Bhavesh Sharma’s Post

I stumbled upon this gem at JNU last week - a magical bookshop run by an extraordinary individual. This encounter was a warm hug for the soul. A long list of the nation's greatest bureaucrats, politicians and diplomats have passed through this lovely shop. At the heart of it - a gentle soul with a warm smile. His shop is a sanctuary of slow living in our fast-paced world. Sometimes, the most profound experiences are found in the quiet corners we least expect.  Here's to the keepers of knowledge and may we always find time to lose ourselves in their worlds. #BookLover #HiddenGems #JNU #SlowLiving #PowerOfBooks

Last week was a whirlwind of inspiration! Honoured to have spoken at JNU, IILM, and Delhi University. Meeting the next generation of innovators and leaders was truly wow. The energy, creativity, and passion I witnessed were off the charts. If I had even half the drive at their age.....watch out, world! To all the students I met: Keep that fire burning. You're not just the future – you're shaping it right now. Feeling recharged and optimistic about what's to come. Here's to the power of youth and education! #InspiredByYouth #HigherEducation #FutureLeaders #CampusTalks #GenZ

Are We Chasing a Different Reality Since watching the U.S. presidential debate, less than a fortnight back, a thought has been nagging me: are we all endlessly chasing a version of reality that's more perfect than reality itself? The presidential debate isn't about substance; it's about who can fake it better, who can deliver the most convincing words. We know they're lying, yet in many situations, we seem to favour the best liar. This applies to business as well, where perception often outweighs reality. In both politics and business, the ability to craft a compelling narrative is often far more valuable than the truth itself. Instagram? A curated simulation of life - a copy of a copy of a copy, endlessly repeating itself. It feels like we’re chasing an ideal reality, that’s more perfect than life itself. Have we reaching a point where we actually prefer the simulation? From politics to social media, we're increasingly living in a world of carefully crafted personas and narratives. The line between authenticity and performance is blurring, and blurring very quickly. In this age of hyper-reality, how do we stay grounded? How do we distinguish between genuine connection and a well-crafted illusion? #RealityCheck #Digital #Authenticity #Leadership

I recently had the honour of speaking to the graduating class at JNU, and I wanted to share the essence of that talk here, as it reflects a belief I hold strongly on how companies should be run. The most successful companies in the world understand a crucial truth: INNOVATION REQUIRES SOME SLACK IN THE SYSTEM It’s not just about efficiency—it’s about creating space for creativity and exploration. Take Google, for instance. Their famous “20% time” policy allowed engineers to spend part of their work week on projects that personally interested them. This perceived “inefficiency” led to the creation of key products like Gmail, Google News, and AdSense. Similarly, 3M’s 15% self-directed time resulted in the invention of Post-it Notes, a product that revolutionised office supplies. But innovation isn’t just about creating new products. This slack also enables companies to pivot when necessary. Interestingly, this principle can be observed in nature as well. Honeybees provide a striking example: about 20% of forager bees completely ignore the hive’s standard instructions and venture out on their own, trying to discover new food sources. This flexibility allows the colony to survive when familiar resources run dry. The lesson is clear: successful companies, like nature, must build slack into their systems. This flexibility fuels adaptation and long-term survival. I’ve seen numerous examples where innovation was stifled by an overemphasis on efficiency. Are we allowing enough slack for innovation, or are we too focused on short-term efficiency at the expense of long-term growth? #Innovation #OrganisationalStrategy #BusinessLessonsFromNature

Are we all masters of self-deception in some ways? Most of our conscious reasoning, is actually post-rationalisation. We mostly act on instinct, and then we create plausible stories to explain why we did what we did. What's more, we don't really have a concept of things, except in context. The same thing can be good or bad depending on our frame of mind. It’s a bit unsettling, isn’t it? To think we might be unreliable narrators in the stories of our own lives. This really matters, especially when it comes to the costly mistakes we make when we take people – or even ourselves – literally. Our capacity for self-deception is really immense. We’re actually far more wrong about psychology than we are about physics. While there’s been incredible progress in psychology over the last 20 to 30 years, we still have so much more to learn. The most fundamental takeaway? We don't always understand why we do the things we do :) Have you noticed moments of self-deception or post-rationalisation in your own life? #SelfAwareness #HumanBehaviour #CognitiveScience

Powerful Lessons From the Most Incompetent Managers We've all had that boss—the manager who makes you wonder how they ever got the job in the first place. Working under incompetent leadership comes with two distinct advantages: firstly, your alcohol consumption increases dramatically, and secondly, you learn how not to be an arse (how would you ever know what is good, if you don’t know what is bad?). Let's dive straight in: 1) Feedback is not a yearly ‘wtf’ surprise The annual performance review should not be the only time your team hears from you 2) Empathy isn't optional Remember, your team members are human (we don’t have humanoids yet), so don’t be a jerk. Create a supportive work culture 3) Micromanagement is not a management style This is the biggest mojo killer. Set clear expectations and trust your team to do their jobs 4) Communication is key, absolutely critical So don't mess it up 5) Credit is not a zero-sum game Do not hog the limelight. When your team wins, everyone wins; everyone celebrates 6) Lead by example, not by decree Want your team to work hard? Roll up your sleeves. Want them to be punctual? Show up on time yourself The next time you find yourself cursing an incompetent manager (hopefully not out loud), take a step back. There's a lesson in there somewhere. Become the leader your team deserves. #Leadership #ManagementLessons #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture

Yesterday, I spotted a sight that's becoming increasingly very rare: a big, red postbox standing proudly on the street corner. It instantly transported me back to a time when these boxes were so important in our lives. I remember waiting for university acceptance letters? The anticipation, hoping for that thick envelope that signalled good news. Or the thrill of receiving a handwritten letter from a loved one. This nostalgia got me thinking about business and personal growth. In our hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget the value of patience; we expect instant results, constantly refreshing all feeds and messages! There is undeniable value in speed, and in today's competitive landscape, being able to pivot quickly and seize opportunities is absolutely critical. However, the challenge lies in finding the right balance. Sometimes the most meaningful achievements in our careers often require patience and persistence. The lesson isn't to slow down entirely but to cultivate 'patient persistence' alongside our need for speed. I've learned that some of the biggest breakthroughs often come after periods of apparent stagnation. For example, Blinkit has existed as Grofers since 2015, rebranded at the end of 2021, and truly became a rocket ship with crazy growth in the last 12 months. It took nine years to become an 'overnight success!'" I think it is about knowing when to push forward rapidly, and when to give things time to develop naturally. How do you balance patience and progress in your professional life? #ProfessionalGrowth #Patience #BusinessLessons #Nostalgia

As I watch the incredible athletes compete in the Olympics, I'm struck by how much business leaders can learn from their dedication and teamwork. Here are a few key insights that stand out to me each time: Mental Game > Physical Game The pressure is immense, yet these competitors stay focused. How can we build that kind of resilience in ourselves and our teams? Adaptability Wins Pivot with purpose—the best athletes adjust their strategies on the fly. Are we fostering that kind of agility in our organisations? No One Succeeds Alone Even solo athletes have a strong support squad. Are we creating an environment where our people can truly shine through mutual support? Grace in Victory & Defeat How well do we handle both our successes and setbacks? Some Olympic moments have been a masterclass in leadership. What lessons from the world's greatest athletes can you apply to your leadership journey? #Olympics #Leadership #BusinessLessons #ProfessionalDevelopment

Creation > Criticism In our digital age, it's so easy to fall into the trap of being a constant critic. We scroll, we judge, we ridicule, we comment. But I think true value lies in creation, not criticism. Creating something - whether it's art, a business, or an idea - takes real courage, takes guts. It means putting yourself out there, risking failure, risking mockery, and facing judgment. Yet it's these acts of creation that move our world forward. Critics may have their place, but it's the creators who truly make a difference. They're the ones willing to step into the arena, to try and fail and try again. As Theodore Roosevelt said: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles... The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena." (you can read the full poem here: https://lnkd.in/gEbUwX8j) #DareToCreate #Spirit #TakeAction #CreationOverCriticism

What are you willing to invest? There's always a price to pay for achieving our dreams  (we’ll keep aside luck and timing for now :) You've probably noticed it too. Those people who seem to "have it all"? Their success isn't always magic — it's the result of countless unseen sacrifices. Here's the real secret I think: the question isn't whether there's a cost. It's whether you're ready to make the investment. Let's peek behind the curtain: 1. The Olympic swimmer who misses family dinners for years, choosing chlorine-scented 4 am starts, over cozy family evenings 2. The innovator who trades stable employment for the ruthless rollercoaster of a startup life 3. The student who declines most social invitations, opting for the company of their books In the business world, this investment might look like: - Choosing a modest lifestyle to save, and funnel resources into your growing company - Saying goodbye to the 9-to-5 and hello to the 24/7 of entrepreneurship - Embracing failure as your most brutal (but effective) teacher Here's the empowering part: you're the one who decides what you're willing to invest. Success isn't about avoiding costs, ”it's about choosing which investments align with your dreams. So you need to ask yourself: What price are you paying for your goals? Remember, the most rewarding journeys often require the greatest commitments. #InvestInYourself #SuccessJourney #DreamBig