Overall 18+ years of experience in software engineering and in which 6+ years of experience in Program management Lead Technical Program Manager | Tech Leader | Agile Enthusiast | Leadership Coach | Agile Coach I am a seasoned tech leader with over 18 years of experience across engineering, product management, and program management. I led technical teams driving medium and large scale projects across multiple industries like Banking and Finance, Insurance, Retail and Media industry. I specialize in optimizing product, process, and people strategies. I have partnered with senior leadership to driving strategic business outcomes while fostering a culture of connection, authenticity, and empathy.
My Mentoring Topics
- Agile
- Project/ Program Management
- People Management
- Strategy and Roadmap Planning
- Career development and goal setting
Vijaykumar didn't receive any reviews yet.
You need to be logged in to schedule a session with this mentor. Please sign in here or create an account.
Leaders Eat Last - Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't
Simon Sinek
Key Facts and Insights from "Leaders Eat Last" The concept of the 'Circle of Safety': Leaders should create a safe environment where team members feel secure, supported, and free to express their thoughts and ideas. Effective leadership is about serving others, not being served. This is the concept of 'servant leadership.' Trust and cooperation are crucial for a team to function effectively. This can only be fostered in an environment where team members feel safe and valued. The biology of leadership: Certain chemicals in our bodies – endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin – play a significant role in leadership and team behavior. The danger of valuing numbers over people: In an organization, prioritizing metrics and profits over the well-being of the team can lead to a toxic work environment and poor performance. The importance of empathy in leadership: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others helps in building strong relationships and fostering cooperation within the team. Leadership requires courage: The courage to take the risk, to take care of others before oneself, and to make the right decisions, even if they are not popular. The role of communication in leadership: Effective leaders communicate a clear vision that inspires team members to work towards a common goal. Leadership is a lifestyle, not a rank: Leadership is about behavior and action, not about titles and positions. Leadership is about consistency: Trust is built through consistency. Leaders should be consistent in their actions and decisions to earn the trust of their team. Importance of flexibility and adaptability: Good leaders are flexible and adaptable in the face of change. They are open to new ideas and willing to adjust their strategies if necessary. An In-Depth Analysis of the Book's Contents "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek offers a comprehensive exploration of what makes a truly effective leader. Drawing on a range of examples from the military, business, and beyond, Sinek provides clear insights into how leadership works and how it can be fostered within an organization. At the core of Sinek's argument is the concept of the 'Circle of Safety.' This idea suggests that leaders should strive to create a supportive and secure environment for their teams. Only in such an environment can individuals feel safe enough to take risks, innovate, and cooperate effectively. This ties closely to the principle of servant leadership, a concept that has been widely discussed in leadership literature. Sinek argues that true leaders serve their teams, not the other way around. This service-oriented mentality fosters trust and cooperation, which are crucial for team performance. Sinek also delves into the science of leadership, discussing the role of certain chemicals in our bodies – endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin – in leadership and team behavior. This biological perspective provides a unique lens through which to understand leadership dynamics. A key warning in the book is about the danger of valuing numbers over people. This is a common pitfall in many organizations, where the drive for profits and performance metrics can overshadow the human element. Such an approach can lead to a toxic work environment and ultimately harm performance. The importance of empathy in leadership is another key theme in the book. This aligns with current research in emotional intelligence, which highlights the role of empathy in building strong interpersonal relationships and fostering a cooperative team environment. Throughout the book, Sinek emphasizes that leadership requires courage. This includes the courage to take risks, to prioritize others over oneself, and to make the right decisions even when they are not popular. Effective communication is also highlighted as a crucial aspect of leadership. Leaders need to articulate a clear vision that inspires their team and motivates them to work towards a common goal. Sinek stresses that leadership is a lifestyle, not a rank. It is about behavior and action, not about titles and positions. This demystifies the concept of leadership and makes it accessible to everyone in an organization. Consistency is another important aspect of leadership according to Sinek. Trust, he argues, is built through consistency. Leaders need to be consistent in their behavior, actions, and decisions to earn the trust of their team. Finally, Sinek underscores the importance of flexibility and adaptability in leadership. In our ever-changing world, leaders need to be open to new ideas and willing to adjust their strategies if necessary. In conclusion, "Leaders Eat Last" offers a holistic view of effective leadership, highlighting the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, serving others, fostering trust and cooperation, understanding the biology of leadership, valifying people over numbers, demonstrating empathy, courage, effective communication, consistency, and adaptability. This aligns with many current theories and concepts in leadership literature, offering a practical guide for anyone seeking to enhance their leadership skills and create a more effective team.
ViewAtomic Habits
James Clear
Key Facts and Insights The power of small, everyday habits and their cumulative impact on our lives. The concept of habit stacking, where you layer a new habit onto an existing one to make it easier to adopt. The idea of making good habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. The importance of focusing on systems rather than goals. The role of environment and context in shaping our habits. The difference between outcome-based habits and identity-based habits. The concept of the two-minute rule for establishing new habits. How habits can lead to compound growth in personal and professional development. The significance of the feedback loop in habit formation and breaking bad habits. Understanding the role of dopamine and reward in developing and maintaining habits. The importance of tracking and accountability in habit formation. An In-depth Analysis of Atomic Habits In the book, James Clear posits on the power of small daily habits and their cumulative impact. It underlines the idea that success is not a matter of grand actions or drastic changes, but rather the product of small, incremental habits applied consistently over time. This concept aligns with the theory of marginal gains, a concept often applied in business and sports, which emphasizes on making small, 1% improvements in everything you do. The author introduces the concept of "habit stacking", where a new habit is layered onto an existing one to ensure its adoption. For example, if you already have a habit of brushing your teeth every morning, you could stack a new habit of flossing right after. This is based on the psychological principle of classical conditioning, where a response to a stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus. Clear asserts that for habits to stick, they need to be obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. This principle resonates with B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning theory in psychology, which stipulates that behavior is more likely to recur if it is followed by a reward. Making a habit satisfying or rewarding is crucial for its reinforcement and repetition. Interestingly, Clear argues for focusing on systems rather than goals. Goals, he asserts, are about the results you want to achieve, while systems are about the processes that lead to those results. This perspective aligns with Deming's System of Profound Knowledge which stresses on understanding and improving systems, rather than solely focusing on outcomes. The role of environment and context in shaping our habits is another noteworthy insight. Clear suggests that by altering our physical environment, we can make the desired habits more convenient and the undesirable habits more inconvenient. This approach aligns with the field of environmental psychology, which studies the interplay between individuals and their surroundings. Clear also distinguishes between outcome-based habits and identity-based habits. While the former focuses on what you want to achieve, the latter emphasizes on who you wish to become. This insight is pivotal in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), where changing one's self-identity is often a key step towards changing behavior. The two-minute rule is a practical tool offered by Clear to establish new habits. The rule suggests that when starting a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do. This concept is rooted in the principle of shaping in behavior modification, where a complex behavior is broken down into manageable steps and then gradually built up. The book also explores the phenomenon of compound growth in personal and professional development as a result of consistent habits. This principle mirrors the financial concept of compound interest, where small, regular investments can lead to significant growth over time due to the power of exponential growth. The significance of the feedback loop in habit formation is also explored. Clear discusses the importance of immediate feedback in reinforcing or eliminating a habit. This concept is a cornerstone in cybernetics and systems theory, where feedback loops are used to adjust and control system behavior. Clear also discusses the role of dopamine and reward in habit formation. The release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, reinforces the habit loop. This is a fundamental principle in neuroscience and has been extensively studied in addiction research. Finally, Clear underscores the importance of tracking and accountability in habit formation. Logging your progress and having someone to answer to can be powerful motivators for maintaining good habits. This idea is supported by research in the field of behavior analysis, which has shown that monitoring and accountability can significantly impact behavior change. In conclusion, Atomic Habits goes beyond the usual advice on habit formation and offers a comprehensive framework grounded in scientific research. Its principles and strategies, if applied consistently, can lead to significant personal and professional growth. It's a testament to the power of small, everyday habits in shaping our lives.
ViewYour Brain at Work - Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long
David Rock
Key Facts and Insights from the Book Our brains are not designed to multitask. Trying to do multiple things at once can lead to mistakes and reduced productivity. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for complex thinking and decision making, is easily drained and requires regular rest to function optimally. Understanding our brain's limitations can help us work smarter, not harder. Our brains consistently seek novelty, which can often lead to distractions. Emotional regulation is crucial for maintaining focus and productivity at work. Physical exercise and mental breaks are essential for replenishing our cognitive resources. Creating routines and habits help to conserve our brain's energy. Recognizing and mitigating stress triggers can significantly enhance our performance at work. The brain's reward system can be harnessed to increase motivation and productivity. Awareness of our internal and external environment can help us manage our cognitive resources better. Understanding how our brains work can significantly improve our decision-making process, problem-solving abilities, and overall mental resilience. In-depth Analysis and Summary In David Rock's book, he delves into the intricacies of the human brain, its limitations, and potential. The primary objective is to help readers understand how their brains function, how to maximize its potential, and how to work smarter, not harder. The first notable point from the book is the concept of multitasking. Rock posits that the human brain is not wired for multitasking. He explains that when we attempt to do multiple things at once, we overload our prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for complex thinking and decision-making. This can lead to mistakes, reduced productivity, and increased stress. This insight is supported by ample neuroscience research. Studies have shown that when we multitask, we're not actually doing several tasks simultaneously, but instead, our brain is rapidly switching attention between tasks, which can lead to errors and inefficiency. Therefore, the first strategy to overcome distraction and increase focus at work is to prioritize tasks and tackle them one at a time. Another significant insight from the book is understanding how our brain's quest for novelty can lead to distractions. The brain is naturally drawn to new and exciting stimuli, which can often sidetrack us from our tasks. By being aware of this tendency, we can better manage our focus and avoid unnecessary distractions. Rock also emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation in maintaining focus and productivity at work. Emotions play a significant role in our cognitive processes. Negative emotions, such as stress and fear, can hinder our ability to think clearly and make rational decisions. On the other hand, positive emotions can enhance our cognitive abilities. Therefore, developing strategies to regulate our emotions, such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques, can significantly improve our performance at work. The book also highlights the importance of physical exercise and mental breaks in replenishing our cognitive resources. Our brains, like any other organ in our bodies, require rest to function optimally. Regular physical exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function and improve mental health. Meanwhile, taking regular mental breaks can help prevent cognitive fatigue and maintain our focus throughout the day. Finally, Rock discusses how understanding how our brains work can significantly improve our decision-making process, problem-solving abilities, and overall mental resilience. By being aware of our cognitive limitations and strengths, we can make better decisions, solve problems more efficiently, and build mental resilience to cope with challenges at work and in life. In conclusion, "Your Brain at Work" provides practical strategies based on neuroscience research to help readers overcome distractions, regain focus, and work smarter. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how our brains function to optimize its potential and enhance our performance at work and in life.
ViewTrillion Dollar Coach - The Leadership Handbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell
Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, Alan Eagle
Key Facts and Insights from "Trillion Dollar Coach" Relationships are key: The book emphasizes the importance of relationships in fostering successful business teams and enterprises. Trust and respect: The building blocks of any meaningful relationship are trust and respect and these are equally important in professional relationships. Leadership is about people: The book underscores the idea that leadership is not about processes or strategies, but about people. Leadership is a service: Serving others is a fundamental principle of leadership. Leaders exist to support and empower their team members. Listening is crucial: The ability to listen effectively is a critical leadership skill. Leaders must be good listeners to understand their team's needs and concerns. Commitment to the team: A strong team commitment is vital for any successful organization. Leaders must foster a sense of belonging and commitment within their teams. Honesty and transparency: These are fundamental values that leaders must possess. Honesty and transparency foster trust and respect within the team. Emotional courage: Leaders need emotional courage to take risks, make difficult decisions and face opposition. Leaders are learners: Leaders must continually learn and grow. They must be open to new ideas and perspectives, and be willing to adapt and change. Leaders create leaders: The ultimate goal of a leader is to develop more leaders within the organization. Performance and values are equally important: The book stresses that while performance is important, it should not come at the expense of values. In-depth Summary and Analysis "Trillion Dollar Coach" is a tribute to the legendary Silicon Valley coach Bill Campbell, who mentored some of the most successful leaders and companies, including Steve Jobs, Larry Page, and Eric Schmidt. The book is written by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle, who were all coached by Campbell and have firsthand experience of his coaching style and principles. The book begins by emphasizing the importance of relationships in business. It underscores how Campbell viewed relationships as the cornerstone of successful teams and enterprises. This is a critical insight because in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, the human aspect of business – relationships, trust, and respect – often gets overlooked. Yet, as the book suggests, these are vital for fostering a productive and successful work environment. The authors explain that leadership, according to Campbell, is fundamentally about people. This idea challenges traditional notions of leadership that focus on processes, strategies, and results. Campbell's approach to leadership was holistic and people-centric. He believed that leaders exist to serve their teams, to support and empower them. This perspective aligns with the concept of servant leadership, which posits that the primary role of a leader is to serve others. The book also highlights the importance of listening in leadership. Campbell was a keen listener who understood that listening is a powerful tool for understanding the needs and concerns of the team. This is an important reminder for today's leaders who often prioritize speaking and directing over listening and understanding. Another key insight from the book is the need for leaders to foster a strong sense of team commitment. Campbell worked hard to create a sense of belonging within his teams, which ultimately led to greater team cohesion and productivity. This aligns with research showing that teams with a strong sense of belonging and commitment are more likely to succeed. Honesty and transparency are other key principles underscored in the book. These values foster trust and respect within the team, which are critical for effective leadership. In a world where corporate scandals and unethical behavior are all too common, this is a timely reminder of the importance of integrity in leadership. The book also discusses the concept of emotional courage – the ability to take risks, make difficult decisions, and face opposition. Campbell himself demonstrated emotional courage throughout his career, and he encouraged the leaders he coached to do the same. This is a powerful message for leaders who often face difficult and unpopular decisions. Moreover, the book emphasizes that leaders must be lifelong learners. They must be open to new ideas and perspectives, and be willing to adapt and change. This aligns with the concept of a learning organization, where learning and innovation are key to success. The ultimate goal of a leader, according to Campbell, is to develop more leaders within the organization. This insight challenges traditional hierarchical models of leadership and aligns with the idea of distributed leadership, where leadership is shared and dispersed throughout the organization. Finally, the book emphasizes that while performance is important, it should not come at the expense of values. This is a critical insight that counters the prevailing focus on performance at all costs. It reminds leaders that values are equally, if not more, important for long-term success. In conclusion, "Trillion Dollar Coach" offers valuable insights into the principles and practices of one of Silicon Valley's most influential coaches. It provides a roadmap for effective leadership that is grounded in relationships, trust, and respect. It challenges traditional notions of leadership and offers a more holistic and people-centric approach. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in leadership, business, and the secrets behind Silicon Valley's success.
ViewEMPOWERED - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products
Marty Cagan
Key Insights from "EMPOWERED - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products" by Marty Cagan Transformation from ordinary to extraordinary: The book emphasizes that ordinary people can produce extraordinary products when empowered with the right tools, knowledge, and environment. Product teams: Cagan emphasizes the importance of autonomous, cross-functional product teams for creating innovative products. Leadership role: The book highlights the role of leadership in empowering teams and fostering a conducive environment for innovation. Product vision: Cagan underscores the significance of a clear, compelling product vision as a guiding light for product teams. User-centric approach: The book promotes a deep understanding of users, their needs, and their problems as key to creating valuable products. Risks and failures: Cagan discusses the importance of embracing risks and learning from failures in the product development process. Continuous learning: The book advocates for continuous learning and improvement both at the individual and team level. Role of technology: Cagan emphasizes the crucial role of leveraging technology to create innovative solutions. Product discovery: The book details the process of product discovery as a means to validate ideas before development. Product delivery: Cagan outlines the importance of efficient product delivery mechanisms for successful product development. Detailed Analysis and Summary "EMPOWERED - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products" by Marty Cagan is a compelling read that delves into the nuances of creating extraordinary products. The book's central theme is the idea that ordinary people can produce extraordinary products when provided with the right tools, knowledge, and environment. This concept resonates with my years of research and teaching in product development, where I've witnessed the transformative effect of empowerment on individuals and teams. One of the key concepts that Cagan discusses is the importance of autonomous, cross-functional product teams in the innovation process. In my experience, this approach fosters collaboration, allows for diverse perspectives, and accelerates the product development cycle. Cagan goes a step further to discuss the role of leadership in empowering these teams. The book argues that leaders should not merely manage but inspire, mentor, and create an environment conducive to innovation. This aligns with the transformational leadership theory, a concept I frequently reference in my lectures. Another critical insight from the book is the import of a clear, compelling product vision. According to Cagan, this vision serves as a guiding light for product teams, providing direction and fostering alignment. This concept is deeply rooted in goal-setting theory, which emphasizes the significance of clear, challenging goals in driving performance. At the heart of Cagan's approach to product development is a user-centric approach. The book promotes a deep understanding of users, their needs, and their problems as the key to creating valuable products. This aligns with the principles of user-centered design and human-computer interaction, topics I frequently delve into during my lectures. Cagan also discusses the importance of embracing risks and learning from failures in the product development process. This aspect resonates with the concept of a learning organization, where failure is seen not as a setback but as an opportunity for learning and improvement. On the topic of learning, the book advocates for continuous learning and improvement both at the individual and team level. This idea echoes the principles of continuous improvement and lifelong learning, which are foundational to personal and professional growth. Cagan also emphasizes the crucial role of leveraging technology to create innovative solutions. The book points out that technology isn't just a tool but a source of product innovation when used creatively and strategically. Lastly, the book details the processes of product discovery and product delivery. Product discovery involves validating ideas before development, while product delivery focuses on bringing these validated ideas to life. These concepts align with the lean startup methodology and agile development practices, which advocate for iterative development and continuous feedback. In conclusion, "EMPOWERED - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products" by Marty Cagan offers invaluable insights into the process of product development. It presents a compelling case for empowering individuals and teams, fostering a user-centric approach, embracing risks and failures, and leveraging technology for innovation. In doing so, it provides a comprehensive guide for anyone involved in product development, from beginners to seasoned professionals.
View