innovation. We go deeper as a researcher while building up as an entrepreneur. Geetha talks to us about her 25+ years journey and about how even as a researcher, she’s always been about making things work on the ground, realistically.

Simultaneously, we understand the gravity and the prevalence of breast cancer itself. “Today, breast cancer is the largest cancer killer in women in 159 countries.” Geetha provides insightful contextual data about the current scenario in India and globally, and her work is trying to move the needle. Further, we understand the multitude of processes that are involved in running a scalable business that caters to solving real-world problems.

Going beyond theory, we talk about comfort with ambiguity, tackling microtasks, trust and transparency. With main intent in place, she also shares her experience of dealing with the guilt of having other people sacrifice for your vision. “I am doing my best, I know, that’s what matters at the end of the day.” This one’s for all of us on a transformative journey, with a purpose. Tune in now!

0:00 Introduction

2:39 Introducing Geeta Manjunath

Founder of Nerumai, Geeta Manjunath is an entrepreneur from research background and this podcast aims to unfurl the intriguing mindset of a researcher

3:38 What does a researcher’s mindset look like?

The mind is an amalgamation of a plethora of things and we dive into how the world looks like from a researcher’s perspective

6:07 Going on a trek

Geeta compares research through an analogy of mountaineering

8:11 The first experience

Been a part of the first supercomputer commercial from India, Geeta talks about the challenges she faced along with some exciting things she learned along the way

11:25 The power of clarity

Some temporary destinations in our journey towards reaching our goals help us gain clarity

14:35 The first push

Geeta talks about what gave her the motive to plunge into researching breast cancer

18:37 Defining ambiguity

Ambiguity can mean different things to different people but we all need to learn how to deal with it nonetheless to fulfil our goals

21:56 Ambiguity in entrepreneurship

Every arena of life needs a little bit of a research mindset to overcome ambiguity

24:39 To assume or not to assume?

Clarity helps you understand which assumptions you need to take forward and validate and those which you need to strike off completely

26:10 The origins of Niramai

Geeta talks about how she began the journey of Niramai with the thought of just saving people

29:24 Inevitable dilemma of salary & opportunity

Sometimes one follows the other, the other times one needs to be prioritised over the other

32:10 The first pitch

A vision has many milestones and the first one is always powerful in deciding its course

34:07 Shifting lanes, switching gears

Transitions are always tough and uncertainties are something we need to learn to withstand, leaving behind previous identities

38:06 Reaching a milestone

Toiling through hardships certainly does pay off as Geeta recalls her first term sheet of a million dollars

41:27 Dealing with issues

Technology has advanced but it still carries disadvantages that cannot be avoided

42:49 How does Niramai do it differently?

Niramai’s methods take precautions into decreasing the risks while increasing the accuracy of measuring breast cancer

44:21 The kinds of accuracy

Geeta’s definition of accuracy through different research and studies

47:19 Regulations behind the process

With each idea to make the world better, there are countless regulations that people must consider

52:06 Getting into the complexities

There are several aspects one has to consider right from ethics to the different protocols of research

55:22 The process of patents

While there’s a sense of satisfaction in owning patents, the process in itself is very complex

59:29 Connecting child analogy to Niramai

Geeta explains how parents are important in the whole process

1:01:35 Nitty-gritty of clinical analytics

In clinical studies, AI is a boon but it also needs one to look at the scientific and medical aspects of different variables for decision making

1:05:06 Every minute matters

Whether it’s waiting for results or studying the results, each minute matters especially when there’s room for error

1:07:52 Complex algorithms of decision making

Each study has its complexities. The number of variables and their results contributes differently to the findings

1:09:23 Through the medical lens

Views clash and assumptions need to be dealt with delicately especially when scepticism is involved

1:12:18 Significance of results

Data from research is meant to be reviewed and only then can you clear the air for sceptics and their assumptions

1:18:50 Graduality of the process

Research is a process that needs to be approached in a gradual manner, starting from value propositions to what partners to choose for distribution

1:22:07 What call for action can you take?

Geeta talks about two call for actions that we can take to increase awareness about breast cancer through regular screenings and doing a surface examination every month as well as having the confidence to take the jump

1:27:43 Urging HR in CSR space to take necessary steps

1:29:06 One coin, two sides

With partnerships, differences in opinion are bound to follow. Geeta talks about how one can navigate through partnerships and manage certain dilemmas

1:33:54 Pressures of emotions & environments

From emotions to the environment you’re surrounded in dealing with investors, differences are a tough aspect of partnerships

1:37:58 Looking at the past self

Geeta talks about how she has changed in her journey from being a researcher to an entrepreneur

1:40:31 What does attitude makeover mean to Geeta?

For Geeta, it’s about space free from judgements, giving the best in what you do

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Audio version of the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/15qNxNpjPlBclAnWRNm4aV

Hello and welcome to episode number 46 of the AttitudeMakeover podcast! “Sometimes you just need to reboot” - we all understand the idea of a reboot but most often talk about it in a very definition-oriented, technical manner. But reboot is personal, and this episode with Lisa Beckwith taps into the personal, individual nuances of a complete career reboot. Lisa has been a role model to me, especially during my initial years at HP when we worked together. Her journey has been a remarkable story of transformation ever since.

We ease into the conversation by talking about her corporate career and her expertise in business, technology, operations and people aspects. With interesting anecdotes, we then dive into the big C - Comfort zone and how Lisa viewed it to decide the need for a reboot for herself.

The conversation touches upon personal nuances of personality, relationships and well-being through transformations or transitions on the career front.

Her life experiences with mental health, running as a passion and energy channelling are all revelatory and put the goal of mindfulness at the centre of our career reboot conversation. We talked about money, prioritisation, trust and small wins with the overarching theme of motivation to take the big (or small) plunge. If you find yourself in a space to listen and learn more about how a career reboot can play out and wish to take inspiration to power through your own journey, this episode is for you!

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Hello to all you lovely folks from episode number 2 of the Innovation series! I’m thrilled to be joined by Philippe Gluckman, an industry veteran of Animation and Computer Graphics, and currently the Creative Director of Spire Animation Studios. Having started as a traditional 2D animator in France, he soon embraced Computer Graphics as part of the core group behind such pioneering animated features as “Antz” and “Shrek”, and served as Visual FX Supervisor on the original “Madagascar”.

Innovation is a verb, it is the implementation of ideas that leads to better experiences and solutions. That’s exactly how Philippe views it coming from the creator economy. He delves into the mechanics and flow of innovation, especially as a mid-career professional, while elaborating on the nuances of creative individuality.

We don’t stop at just the individual professional level but also move to look at it from the organisational POV, discussing areas of leadership, technology, scale building and curiosity mindsets. Contextualising buzzwords like reinvention and disruption, he brings in thoughts that could become lateral perspectives for the kind of innovation that your industry requires.

If you’re looking to crack the codes for a creativity mantra that suits your work, this conversation might get the right creative juices flowing! Tune into the full episode now!

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Welcome on board the ecosystem of innovation starting now with our Innovation Series! Helping us dive right in is Anjan Bhowmick, Executive Director of Talent & Organisation Development, Reinsurance Group of America.

Innovation starts with you and your mindset. Anjan as an advocate for completely considering the self and absorbing positive inspiration from the same takes us through the basics of approaches to innovation as a USP for organisations. We talk about relevant subsets and systems that make for enabling environments to push capabilities forward with strides of innovation.

A keyword that Anjan elaborates on and uses to contextualise innovation with strategy and tactical strength is ‘continuous improvement’ - converging information, increasing and involving cognitive intelligence and creating something that adds value.

Further, we talk about leadership dynamics and patterns to make transformative innovation conducive, the pace of disruptive change, making empathy operational and the appetite for learning as a factor of need. He brings in ample personal anecdotes and experience interweaving them with theories and knowledge towards mindsets and beliefs. 

There is meaningful advice and recommendations on aspects like dealing with blurred roles to changing the “I can’t change my mindset” belief. Tune into the episode now!

0:00 Introduction

2:52 Who is Anjan?

When the professional self is separated from the personal self, who does one become? Anjan explores this question through his lens

8:30 Who are we really?

Introspection is what leads us to become more conscious of our strengths

10:48 Architecture behind landscape of innovation

There is the ambiguity that surrounds innovation but what’s more important is to figure out the need to state and mould intelligence while developing a prototype. We explore this in the Indian context

15:38 Startups Vs Legacies: How do they build strategies?

From going back and riding up the game plan, the ecosystems in small and big firms are completely different

19:20 When leaders take the lead

No game plan comes without its set of obstacles, whether you’re a small or an established firm. Leaders have their own dynamics to cross these hurdles

27:01 The big picture

Innovation is all about experimentation, trial and error, and resilience because it is a continuous journey

30:05 A team perspective

How does a leader sift through demands of talent?

32:43 Building capacities in sync with vision

Organizational development is one of the salient features that help build new capabilities and HR is the backbone of it all

38:06 Navigation of a fixed mindset

From contributions of HR to ESG reports, Anjan talks about what happens in this process

40:27 Detaching from leader persona

Anjan talks about how an individual navigates through leadership and its changes

44:58 Extrapolating individual inquiries

Roles are never set in stone because there is always a fine line between different roles

50:16 Internalizing individual perspective

It does not matter what your role is. As an individual, you are subjected to multi-task and a shift in mindset can be useful

52:36 Exploring roles

Exploring roles through interaction and communication than a document brings more room for clarity

55:16 The creator’s persona

Looking through the lens of a creator and how their mind works through a mix of storytelling and exploration

57:41 Embarking on a creator’s journey

Drifting away from the traditional, there are several factors that can contribute to this transition – from working in the traditional arena to being an innovator

1:03:30 The purposeful plunge

Taking the plunge is more than just being willing to take risks; it’s evaluating the sustainability factor

1:07:38 Building the larger goal

From reflecting through an organization’s angle, introspecting from an individual perspective and building a prototype, Anjan talks about how one can navigate through the process.

1:15:18 Stepping out of comfort zones

The discussion revolves around pushing past one’s comfort zones and one’s mental limitations

1:18:55 Devil’s in the details

Inquisition is the first step and opens even the tiniest of doors that you would not have regarded otherwise

1:22:32 Anjan’s takeaways

Anjan talks about the key takeaways from the conversation from the role leaders will play in the next few years and managing dynamics through reflection and the growing amount of questions we seem to have

1:26:16 Art of asking questions

Questioning is not just seeking an answer, it’s also a tool for reflection

1:27:59 Meaning of attitude makeover

Anjan talks about how attitude makeover is synonymous with transformation for him

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Hello there! Foremost and for most of it, this episode is all about leadership - as a manager for teams, for individuals and for yourself - with Jeet Kumar, CEO & Co-founder at In Time Tec, a former colleague and a dear friend.

With core values of humanness and courage, Jeet highlights the importance of love as the foundation for all forms of creation, innovation and growth. He defines what leadership and management are. “Ruthless compassion” as he calls it is his mantra for leading and managing.

While we understand the whys through the conversation, he delves into his personal research on the nuances of leadership, exploring and understanding oneself and managing personalities as a human leader within the scope of human misunderstanding. He provides invaluable insights on when and how to identify, catch, choose and create as a leader.

Vulnerability with authenticity, a ‘no goals’ process-oriented mindset, going behind the whys and not the whats of culture, commitment and credibility, and being a life-long learner - this episode touches upon it all. “Dream more, learn more, do more, become more”, tune into the episode now!

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Hello and welcome to another brand new episode of the Attitude Makeover Show, this week’s inclusion series is women-power to empower women through and through! I am joined by Swathi Kulkarni, the co-founder and CEO of Elda Health and an advocate of awareness about menopause. If Puberty & Pregnancy are celebrated, why not Menopause?

October 18 is World Menopause Day and no better way to observe the week than by starting relevant and crucial conversations. With a personal cause and experience to her backing, Swathi helps us dive straight into the conversation about menopause and its impact on women above 40-45 years of age.

With an intent to question fundamental notions, recognise privilege and diversify perspectives, this episode is aimed at a rippling effect of change and holistic inclusivity right from home to the workplace for all professional women at various stages of menopause. We talk biology and sociology - a complete rundown of the concept of menopause and its everyday implications that demand sensitization through normalised conversations, comprehension and compassion.

For the men, we touch upon the role of support and empathy needed to improve the post-maternity and post-menopausal environment. Role of companies, men and society. Swathi talks about the butterfly effect of kindness and the need for honest, vulnerable conversations to become inclusive in the truest terms beyond just numbers.

“Attitudemakeover is a transient thing where there is a micro AttitudeMakeover every day” - Fellow women and men, this one’s for all of us as a society.

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Video version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoH6BT-8HDiUsjeeVJQ0KTw

Hello everyone, this episode translates into entering new territories quite literally. I am joined by an expert from a completely different field for me and mostly you as well - Say hello to renowned makeup artist and hairstylist Sandhya Shekar! If you're looking at how to go about discovering yourself then here's the start!

As a “village girl seeking out new adventures”, her journey started from Kalyanpur, Udupi and has soared to reach the Met Gala and more. With a classic middle-class, small-town upbringing and an MBA, she worked in the financial world before starting off professionally on her own in makeup in Mumbai. She discovered and fleshed out her innate interest in makeup as a viable career. She talks about her (ongoing) self-discovery process which kicked in right from the initial years of taking the plunge based on what’s good for her.

We delve into discussions about the ever-changing relationship with money and the core values that let her tune into the inner voice and figure her way through career and her own well-being. While reiterating self-discovery and intent as a gradual process, she highlights the importance of being responsible for choices and decisions, understanding the importance of mental health and internalising balance and clarity while learning life lessons through failure.

The fearless Sandhya brings self-value, time, energy and reaffirmations into the focus through her experiences of dealing with depression, issues with family acceptance and ups and downs in scaling up a business. Passion and purpose aligned, this honest conversation revealed facets of work and life beyond the boundaries that are set on the daily - Tune in for takeaways irrespective of the career stage you are in right now!

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attitudemakeover/?hl=en

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Video version of the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoH6BT-8HDiUsjeeVJQ0KTw