Small Talk: Work | Play | Build

How to Escape the Success Trap (Before It’s Too Late!)

Success used to mean climbing the corporate ladder, securing promotions, and chasing ever-growing paychecks. But in 2025, are these metrics still relevant?With economic shifts, evolving workplaces, and changing personal priorities, how we define success is undergoing a transformation. At the time of this recording, layoffs continue to loom large, hybrid work is reshaping expectations, and younger professionals are redefining what it means to “make it.”Are you keeping up with the changing tides? Or are outdated success metrics holding you back?In this episode, Subha and Hasita break down the evolution of success, why traditional KPIs might not cut it anymore, and what you can do to set your own benchmarks for achievement.00:00 Why the definition of success is shifting05:24 The problem with conventional success metrics12:40 What companies value in 202520:15 Are layoffs and pay cuts changing our ambitions?27:48 How to define success on your own terms

31:52 Read | Watch | Listen#success #career #workplace #business #podcast #smalltalkwpb #careerpodcast #coaching

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Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight.

Instagram @smalltalk_wpb

Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

Media enquiries [email protected]

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

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If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Who really decides how we work? The employees, the leaders, or just the loudest voice in the room?

Post-pandemic, companies are still trying to figure out where and how work should happen. Should employees return to office full-time? Is hybrid the perfect middle ground, or just a logistical nightmare? And what about the generational shift—why does it feel like Gen Z and millennial managers are working in entirely different realities?

In this episode, Subha and Hasita chat with Maya John, Chief People Officer at Verse Innovation, who brings over two decades of experience shaping workplace culture. Having navigated everything from large-scale corporate structures to fast-moving startups, Maya shares how her company is tackling these challenges head-on. With radical trust, open conversations, and a willingness to adapt, can we finally create workplaces that work for everyone?

And what makes Maya - real insights from the people and ideas that have shaped her life, the causes she gives her time and energy to and the kind of world she creates for herself and those she cares about.

Tune in for a deep dive into the real, messy, and ever-changing world of modern work and how it makes a difference when the people driving these changes really care about the outcomes.

07:00 The Big Debate: Hybrid vs. Remote vs. Office

08:10 Setting Work Policies That Actually Make Sense

17:05 Leading with Trust across Gen Z, Millennials, and Leadership

18:30 Companies also have FOMO?!

21:25 Working with Generational Biases

23:50 Why Unlearning is the Hardest Part of Leadership

34:40 A Fascinating Sneak Peek Into the Future of Work

49:50 Bringing Women to the Workforce - XL4W

1:03:00 The Play side of Maya!

1:15:50 Maya's Read | Watch | Listen

1:19:00 Our Read | Watch | Listen

#careerchange #lifebeyondwork #worklifebalance #scubadiving #smalltalkwpb #careerpodcast

---------------------

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight.

Instagram @smalltalk_wpb

Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

Media enquiries [email protected]

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

---------------------

If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Some people run marathons. Some paint. Some DJ at weddings. And some, like Hasita, spend enough time underwater to log 100+ dives within two years.

In this episode, Subha and Hasita talk about the growing movement of people reclaiming their time outside of work—not just for vacations, but for pursuits that shape who they are. From balancing client expectations to redefining career success, they unpack what it means to be multi-dimensional in a world that still largely rewards singular focus.

Would your workplace support you taking a Friday off to go diving? Or would it raise eyebrows? And if you don’t have a “passion project” yet—where do you even begin?

Chapters:

00:00 The Many Lives We Lead

02:07 One Hundred Dives & Counting: How It Started

6:18 Juggling a Passion & a Full-Time Career

12:37 The Corporate World’s Shifting View on Side Pursuits

27:09 What If You Don’t Have a Passion Yet?

35:03 Read | Watch | Listen

---------------------

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight.

Instagram @smalltalk_wpb

Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

Media enquiries [email protected]

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd. No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

---------------------

If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

If everyone pursues a 90-hour workweek, who’s going to stare at the wives?As 2025 rolls in, one wonders when a conversation about work has become a conversation about genders once again.

At the time of recording this episode in January 2025, the US Presidential Inauguration had just taken place. Mark Zuckerberg went on The Joe Rogan Experience and said, “I think having a culture that celebrates the aggression a bit more has its own merits that are really positive” while referencing the need for a more masculine workplace.

And just in case we think, “Oh, well, this won’t touch us here in India, surely?”, since then and until today, Amazon, Google, McDonald's, Meta, Target, and Walmart have rolled back their DEI policies and allowances. Not to mention, the individual advocating a 90-hour workweek conveniently forgot that for him to do so, someone else is doing the heavy lifting of managing the home.

How did we get here? And is all lost just yet? Subha andHasita discuss the implications of gendered advocacy at work, what worked and what didn’t from personal experience, and the greater need to stand up for what we believe is right.

00:00 Why we're (still) discussing DEI

01:34 Introducing Small Talk: Work, Play, Build, and Your Hosts

06:58 Sheryl Sandberg and Lean In

11:19 The 70-hour and 90-hour Workweek

16:02 How to Show Up as an Ally

19:36 What We Want to See in the Workplace of 2025

24:34 Speaking up: How do we Do It?

29:10 What We Can Learn from Each Other

31:33 Read | Watch | Listen

#dei #90hourworkweek #business #workplace #podcast #smalltalkwpb

---------------------

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build is the latest season of Small Talk. As a business podcast in its fifth year of production now, we look forward to having many conversations with you on what it means to live a life that feels true to each of us, both at work and outside of it.

Subscribe to stay tuned when a new episode releases, every fortnight. Instagram @smalltalk_wpb

Website http://www.smalltalkpod.com

Media enquiries [email protected]

Copyright © Rainkraft Creative Solutions (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.

No segment of this episode or its accessories may be reproduced for commercial use without explicit written permission from the creators.

Small Talk: Work, Play, Build

Subha Chandrasekaran

Hasita Krishna

---------------------

If you made it this far, thank you for being such an ardent supporter! Please send us a DM on Instagram to claim your Small Talk goodie. :)

Welcome toSmall Talk: Work, Play, Build!

Now in its sixth season, the Small Talk podcast has won multiple accolades and a steady fanbase over the past five years. Your hosts,Subha Chandrasekaran andHasita Krishna have experience creating podcasts that have consistently ranked in the Top 5 of their respective categories- because we’re committed to giving the most nuanced individuals and their stories a calm, engaging, and fun platform to share their stories.

Over the years, we've had the privilege of hosting senior business leaders, founders, and creatives, exploring the intersections of work, and passion, and building something meaningful.

Follow us atwww.smalltalkpod.com and @smalltalkpod_wpb onInstagram,Youtube, Threads, and Facebook!

Visibility isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Think about leaders like Kamala Harris. Her rise to prominence hasn’t just been about the work she does behind the scenes, but about how visible she’s made that work now. Harris has skillfully crafted a presence that not only highlights her achievements but also adds credibility to her role.

In this episode of Small Talk for Rainkraft, Hasita and I dive into the importance of being seen in the workplace and how women, in particular, can balance performance with self-promotion. Whether you’re leading a team or climbing the career ladder, this conversation will show you how gaining visibility is the key to unlocking new opportunities and furthering your impact.

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration.

Summary

In this conversation, Subha and Hasita reflect on the chaotic month of August and discuss the importance of women in leadership roles, particularly in the context of the XLRI Upsurge event. They explore the challenges women face in self-promotion and visibility in the workplace, emphasizing the need to share achievements and build a supportive community. The discussion also touches on the balance between performance and visibility, highlighting the significance of networking and storytelling in professional growth.

Takeaways

Chapters

02:57 The Need to Talk More About Our Work

04:43 The Burden of Gratitude and Supportive Spouses

07:04 The Importance of Exposure and Self-Marketing

09:33 The Controversy of Talking About Achievements

11:19 The Phenomenon of Kamala Harris and Changing Perceptions

13:13 Relevance and Recency in Self-Promotion

14:49 Overcoming Negative Associations with Self-Promotion

17:12 The Value of Spaces for Conversations and Sharing

*Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development. 

*Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) 

*Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast, visibility, workplace, career growth, recognition, self-promotion, managers, skills, expertise, humility, opportunities, connections

Do we just show up to the Olympics and shoot our shot?

Ironically, all the visibility Yusuf Dikeç gained as he grabbed a silver medal in Olympic Shooting was for looking like he just woke up and decided to walk into the Olympic arena. But, this wasnt his first rodeo! It was his 5th. He first participated in the Olympics in Beijing representing Turkey in 2008.

So can we also take our shots quietly in the corner and let our work be seen when it is seen?

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration.

Summary

Subha and Hasita explore the concept of visibility in the workplace and its importance in career growth and recognition. They discuss the challenges of balancing work and self-promotion, the role of managers in promoting visibility, and the need for individuals to actively showcase their skills and expertise. The conversation also touches on the cultural context of humility and the negative connotations associated with self-promotion. Overall, they emphasize the value of visibility in creating opportunities, building connections, and advancing in one's career.

Takeaways

Book reference - Burn Book by Kara Swisher

Chapters

00:00 Shooting Stars at the Olympics

00:57 The Importance of Visibility

04:17 Challenges and Misconceptions of Visibility

09:12 Strategies for Being Visible

15:11 Balancing Visibility and Authenticity

19:01 Putting Work in Perspective for Recognition

21:17 Situational Visibility in Important Meetings

*Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development. 

*Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠⁠⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠⁠⁠) 

*Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast, visibility, workplace, career growth, recognition, self-promotion, managers, skills, expertise, humility, opportunities, connections

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration.

In this conversation, Subha and Hasita discuss the challenges of turning ideas into action and the importance of using tools and frameworks to clarify thinking and problem-solving. They highlight the value of tools like the five whys, SWOT analysis, and the blue ocean strategy in identifying opportunities and addressing challenges. They also emphasize the benefits of using AI-powered tools like chat GPT to facilitate introspection and generate insights. The conversation concludes with the idea of involving teams in problem-solving and the importance of taking the first step and embracing uncertainty.

Chapters

00:22 Becoming a Certified Stress and Rescue Diver

01:22 The Stuckness before Moving Forward

05:10 Using Tools to Bridge the Gap

09:16 The Power of Asking Why

10:47 Breaking Down Problems with Tools

12:03 Simplifying at the Expense of Everything Else

14:03 The Importance of Clarifying Thinking

19:18 The Value of AI-Powered Tools

21:42 Embracing Uncertainty and Exploring New Pathways

What You’ll Learn:

*Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development. 

*Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠⁠) 

*Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast

*Episode Tags:* turning ideas into action, tools and frameworks, problem-solving, five whys, SWOT analysis, blue ocean strategy, AI-powered tools, chat GPT, involving teams, embracing uncertainty

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration.

In this episode, Subha and Hasita's conversation revolves around the importance of clear communication and understanding between stakeholders, internal and external. It highlights the need for effective expectation management and articulating the 'how' of a project. The discussion also touches upon the challenges of strategic thinking and aligning different stakeholders, bringing in the the significance of storytelling and vision in driving team motivation and loyalty. They stress the need for leaders to slow down, understand individual skill sets, and nurture growth.

Chapters

00:39 Challenges with Expectation Management

05:07 The Importance of Looking at the Big Picture

07:41 The Overwhelm of Transitioning to a Leadership Role

08:14 Communicating the Strategic Vision to the Team

09:11 Enthusing the Team with the Strategic Vision

12:18 Slowing Down and Understanding Each Individual

13:42 Building Depth and Upskilling the Team

16:44 The ROI of Building Expertise

18:03 The Need for Different Tools for Strategic Thinking

What You’ll Learn:

*Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development. 

*Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠) 

*Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast 

*Episode Tags:* communication, expectation management, articulation, strategic thinking, alignment, storytelling, vision, team motivation, leadership, skill sets, growth, strategic tools

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration.

In this episode, Subha and Hasita discuss the importance of strategic thinking and big picture vision in professional life. They draw inspiration from Roger Federer's commencement speech and emphasize that strategic thinking is a skill that can be developed over time. They encourage listeners to create time for strategic thinking, assess their current situation, and start building the skill. They also highlight the need to step back from day-to-day tasks and focus on the larger goals and vision. The episode concludes with the suggestions to foster strategic thinking.

Chapters

00:00 When you need to get Strategic!

06:31 The Daunting Nature of Strategic Thinking

09:52 Creating Time for Strategic Thinking

13:04 Assessing Your Current Situation and Strengths

14:08 Staying Informed about Industry Trends

19:00 Wrap Up

What You’ll Learn:

References:

*Join Us:*