Visibility isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Think about leaders like Kamala Harris. Her rise to prominence hasn’t just been about the work she does behind the scenes, but about how visible she’s made that work now. Harris has skillfully crafted a presence that not only highlights her achievements but also adds credibility to her role. In this episode of Small Talk for Rainkraft, Hasita and I dive into the importance of being seen in the workplace and how women, in particular, can...

Do we just show up to the Olympics and shoot our shot? Ironically, all the visibility Yusuf Dikeç gained as he grabbed a silver medal in Olympic Shooting was for looking like he just woke up and decided to walk into the Olympic arena. But, this wasnt his first rodeo! It was his 5th. He first participated in the Olympics in Beijing representing Turkey in 2008. So can we also take our shots quietly in the corner and let our work be seen when it is seen? Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as...

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration. In this conversation, Subha and Hasita discuss the challenges of turning ideas into action and the importance of using tools and frameworks to clarify thinking and...

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration. In this episode, Subha and Hasita's conversation revolves around the importance of clear communication and understanding between stakeholders, internal and external....

Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration. In this episode, Subha and Hasita discuss the importance of strategic thinking and big picture vision in professional life. They draw inspiration from Roger...

Welcome to a new season of "Small Talk for Rainkraft," where we embrace the theme "Careers are Curvy." Join Coach Subha Chandrasekaran as she introduces this season's focus on the non-linear nature of career growth. Whether you're a mid-management professional, a leader in transition, or someone early in your career looking to accelerate your growth, this season is designed to provide you with actionable insights and inspiration. In our upcoming episodes, we'll delve into essential...

Hey, Smalltalkers! As we wrap up 2023 on 'Small Talk with Rainkraft- Career Lifting Conversations,' we see that we've delved into intentional conversations about careers, transitions, and the ever-evolving workplace. From discussing layoffs to embracing failure, comfort zones, and practical tips, we've covered it all. As we step into 2024, I hope these insights on crisis management, mentorship, and job search strategies serve you well. Thank you for hanging out with us and reliving the...

Join Subha and Hasita as they reflect on the transformative experiences of the past year. Hasita shares her journey into deep-sea diving and the profound impact it had on her life choices. Subha delves into the importance of focus, sharing insights from her own introspective journey. Together, they explore the evolving nature of work, breaking free from traditional structures, and embracing the endless possibilities that lie ahead. A candid and inspiring conversation to wrap up the year! IN...

Explore the mid-career curve with Subha and Hasita as they discuss the challenges of leaving a familiar job or just jumping into the job market. Delve into the complexities of navigating change, crafting a compelling resume, and articulating career goals. Join this exploration of career transitions, offering practical advice for those contemplating a change in their professional lives. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Introduction (00:53) Challenges of Mid-Career Transition (02:39) The Importance Of...

Subha and Hasita explore the nuances of the evolving workplace dynamics amidst the return-to-office mandates. They delve into the concept of coffee badging, where employees meet in the office for a cup of coffee to signal their presence. The conversation navigates through the challenges faced by employees and companies in adapting to new work models, questioning the need for rigid return-to-office policies. As they discuss the importance of intentional communication, flexibility, and...

Join Subha and Hasita, as they engage in this conversation about the complexities of failure. They discuss the impact of social media on our view of success and failure and explore the three types of failures – preventable, complex, and intelligent. The duo challenges the conventional wisdom of 'fail fast,' emphasising the power of language in mitigating the impact of failures. With anecdotes from workplace dynamics to personal experiences, they delve into the layers of fear, resilience, and...

Have you ever found yourself in a meeting wondering, "What's the point of all this?" If so, you're not alone. In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of meetings and ask a fundamental question: Are meetings wasted opportunities? We discuss the power of asking "WIIFM" (What's In It For Me), a crucial concept in understanding the motivations of meeting participants. We explore how setting clear agendas and pre-empting concerns can transform meetings into productive and engaging...

Join Subha Chandrasekaran and Hasita Krishna in this week's episode as they reflect on navigating a family health crisis and how it revealed different roles within their family. They discuss the traits of crisis leaders, effective communication in tumultuous times, and whether you can build for crisis leadership. Whether you're a natural leader or a skilled follower, there's something valuable in understanding your role amid chaos. Tune in now! IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) Looking back at the...

What makes a great mentor, and how can you find one? Join Subha Chandrasekaran and Hasita Krishna as they delve into the power of mentorship in career growth. Discover the secrets of finding the right mentors, building trust, and creating a supportive ecosystem for your professional development. From navigating confusion to becoming a mentor yourself, this show explores the transformative potential of mentorship in every phase of your career. Tune in and learn from the experts! IN THIS...

Have you ever wondered what happens when the pressure to innovate or succeed collides with organizational silos? Join us as we unravel the intriguing dynamics of invention, high performance and collaboration in this episode of Small Talk with RainKraft. I'm Subha Chandrasekaran, a career growth coach. Can breaking down silos lead to breakthroughs? Discover the keys to fostering collaboration, aligning priorities, and unleashing the true potential of your organization in this episode! IN...

Are you feeling like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole in your career? Join us as we delve into the Art of Career Transitions in this episode of Small Talk with RainKraft. I'm Subha Chandrasekaran, a career growth coach. Let's decode the challenges, opportunities, and strategies behind making those leaps in your professional journey. Tune in to gain insights, find courage, and embrace the possibilities! IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) You might feel at a crossroads (02:42) Triggers -...

In this exciting season finale of Small Talk with Rainkraft, we've compiled the best moments from Season 4, featuring Subha and Hasita, as they share their expert tips for career growth. From handling layoffs to managing difficult bosses, this episode covers it all. Plus, discover innovative strategies for goal setting and cultivating executive presence. With actionable advice and engaging discussions, you'll be equipped to accelerate your career growth and achieve your goals. Join us as we...

You may not judge a book by its cover. But you will judge it by the book blurb - the short description at the back of the book. Similarly, your pitch is your own blurb. It is the world’s first impression of you. Make it your best version till the next version comes along! In This Episode | Discussion Points (00:00) What to pitch  (02:14) Your 10-second story (03:57) Disappointment of a wrong pitch (06:27) Make your pitches catchy  (07:44) Pitch according to place (11:00) Pitch...

In the beginning, startups have nothing but an idea - and a team of true believers who hope to bring it to reality. Everything is riding on the success of that team. And yet ‘HR’ is the last thing that any startup thinks about, perhaps it implies bureaucracy. So here are some reasons to think otherwise and a few steps that startups should undertake early on, to improve individual performance and lengthen the odds of success. In This Episode | Discussion Points (00:34) Why the people...

You know how some people can walk into a room and behave as though they own it? Well, in this episode we discuss how you, too, could become one among them, by developing the elusive Executive Presence. In This Episode | Discussion Points (03:55) What is Executive Presence and why do you need it? (06:43) Deconstructing executive presence. (13:08) How to make changes to develop executive presence. (15:37) How authenticity and experience can contribute (19:18) Dealing with...

Spending long hours with difficult people and forcing yourself to put up with them isn't healthy or sustainable. How can you better understand what is happening in such interactions? How do you know when a ‘bad’ boss isn't really just someone with a different working style - and how do you align your styles for better outcomes? And what do you do when the relationship is truly toxic? In This Episode | Discussion Points (01:20) It’s quite common to have a bad boss (02:50) Recognise your...

“I gave her a raise, yet she left.” Dual careers and an increased appreciation for work-life integration sparked during the pandemic have made employees think about work more broadly than just a pay packet. This makes it tougher to retain the good folks and the need of the hour is more honest conversations about what really excites the person in your team.  In This Episode | Discussion Points (03:10) Money is not the only motivator (05:54) Understanding the personal relationship we each...

So you’ve expanded your team, and yet you find yourself having to defer important things to handle day-to-day questions? The answer might lie less in behaviour and more in process. Whether you're a new manager of managers or an experienced one looking to improve your skills, this episode will provide valuable tips and strategies to help you lead your team to success. And feel comfortable while you do so.  In This Episode | Discussion Points [02:37] Setting up processes. [04:14] Avoiding...

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" is THE dreaded interview question. And you know what, it's okay not to have answers! Your career path is exactly that—a path. One that deserves exploring. In this episode, Subha and Hasita discuss the evolution of career paths and how they’re not all that linear these days. In This Episode | Discussion Points [00:30] Adapting your career to a rapidly changing world [03:37] Upskilling for an ‘unknown’ future [05:53] Building a complementary...