Lessons from Daily Life...

A journal of 'Leading Self' stories - TAnswers

2026-01-17T08:03:00.001+05:30

True leadership, as I see it, is not about the titles one holds, but the mastery they have over the person in the mirror. As a student of Leadership, and Transaction Analysis, it’s been a great read. For leading self - this one's a must read and apply. Also glad that this was my first book read of 2026.

TAnswers is a comprehensive catalogue of real life stories organized in a sequence of conceptual-practical progress using TA techniques and methods. The stories are short and crisp, none of which exceed 3 pages in toto. Specifically loved couple of things - the TA lens and rhythm in which stories are narrated, and the lacing of concepts. Conceptual inputs cited in about 5% - 10% of content are tactfully weaved into the rest of 90% story with rhythmic identifying issues, TA tools application for change, integration and reinforcement.

As a budding practitioner with academic interests, while I was thinking of rereading to make note of all the concepts, authors and instruments mentioned - I see the glossary with details of authors and bibliography which already met the needs to specifically look up and delve deeper.

Felt more like reading a journal of experiments and results more than a regular book. Makes an excellent companion for me to refer to when I have to do scenario-building and analysis of what to be aware of, what might come up, and prepare with questions proactively. If we’re not consciously thinking about it, we’re unconsciously driven by it.

Personally, it gave me a range of ways and needs in which TA as a concepts and technique may apply and help navigate certain personal and professional issues we all sit with.

Cheers to your journey of self-mastery!

Book as a mentor: The Elephant at the Dinner Table

2022-03-20T10:10:00.003+05:30

Books can mentor and coach. If you believe that, and you're a aspiring management executive in any industry, 'The Elephant At The Dinner Table' is a MUST READ.

Amit takes a phenomenological approach to document all his life in the form of this book. He has created an assortment of his corporate experiences in multiple roles at multiple organisations with a host of very respectable leaders in the industry. I've always known Amit as a learnability champion, and sharpening his CQ - Curiosity Quotient and prodding others to do likewise. Using that, he has carefully tied his cuts of stories with theory and contemporary research; further, he has served 'em nicely to the readers with insights and provides space for reflections too. So, whether you are looking for bullet-point learning, or wisdom from stories-told, or practical reflections - this book is sure to meet each of the learning styles.

With this book, you get a scoop of everything corporate; but importantly, you'd find a navigator of corporate culture and a mentor. With a mix of both head and heart, this book is performance-focused, emphasizing judiciously on all that it takes, narrated through lessons from personally vulnerable moments – misgivings with various pursuits, experiments, own behaviors and setting 'em right. Also, discover some good assessments along your read viz., Gallup Strengths Finder, BRIEF, among others.

Many learnings stay from this book for me; one that I consciously practice is / also shareable from this book is: reframe 'weaknesses' as 'stretch area'. And then you see how your perspectives, virtues, and behaviors realign and recraft for different and unbelievable results.

As I summarize, I reckon all these lessons are life lessons, and it's a huge loss to confine 'em as 'corporate lessons'. Urge you to pick it up now and make best of what lies ahead for you. An elephant never forgets.. I hope you don't too.

My Plea in Supreme Court for Mortal Remains Storage and Management Protocol

2021-02-09T23:27:00.006+05:30

Burial rituals are sacred to everyone irrespective of religion. In India, this is related to atma-shanti, and the proper discharge of duties of children and kin toward their parents and elders. The Holy Bible in the 'TEN Commandments' of God clearly decrees- Honor thy mother and thy father. But this incident is one where I was ripped off that opportunity to honor my parent in her last moment of passing on from this world.

On 14th Sep 2020, I was already grieving my mother's sudden passing due to a cardiac arrest (non COVID19). The very next day, when I was getting ready with my sister and other kin to provide a proper burial to my mother, our hearts were shattered by a negligent act of the hospital. They swapped my mother's body with someone else's body (who passed away due to COVID19 infection), and refused to take ownership of the mistake.

By the time we got to the bottom of the matter, several hours had passed, and we were left undone and absolutely marred in life cos she was cremated by someone else and there was nothing to see but ashes (the photo above). I was deprived and ten others (daughters, grandchildren, sisters, brother and others) of who traveled down for one last look, that one last touch or a hug and grieve her in flesh were all left in horrifying shock and untold grief.

In doing this, Manipal hospital not only dishonoured my mother but violated her identity, everything she had lived, strived and wished for, about those basic needs after she had passed-on. With their negligence and lack of very basic protocol, they desecrated her body which was the only remnant for me, my father, sister and our family. It's a violation of my mother as a person and all of our duties and basic rights. They have caused irreparable damage to our psyches and our living memories for generations. The gap of not seeing my mother for that one last time and not fulfilling her wishes in last rites as a son will always haunt me as long as I live. Nor will that gap be ever filled for my father, sister and tens of other dear ones who travelled to Delhi and joined locally for the planned funeral that day.

As a family, we just hope and pray this bizarre experience doesn't happen to any other person in this country. Till date, I do not have any formal apology from Manipal hospitals owning up, or even expressing a regret for what has happened on their watch. Upon reading further about other similar cases, I understand there are no mandated protocols to manage human mortal remains by hospitals in non-COVID19/ disaster kind of situations. Ownership of such mistakes cannot be evaded by any responsible hospital, another institution or any person in authority. COVID19 has revealed these glaring and offensive gaps in protocols of institutions serving basic human needs.

COVID19 has given us a dress rehearsal of what perhaps lies ahead. Today COVID19, God forbid, another year there could be some other pandemic shaking the world. We must take these learnings and as a nation utilize the opportunity for our institutions like hospitals and civic bodies to be prepared better. After much prayer, consideration and support from family, friends, fellow Christians, and my good lawyers, I have decided to take this matter public, and make this petition to the apex court to restore human dignity even in a person's death and institute the mortal remains management protocol across all hospitals and related civic bodies.

As the case is listed for Wednesday, 10th February 2021 to be heard by the Supreme Court of India, I appeal to the wisdom of the hearing bench and audience to take note of these events and direct all related institutions to uphold and restore human dignity - even in death. This can only be done if we have an explicit and clearly defined Mortal Remains Storage and Management Disposal Protocol.

I strongly believe this will be a progressive step institutionally for the nation, and save many a people from a lifetime of psychological trauma and distress in future. As many believe, this will help bring atma-shanti; and I strongly hope and believe this will honor and renew my mother's memory from a bizarre event into one that brings glory to God and God's will for a greater good in this country.

My best wishes to advocates Shilpa Liza George and Manoj V George who will take up the matter in the courts. May God guide us on this matter.

Read more about this incident as it happened here, and about the appeal:

What on earth?!? https://t.co/HQxtljLH4Z

2020-02-14T22:24:00.001+05:30

What on earth?!? https://t.co/HQxtljLH4Z
— Manohar Lazarus (@manohr) February 14, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 14, 2020 at 09:30PM
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RT @satishacharya: Wall built in Gujarat to hide slums from Donald Trump! #TrumpIndiaVisit @sifydotcom cartoon https://t.co/RdipH3zbvy

2020-02-14T07:24:00.001+05:30

Wall built in Gujarat to hide slums from Donald Trump! #TrumpIndiaVisit @sifydotcom cartoon pic.twitter.com/RdipH3zbvy
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) February 13, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 14, 2020 at 07:20AM
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RT @MirchiSayema: This is THE MOST IMP video you would watch. Not just watch, download it and make it viral on WhatsApp. This is how CAA_NPR_NRC would lead to chaos in this country. All 7:56 mins are worth it. RT widely. Thank you @_YogendraYadav https://t.co/z3nQPYAHKN

2020-02-14T06:54:00.001+05:30

This is THE MOST IMP video you would watch.
Not just watch, download it and make it viral on WhatsApp.
This is how CAA_NPR_NRC would lead to chaos in this country.
All 7:56 mins are worth it. RT widely.
Thank you @_YogendraYadav pic.twitter.com/z3nQPYAHKN
— RJ Sayema (@MirchiSayema) February 12, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 14, 2020 at 06:41AM
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RT @Ram_Guha: The letter of 1 August where Nehru invites Patel to join the first Cabinet of free India, calling him the “strongest pillar” of that Cabinet. Can someone show this to ⁦@DrSJaishankar⁩ please? https://t.co/N6m1mOr7SF

2020-02-13T15:24:00.005+05:30

The letter of 1 August where Nehru invites Patel to join the first Cabinet of free India, calling him the “strongest pillar” of that Cabinet. Can someone show this to ⁦@DrSJaishankar⁩ please? pic.twitter.com/N6m1mOr7SF
— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) February 13, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 13, 2020 at 03:16PM
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RT @pbhushan1: An important judgement of SC directing parties to publicise criminal cases against their candidates& the reasons for selecting them despite those cases. There is still no judgement on the Electoral bonds which allows parties to get anonymous& tainted money https://t.co/Kk2DsSkbGv

2020-02-13T15:24:00.003+05:30

An important judgement of SC directing parties to publicise criminal cases against their candidates& the reasons for selecting them despite those cases. There is still no judgement on the Electoral bonds which allows parties to get anonymous& tainted money https://t.co/Kk2DsSkbGv
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) February 13, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 13, 2020 at 03:15PM
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RT @pbhushan1: UP police detained 41 children during CAA protests, some were tortured,says citizens’ report. The police violated India’s laws and international conventions. This is in Ajay Bisht's goonda raj, where police acts as "the largest organised gang of criminals" https://t.co/WfspqKRzVp

2020-02-13T15:24:00.001+05:30

UP police detained 41 children during CAA protests, some were tortured,says citizens’ report.
The police violated India’s laws and international conventions. This is in Ajay Bisht's goonda raj, where police acts as "the largest organised gang of criminals" https://t.co/WfspqKRzVp
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) February 13, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 13, 2020 at 03:14PM
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RT @PsychoIogicall: Because the English language is so complex, every day the average person will create a sentence that has never been spoken before.

2020-02-13T10:24:00.001+05:30

Because the English language is so complex, every day the average person will create a sentence that has never been spoken before.
— Psychology (@PsychoIogicall) February 12, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 13, 2020 at 10:04AM
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RT @pbhushan1: 15 cases pending against Anand Singh involve those pertaining to illegal mining&exports,penalties for illegal movement of forest produce.He also has one case specifically under the Karnataka Forest Act.He's made Forest Min by Yeddy! https://t.co/qnXrl8PWTb https://t.co/qnXrl8PWTb

2020-02-12T15:24:00.001+05:30

15 cases pending against Anand Singh involve those pertaining to illegal mining&exports,penalties for illegal movement of forest produce.He also has one case specifically under the Karnataka Forest Act.He's made Forest Min by Yeddy! https://t.co/qnXrl8PWTb https://t.co/qnXrl8PWTb
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) February 12, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 12, 2020 at 02:35PM
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RT @t_d_h_nair: Former CJI Justice Ranjan Gogoi would like to see a “fearless, independent and working judiciary" in the country. No more comments 😁 https://t.co/aMchRSf4l0

2020-02-12T14:24:00.001+05:30

Former CJI Justice Ranjan Gogoi would like to see a “fearless, independent and working judiciary" in the country.

No more comments 😁 https://t.co/aMchRSf4l0
— Ravi Nair (@t_d_h_nair) February 11, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 12, 2020 at 01:55PM
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RT @ShekharGupta: I suppose we could count this as one more nail hammered hard and deep in the coffin of EVM conspiracy theories...

2020-02-11T19:24:00.001+05:30

I suppose we could count this as one more nail hammered hard and deep in the coffin of EVM conspiracy theories...
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 11, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 11, 2020 at 07:23PM
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RT @ShekharGupta: Delhi elections are over after the capital’s most vicious election campaign. Politics might still recover in the course of time, but one institutional damage that might last for decades is to Delhi Police. It will take some doing by its future leaders to redeem it.

2020-02-11T07:11:00.001+05:30

Delhi elections are over after the capital’s most vicious election campaign. Politics might still recover in the course of time, but one institutional damage that might last for decades is to Delhi Police. It will take some doing by its future leaders to redeem it.
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 10, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 11, 2020 at 06:50AM
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It takes a village to raise a child - here's our 2nd batch of #ManagementTrainees graduating our signature #200Days Augment, exclusive MT Induction program. Thanks to our sponsors, leaders & all leading from front & behind the scenes. Wish them all the very best! #InfyDiaries https://t.co/cVG2j7JBIB

2020-02-10T19:36:00.001+05:30

It takes a village to raise a child - here's our 2nd batch of #ManagementTrainees graduating our signature #200Days Augment, exclusive MT Induction program. Thanks to our sponsors, leaders & all leading from front & behind the scenes. Wish them all the very best! #InfyDiaries https://t.co/cVG2j7JBIB
— Manohar Lazarus (@manohr) February 10, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 10, 2020 at 07:33PM
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RT @mitsmr: Handy guide to 12 dimensions of business #innovation Classic read → https://t.co/mB466pD05F https://t.co/2aCF0WH42M

2020-02-09T11:42:00.003+05:30

Handy guide to 12 dimensions of business #innovation
Classic read → https://t.co/mB466pD05F pic.twitter.com/2aCF0WH42M
— MIT Sloan Management Review (@mitsmr) February 9, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 11:21AM
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RT @dhume: .⁦@husainhaqqani⁩: Indians must seriously examine why the country’s global image has dramatically worsened over the past year or so. India’s current leaders seem to have disappointed both western liberals and conservatives simultaneously. https://t.co/UQqJwcNK3o

2020-02-09T11:42:00.001+05:30

.⁦@husainhaqqani⁩: Indians must seriously examine why the country’s global image has dramatically worsened over the past year or so. India’s current leaders seem to have disappointed both western liberals and conservatives simultaneously. https://t.co/UQqJwcNK3o
— Sadanand Dhume (@dhume) February 8, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 11:18AM
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RT @PhysicsAndAstr1: Majestic and rare White Moose. https://t.co/hYkO4eHYm8

2020-02-09T11:12:00.003+05:30

Majestic and rare White Moose. pic.twitter.com/hYkO4eHYm8
— Earth's Beauty (@PhysicsAndAstr1) February 7, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 11:10AM
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RT @SaundaryaR: #KaalaiVanakkam! The last sentence - what a powerful one! I firmly believe a memory that retains only the essential & removes unwanted negativity, is an awesome blessing! So, today, if you have forgotten something, don't worry, your mind is training you to retain only the best! https://t.co/QgAGImLQKU

2020-02-09T11:12:00.001+05:30

#KaalaiVanakkam! The last sentence - what a powerful one! I firmly believe a memory that retains only the essential & removes unwanted negativity, is an awesome blessing! So, today, if you have forgotten something, don't worry, your mind is training you to retain only the best! pic.twitter.com/QgAGImLQKU
— Dr. Saundarya Rajesh (@SaundaryaR) February 8, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 11:08AM
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RT @pbhushan1: Ambani had pleaded poverty in his dispute with the three Chinese banks! “The current value of my shareholdings is down to approximately $82.4 million and my net worth is zero after taking into account my liabilities". Modi partner in the 60KCr Rafale deal! https://t.co/4tiz3rIeXe

2020-02-09T10:43:00.001+05:30

Ambani had pleaded poverty in his dispute with the three Chinese banks! “The current value of my shareholdings is down to approximately $82.4 million and my net worth is zero after taking into account my liabilities". Modi partner in the 60KCr Rafale deal! https://t.co/4tiz3rIeXe
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) February 8, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 10:20AM
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RT @SanjayAzadSln: चुनाव आयोग इस घटना का संज्ञान ले ये किस जगह EVM उतारी जा रही है आस पास तो कोई सेंटर है नही। https://t.co/zQz7Ibaoe7

2020-02-09T01:40:00.003+05:30

चुनाव आयोग इस घटना का संज्ञान ले ये किस जगह EVM उतारी जा रही है आस पास तो कोई सेंटर है नही। pic.twitter.com/zQz7Ibaoe7
— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) February 8, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 01:20AM
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RT @ShekharGupta: Touching, Advani sobbing at VVC’s Shikara.. Pls remind him that VP Singh was in power then, propped by BJP.. He didn’t pull it down over KPs. He was setting up his rath yatra & pulled down VP Singh later over Ayodhya.. Way more useful politically than plight of Pandits..

2020-02-09T01:40:00.001+05:30

Touching, Advani sobbing at VVC’s Shikara..

Pls remind him that VP Singh was in power then, propped by BJP..

He didn’t pull it down over KPs. He was setting up his rath yatra & pulled down VP Singh later over Ayodhya..

Way more useful politically than plight of Pandits..
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 8, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 09, 2020 at 01:17AM
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RT @free_thinker: PM Modi, during his speech in the Parliament, attributed a quote to ex-J&K CM Omar Abdullah which was traced back to a 6-year-old satirical article from the website 'Faking News'. #AltNewsFactCheck | @Pooja_Chaudhuri https://t.co/QGkwBxZQ9j

2020-02-07T20:58:00.003+05:30

PM Modi, during his speech in the Parliament, attributed a quote to ex-J&K CM Omar Abdullah which was traced back to a 6-year-old satirical article from the website 'Faking News'. #AltNewsFactCheck | @Pooja_Chaudhuri https://t.co/QGkwBxZQ9j
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) February 6, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 07, 2020 at 08:57PM
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RT @InfosysBPM: Leadership in the digital era is effective when it practices the tenets of being grounded, empathetic and authentic. At Infosys BPM, this thought leadership is amplified in action by an immersive learning experience on Authentic Leadership, #infybpm #Empathy #AlwaysOnLearning https://t.co/QtupHdJyf9

2020-02-07T20:58:00.001+05:30

Leadership in the digital era is effective when it practices the tenets of being grounded, empathetic and authentic. At Infosys BPM, this thought leadership is amplified in action by an immersive learning experience on Authentic Leadership, #infybpm #Empathy #AlwaysOnLearning pic.twitter.com/QtupHdJyf9
— Infosys BPM (@InfosysBPM) February 7, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 07, 2020 at 08:57PM
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Ab to kar liya kya karein? When people pointed it, even Anna didn’t do much about it. It’s everyone’s misfortune! Der hi sahi, samajh to aaya! https://t.co/VxS55H1pUH

2020-02-07T19:58:00.003+05:30

Ab to kar liya kya karein? When people pointed it, even Anna didn’t do much about it. It’s everyone’s misfortune! Der hi sahi, samajh to aaya! https://t.co/VxS55H1pUH
— Manohar Lazarus (@manohr) February 7, 2020

from Twitter https://twitter.com/manohr

February 07, 2020 at 07:05PM
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