I am super thrilled to write this post and share this very important message with you.  It's the time for positive change, renewal and hope.  As the world is transitioning into spring, a season of growth and renewal, we find ourselves surrounded by festivals that symbolize renewal, hope and fresh beginning -  - Eid, Easter, New year/harvest festivals in many parts of India ( Vishu, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Baisakhi) and Nowruz the Persian New Year.  These traditions collectively highlight humanity’s shared desire for fresh beginnings, making this period an ideal time to reflect on personal growth and transformation.  The Power of Renewal Feeling stuck is a universal experience.  Whether it’s a draining relationship, a stagnant career, or habits that no longer serve us, life can sometimes feel like it’s at a standstill.  But just as spring breathes new life into nature, this season reminds us that renewal is always possible. It’s not about waiting for external circumstances to change. it’s about finding the clarity and courage to take responsibility for our own growth and well-being. Renewal doesn’t necessarily mean cutting ties or making drastic changes. Often, it’s about shifting our mindset, letting go of what holds us back, and embracing practices that ground us in peace and purpose.  This season offers the perfect opportunity to realign with what truly matters. Three Strategies to Get Unstuck and Propel Forward 1. Take responsibility to reclaim Your power:  One of the biggest obstacles to moving forward is the victim mindset - the belief that others or external circumstances are responsible for our unhappiness. While it’s natural to feel this way during challenging times, staying in this mindset keeps us stuck. True renewal begins when we take ownership of our actions and choices. Taking responsibility doesn’t mean ignoring hardships. It means reclaiming your power to act and make changes. When we stop blaming others and focus on our own growth, we unlock the ability to propel forward. Action Tip:  Spend time reflecting on areas where you feel stuck.  Ask yourself: What can I do differently? How can I approach this situation with a fresh perspective?  Write down one small action you can take today to move closer to your goals. 2. Anchor yourself with rituals and practices:  In times of uncertainty or stagnation, rituals can provide a sense of stability and grounding. Whether it’s through prayer, meditation, journaling, or simply taking a walk in nature, these practices help anchor the mind and create space for clarity. They remind us to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with ourselves. Rituals also offer an opportunity to let go of negativity. For example, writing down limiting beliefs or painful memories and symbolically releasing them can be a powerful act of letting go.  Action Tip:   Ask yourself: What do I need to stop doing? What do I need to start doing.   Create a daily ritual that resonates with you. It could be as simple as starting your morning with gratitude journaling or ending your day with five minutes of mindful breathing. Stick to this, no matter what. 3. Find purpose through service:   When we’re consumed by our own struggles, it’s easy to lose perspective. One of the most transformative ways to get unstuck is by shifting focus through acts of service or kindness toward others. Helping someone in need not only uplifts them but also brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment into our own life. Service doesn’t have to be grand. Even small gestures like checking in on a friend or volunteering for a cause you care about can make a big difference. By connecting with others and contributing positively to their lives, you often find renewed energy and inspiration for your own journey. Action Tip:   Ask yourself: How can I be of service to someone in need?  Identify one way you can serve others this week. whether it’s through volunteering, mentoring, or simply offering a listening ear to someone who needs it. Propelling Forward and Upward Getting unstuck isn’t just about starting over. It’s about building momentum toward a more fulfilling life. To do so effectively: Focus on Growth:  View challenges, mistakes and feedback as opportunities for learning rather than roadblocks. Practice Forgiveness:  Let go of resentment toward yourself or others. It frees up emotional energy for progress. Set Clear Intentions:  Define what renewal looks like for you- whether it’s adopting healthier habits or pursuing new goals. Take small steps every day toward achieving them. Celebrate progress :). Remember that renewal is not an overnight process but an ongoing journey. By aligning yourself with practices that bring peace and purpose into your life, you’ll find it easier to move forward with clarity and confidence. Hi, I am Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, a scientist by training, an explorer of life by calling and a leadership development speaker and coach by profession. I speak on the topic of 'The Power to Lead is Within You' enabling individuals, especially in science, technology and healthcare to hone their human skills to lead and live well.  Get to know more about my work on my website:  www.drlakshmispeaks.com LinkedIN:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drlakshmiramachandran/ You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks3921 Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, Leadership coach and keynote speaker: Lead with Inner Power

Have you ever found yourself holding back from speaking up? Be it at work or in personal relationships. Maybe you were afraid of how it might be received, or perhaps you tried to express yourself but felt like your voice wasn’t truly heard. Speaking up can feel daunting, but it’s one of the most powerful ways of effective communication, conflict resolution, and developing leadership skills. The ability to speak up effectively is not just about being heard. it’s about creating understanding, building trust, and creating meaningful change. But how we speak up matters. It’s not just about what we say, but how we say it. Let’s explore why speaking up is so important and how you can do it in a way that ensures your voice is heard while remaining respectful and constructive. Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD Why Speaking Up Matters Speaking up is an act of courage, a key leadership skill. It’s a way to claim your inner power and take ownership of your voice. Whether it’s sharing an idea in a meeting, conflict resolution with a colleague, or advocating for yourself in a tough situation, speaking up allows you to step into leadership, regardless of your title or position. But here’s the thing: speaking up isn’t just about asserting yourself. It’s also about creating space for dialogue, understanding, and collaboration. As Amy Edmondson , professor at Harvard Business School, notes, "In today’s complex, fast-paced world, the ability to speak up is critical for organizational learning and innovation." When done thoughtfully, speaking up strengthens relationships and builds trust. It shows that you value both your perspective and the perspectives of others. However, many people hesitate to speak up because they fear being misunderstood, dismissed, or seen as confrontational. Others may speak out impulsively in the heat of the moment, only to regret their words later. Both scenarios can leave us feeling powerless rather than empowered. So how do we find the balance? How do we speak up in a way that ensures our voice is heard while maintaining respect for ourselves and others? How to Speak Up Effectively Here are three strategies to help you speak up in a way that is impactful, respectful, and constructive: 1. Pause and Process Your Emotions Sometimes, the urge to speak up comes from a place of strong emotions: Frustration, anger, disappointment, or even excitement. While emotions are valid and important, they can cloud our judgment if we act impulsively. Daniel Goleman , author of Emotional Intelligence , emphasizes the importance of self-regulation as a key component of emotional intelligence. He writes: “Self-regulation frees us from being prisoners of our feelings.” If you’re feeling emotional about a situation, give yourself permission to pause and process those feelings first. Sit with them for a moment. Ask yourself: Why am I feeling this way? What triggered this emotion?  By taking the time to reflect, you allow the intensity of the emotion to settle, which helps you approach the conversation with clarity and calmness. Speaking up doesn’t have to happen immediately. It’s okay to take a step back before addressing an issue. it often leads to better outcomes. 2. Be Clear on Your Objective Before you speak up, take a moment to define your purpose. What do you want to achieve from this conversation? What outcome would be mutually beneficial? Clarity is key when it comes to effective communication. If you’re unclear about your objective, the conversation can easily go off track or become unproductive. On the other hand, when you’re clear about what you want, and why, you can guide the discussion toward a positive resolution. For example: Are you seeking support for an idea? Do you want to address a misunderstanding? Are you advocating for yourself or someone else? When your purpose is clear, it becomes easier for others to understand your perspective and work toward a solution with you. 3. Focus on How You Feel—Not Blame Respect is foundational when speaking up effectively. It means valuing not only your own voice but also the perspectives of others involved in the conversation. In their book Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High , authors Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler highlight that mutual respect is essential for open dialogue: “When people feel disrespected during crucial conversations, they shut down or become defensive.” One of the most important aspects of speaking up with respect is framing your message in a way that creates understanding rather than defensiveness. This means focusing on how you feel  rather than blaming others. For instance: Instead of saying: “You didn’t support me,” try saying: “I felt unsupported in that situation.” Instead of saying: “You’re always interrupting me,” try saying: “I feel unheard when I’m interrupted.” By focusing on your feelings and experiences rather than assigning blame, you create an environment where others are more likely to listen openly and respond constructively. This approach not only helps you express yourself more effectively but also strengthens relationships by showing respect for others’ perspectives. The Power of Your Voice Speaking up isn’t just about making your voice heard. It’s about stepping into your power as a leader. It’s about claiming ownership of your experiences and using them as a foundation for meaningful conversations and change. Leadership isn’t just about what you want. it’s about finding solutions that work for everyone involved. That’s why it’s so important to approach conversations with clarity, respect, and an open mind. Three Key Takeaways To summarize: Pause before speaking : Allow emotions to settle so you can approach conversations calmly and constructively. Clarify your objective : Know what you want to achieve from the conversation and focus on mutually agreeable outcomes. Focus on feelings—not blame : Share how something made you  feel rather than pointing fingers at others. These steps will help ensure that when you speak up, your voice is not only heard but also respected. Your voice matters! How you use it can make all the difference. What strategies do you  use when speaking up? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Share them in the comments below! Explore my Keynote speeches and coaching programmes for corporates, and get in touch with me HERE . Leadership coach & speaker Dr Lakshmi teaching how to speak up at work Hi, I am Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, a scientist by training, an explorer of life by calling and a leadership development speaker and coach by profession. I speak on the topic of 'The Power to Lead is Within You' enabling individuals, especially in science, technology and healthcare to hone their human skills to lead and live well. Get to know more about me on my website: www.drlakshmispeaks.com LinkedIN: h ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlakshmiramachandran/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks3921

"It's not about the change itself, but about who we become in the process." In any kind of change, be it: 🔸 Career transitions 🔸 Technology adoption 🔸 Business growth or scaling 🔸 Relationships, including parenting We often measure success by outcomes, such as: 🔸 Landing the desired job 🔸 Meeting business targets 🔸 Fulfilling roles in relationships 🔸 Implementing new technologies This is all important and this is how change looks from the outside.  But 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 '𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿' 𝗮𝗻𝗱 '𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀' 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲.  To understand this better, look back at a situation when a major change happened in your life - 𝘞𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺, 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵?  or  𝘈𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥, 𝘪𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥?  The answer to this will help determine where your focus was during the change.  To fully embrace change and POWER UP in this New Year, prioritize inner transformation:  🔸 Define who you aspire to be 🔸 Clarify your core values 🔸 Exercise patience 🔸 Trust the journey What are your thoughts on change? 🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸 Image: At a shrine in Kawagoe, near Tokyo 2 days ago. The change you see is not just me in a Kimono, but deep gratitude for a family holiday that materialised after years, and against many odds. 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲- 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘁😉🙏.  𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘋𝘳 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘮𝘪, 𝘢 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩, 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 😊.

The rain seems to have gotten my creative juices flowing again! It is a really wet, cold and dark Monday evening in Singapore, and I find myself enjoying the rain sprays carried into our patio by the cool breeze, breathing deeply to let my words flow. Words that formed as thoughts and feelings in the last few months, but disappeared into unknown spaces within. I have been searching! Searching for my words, depth, meaning, connection and myself . In recent months, I have been busy, but aloof! Truth be told, initially, I was put off by the media frenzy around the second wave of COVID 19 that gripped India in the last few months. I was taken aback by the misuse of freedom of speech especially on #socialmedia for political gains. I found it all quite toxic and started to withdraw. In the quietness, I realized how nonsensical the world of social media has become! Where any Tom, Dick and Harry can become an influencer, politician or leader overnight! All it takes is a #viral post, where the virality isn't decided by any particular logic. I observed insecurity, fear of missing out (#FOMO), desperation to monetise one's influence etc, which even the wisest were falling prey to! Are we headed in the right direction? I don't get the feeling we are! Especially when the world has begun to value lives in terms of Followers, Likes and Views? When one is so present in the virtual space but absent from the physical space! When one is learning to make connections in the digital space while lacking a connection in the mental space!! I was struck by the superficiality all around! While social media has its benefits such as building networks, growing businesses and improving one's visibility, it is important to use it mindfully and wisely. A 2018 study by the University Of Pennsylvania showed that limiting social media use led to a significant reduction in loneliness and depression. Additionally, the study suggests that limiting social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day may lead to significant improvement in well-being. My personal experience is that the more I disconnected from the virtual space, the more I connected with myself and my inner circle. I realised that my absence from social media made no difference to my virtual connections, but it did make a difference to the people physically around me, especially my kids, with whom I naturally became more present. At the beginning of 2020, I had given a workshop to scientists at my workplace on 'How to use #LinkedIN to make you and your science visible'. I reckon the most relevant and useful part of my talk was the first question I asked the participants: " What's the reason why you wish to use LinkedIn more"? Most people answered, "because everyone is using it" while some people said "to find jobs' and to "grow their network". I urge you to reflect on what makes you want to use social media. Whatever your reasons are, it may be helpful to use social media keeping in mind these three points: Use social media mindfully and wisely. Ensure you are not consuming biased, toxic content or any content that doesn't serve you through mindless scrolling. Avoid sharing information impulsively. Instead share information that is true, verified, new and useful for people reading it. We need to move away from superficiality towards depth, to find true meaning, connection and growth in life. Sharing below a poem I wrote a few years back on the same: #TheCyberBlackhole by @drlakshmispeaks. Dr. Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD is a scientist turned coach and motivational speaker. She has 20+ years of experience in science as an academic and industry researcher, communicator and administrator. Her own broad career journey deepened her understanding of human potential, and fuelled a passion to support the self-development of others. Her expertise is within Science Careers and Self-Management (Productive Life, Enoughness, Emotional Intelligence). She is an ICF, and Belbin certified coach and is listed on the Keynote Women Speaker’s Directory. Her other professional highlights include 1) 2006 Roswell Park Cancer Institute Deans award for outstanding dissertation research, 2) 2016 Publishing Next, India, best digital book runner-up award for her book Roomies/Foodies , 3) Co-Chairing the Gender Summit 2019, Singapore. To learn more, please visit https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/

Today we were able to experience a lovely tradition called Hatsumode in Tokyo, offering first prayers at the Meiji -Jingu Shrine.   While doing it, I realised how clear my mind had become in the last week, when digitally disconnected.   A clear mental space is so precious in today's age and day of information bombardment and social media.   If it's possible to keep the mind space clear, even treat it as sacred, we all can achieve, be happy and peaceful.   As I will be stepping into a packed year, I want to lean in on 3 things to manage my mental space: 1)   Self awarenes s To become aware of thoughts and emotions, have the discerning power to know what thoughts serve us and what does not. 2) Self-control and   discipline : This is most important, but toughest to do. It's tough to get over the dopamine high tailored into smart phones and social media. Self-awareness combined with discipline is the only way.   3)   Service  and compassion: It's so easy to get caught up with goals and personal matters. A little service mentality goes a long way in bringing fulfilment. It needn't be big, something as small as kind words, appreciation and encouragement can make another person's day/life.   To Power Up in 2025, I wish you all great health at all levels.   What would you add to power up with a clear mind space?   2025 Wishes - Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran