Why I Picked Up This Book I picked up HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Women and Leadership because I wanted something deeper than “women’s empowerment.” I wanted the psychology, the data, and the lived realities of women navigating leadership systems that weren’t built with us in mind. As an AI Product & Engineering Manager, I’mContinue reading “HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Women and Leadership”
Author Archives: Shilpa Talasila
Assertive ≠ Aggressive: A Distinction That Matters
Assertiveness and aggression often get mixed up, and that confusion can quietly cause damage. In a recent conversation, someone said: “Aggression is needed in the current job market to stand out.” Even though I knew the definitions, I looked up the difference again (aggressiveness vs. assertiveness) to be sure I understood it clearly; English isContinue reading “Assertive ≠ Aggressive: A Distinction That Matters”
The Orange Frog – by Shawn Achor
Why I Picked Up This Book I picked up The Orange Frog because I wanted something lighter but still meaningful. Shawn Achor’s work on positive psychology has always resonated with me, especially his research on how happiness fuels performance. This book is a parable, not a manual. But the simplicity is the point: culture isn’tContinue reading “The Orange Frog – by Shawn Achor”
Escape Room Epiphanies: When Quiet Voices Lead Loud Wins
Locked In, Unlocked Out: Escape Room Epiphany Where Quiet Voices Led Escape room chaos: Our ‘quiet’ teammates became the puzzle masters (personalities flipped). Intensity levels? 2/10 → 9/10 under pressure (brute force met elegant insight). Key lessons from 60 minutes of locked-room frenzy:> Action over perfection: Brute force + fresh eyes; Jump in without knowing everything fully laid out—solutions emerge.>Continue reading “Escape Room Epiphanies: When Quiet Voices Lead Loud Wins”
The Psychology of Leadership – By Sébastien Page
Why I Picked Up This Book I’ve always believed leadership is less about authority and more about psychology – how we think, how we feel, how we influence, and how we show up for others. Sébastien Page’s The Psychology of Leadership felt like a natural extension of the themes I’ve been exploring: alignment, accountability, bias,Continue reading “The Psychology of Leadership – By Sébastien Page”
2025 Reflections: Leading with Empathy in an AI‑Driven World
As we enter 2026, I’ve been reflecting not just on the milestones in AI, but on the deeply human experiences that shaped me as a leader. 2025 challenged me in ways I didn’t anticipate personally, professionally, and emotionally. And yet, those challenges have strengthened my understanding of what empathetic leadership truly requires. 2025 brought the full tapestry of joy amidContinue reading “2025 Reflections: Leading with Empathy in an AI‑Driven World”
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck – by Mark Manson
Why I Picked Up This Book I picked up this book because I wanted a reset. I wanted something that cuts through noise, challenges the pressure to be endlessly positive, and calls out the habits that drain energy without giving anything back. I was ready for a perspective that was honest, sharp, and unapologetic. Manson’sContinue reading “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck – by Mark Manson”
The Secret – by Rhonda Byrne
Why I Picked Up This Book I picked up this book because I wanted to understand why so many people believe in the law of attraction and why it has become such a cultural phenomenon. I was curious, but I did not walk in convinced. I wanted to see whether the ideas in this bookContinue reading “The Secret – by Rhonda Byrne”
The Success Principles – by Jack Canfield
Why I Picked Up This Book I picked up this book because I wanted a structured, no nonsense framework for personal and professional growth. I was looking for clear principles I could apply immediately, not vague motivation or abstract philosophy. Canfield’s reputation for practical guidance made this book feel like the right choice for sharpeningContinue reading “The Success Principles – by Jack Canfield”
The Psychology of Money – by Morgan Housel
Why I Picked Up This Book I picked up this book because I wanted to understand money beyond numbers. I wanted to understand behavior. I wanted to see why people make certain financial choices, why confidence shifts, why risk feels different for everyone, and how mindset shapes outcomes more than any formula. I chose itContinue reading “The Psychology of Money – by Morgan Housel”