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A communication lesson from dad on emotions and composure My father is one of those genuinely happy people, open, deeply caring, endlessly thoughtful about others. If I have an emotional core, which I do, it came from him. We are told that men are tough. They don't cry. They are the steady, unshakeable presence in the family. Yes, there is some truth in it. But what I learned from watching my dad is that the toughness is often at the surface. Underneath, fathers have a heart that is soft, wanting the best for you, not knowing how to show they care. With my dad, a poignant scene in a film or the the sight of someone struggling on the street was all it took to bring tears to his eyes. He never hid this. He let me see that a strong man could also be a tender one. So I grew up unafraid of my own sensitivity, because he had shown me it was not a weakness. But he also gave me one piece of advice that I have carried for the rest of my life. I was at the airport, sobbing, saying goodbye when I moved to the US at the age of 21, to pursue my doctorate in cell and molecular biology. He looked at me and said gently, "Your tears are precious. They are not for everyone to see." I was embarrassed and angry. Why would he tell me that at a time I was going away to a new place far away across the seas. Now I know that he was not telling me to hide my feelings. He was telling me they were sacred. That vulnerability is a gift, and a gift is given with discernment, to the people and the moments that have earned it. That distinction has shaped how I live and how I teach. Students often ask me a version of the same question. "Is it okay to cry in front of my boss?" My answer surprises them. If someone has made you cry, then your tears are not for them to see. Not because your emotion is wrong, but because that moment, with that person, is rarely the right room for it. I know this not as theory but as someone who lived it. During my PhD, there were meetings with my supervisor or colleagues that left me holding back tears. I did not let them fall in the room. I would walk to the restroom, let it out fully, and then return with my composure and a smile. At the time it felt like hiding. Looking back, it was something else. I was honouring my father's words. My tears were precious. That room was not the place for them. The skill is not suppressing what you feel. It is learning to gather your composure in the moment, and to honour the emotion later, somewhere safe. Here is what I do, and what I teach. Breathe. Ask yourself, quietly, what is this situation making me feel, and why? Name the underlying emotion. Just naming it loosens its grip. Acknowledge it. Tell yourself you are placing it gently in a box, and you will open that box later, when you are somewhere safe to feel it fully. Then breathe again. And smile. This is not about becoming unfeeling. It is the opposite. It is about respecting your emotions enough to give them the right time and the right room, rather than spending them on a moment that cannot hold them. My father gave me that, without ever calling it a framework. His belief in me did something else too. At a time when many Indian families were arranging marriages for their daughters, he sent his across the world to study in the United States. He trusted me to pursue a PhD far from home, to build a life on my own terms. That trust became the foundation of every bold thing I have done since. And here is what I have come to believe about fathers more broadly. Becoming a father softens people. I see it in my husband, in the way he cares for our children. I see it in my other family members and my male friends. Beneath the steadiness our culture asks of them is a tenderness that often runs deeper than they let the world see. Today, I am grateful for the fathers who hold strength and softness at the same time. Who teach their children that emotion is not the enemy of composure, and that composure is not the absence of feeling. My father taught me both. What is one thing your father, or a father figure, taught you that you still carry today? Happy Fathers Day to all my friends here on LinkedIn. I'm Dr. Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, PCC , a leadership communication coach and keynote speaker with a life sciences PhD. I work with leaders who excel in their fields and are ready to transform that brilliance into influence. Follow me for science-backed insights and lessons from lived experience on the communication skills that build trust, presence, and influence.

What separates the two and how to close the gap Keynote Speaker, professional speaker, public speaker difference- Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD The speaker is brilliant. Their credentials are unimpeachable. They know their field better than most other in the room. And yet as they start to speak, the energy in the room goes down and phones come out. After the talk finishes, people walk away with nothing that will change how they think or what they will do differently. This is not a knowledge problem. It is a communication problem which is more common than most experts like to admit. The difference between speaking as a professional/expert and professional speaking. This is a distinction worth understanding. Anyone with deep knowledge can stand at a podium and share what they know. That is public speaking in its broadest sense: presenting information to a group. This is significantly different from professional keynote speaking. Let's understand this by pausing on the word "keynote". In music, the keynote sets the tonal foundation for everything that follows. A keynote speaker at an event does the same: they set the tone and the direction for the entire gathering, and they leave the audience in a different positive place (better informed, inspired and impacted) than when they walked in. The craft is not in the content alone. It is in how that content is shaped, delivered, and received. Importantly, in how it moves people, not just informs them. Why brilliant people sometimes lose the room Experts who struggle on stage are rarely lacking in substance. The gap lies in in preparing the talk rather than preparing for the audience. In spending hours on what to say and very little time thinking about who is sitting in that room, what they already believe, what they are hoping for, and what would actually shift something for them. You lose the audience the moment you treat them as a passive receiver of information rather than an active participant in something worth their full attention. The single shift that changes everything: from "what do I want to say" to "what does this audience need to receive." That reorientation rewrites the entire preparation process. Four ways experts can hold the room better If you are an expert who speaks at conferences, leadership forums, internal events, or client sessions these are the shifts that make the most consistent difference. Research the room before you research the topic Before you finalise a single slide, understand who will be in that room. What do they already know? What are they struggling with? What do they want to walk away with? The best speakers ask these questions before they write a word. The content you know well is your starting material and the audience profile tells you which parts of it matter. Choose stories before you choose data Data informs, stories move. Most expert speakers invert this ratio: they lead with evidence and support it with anecdote. The most memorable presentations do the opposite. They open with a moment the audience recognises such as a tension, a scenario, a human situation and use that as the lens through which the data becomes meaningful. Design for one key shift, not ten takeaways Experts tend to want to share everything they know. The audience can absorb far less than we think, and they remember far less than that. Ask yourself: if this audience forgets everything except one thing, what should that one thing be? Build the entire talk to deliver that. Clarity of intent at this level changes how you structure, pace, and close a talk. Close on the audience, not on yourself Many expert talks end with a summary of what was covered. The strongest closes leave the audience with something to sit with: a question, a reframe, a challenge to their current thinking. The final moment of a talk is the moment most likely to be remembered. Being a professional speaker is a significant responsibility. Your audience has given up time to be in that room. They are quietly asking whether it was worth it. In my own speaking journey, the biggest shift I made was not in how I structured content. It was in how I thought about who I was in the room for. The moment the focus moved from what I wanted to deliver to what the audience needed to receive, everything changed about how I prepared, how I showed up, and how the audience responded. Brilliance without influence is invisible. The experts who learn to close that gap become far more impactful. "The craft is not just in what you know. It is in what the audience receives." — Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD Dr Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD is a leadership communication coach, keynote speaker, and ICF PCC-credentialed executive coach. She works with senior leaders in knowledge-intensive organisations to develop communication, influence, and executive presence. Favikon #1 communication skills influencer, LinkedIn Singapore, Member of Asia Professional Speakers Singapore (APSS) and KeyNote Women Speakers Directory. Follow Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, PCC visit www.drlakshmispeaks.com for more insights on how to turn your brilliance into influence with science backed insights and lived experiences on leadership communication and influence.

What It Really Takes to Lead With Influence Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD- Executive Influence Strategist Something is shifting in our world right now, and we all can feel it. As a parent and a lifeskills educator, especially communication skills, I spend my days teaching that real power lives in connection, kindness and resilience. Yes, I believe in that deeply. But lately, I've been wrestling with a harder truth. Believing in those values doesn't mean you get to opt out of understanding power from experience. You just cannot play the real world game without knowing the rules. The moment this became clear to me didn't come from a book or a classroom. It came from my then 12 year old son, standing on the sidelines before a football match. I was giving him what I thought was wise advice. “Focus on your best self, don't worry about your opponents.” He listened, then looked at me and said something I wasn't expecting: "While it's important to bring out your best self, you also need to observe the weaknesses and strengths of your opponents and use that to your advantage." I didn't correct him. I couldn't. He was right. At 12, he already understood something it took me decades to grasp. That you can only truly play to your strengths when you understand the full landscape around you. Knowing yourself is one half of the equation. Knowing the field, you're playing on is the other. There is real power in that kind of discernment. At his age, I was the opposite. I wanted peace above all else. I avoided conflict. I gave freely - my time, my energy and my loyalty because giving felt good and fighting felt wrong. I told myself this was strength. I told myself this was character. What I didn't see was the slow erosion happening underneath. It doesn't happen dramatically. Nobody announces the day they start taking you for granted. It begins quietly. A friend or a family member forgets to acknowledge you, yet expects you to keep giving, decides on something important without checking with you, you become the scape goat in parties, and a colleague takes credit for your idea without acknowledgment. Someone borrows your energy, your kindness, your hard work and instead of it deepening the relationship, it simply becomes the "expected". You give more. They adjust to receiving more. And somewhere in that transaction, a version of you goes missing. This is how power gets quietly taken away. Not through force, but through our own willingness to keep the peace at the cost of our presence. I spent years thinking that not fighting was the same as being above the fight. But peace purchased by self-erasure isn't peace - it's surrender in slow motion. And the longer I surrendered, the smaller I became in spaces where I deserved to stand fully. Here's what I know now that I wish someone had told me sooner: competitiveness is not the opposite of kindness. It is a survival and thriving tactic. Understanding power dynamics doesn't make you hard , it makes you wise and whole: You can lead with love and still refuse to be overlooked. You can be generous and still have non-negotiable limits. You can be the most patient person in the room and still be the one everyone knows not to underestimate. My son taught me that on a football pitch. The world has been reinforcing it ever since. Three things I want you to carry with you: Power is not taken - it is released. Most of us give it away incrementally, in moments we barely notice. Awareness is where reclamation begins. Discernment is not cynicism. Seeing people and situations clearly - strengths, weaknesses, and all is not a betrayal of your values. It is wisdom in action. You are allowed to take up space. In conversations, in decisions, in relationships. Not at the expense of others, but no longer at the expense of yourself. This is exactly why I created the Reclaim Your Power series. Because too many of us have been quietly shrinking, and it's time to change that. As an Executive Influence Strategist, I've seen this pattern play out in leadership teams, and everyday relationships. The common thread is almost never a lack of skill or intelligence - it's a breakdown in how power is communicated. We either don't speak up, speak too softly, or have never been shown what it looks like to hold authority with both strength and grace. In this short series, I'll be teaching you exactly that. How to reclaim your power through the right communication. How to speak so you are heard. How to position yourself so you are respected. How to show up in every room as someone who leads, not someone who accommodates. WATCH MY FIRST VIDEO ON THE SERIES Follow the Reclaim Your Power series and let's rebuild - from the inside out. If you have a LinkedIn account, connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ If not, subscribe to P.O.W.E.R UP newsletter here: https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/ Or subscribe to me YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks Or follow me on Instagram: @drlakshmispeaks

Welcome to P.O.W.E.R UP- Brilliance to Influence, edition 14. This special edition is the last one for 2025. Save it and read it with a diary or notebook to benefit most from it. This period marks something extraordinary. The Winter Solstice. The shortest day and longest night. For millennia, cultures worldwide have recognized this celestial turning point as a symbol of renewal, release, and rest. The Earth itself invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare for the return of light. What better time than now to consciously let go of what no longer serves you? People underestimate endings. Yet every great beginning is built on the clarity of what we choose to release. The truth about what you've accomplished When I ask people: "What did you accomplish this year?", most immediately think of what they didn't do. The goals they missed and the targets they fell short of. We underestimate what we've achieved. It's human nature. But that's exactly why reflection matters, not to beat ourselves up, but to see clearly what we've actually built, overcome, and become! The 10-day reset framework: Days 1-3: All that you did Make a comprehensive list of ALL that you did this year. Don't just count professional wins, but capture: Boundaries you protected Decisions you're genuinely proud of Growth moments that shaped who you are Emotional wins that changed your trajectory Difficult conversations you had the courage to start Failures that taught you more than success ever could My example: I co-authored an article, scaled my public speaking program, led culture-building initiatives with significant impact, and was ranked #1 communication skills influencer in Singapore. But what I learned most from? Emotional meltdowns. Tough conversations I didn't want to have. Being fully present with my teenager and tween when it was hard. Reflecting deeply, even when it hurt. That's where real growth lives. Days 4-5: Who you BECAME Helen Keller said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved". There were times when I felt I was out of my character. Times when I felt I lost myself. Anchoring back to my values and being self-compassionate was the only way I could get back to my core. In the process, I am confident that I became better, not bitter. I stepped into my power by understanding, owning, and valuing my worth, something that only happened through terribly emotionally draining situations. Even while facing those moments, I remained open and optimistic. That's the person I'm taking into 2026. Ask yourself: Did you become more honest? More open? confident? resilient? collaborative? compassionate? courageous? What else did you become? Days 6-8: KEEP, STOP, START Now comes the most powerful reflection. This helps you decide what to keep doing, stop doing and start doing as you step into 2026. KEEP: What fuelled you? Which habits, relationships, or practices brought you closer to your goals and values? STOP: What drained you? Overthinking? A relationship dynamic? Unhealthy habits? Here's the nuance: you don't always need to let go of a relationship entirely, but the patterns, the drama, the energy drains? Those need to go. However, the clear answer for the best action will only come through deep reflections and gut feeling. Just as the Earth prepares for the slow return of light during the solstice, we can use this time to reflect on what we need to release. The winter solstice reminds us that endings create space for beginnings. START: What new habits, approaches, skills, or relationships do you want to cultivate in 2026? Days 9-10: Yoshuku - Celebrate Your Future Now Here's the final, most exciting bit. Yoshuku is an ancient Japanese practice of celebrating in advance the life events we wish to manifest. Originally rooted in ancient agricultural practices, yoshuku involved celebrating the anticipated success of a future harvest. How to practice it: Close your eyes. It's December 2026. You're celebrating with a friend over coffee. Or writing a LinkedIn post about your incredible year. What are you sharing? What accomplishments make you deeply proud? What transformation are you celebrating? Write it as if it already happened. Why does this work? Studies have shown that when athletes visualize themselves executing their skills flawlessly, it can significantly improve their physical performance. The brain responds powerfully to future visualization because it cannot easily distinguish between a vividly imagined experience and a real one. You're literally programming your neural pathways for success. This isn't wishful thinking, it's cognitive rehearsal. Research studies have indicated that visualization can improve performance as much as 45 percent. An invitation for you: These 10 days are your canvas. The solstice energy supports endings and new beginnings like no other time of year. Don't rush into 2026 without this reset. Reflect deeply. Release consciously. Envision boldly. What are you most excited about for 2026? Drop it in the comments and I'd love to celebrate with you. 🎯 My 2026 Vision I'm excited to: ✨ Expand the impact of leadership communication in science and technology ✨ Help brilliant minds speak with clarity, confidence, and influence ✨ Shape stronger, more psychologically safe cultures If you're a leader in science, technology, or innovation looking to: Build psychologically safe, high-performing teams Communicate with clarity and confidence Create cultures where brilliant minds thrive Let's connect. www.drlakshmispeaks.com, https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks/, Instagram: @drlakshmispeaks Speaker Reel: https://youtu.be/BhYHYXbl8KE?si=u14p82MyqVCXnJsM

Welcome to P.O.W.E.R UP (Brilliance to Influence) edition #14. This is a newsletter for leaders who wish to turn expertise into influence, and ideas into impact. Unclear message = lost audience and audience lost :) I was eagerly waiting for the keynote speech to start. I'd learned that this professor was very well-known in his field (Science & Technology). The session was attended by the top-most senior leadership and around 200 people. But as the speech started, I was surprised to note that the professor was reading from notes. And the first five minutes made no sense as to where this was going. Here was someone with immense credibility and the opportunity to make a real impact, but the message was getting lost. It got me thinking about my own journey with public speaking. My Journey: From loving the stage, to losing my voice I've loved speaking since my teens. During my Masters and PhD, I won awards for my presentations. I felt alive in front of an audience. But then life happened, and I faced a career setback. I lost my then job and a future opportunity at the same time. There was also a breach of trust that affected my faith in people as well as my confidence. I spiraled down, lost myself. And my voice. But I refused to let that be the end of my story. I looked for speaking training opportunities everywhere. I invested heavily in myself in terms of effort, time, and money. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Today, I've not only spoken on multiple global stages, but I'm also the creator of a six-week public speaking course for university students. Today (24 Nov) is my birthday, and I want to give you a gift: my best tips on speaking effectively. Tip 1: There's no such thing as having no fear when speaking Around 75% of people fear public speaking. I'm no different. Even now, I want to run away before most speeches. But I've learned to work with my nerves by: Acknowledging the sensations (racing heart, sweaty palms) at body level Reframe the thoughts ("This audience wants me to succeed") at mind level Breathe (box breathing: 4 in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold) at breath level Acknowledge and Accept: Notice what's happening in your body - racing heart, butterflies, sweaty palms. Don't fight these sensations. Just acknowledge them. Reframe your thoughts: I ask myself: "Am I focusing on my performance instead of the value I'm bringing? Why am I seeing this supportive audience as a threat?" Once I reason with my brain, I shift to: "I'm excited for this opportunity to serve this wonderful audience." Breathe: Deep breathing signals safety to your brain. I use box breathing (4 in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold) everywhere - waiting backstage, walking to the podium, even mid-speech. Know your content thoroughly: When you're deeply familiar with your material, you have one less stress trigger to manage. Tip 2: Content is king, and stories are the crown jewels There's no doubt that content and expertise is key to a powerful speech/presentation. But how the content is shared matters. Stories are easier to remember than data, both for the speaker and for the audience. Delivery becomes much easier when woven with stories. Different storytelling strategies affect how the brain stores experiences as memories. Research shows that when people recalled stories with emotional and interpretive details, their hippocampi activated along with brain networks that process self-related information and emotions. Think about it: Which would you remember better? "Our company increased revenue by 23% last quarter." "A few months back Sarah from sales approached me, "Remember that prospect who ghosted us twice and said we were too expensive?" I did. We'd written them off. But Sarah spent three months learning their business inside-out, rebuilt the proposal from scratch, and walked in focused on solving their one critical problem. They signed for $850K and that alone led to 23% growth last quarter !" Take your audience on a journey rather than presenting them with a list of facts. Your data still matters, but wrap it in narrative. Make them FEEL something. Tip 3: Clarity of message is everything Remember that professor I mentioned at the beginning? His challenge was 'curse of knowledge' leading to lack of clarity for the audience. In the first five minutes of any presentation, your audience should know exactly where you're going. Here's the framework that works: One key message. Three supporting points. That's it. That's the structure. Your key message is the one thing you want your audience to remember when they walk out of the room. Everything else - every story, every data point, every slide - should support that central message. Why three points? Because three is memorable. The human brain loves patterns of three. It's enough to feel substantial but not so many that people lose track. Before you start creating any presentation, ask yourself: What is the ONE thing I want my audience to remember? What are the THREE most important points that support this message? What stories or examples bring these points to life? If you can't answer these questions clearly, your audience won't be able to either. Last but not the least, practice with intention. Record yourself. Watch it back (yes, even though it's uncomfortable). Get feedback from people you trust. Importantly, find opportunities to speak and put yourself out there. The more you do it, the better you get at it. There's no shortcut. The best speakers aren't people who have no fear. They're people who have learned to channel that energy into powerful, clear, story-driven communication. As I celebrate my birthday tomorrow, my gift to you is this: Your voice matters. Your message matters. And with the right tools and enough practice, you can learn to share both with confidence and impact. What's one tip you would use right away? With warmth and encouragement, Lakshmi Watch my latest speaker reel Subscribe to my You Tube channel Visit my website to learn more Dr. Lakshmi Ramachandran is a PhD scientist turned executive communication strategist who helps senior leaders in pharma, biotech, and STEM transform their expertise into influence. As creator of the P.O.W.E.R methodology, she works with executives who have brilliant ideas but struggle to communicate them clearly to drive business impact. Want more insights on turning your expertise into executive influence? Follow Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, PCC and subscribe to P.O.W.E.R UP for practical strategies that help senior leaders communicate with clarity and drive results. www.drlakshmispeaks.com

POWER UP Newsletter: Issue #12 | For STEM Professionals Ready to Step Into Their Power Dear Power-Builders, I've been noticing something troubling in professional circles lately. Post after post about toxic workplaces, difficult colleagues, impossible bosses. The comments sections fill with sympathy and shared grievances. I get it. I've been there too. There's something oddly comforting about finding others who validate our frustrations. It feels lighter to vent, to play the victim, to earn that sympathy. But here's the uncomfortable truth I learned through years of self-exploration: We're actually giving our power away. And the cruel irony? We're not even giving away our power to those who supposedly wronged us. We're powering our own misery and misalignment. The Hidden Cost of the Blame Game When we focus on external circumstances - that micromanaging boss, the colleague who takes credit, the "toxic culture" - we lose three critical things: Our energy (spent on resentment instead of solutions) Our voice (silenced by victimhood) Our influence (diminished by powerlessness) This is particularly devastating for STEM professionals, where our credibility and authority are already hard-won. The Power-Back Framework Instead of focusing on what's happening TO us, what if we shifted to what's happening WITHIN us? Here are three ways to reclaim your power: 1. Alignment with Values Every time you say yes when you mean no, stay silent when you should speak, or copy someone else's approach - ask yourself: Which of my core values am I violating? Your discomfort isn't about them. It's about you acting against your own integrity. Power Question: "What would I do if I honored my values completely in this situation?" 2. Clarity as Currency Clarity about who you are, what you want, and what you won't tolerate is pure power. It prevents others from writing your story for you. Most workplace "toxicity" thrives in the absence of clear boundaries and expectations. Power Practice: Complete these sentences: I am... I want... I will not tolerate... 3. Focus as Your Guardrail Focus is the guardrail that keeps your energy from scattering. When you choose what deserves your attention, you regain control. Every minute spent analyzing someone else's motives is a minute not spent building your own capabilities. Power Shift: "What would I focus on if I trusted my ability to handle whatever comes?" The Science Behind Inner Power Research in cognitive psychology shows that internal locus of control - believing you influence your outcomes - correlates with higher job satisfaction, better performance, and increased resilience. External focus keeps us reactive. Internal focus makes us generative. Your Weekly Challenge This week, catch yourself in one moment of external blame. Instead of asking "Why are they doing this?" ask "What does this situation reveal about what I need to develop in myself?" Not to excuse poor behavior from others, but to reclaim your agency in shaping your experience. A Personal Note As Navratri begins, I'm reminded of 'Shakti' - that divine feminine power that exists within each of us. This is about recognizing the creative, transformative energy we all possess. When you align with your values, gain clarity about your path, and focus your energy intentionally, you communicate with unprecedented clarity and confidence. That's when your expertise becomes influence. That's when your knowledge becomes impact. The world needs what you know. But it needs you to own your power first. Ready to power up your communication and confidence? Next week: "The Authority Paradox - Why Technical Experts Struggle to Claim Their Expertise" Connect with me: Reply to this newsletter with your power-back stories Follow my journey on LinkedIn: Lakshmi Ramachandran, PhD, PCC Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/subscribe Remember: You don't need permission to be the expert you already are. With power and possibility, Dr. Lakshmi P.S. If this newsletter sparked something in you, forward it to a colleague who might need this reminder. Power shared is power multiplied.

Navigating the Fine Lines in Life and Leadership The distinction between confidence and arrogance isn't always as clear-cut as we'd like to believe. Confidence is self-assuredness grounded in competence. Arrogance is self-importance inflated by ego. Yet confidence can be mistaken for arrogance depending on the lens or context with which it is seen. I recall my undergraduate days when classmates approached me for help with coursework, my response was: "I figured it out myself. Try it on your own first." I genuinely believed I was being helpful, encouraging them to develop their own problem-solving skills and trust their abilities. But they thought I was arrogant. I was impeccably dressed, consistently occupied the front row, spent countless hours in libraries, topped every exam, and excelled in extracurricular activities. My academic performance spoke for itself, and I carried myself with what I believed was confidence rooted in competence. The Perception Problem: Context is Everything What makes this topic particularly complex is that the line between confidence and arrogance isn't fixed, it shifts based on multiple contextual factors: Cultural Context: Different cultures have varying tolerance levels for assertive behavior. What's considered confident leadership in one cultural setting might be perceived as arrogant in another. Gender Dynamics: While confidence is often celebrated in men, women who display assertiveness or ambition in leadership roles are frequently met with criticism or labeled as arrogant. This gender bias creates a particularly challenging navigation for women in leadership positions. Professional Hierarchy: The same behavior exhibited by a CEO might be viewed differently when displayed by a middle manager or entry-level employee. Communication Style: How you say something often matters more than what you say. Your tone, body language, and word choice all influence whether your message is received as confident or arrogant. Situational Awareness: The mood of the room, timing of your communication, and the specific context all play crucial roles in perception. The Corporate Reality: Confidence wins people, arrogance loses Research consistently shows that while confidence is essential for leadership success, crossing into arrogance territory can be professionally devastating. In the leadership paradigm of the 21st century, an effective, confident leader can no longer afford to be arrogant. The confidence-arrogance perception becomes particularly complex when viewed through a gender lens. Gender bias and stereotypes can harm women, causing them to doubt their skills and abilities and potentially limiting their opportunities to lead or take on challenging projects in the workplace. Women often face what researchers call the "confidence double-bind" they're criticized for being too passive if they don't assert themselves, but labeled as arrogant when they do display confidence. This creates a narrow window of acceptable behavior that can be exhausting to navigate. Building Self-Awareness: The Key to Success The solution isn't to diminish your confidence - it's to develop acute self-awareness about how your behavior lands on others. This involves: Regular Feedback Loops: Actively seek feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, and team members about how your communication style is perceived. Emotional Intelligence: Develop the ability to read the room and adjust your approach based on the situation and audience. Authentic Humility: Combine confidence in your abilities with genuine curiosity about others' perspectives and contributions. Collaborative Mindset: Confident individuals acknowledge their strengths and those of their colleagues, while arrogant people ignore other people's thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Practical Strategies for Confident (not Arrogant) Leadership 1. Lead with Questions: Instead of immediately sharing your expertise, ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your knowledge while inviting others to contribute. 2. Acknowledge Others' Contributions: Make it a practice to recognize and build upon others' ideas before sharing your own. 3. Show Vulnerability: Share your learning process, mistakes, and growth areas. This humanizes your competence and makes you more relatable. 4. Practice Empathy and Active Listening: Demonstrate that you value others' input by truly listening and responding thoughtfully to their contributions. 5. Context-Adjust Your Communication: Modify your approach based on your audience, their experience level, and the specific situation. The Long-Term Perspective Looking back at my undergraduate experience, I realize that while my intentions were good, my approach lacked the nuanced understanding of how confidence can be perceived differently by different people. The most effective leaders aren't just competent, they're skilled at helping others recognize and develop their own competence. True confidence isn't about proving you're the smartest person in the room; it's about creating an environment where everyone can contribute their best thinking. It's about being secure enough in your abilities to lift others up rather than positioning yourself above them. Moving Forward The line between confidence and arrogance will always be somewhat subjective and context-dependent. However, by developing greater self-awareness, practicing authentic humility, and continuously seeking feedback, we can navigate this line more effectively. Confidence is about believing in yourself and your abilities while remaining open to growth and collaboration. Arrogance is about believing you're better than others and that your way is the only way. The former builds bridges and creates opportunities; the latter burns them down. In today's collaborative workplace, the leaders who thrive are those who can project confidence while maintaining humility, share their expertise while remaining curious, and stand firm in their convictions while staying open to new perspectives. It's a delicate balance, but one that's essential for long-term professional success and meaningful impact. #leadership, #Power, #confidence #communication This article is part of my Wednesday P.O.W.E.R Up series "The Fine Line Between," exploring the subtle but crucial distinctions that shape our professional lives. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on navigating confidence and arrogance in your own career journey. If you enjoyed this article subscribe to my Newsletter P.O.W.E.R Up and follow me on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ https://www.instagram.com/drlakshmispeaks/ https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks3921?app=desktop https://www.drlakshmispeaks.com/

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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlakshmispeaks/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlakshmiramachandran/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlakshmispeaks3921

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 awareness 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

While setting out to ‘get’ goals met this New Year, there is one ‘get’ you may want to consider. ‘FOR𝐆𝐄𝐓’! 𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞- 𝐍𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐭 1 On New Year's eve, I found myself doing some cleaning and organising. If there’s anything ‘compulsive’ in me, it is clearing and de-cluttering before anything major, including major exams or presentations. This is one activity where I can get lost in time and space, LOL. So, I didn’t realise that it was already midnight (12:00 am to be precise) until my kids shouted out Happy New Year!!! Exactly then I realized that one of my diamond pendants has gone missing. Gosh! It was a beautiful gift from my husband. Did I carry it to India on my recent trip? Did it fall out of the box? Where could it have dropped? Or had I misplaced it here before my trip? The questions that popped up in my mind were endless. I just couldn’t believe that this happened exactly as the New Year began, my heart sank and I felt very sad! “Wait! this is not how I had expected to feel first thing in the New Year”. I told myself that I can choose to focus on something better. Easier said than done! The thought of the pendant stuck to my mind like nothing else. The happy screams of my children, the loving hug from my husband wishing happy New Year, and the thought that our family is together this New Year dissolved in my nagging thoughts of the lost diamond. I could barely sleep that night. That affected the morning of my New Year. I was generally irritable the whole day and didn’t do a thing I had originally wanted to do. I became more irritable. Finally, I decided to put an end to this. I shut myself in a room and reflected on the experience of losing the diamond. “What was this experience trying to teach me?” I asked myself silently. And then it occurred to me. “𝑻𝒐 ‘𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑮𝑬𝑻’, 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆” 💎 The lost diamond is akin to nagging thoughts of people and things in our life that take up our mental space. It depletes our energy and attention and prevents us from focusing on people and things that truly matter. 💎 Relationships are precious and stronger than a diamond and that’s what truly lasts forever. 💎 The ability to ‘ForGet’ is important to ‘Get’ other more important things in life. In fact, as per a research published in Nature: “Evolution has achieved a graceful balance between the virtues of remembering and the virtues of forgetting,” Anderson says. “It’s dedicated to both permanence and resilience, but also to getting rid of things that get in the way.” Nature 571, S12-S14 (2019) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-02211-5 So the next time something or someone bothers you, think of who or what’s more important in your life. Divert your mind to what’s truly precious that will move you forward- not what makes you get stuck and sad! #productivity #careers

You are spreading yourself too thin! A comment I have heard way too many times from concerned ones. Yes true that I have changed my #career track multiple times (5 times to be precise). But the truth is I have had to #adapt and #change when life threw lemons at me. I fell multiple times and have had to pick myself up again. I admit I have had to start from the scratch each time, learn totally new things, and have harbored self-doubt, and the fear of having to prove myself over and over again (despite past achievements)! It has not been an easy journey at all. My eye-opening realisation is that everything that I have been through or done in the past is coming together to lead me to where I truly belong- in the space of empowering and supporting others in their journey. #professionaldevelopment#coaching#speaking All my challenges have only been learning experiences which I look forward to sharing with the world. So here is my message for you: ✅ Advancement can be non-linear. What we become is a result of the choices we make now. ✅ Our choices are greatly influenced by the context. Hence, the pace of advancement depends on the phase of life. ✅ So trust the process, relax and enjoy the journey :) #drlakshmispeaks #productivelife