Baptism of Fire - DNA ~ 48hrs. of Freedom

The new, red hot method of self-exploration and personal development is firewalking, discovers Humaira Ansari, the DNA reporter who interviewed me recently to be featured in DNA's 48 Hrs. of Freedom section.

With as beautiful a title as 'Baptism of Fire' she commences the feature with the following line..
"Priya Kumar's workshops are not all one-way motivational talks. Here, if you want to prove yourself that you can, you have to go through an agni pareeksha - literally."

A wonderful feature follows with great inputs from Mr.Manoj Lekhrajani, Mr.Anand Indulkar and Mrs.Anshuma Shukla Chaturvedi.. I Thank all three for their kind words of appreciation towards my work and the 'fire walking' ideology.

More power to YOU:)

Love always,
Priya Kumar

Economic Times - Play by Corporate Premier League Rules

The IPL Season is here again and since business derives its analogy from sports, I wrote this column for The Economic Times recently sharing some success tips from the IPL to take your own business and teams into the Corporate Premier League of achievement.

So, hope you too Play by Corporate Premier League Rules..

Afternnoon ~ In the Line of Fire

I was at the American Center, New Delhi this Women's Day for a session on Women Empowerment as a panelist.. And when I returned, this two page article in Afternoon's Woman's Extra made my day:) In the Line of Fire is a finely written piece on me and I'm glad to share it with you.

Hope you will like it as well..

Love,
Priya Kumar

The Hindu Business Line ~ 60 Seconds Chief

Every year as Women's Day nears, I more than often find myself giving interviews on women empowerment, women on top and other vitals about the yin clan. And it's one pride I carry with myself always - Pride to be a Woman.

The Hindu Business Line recently played a rapid fire with 5 corporate head honchos, one of them being me. Labelled 60 Seconds Chief, I thought it was an interesting set of questions followed by some even more interesting answers... ;o)

A Quick Few ~

One technique for handling anger?
Take ownership of the situation.

One way that I use for resolving conflicts?
Humour.

One indicator of performance?
Results.

One clue that tells me I'm the leader?
When I create alternative realities than the apparent.

India Today ~ Playing with Fire

My interviews are often titled 'Playing with Fire' & every time I read the heading assigned, I feel good. Fire has been one my favorite elements of nature and is very close to my heart. So, on this Women's Day when India Today introduced me under the same label, I simply smiled:)Hope you will too..A Happy Women's Day to all..

LiveMint: Q&A with Priya Kumar - Be Happy, the Results will Follow

Here's what Bobby John Varkey who writes for The Wall Street Journal's LiveMint.Com had to say about our interaction..

The first-time author talks about how businesses in India are living in denial by ignoring their problems, and why a happy employee is an effective employee:)

With a volley of interesting questions asked, read the copy to find out the answers...

An Excerpt -

But how do you justify engaging participants in activities such as walking barefoot on broken glass or even fire? What does that have to do with productivity?

The biggest problem in our workplaces is that people are not willing to play roles. We are not willing to hold hands. If somebody is giving you a hard time in the office, that does not mean he is essentially a bad guy. He is simply playing a role defined by the company.

What all of us need to understand is that if the management is asking you to do something, it obviously can be done. You need to keep it in mind that the ifs and buts have already been discussed before you are asked to do it. What affects our workplaces today is that most of us have unnecessary preoccupations on our minds. It is wrong to think that your boss doesn’t understand you. Definitely they do. But can you believe in them and do what you have been asked to do?

It is all a question of overcoming your fears. Remember, there is always a team. The day you start doubting the integrity or the intentions of your teammate, you are causing harm to your team.

The Economic Times - Find Ways to Balance Home,Work

In the age where women are at par with men in every sphere of life, there's one major issue that most of the women continue to face - Stress. Stress caused due to difficulty in balancing and prioritizing work life and household chores, meeting deadlines and running day-to-day errands..

"Find Ways to Balance Home,Work" is a quick remedy to all those who are caught between this crossfire of life.

Financial Express - Destined to Be?

February 28,2010, I wrote this Wellness piece for The Financial Express.
"Destined to Be?" is a rhetoric as much in expression as in thought. Cause who decides what YOU are destined to be is none other than YOU. Cause who decides what needs to change is none other than YOU. Cause who decides when things have to change is also none other than YOU. Destiny will play the music YOU want to listen. All YOU have to do is make the first move. Now and forever.

Hope you have a happy read:)

Love,
Priya Kumar

ps- For all those who wrote back to me after reading this piece, Thank You. There's more to come:)