Two Founders Walk Into

When we launched this podcast, we didn’t know what to expect.But the response blew us away.So many listeners wrote in saying our conversations gave them clarity, courage, and conviction in your leadership journey.They told us it made them pause, reflect, and rethink how they show up for their teams, their work, and themselves.To everyone who tuned in, shared an episode, or sent us a message, thank you. You made this more than a podcast. You made it a conversation that matters.Now, Season 2 is almost here!This time, we’re going deeper, more real talk, more raw leadership lessonsand more stories that transform!

#podcast #CEOs #season2

Giving feedback is one of the most important skills a manager can master but also one of the trickiest. In this episode, we explore the art of giving feedback, how to approach it with clarity, empathy, and impact.

Whether it’s reinforcing good work or addressing areas of growth, you’ll learn practical ways to make your feedback constructive and motivating.Subscribe to our channel and never miss the latest episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@UCPichWEo9gwkwpABT8kgk9Q About Ajit Sivaram and Satish Manchikanti - They are the co-founders of U&I, one of India’s fastest-growing change movements, empowering 37,000+ changemakers to transform lives through education and mentorship.

Follow them on LinkedIn: Ajit Sivaram - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajit4949/ Satish Manchikanti - https://www.linkedin.com/in/satish-manchikanti/

When we started U&I, we thought we needed one perfect mentor to guide us.

We never found them.

Instead, we learned from dozens of the world’s best leaders — through books, talks, and videos — and used those lessons to build U&I into a movement impacting thousands across India.

In this episode, we share:

Why not finding a single mentor turned out to be an advantage

How to learn from leaders you’ve never met

Adapting global lessons to the nonprofit space in India

Practical takeaways for anyone starting something new

It’s proof that you don’t have to wait for the “right” guide to begin.

#Leadership #SocialImpact #Nonprofit #GrowthMindset

There’s a quiet revolution happening in corporate India and it’s not about profits. It’s about purpose.

In this episode, we unpack how corporate volunteering is shifting from a “nice-to-have” CSR activity to a strategic tool for employee retention and engagement.

Why are more companies investing in giving back? Because the data says it works:

🔹 96% of companies report more engaged employees

🔹 52% drop in employee turnover

🔹 93% of volunteers feel happier at work

We explore what’s driving this change, the “social fulfillment gap” many employees experience, and how meaningful volunteering can create impact both within and beyond office walls.

Tune in to find out how your company can turn purpose into its greatest asset.

#CorporateVolunteering #PurposeAtWork #EmployeeEngagement #CSR #UandI

Is influence something you’re born with or something you build?

In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind real influence.

Not the kind that comes from titles or connections, but the kind you earn through trust and capability.

From a personal stories to Princeton research on warmth and competence, we explore why the most influential people aren’t always the loudest but they’re almost always the most trusted.

#Leadership #SoftSkills #TrustBuilding #Influence #PowerSkills

School taught us to compete. Work demands we collaborate.

From solo ranks to team projects, we’re navigating a system we were never trained for.

In this episode, Ajit and Satish unpack the big collaboration crisis and walk you through the 4 levels of working together, from unhealthy competition to powerful co-creation.

Featuring stories from Microsoft, Pixar, and Amul

This one’s packed with insight, laughs, and uncomfortable truths.

Listen in if you’ve ever thought:

“Why is teamwork so hard?”

“What’s the ROI of being a giver?”

or “Wait… was school a scam?”

#collaboration #teamwork #leadership #amulinspiration #pixar #careerdevelopment

What does it take to turn around one of the world’s biggest tech companies?

When Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft, he didn’t come in with bravado or buzzwords. He came in with humility. He admitted the company had lost its edge, encouraged unlearning, and shifted the culture from “know-it-all” to “learn-it-all.”

In this episode, we explore how vulnerability can be a leadership superpower—and how Nadella’s approach offers a blueprint for anyone looking to lead with purpose, presence, and growth.

🎙️ Let’s talk about armour, authenticity, and the quiet power of saying: “I’m still learning.”

#Leadership #SatyaNadella #Microsoft #GrowthMindset #LearnItAll #StillLearning

We love talking about leadership—vision, values, collaboration. But there’s one word we avoid like the plague: power.

In this episode, we get real about power dynamics at work. Inspired by Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power (yep, the book 50 Cent swears by), we break down how power actually shows up in organizations—through access, influence, and narrative.

We’re talking:

The “shadow org” behind your org chart

Why ignoring power = losing trust

What managers can actually do to navigate team politics

Real tools for leading without losing your soul

This isn’t about playing dirty. It’s about leading with intention. Because if you’re not naming power, chances are—it’s already leading you.

#PowerAtWork #LeadershipUnfiltered #OrganizationalCulture #RealTalkLeadership #SpotifyPodcast

India’s CSR landscape has exploded ₹30,000 Cr annually and counting. But has the mindset evolved?

This episode dives into the unspoken power dynamics between funders and purpose-holders, the evolution of CSR (from compliance to co-creation), and what both NGOs and corporates must do to build with, not just for.

🎧 What you'll hear:

– The 3 phases of CSR in India

– The "vendor mindset" trap

– Advice for NGOs: hold your purpose, not just your pitch

– Advice for CSR teams: fund long-term, not just quarterly

– What great CSR truly looks like

#CSR #PodcastIndia #NGOs #CorporateSocialResponsibility #ImpactIndia #SocialSector

Are we really that different or just misunderstood across generations?

In this episode, we explore:

Why leading across generations means designing for values, not labels

What vulnerability looks like at work (and why it matters more than ever)

The invisible ways power shapes your culture—and how to use it well

Tune in for fresh insights from thought leaders like Adam Grant and case studies from TATA Steel and Disney.

#LeadershipPodcast #WorkplacePsychology #PowerDynamics #GenZatWork #MultigenerationalWorkforce