Many times a problem-solving approach focuses only on what is wrong. Appreciative Inquiry instead takes a positive and enabling approach to individual and organisational growth, grounded in an abundance mindset. In this episode, Vish, Deepak and Sujatha share three stories about their experience with AI and explore the potential as well as challenges associated with an AI approach to human and organisational growth.

In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Geoff Revell, who co-founded WaterSHED, a Cambodian non-profit organization working on water, sanitation and hygiene. WaterSHED was unique because it was designed to last only for 10 years. They speak on how WaterSHED’s planned exit influenced its goals, values, strategy, day-to-day operations. They also discuss the responses from the various stakeholders

In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak talk with K.J. Joy, an activist-researcher who has been working on people’s rights to natural resources at grassroots and policy levels for over four decades.

Water is an essential resource with competing claims to its use. Conflicts while being inevitable can also lead to resolution of complex problems. Joy’s experiences as an activist, researcher, social scientist and social leader helps our understanding of conflict, its resolution, and management of multi-stakeholder interests.

In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Sonali Srivastava, founder and CEO of ANODE Governance Lab to uncover the intricacies of Gram panchayats as organisations - their role in Indian society and governance; their transformative potential and changes in Gram Panchayats over the years. They also discuss the different Organisation Development processes, Change Management processes that Sonali has worked with a few Gram Panchayats; their impact on the Gram Panchayats as an organisation and societal institution. Finally, the conversation also touches upon the leadership qualities that cut across corporate, social and civic spaces.
Resources

Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao

Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan

Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva

Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan

Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg

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In this episode, Deepak and Sujatha speak to Lt. General A. Arun on what makes the Indian army autonomous, adaptable and agile on the ground, even though the army can be bureaucratic with very clear common and controls. We discover a systematic way of building camaraderie, bonding and team spirit amongst the soldiers, the efficacy of different leadership styles and the difference between leadership and management. 
Resources

The predominant narrative in the social sector ecosystem is what the Not-Profit Ecosystem can learn from the For-Profit Sector - in a sense about becoming more professional. Rarely if ever, the counter narrative is heard - of what the for-profit or the commercial sector can learn from non-profits, charities and social enterprises. In this open conversation, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and Director of Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) and unpack lessons from the social world that the business world can learn from.
Ravi Sreedharan is the Founder and Director of Indian School of Development Management (ISDM). He worked in the corporate world for 24 years, most of it with the MNC Bank – HSBC in Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Cairo. At HSBC, Ravi held numerous senior positions including CEO & President Director of Bank Ekonomi (member of HSBC Group), in Indonesia. He quit a successful corporate career in 2011, at the age of 49 to return to India and pursue a career in Social Work. Before founding ISDM, Ravi was part of the leadership team at Azim Premji Foundation 2011 to 2015. Ravi is an Engineer from IIT-BHU (1985) and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad (1988). 

Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao

Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan

Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva

Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan

Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg

If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!

The predominant narrative in the social sector ecosystem is what the Not-Profit Ecosystem can learn from the For-Profit Sector - in a sense about becoming more professional. Rarely if ever, the counter narrative is heard - of what the for-profit or the commercial sector can learn from non-profits, charities and social enterprises. In this open conversation, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Ravi Sreedharan, Founder and Director of Indian School of Development Management (ISDM) and unpack lessons from the social world that the business world can learn from.
Ravi Sreedharan is the Founder and Director of Indian School of Development Management (ISDM). He worked in the corporate world for 24 years, most of it with the MNC Bank – HSBC in Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Cairo. At HSBC, Ravi held numerous senior positions including CEO & President Director of Bank Ekonomi (member of HSBC Group), in Indonesia. He quit a successful corporate career in 2011, at the age of 49 to return to India and pursue a career in Social Work. Before founding ISDM, Ravi was part of the leadership team at Azim Premji Foundation 2011 to 2015. Ravi is an Engineer from IIT-BHU (1985) and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad (1988). 

Credits: Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao

Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan

Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva

Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg

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In this episode, Deepak and Sujatha speak to Steven Deobald and Deepa Venkatraman from Nilenso - a 100%, employee owned software cooperative based out of Bangalore. They discuss the practicalities, unique workplace practices and decision-making processes that enable Nilenso to practice democracy for over a decade.

Credits:

Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao

Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan

Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva

Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan

Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg

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Picture a Scientist, released in April 2020 on Netflix, is a movie that explores sexual harassment and gender bias in the scientific community through the narratives of three women scientists - biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring. In this episode, Sujatha and Deepak speak to Sharon Shattuck - one of the directors of the movie about the film, the making of the film and the explicit and subtle harassment faced by women at the workplace.

Credits:

Hosted by Deepak Menon & Sujatha Rao

Mixed & Edited by Prashanth Venkateshan

Production Support from Sowmya Karun and Bhuvana Shiva

Cover Art by Sanjali Ranjan

Intro & Outro Music by Derek Clegg

If you're still reading this, THANK YOU and hurry up and go subscribe!

More than ever today, women are making their presence felt in family owned businesses in India. In this episode, our guest Mala Paliwal, decodes why and what is happening with the second and third generations of women in family-owned businesses and how they are challenging patriarchy to establish themselves as leaders of their enterprises.

About our guest: Mala is a negotiation coach, consultant, mediator and trainer who works with leaders in family-run businesses, higher education institutions and non profits. Mala has over 17 years of global work experience and also belongs to the 4th generation of a business family of pioneering glass manufacturers established in 1918.  Mala graduated from Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) with a Master’s in Public  Administration and a Certificate in Management, Leadership, and  Decision/Behavioral Sciences. At HKS, she was first a student and later a member of the teaching team for Negotiations  and Adaptive Leadership (two highly sought-after courses at Harvard Kennedy School) where she taught people and teams from all over the world  to lead and negotiate confidently with self and others.

Resources (links):

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