Have you ever missed any good opportunity ? What was you feeling like, later in life ? Missed opportunities can be incredibly painful, as they represent the road not taken, and the potential that was never realized. While rejection is certainly not easy, there's something about missed opportunities that may hurt even more as the regret remain life time. When we miss out on an opportunity, it's not just a matter of feeling disappointed or sad. We also experience a sense of regret, knowing that we could have done something differently or taken a chance that we were too afraid to take. It's a feeling of having let ourselves down, of not having lived up to our potential, or having failed to seize the moment. Rejection, on the other hand, can be seen as a clear-cut decision that someone else has made. While it may sting, you can still be satisfied if at least you did your best and that the outcome was beyond your control. With missed opportunities, however, we often feel that the outcome was entirely within our control, and that we simply didn't make the right choices. Missed opportunities will be more painful when it involve long-term consequences than rejections. A rejection may simply be a temporary setback, while a missed opportunity can have far-reaching implications for our lives and our future. We may never have the chance to make up for that missed opportunity, and the sense of regret can linger for years. So what can you do to avoid missed opportunities? 1. Stay open to new experiences: Willing to step out of our comfort zones and try new things. By staying open, we create opportunities for growth, learning, and connection that we might otherwise miss. 2. Keep an eye out for potential opportunities: Opportunities can come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to be alert and aware of what's happening around us. Pay attention to the people, events, and situations in your life that might lead to opportunities. 3. Be proactive: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you – create them yourself! Take the initiative to reach out to people, try new things, and explore new ideas. 4. Take calculated risks: Opportunities often involve some level of risk, but it's important to weigh the potential rewards against the potential downsides. Sometimes taking a chance is worth it, especially if it could lead to significant growth or a major breakthrough. 5. Learn from mistakes: Everyone misses opportunities from time to time, but it's important to learn from these mistakes and use them as a springboard for growth. Identify what went wrong, and use that knowledge to make better decisions in the future. 6. Prioritize what matters most: Not all opportunities are created equal, so it's important to focus on the ones that are most aligned with your goals, values, and priorities. By prioritizing, we can make the most of the opportunities that come our way and avoid getting distracted by ones that don't really matter. Missed opportunities can be painful reminders of the importance of living life to the fullest, and of seizing the moments that matter most. While we can't change the past, we can learn from our mistakes and make a commitment to living with intention, openness, and courage. By doing so, you can priorities opportunities, minimize the number of missed opportunities in your life, and maximize the potential for growth, happiness, and fulfillment, because its U@core.

“Never afraid to be different, afraid to be Similar” What comes to your mind when you read this ? Are you different or part of crowd or try to be part of crowd ? A decade ago, I visited my son’s school (DPS-South) for PTM. I read this amazing quote written on a wall there, This got my attention and registered in my heart so deep that, I never forgot it. Sometimes in life, we may feel like we don't quite fit in or that we are different from the people around us. We might feel like we don't belong or that we don't understand why everyone else seems to be on the same page, while we are on a different one. But the truth is, being different is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it can be a wonderful thing. You are just different, and that is a good thing. You have your own unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas. You bring something special to the table that no one else can. Embracing your differences can lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a stronger sense of identity. Because its U@core. You may have talents and abilities that others don't, or you may have a different way of approaching problems and challenges. Your unique qualities and quirks can be a source of strength and creativity. Of course, being different can also come with challenges. You may feel misunderstood or left out at times. But it's important to remember that everyone experiences challenges in life, and that your differences are what make you stand out in a world full of sameness. You are not alone, there are many people out there who share your differences and who have learned to embrace them. Seek out others who share your interests, passions, and values. Connect with them, learn from them, and support each other. Finally, being different is not something to be ashamed of. It's something to celebrate. So embrace your differences, embrace who you are, and know that you have something special to offer the world. You are a unique person with unique potentials, so untap your unique potentials because its U@core. Connect with me if you wish to uncover your brilliance. There are many reasons why people might be afraid to be different: 1. Fear of rejection: People may be afraid that if they don't fit in or conform to societal norms, they will be rejected by others. This fear of rejection can be a powerful motivator to conform. 2. Fear of failure: People may also fear that if they try something different or pursue their own unique path, they will fail. This fear of failure can be paralyzing and prevent people from taking risks. 3. Social pressure: Society often places a great deal of pressure on individuals to conform to certain expectations, such as dressing a certain way, having a certain job, or pursuing certain interests. This pressure can be difficult to resist. 4. Lack of self-confidence: Some people may lack the self-confidence to embrace their differences and pursue their own unique path. They may feel unsure of themselves and their abilities, and may not believe that they can succeed. 5. Lack of support: It can be difficult to be different when those around you are not supportive. If friends, family, or colleagues are not accepting of differences, it can be challenging to stay true to yourself. Overcoming these fears and pressures can be difficult, but it's important to remember that being different is a strength, not a weakness. It can lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a stronger sense of identity. By building self-confidence, seeking support, and taking small steps towards embracing your differences, you can learn to celebrate what makes you unique and pursue your own path with confidence. Remember, it's not about being like everyone else, it's about being the best version of yourself, because its U@core.

Change is inevitable, and time and generations march on with new perspectives and practices. Leadership as a topic has been evolving over the decades with every new generation contributing a new way of thinking about it. I have seen the Command-and-Control leadership style - this has been the hallmark of the last generation of leaders. This idea of leadership was also conflated with the idea of “respect”. However, as our understanding of leadership expanded and matured, it became clear that there are different ways of giving and gaining respect other than the command-and-control style. The more formal “Sir” and “Madam” way of addressing superiors has been replaced in corporations: Bosses are now being addressed by their first names. Interactions between employees and their superiors have become more open and less constrained, resulting in a friendly and less formal work environment. Greater openness and more interaction between team members and leaders have given the team a place and a voice in the discussions and decisions. A more friendly manner of interacting has developed in corporate workplaces. I have witnessed the older style and have seen the changing, emerging perspectives of leadership. This change has been reflected by changes in societal norms as well. While the older style may still linger in the government bureaucracy and the political class, the workforce at large has adapted to the newer, less formal way of interacting. What is next in the realm of leadership is the question that came to me even as I reflected on the changes I saw. In this regard, a dialogue for annual review and personal development with a colleague last year was an awesome, eye-opening experience. I approached it differently: She and I engaged in a conversation in which I sought her perspective on how the previous year had been for her and what changes or developments in her career she looked forward to, and what needs to happen for those changes. This approach was experimental, and it struck me that engaging with colleagues to enable insights with the right questions led to a better outcome than recalling each failure and success and providing feedback on what went well and what needs to improve. This approach provided a much better outcome, which led to much more ownership being taken by the colleague and not being enforced by me. This experience seeded in me a vision of what could be inspirational leadership. I envision the leader as a coach. A leader who is also a good coach can understand and inspire the members of the team by his awareness of their unique qualities and strengths. In this way, leaders can inspire their colleagues to work to the best of their abilities, using their skills optimally. For this to happen, leaders must become good coaches. When leaders become coaches, the need for frequent monitoring and regular review can be dialled down as the team members function at their highest level. The word “Leader “then lends itself to the idea of leading oneself rather than others. An individual who can lead themselves can have an inspirational impact on others when he engages with the others within the coaching parameters. I visualize leaders with the skills to lead themselves into the best version of themselves and coach their colleagues into tapping their potential and performing at their highest. This vision if realized will effectively replace the command and review model of leadership. Further, I visualize coaching as a tool that can be used across all levels: team leader coaches colleagues in the team, and leaders engage each other in peer coaching at various levels. The coaching methodology can be used as an aid in reviews of mid-and senior-level leaders with top executives. In these situations, there are opportunities for the top executives to coach their mid-and senior- level colleagues to generate insights in place of the usual review in command approach. To my mind, an organization can optimize its performance by using the coaching approach extensively in review meetings, team meetings, and one-on-one reviews into one-on-one coaching. The insights generated can empower the organization’s team to maximize its performance by tapping the potential of the individual member and inspiring them to deliver their best. Connect for more to Coach Sunil K. Vaya @ https://www.ideasteer.net , write us at ideasteer@gmail.com or WhatsApp on +91 9001997796.