Reframing our Work Reality through Appreciative Inquiry
In this episode, Deepak and Sujatha talk to G. Viswanath about Appreciative Inquiry. Often, problem-solving approaches focus 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.
Mission Accomplished: How Non-Profits Can Design for Planned Closure
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 and the response of the various stakeholders.
Collaborating beyond Conflicts: Lessons from an Activist Researcher
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, it’s resolution, and management of multi-stakeholder interests.
Organisational Transformation of Gram Panchayats
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.
The Pointy End of Performance: Learning Agility from the Indian Army
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.
What For-Profits can learn from Non-Profits
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.
Democracy@Work: The Case Study of Nilenso
In this episode, Deepak and Sujatha speak to Deepa Venkatraman and Steven Deobald from Nilenso. Nilenso is 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.
Beyond POSH: Gender Harassment in the WorkPlace
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.
Women on Top! - How women in family-owned business are taking control
Increasingly women are making their presence felt in family owned businesses in India. In this episode, Mala Paliwal, decodes why and what is happening with second and third generation of women in family-owned business and how they are challenging traditional patriarchies to establish themselves as leaders of their enterprises.