admin-kcx – Bavani Periasamy

A staff of an organization passed away due to burnout and now the family is suing the organization

admin-kcx — Thu, 16 May 2024 04:06:59 +0000

This was among the hot topics I had conversation with 3 other lovely ladies. And it was also World Mental Health Day 2023 yesterday.

It was the first time the 4 of us set down together and we had good laughter and serious discussion about burnout at workplace that stems from many different reasons.

Among which was, what measures are organizations and leaders are looking into, when an intervention needs to happen.

Are organizations creating a safe space for employees to speak up when they need help? In some experiences I had in my sessions, employees are thrown under the bus, made scapegoats for mistakes and worst is the long hours and days they work without a break. Is it even surprising when everyone falls sick often and eventually collapse due to exhaustion and burnout? Not to mention also meetings that start at 5pm when work is supposed to end.

While many are putting up great stuff done during the mental health month, it is also taboo in many place to even utter this word.

Its my wish that more conversations happen to create a workplace free of toxicity and hostile environment.

hashtag#psychologicalsafety

#mentalhealth

hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

Is it safe to speak?

admin-kcx — Fri, 03 May 2024 04:05:53 +0000

Life, is an emotional journey. We have moments of joy, fun laughter and times of deep sorrow, fear, anger, and frustrations.

Navigating these emotions can be challenging.

One tool that can I have come to realise for me personally is to have one on one conversations.
And even more importantly, I have come to the conclusion that these conversations not only help me because I am able to speak out what I feel, but because it was a safe space for me.

In the recent National Conference of Integrity and Governance by Association of Development Finance Institutions of Malaysia (ADFIM) Johan Amilin Abdul Samad touched on psychological safety for people to be able to speak up and that was something that resonated a lot with the work I do in creating an appreciative work culture for enhanced productivity.

Coming back to emotions, I needed to acknowledge the fact that emotions are neither good or bad. But their are a reflection of our experiences and what we are going through in any moment of time. And yet I struggle with my own fears and demons that occasionally haunt me and I know then I will need to seek help. And for me it has always been about going to the people I trust to listen to me and know what they will be listening to me without bias and judgement. Plus they also know to ask, what do I need. A sounding board to let go what I am feeling, or do I need help and advice.

This has been something I struggled a lot in my early days because of the expectation that I had for myself and what I thought the society needed from me. It took me a really long time to figure out that I do me. Bavani is who Bavani defines she is.

Safe space is a sanctuary. A sacred space to be able to speak freely. While we do have our time for our faith and prayers, sometimes it calls for us to have trusting conversations as well.

Alas… creating a safe space is not as easy and available for many. And especially at workplace.
How often everyone is allowed to speak up, voice out and have empowering communications? And this is for both employer and employee. Both play a role to create this space.

An agreement to be able to speak about emotions when its needed.

Its about allowing anyone in the organisation to say, I feel safe to speak up. I am safe to say what I feel. I am ok to speak up and stand up for what is right.

I look forward to the day, when everyone says, I feel safe to speak.

hashtag#psychologicalsafety
hashtag#conversationsatworkplace
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy
hashtag#gratitudeadvocate

Image : Photo by Engin Akyurt

What does gratitude mean attai? (Attai means Aunty in Tamil)

admin-kcx — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:04:44 +0000

My nephew asked me this over Deepavali gathering. I had my mouth full with food and also a plate full of food in my hand.So I decided to let him do the talking for a few minutes while I settle the food in my mouth.

So I asked him, what do YOU know about gratitude? The young tech savvy boy he was, he whipped up his phone and said while scrolling, ‘I think something about thank you, but not sure exactly’..

Before I could say anything else, he continued and said, ‘Attai, this is nice, and how nice if everyone understand this’ and he proceeded to show me this image.

I had to agree with him on the meaning and content. Especially the last sentence about ‘we must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives’.

hashtag#gratitude
hashtag#saythankyou
hashtag#gratitudeadvocate
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

You are kidding me right? You don’t look like an introvert AT ALL!

admin-kcx — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 03:59:23 +0000

I often get this. Especially my participants and friends.

Family and friends very close to me, will know that this is far from the truth.The work that I do, requires me to speak, engage in conversations and networking. What is seen in the public, leads many to assume that I am an extrovert. However, the opposite is true.

I am, at heart, a highly introverted person. The energy and chatty Bavani you see in professional settings are a part of my job, which I enjoy and take seriously. But, like many introverts, I recharge in solitude and cherish my ‘me time’ which I often badly need to recover and move on to the next day. While I enjoy the vibrance of my work, I equally need my own company.

So here is the thing, I am comfortable with large crowds and groups, as a speaker, it would really be trouble if I didn’t. Same goes to facilitating conversations in a group. What I require from time to time though is that I find my quiet time to recharge and recoup my energy. Truthfully, I find immense joy in just having a cup of hot milo and a good book as my recharge and solitary time. Where I can, I avoid the hustle and bustle of crowds. I go for early lunches and breakfast to avoid crowds. Shopping online or weekdays alone are also my way to manage my energy.

I have had many conversations with many about being an introvert and many resonate with me. Our work requires us to be out and about with people. But we get drained so fast. Appearances can be deceptive. The extroverted professional you see is also someone who values solitude and quiet. It’s a balance that many of us strike, navigating our professional and personal worlds in ways that respect our true nature.

Here is me basking in the glory of sunset before 2 days of large group facilitation.

hashtag#gratitude
hashtag#blessings
hashtag#gratitudeadvocate
hashtag#introvertlife
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

ESG has to be a lot of things, and most importantly Governance and Inclusivity!

admin-kcx — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 03:20:22 +0000

This is what I had as my learning and realization during my conversation with Anja Juliah Abu Bakar and Jegatheeswaran Manoharan

We spoke about ESG and how it’s the ‘in’ thing right now. Don’t get me wrong with what I say, but this was part of our discussion.

Many are already doing these things, but with no labels attached to it, simply because that’s a way of being that they have adopted long ago. For some, they are being arm twisted to do something that is not practical or not relevant.

And lets also look at some cases where the phrase penny wise pound foolish comes to mind. Why? Some folks don’t exchange name cards, they want to do digital in their efforts of ESG. Something to applaud! And the same someone spends a big chunk of money on individual hotel rooms and a few other extra expense that literally goes against what was championed earlier.

And in the hustle and bustle of work and rapid growth, we also sometimes tend to overlook inclusivity which is about embracing everyone from many angles and perspectives. Which starts with language, food, safety, access to less abled folks.. etc…

So my takeaway from Anja was, while ESG is something crucial, lets not try to conquer a mountain yet, lets at least just start with making sure, the people around us are taken care off, basic things like switching off electricity when not in the room is done first.

hashtag#ESG
hashtag#blessings
hashtag#conversation
hashtag#friendshipmatters
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

Micromanaging is toxic and hazardous to productivity!.. and to the emotions

admin-kcx — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 03:19:07 +0000

In some of my conversation with clients, one topic that almost always come out is about micro managing and I thought of sharing this after my own recent encounter in a situation.

Micromanaging can slow down work because it involves excessive control of every detail by a leader. This not only stifles creativity and demotivate, it also is time consuming and unproductive. This also gives the impression that a leader does not trust in his/her team.

When leaders don’t trust their team’s abilities and constantly intervene, it can hinder the overall productivity and hinder a healthy work environment. It’s essential for leaders to strike a balance between guidance and allowing their team members the space to showcase their skills, talents and abilities.

Productivity flourishes in an environment where team members feel empowered and trusted to make decisions within their realms of expertise. This approach not only fosters a healthier work dynamic but also allows the team to leverage their unique skills and contribute to the project’s success.

And some conversations that has come up is about sometimes maybe its not about trust, its about power or even the need to have significance and oh boy, that is a lot to be worry about. This would also be the undercurrent tensions that is creating toxic vibes and energy in the organization/department.

Its my hope that leaders also do reflection and self-check, encourage more conversations, as sometimes this could also be the case of unaware of the actions being done.

Have you been micromanaged?

Happy weekend folks!!

hashtag#micromanaging
hashtag#leadership
hashtag#workplaceculture
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy
hashtag#gratitudeadvocate

Image by Scott Graham on Unsplash

Start with trust. Create the culture.

admin-kcx — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 03:18:01 +0000

That was my biggest takeaway from Azran Osman-Rani’s session earlier this week.

Had the opportunity to listen to him speak on ‘Charting New Waters of Technology and Humanity’ where he also spoke about the work Naluri does.

The intervention that does need to happen in the space of mental health. Doing something before the issue or challenge someone has, becomes worst or uncontrollable.

What really resonated with me was what he said about getting trust and building a condusive environment. It starts with doing the small little things, and the slowly on to the bigger things. Show the people, that you mean it, when you say we want to hear from you. Start showing them, you are real and true with what you say. And you as a leader will start getting real feedbacks from the ground. Less middle managers being gatekeepers to people from the bottom who wanna voice up.

And from the perspective of building a conducive work environment, I truly enjoyed hearing his experiences and the steps he has taken.

Thank you Azraan for the sharings.

hashtag#appreciativeworkculture
hashtag#buildingtrust
hashtag#gratitude
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

Can a visually impaired person coach?

admin-kcx — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 03:17:13 +0000

YES!!

I first heard Xin Ying Boo (Cindy) speak during International Coaching Conference in Kuala Lumpur back in May this year. I didnt get to meet and chat her then.

But we kept in touch through whatsapps and long phone calls.

Today I got to meet Cindy in Penang and we had a good time chatting about coaching.

We both have had experiences in the last one year where we ended feeling depressed and demotivated after a coaching session (both of us had different experiences with different people)

We never realised why were feeling down after our respective sessions. But whats great is that we have our IAC buddies that we call up and chat and in the unplanned coaching conversations that happened, we figure out why we feel what we feel.

And thats why, trust and respect is the most crucial ingredient in any coaching relationship. No coach is bad or terrible (except in some cases where the coach is terrible).

If there is a lack of chemistry in the coaching session, it could lead to disastrous results. We have experienced that first hand and know what it felt like to be feeling demotivated after a session when the coaching session lacked trust and coach had a bias and judgement of their own.

I have had many often say, a coach must be able to see their client. I agree that it can be useful. But its not a must. Many times in my phone conversations with Cindy, unplanned coaching conversations come up and she has asked me questions that has got me thinking and reflecting. And definitely given me room to further think about what I really need to do.

So if anyone says a coach must see their client, even if its on Zoom, Cindy is an example of a good coach who has helped me without having seen me. Today is the first day we met. I saw her, she only could feel my presence and yet I am feeling fresh and rejuvenated with our meetup.

Thank you Cindy for coming over to see me

hashtag#gratitude
hashtag#coachingconversations
hashtag#iac
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

Psychological Safety in Team Discussions

admin-kcx — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 03:15:13 +0000

Feeling safe to speak is an important element in team discussions to foster open dialogues and collaboration. Its absence not only affects communication but also impacts the overall health and productivity of a team.

As a meeting host or organizer, it’s important to ensure inclusivity. Everyone in the room needs to know that their voice is important and is valued, regardless of rank and experience. A safe space allows all voices to be heard, and a well-designed flow will ensure that the ideas chosen are done in a fair and well-discussed manner. No ideas are disregarded and no one is made to feel their ideas are less important.

A safe environment empowers individuals to take calculated risks without fear of failure or ridicule. This openness to risk-taking is essential for innovation and growth. When psychological safety is not in place, there is a risk that groundbreaking ideas do not surface.

A lot of times, the state of emotional well-being is not given a thought in meetings and discussions. It creates a stress-free atmosphere where individuals can operate without constant fear of negative consequences, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Feeling safe significantly contributes to the emotional well-being of team members.

A psychologically safe environment nurtures a positive feedback culture. Constructive feedback is shared openly and received in the spirit of growth and improvement. In contrast, a lack of psychological safety can turn feedback sessions into defensive or confrontational encounters, hindering personal and team development.

Psychological safety is a key aspect of team dynamics that goes beyond just communication. It embraces everyone in the team, every voice is heard and respected and is also the stepping stone to innovation. By prioritizing psychological safety, leaders and teams can create a healthy, productive, and innovative workplace.

Thank you Lingesh Lechamanan for including me in this action plan session. Had fun with the hashtag#asiarac team

hashtag#facilitation
hashtag#psychologicalsafety
hashtag#appreciativeworkplace
hashtag#gratitudeadvocate
hashtag#bavaniperiasamy

Embracing Gratitude to Set Powerful Intentions and Goals

admin-kcx — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 03:14:24 +0000

We just stepped into 2024 and I believe many would have or are working on your goals and targets for the year.

As we breeze through our daily life, its easy at times to get caught up with all the ‘whats next’… next meeting, next report, next proposal, next laundry, next…..
and easily overlook what we currently have.

However, integrating gratitude into our daily routine can profoundly impact our goal-setting and intention-setting processes.

Gratitude is more than just feeling thankful – it’s a game changer. There’s this interesting study by Emmons and McCullough back in 2003. They found that people who make it a habit to express gratitude actually feel better emotionally.

It’s like when you start your day being thankful, you naturally become more optimistic and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

Now, let’s talk about setting intentions with a touch of gratitude. Imagine you’re drawing a map of what you want to achieve. If you sprinkle some gratitude into this process, it’s no longer just a list of things to do. It becomes a journey where every little success and every bump in the road matters. You start to see the worth in the small victories and learn from the hurdles. This doesn’t only make the ride more enjoyable; it actually helps you reach your goals more smoothly.

Start with Thankfulness. Each day, identify something you’re grateful for. This positive start can shift your perspective and open your mind to new possibilities.

Acknowledge Progress. Celebrate the small wins. Appreciate the progress made reinforces what you are doing and keeps you motivated.

Reflect with Gratitude. At the end of the day, reflect on what went well. This habit helps in building a positive mindset that’s crucial for overcoming challenge.

As you do your goal setting, look back and reflect on what has happened and go into the emotions of the events. And as you plan forward, give a word of thanks for what you already have and achieved.

As we practice gratitude, we not only move closer to our goals but also contribute to our own development and happiness.

hashtag#gratitude
hashtag#gratitudeadvocate
hashtag#saythankyou
hashtag#thinkgratitude