Small Talk with RainKraft - Career-lifting Conversations

RainKraft
Small Talk with RainKraft - Career-lifting Conversations

Small Talk is for current and aspiring leaders who want to level up their career and their professional lives and want to do it mindfully. In a hyper-growth world, Coach Subha Chandrasekaran discusses personal leadership, professional growth, and thinking about your career as something to nurture and cultivate over time. Tune in for 20-minute episodes on conversational How-tos: how to navigate a layoff, how to handle feedback at work, how to ask for a raise, how to improve your delegating skills, and how to level up in a changing world. #careers #careercoach #careerpodcast

  1. Visibility Matters: How Sharing Achievements Fuels Growth

    SEP 13

    Visibility Matters: How Sharing Achievements Fuels Growth

    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 balance performance with self-promotion. Whether you’re leading a team or climbing the career ladder, this conversation will show you how gaining visibility is the key to unlocking new opportunities and furthering your impact. 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. Summary In this conversation, Subha and Hasita reflect on the chaotic month of August and discuss the importance of women in leadership roles, particularly in the context of the XLRI Upsurge event. They explore the challenges women face in self-promotion and visibility in the workplace, emphasizing the need to share achievements and build a supportive community. The discussion also touches on the balance between performance and visibility, highlighting the significance of networking and storytelling in professional growth. Takeaways Self-promotion is crucial for career advancement. Performance alone is not enough; visibility matters more. Women often feel the need to downplay their achievements. Building a community can provide support and encouragement. Sharing success stories can inspire others. Networking is essential for professional growth. It's important to find your tribe and share experiences. Creating a habit of self-promotion takes time and effort. Chapters 02:57 The Need to Talk More About Our Work 04:43 The Burden of Gratitude and Supportive Spouses 07:04 The Importance of Exposure and Self-Marketing 09:33 The Controversy of Talking About Achievements 11:19 The Phenomenon of Kamala Harris and Changing Perceptions 13:13 Relevance and Recency in Self-Promotion 14:49 Overcoming Negative Associations with Self-Promotion 17:12 The Value of Spaces for Conversations and Sharing *Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development.  *Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠)  *Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast, visibility, workplace, career growth, recognition, self-promotion, managers, skills, expertise, humility, opportunities, connections

    21 min
  2. Gain Visibility at Work or be the Turkish Olympic Shooter!

    AUG 15

    Gain Visibility at Work or be the Turkish Olympic Shooter!

    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 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. Summary Subha and Hasita explore the concept of visibility in the workplace and its importance in career growth and recognition. They discuss the challenges of balancing work and self-promotion, the role of managers in promoting visibility, and the need for individuals to actively showcase their skills and expertise. The conversation also touches on the cultural context of humility and the negative connotations associated with self-promotion. Overall, they emphasize the value of visibility in creating opportunities, building connections, and advancing in one's career. Takeaways Visibility in the workplace is important for career growth and recognition. Balancing work and self-promotion can be a challenge Managers play a role in promoting visibility Cultural beliefs about humility can hinder self-promotion Visibility creates opportunities, builds connections, and contributes to career advancement. Book reference - Burn Book by Kara Swisher Chapters 00:00 Shooting Stars at the Olympics 00:57 The Importance of Visibility 04:17 Challenges and Misconceptions of Visibility 09:12 Strategies for Being Visible 15:11 Balancing Visibility and Authenticity 19:01 Putting Work in Perspective for Recognition 21:17 Situational Visibility in Important Meetings *Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development.  *Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠⁠⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠⁠⁠)  *Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast, visibility, workplace, career growth, recognition, self-promotion, managers, skills, expertise, humility, opportunities, connections

    22 min
  3. Taking the First Step from Idea to Action

    JUL 24

    Taking the First Step from Idea to Action

    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 problem-solving. They highlight the value of tools like the five whys, SWOT analysis, and the blue ocean strategy in identifying opportunities and addressing challenges. They also emphasize the benefits of using AI-powered tools like chat GPT to facilitate introspection and generate insights. The conversation concludes with the idea of involving teams in problem-solving and the importance of taking the first step and embracing uncertainty. Chapters 00:22 Becoming a Certified Stress and Rescue Diver 01:22 The Stuckness before Moving Forward 05:10 Using Tools to Bridge the Gap 09:16 The Power of Asking Why 10:47 Breaking Down Problems with Tools 12:03 Simplifying at the Expense of Everything Else 14:03 The Importance of Clarifying Thinking 19:18 The Value of AI-Powered Tools 21:42 Embracing Uncertainty and Exploring New Pathways What You’ll Learn: Use tools and frameworks like the five whys, SWOT analysis, and the blue ocean strategy to clarify thinking and problem-solving. AI-powered tools like chat GPT can provide valuable insights and facilitate introspection. Involve teams in problem-solving to gain diverse perspectives and generate innovative solutions. Embrace uncertainty and take the first step towards turning ideas into action. *Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development.  *Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠⁠)  *Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast *Episode Tags:* turning ideas into action, tools and frameworks, problem-solving, five whys, SWOT analysis, blue ocean strategy, AI-powered tools, chat GPT, involving teams, embracing uncertainty

    23 min
  4. The Bridge Every Vision Needs

    JUL 10

    The Bridge Every Vision Needs

    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. It highlights the need for effective expectation management and articulating the 'how' of a project. The discussion also touches upon the challenges of strategic thinking and aligning different stakeholders, bringing in the the significance of storytelling and vision in driving team motivation and loyalty. They stress the need for leaders to slow down, understand individual skill sets, and nurture growth. Chapters 00:39 Challenges with Expectation Management 05:07 The Importance of Looking at the Big Picture 07:41 The Overwhelm of Transitioning to a Leadership Role 08:14 Communicating the Strategic Vision to the Team 09:11 Enthusing the Team with the Strategic Vision 12:18 Slowing Down and Understanding Each Individual 13:42 Building Depth and Upskilling the Team 16:44 The ROI of Building Expertise 18:03 The Need for Different Tools for Strategic Thinking What You’ll Learn: Clear communication and expectation management are crucial in stakeholder relationships. Articulating the 'how' of a project is as important as the 'what' and 'why'. Storytelling and vision can drive team motivation and loyalty. Leaders should slow down, understand individual skill sets, and nurture growth. Different strategic tools can be used in different scenarios. *Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk with Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development.  *Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](⁠https://www.rainkraft.in⁠)  *Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast  *Episode Tags:* communication, expectation management, articulation, strategic thinking, alignment, storytelling, vision, team motivation, leadership, skill sets, growth, strategic tools

    20 min
  5. The Strategic Pivot: Seeing the Big Picture

    JUN 26

    The Strategic Pivot: Seeing the Big Picture

    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 Federer's commencement speech and emphasize that strategic thinking is a skill that can be developed over time. They encourage listeners to create time for strategic thinking, assess their current situation, and start building the skill. They also highlight the need to step back from day-to-day tasks and focus on the larger goals and vision. The episode concludes with the suggestions to foster strategic thinking. Chapters 00:00 When you need to get Strategic! 06:31 The Daunting Nature of Strategic Thinking 09:52 Creating Time for Strategic Thinking 13:04 Assessing Your Current Situation and Strengths 14:08 Staying Informed about Industry Trends 19:00 Wrap Up What You’ll Learn: The definitions of big picture thinking and strategic visioning Common challenges managers face when developing these skills Practical tips for cultivating big picture thinking and strategic visioning Real-life examples of successful transitions from managerial to strategic leadership roles References: 2024 Commencement Address by Roger Federer at Dartmouth on YouTube FEDERER: Twelve Final Days on Prime Video *Join Us:* Subscribe to "Small Talk for Rainkraft" on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development. *Connect with Us:* - Website: [Rainkraft.in](https://www.rainkraft.in) *Keywords:* Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership, Career podcast, podcast, coaching podcast *Episode Tags:* Career Development, Leadership Skills, Professional Growth, Strategic Thinking, Personal Leadership, Mid-Management Professionals, Women Leaders, Career Acceleration

    20 min
  6. Trailer: Careers are Curvy - a Small Talk production

    SEASON 6 TRAILER

    Trailer: Careers are Curvy - a Small Talk production

    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 topics such as big picture thinking, tactical leadership, navigating career transitions, and building resilience. Tune in for expert advice, real-life success stories, and practical tips to help you navigate your career path mindfully and effectively. **What to Expect:** - Insightful conversations on personal leadership and professional growth - Practical advice on navigating career challenges - Stories and strategies to embrace the curvy path of career development - A focus on skill-building, adaptability, and continuous learning **Join Us:** Subscribe to "Small Talk for Rainkraft" on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on a journey of career growth and mindful professional development. Stay tuned for our first episode and learn how to master big picture thinking and strategic visioning with our special co-host, Hasita. **Connect with Us:** - Website: [Rainkraft.in](https://www.rainkraft.in) **Keywords:** Careers, Career Growth, Leadership, Professional Development, Skill Building, Big Picture Thinking, Strategic Visioning, Career Transitions, Resilience, Mindful Leadership **Episode Tags:** Career Development, Leadership Skills, Professional Growth, Strategic Thinking, Personal Leadership, Mid-Management Professionals, Women Leaders, Career Acceleration ---

    2 min
  7. Career Lift-Off: Best Moments from Small Talk in 2023

    JAN 8

    Career Lift-Off: Best Moments from Small Talk in 2023

    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 best of Season 5. Stay tuned for more engaging conversations and valuable insights. Keep Small Talking! IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 | Intro 01:59 | How to face a crossroad in your career? 06:08 | Why do you need a mentor? 08:02 | The most important thing in a crisis 09:27 | Crisis communication is not saying everything 10:21 | WIIFM - what's in it for me? 11:20 | How to meet the interests of everyone in a meeting? 12:23 | Fear is a tough emotion, fear of failure is even tougher 13:23 | Having a group to give you feedback is the way to soften the blow of failures 14:32 | What’s the new trend of coffee badging? 16:27 | When is the right time to change your career? 20:31 | Wrap up Your Host, Subha Chandrasekaran Subha started her career as a banking professional and was with Citibank NA for 15 years in Operations and Technology functions. She worked in critical people management roles across geographies that delivered operational excellence and client delight. The workplace was a delightful learning ground for leadership skills and to experience the joy of bringing your A-game to your work and building your team and their careers.  As a coach, Subha brings expertise and genuine care to every interaction. Her personalized approach ensures that your goals and aspirations are at the forefront of the coaching process. With her guidance, you'll gain clarity, develop strategies, and take confident steps towards your professional aspirations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/  Hasita Krishna: Strategic Marketer  Hasita Krishna is a multifaceted professional who thrives on the principles of mindful marketing and strategic restraint. As the founder of Motley Crew, a prominent Indian marketing consulting entity, Hasita embodies her marketing philosophy. ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/⁠ RainKraft  At RainKraft, they are driven by a shared passion for personal and professional growth. They firmly believe that transformation begins when individuals embrace their potential and commit to realizing their aspirations. Led by Subha, an empathetic and experienced coach, they provide the guidance and support needed to navigate the ever-evolving career development landscape. https://www.rainkraft.in/about  —- ABOUT Small Talk with RainKraft Small Talk is for current and aspiring leaders who want to level up their career and their professional lives and want to do it mindfully. In a hyper-growth world, Coach Subha Chandrasekaran discusses personal leadership, professional growth, and thinking about your career as something to nurture and cultivate over time. Tune in for 20-minute episodes on conversational How-tos: how to navigate a layoff, how to handle feedback at work, how to ask for a raise, how to improve your delegating skills, and how to level up in a changing world. — This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Connect with us through the Crazytok website, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

    21 min
  8. Choosing How to Shape Your Year

    12/25/2023

    Choosing How to Shape Your Year

    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 THIS EPISODE (00:00) Introduction (01:10) Reflecting on 2023 (02:44) Subha's Reflections on Focus and Choices (04:22) Subha's Insights on Distractions and Productivity (05:44) Lessons from Social Media Wisdom and Accountability (09:23) Queen's Story and Choices in Life (12:42) Moving Away from Traditional Structures (15:33) Closing Thoughts and Wishes Your Host, Subha Chandrasekaran Subha started her career as a banking professional and was with Citibank NA for 15 years in Operations and Technology functions. She worked in critical people management roles across geographies that delivered operational excellence and client delight. The workplace was a delightful learning ground for leadership skills and to experience the joy of bringing your A-game to your work and building your team and their careers.  As a coach, Subha brings expertise and genuine care to every interaction. Her personalized approach ensures that your goals and aspirations are at the forefront of the coaching process. With her guidance, you'll gain clarity, develop strategies, and take confident steps towards your professional aspirations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/  Hasita Krishna: Strategic Marketer  Hasita Krishna is a multifaceted professional who thrives on the principles of mindful marketing and strategic restraint. As the founder of Motley Crew, a prominent Indian marketing consulting entity, Hasita embodies her marketing philosophy. Additionally, Hasita shares her expertise through The Damn Good Marketing Podcast, catering to small business owners navigating the intricacies of digital marketing.  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/⁠ RainKraft  At RainKraft, they are driven by a shared passion for personal and professional growth. They firmly believe that transformation begins when individuals embrace their potential and commit to realizing their aspirations. Led by Subha, an empathetic and experienced coach, they provide the guidance and support needed to navigate the ever-evolving career development landscape. https://www.rainkraft.in/about  —- ABOUT Small Talk with RainKraft Small Talk is for current and aspiring leaders who want to level up their career and their professional lives and want to do it mindfully. In a hyper-growth world, Coach Subha Chandrasekaran discusses personal leadership, professional growth, and thinking about your career as something to nurture and cultivate over time. Tune in for 20-minute episodes on conversational How-tos: how to navigate a layoff, how to handle feedback at work, how to ask for a raise, how to improve your delegating skills, and how to level up in a changing world. — This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Connect with us through the Crazytok website, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

    16 min

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Small Talk is for current and aspiring leaders who want to level up their career and their professional lives and want to do it mindfully. In a hyper-growth world, Coach Subha Chandrasekaran discusses personal leadership, professional growth, and thinking about your career as something to nurture and cultivate over time. Tune in for 20-minute episodes on conversational How-tos: how to navigate a layoff, how to handle feedback at work, how to ask for a raise, how to improve your delegating skills, and how to level up in a changing world. #careers #careercoach #careerpodcast

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