I resigned at noon. Checked out by evening. And returned the next morning to complete a formality. What happened next stunned me.
Learn, Lead, Leap
Hey, you enjoy reading, don’t you?
What if you could gain real-life insights from lived experiences of a writer?
Featured Post
Not all workplace villains wear capes. Some carry clipboards and a lousy attitude. In every office, you’ll find those few people who quietly (or not so quietly) pull the culture down. They’re everywhere. And sometimes, we all risk becoming one of them.
Here’s a tribute to the man who taught me that real power never has to prove itself. If you read just one story this week, make it this one.
Did you, like me, think that our childhood was simpler because life was simpler back then? I’ve now realised something that changed how I look at those years. I think you may want to read this.
On my way to work earlier this week, I got a call from an old friend—a few years senior in college—someone I hadn’t spoken to in a while. His voice carried a weight I couldn’t quite place at first. What he said left me stunned.
It's increasingly becoming a world of extremes. Remember when most of us used to sit in the middle comfortably? Now, that space seems like a distant memory.
Your Voice, My Choice
How many of us sit, rewind and review our lives? They say the past is the past. But the learnings of our past IMHO are the most essential to our growth and development. Rajen Garabadu’s blog very carefully curates these themes. His style of slice of life stories both inspire and intrigue. They remind us to be grateful, to be cognisant and to live each moment in a wholesome manner. Read him and you will surely enrich your life.
I have known Rajen for nearly three decades now. But it's only of late that I have really come to know him. I knew he had a sense of sartorial humour and was candid. But that he was such a keen observer of people and had such deep insights was a revelation. What has been even more of a surprise, and I should add here, a very pleasant one at that, is his writing style. I read each of his ''Reflections'' with relish and then look forward to the next one. Between the column I have read and the one that I look forward to are reflections of mine on the insightful behaviours that he writes about. Indeed, it has become a learning journey that has made me ponder over the need for course correction in inter-personal behavior and discovery of facets of people I have known but whom I am only now getting to discover thanks to Rajen.
Rajen has been my super senior from CNN-News18. The few words that we hardly exchanged over the seven years there were more about work. But the words that he had silently, consistently saved with him, created a powerful experience in the form of "NUGGETS FROM LIVED EXPERIENCES" - that began as a LinkedIn newsletter I religiously read and share among the like-minded; not because I admire his works as a my senior. But truly, because this man of few words, has poured his heart, soul, research, empathy, mind connections and power into these many words that arrive in my inbox as a weekly piece. Each story, straight like a bullet, no sensational drama, just pure empathy and real life resources. I recently told Rajen, he must craft a book out of these! Now that this is a full-fledged website, I am really excited because the NUGGETS will reach many more to inspire them.
The task is not to see what has never been seen before, but to think what has never been thought before about what you see everyday"
- Erwin Schrodinger
This is what Rajen does in his blog. Picks up everyday instances of lived experiences and presents a thought around them that is eye opening. I particularly remember a part of his writing when he mentioned two of his interactions with Mr V Krishnamurthy 4 years apart. And he said how the gentleman remembered his name. Rajen then presented a thought that changed my idea of relationships, he said Mr V Krishnamurthy remembered a young Rajen from a meeting 4 years ago not because Rajen was important or the person had a great memory. Mr Krishnamurthy remembered Rajen because he cared. I love reading his blogs for such invaluable insights. His interpretation of everyday interactions that can change the way we live life is something all of us can learn from.
- Erwin Schrodinger
This is what Rajen does in his blog. Picks up everyday instances of lived experiences and presents a thought around them that is eye opening. I particularly remember a part of his writing when he mentioned two of his interactions with Mr V Krishnamurthy 4 years apart. And he said how the gentleman remembered his name. Rajen then presented a thought that changed my idea of relationships, he said Mr V Krishnamurthy remembered a young Rajen from a meeting 4 years ago not because Rajen was important or the person had a great memory. Mr Krishnamurthy remembered Rajen because he cared. I love reading his blogs for such invaluable insights. His interpretation of everyday interactions that can change the way we live life is something all of us can learn from.
Director, Mahika Mishra Foundation
Rajen is one of the most humble leaders I’ve come across and his blog is an virtual extension of his personality. He is a captivating story-teller, and his anecdotes are always peppered with remarkable nuggets of wisdom. His conversational writing style further enhances the simplicity, making it a delight for the reader. I’ve always admired the way he shares some of the most vulnerable moments of his life, and how he went about navigating such ordeals. In a nutshell, if you like to read something that is simple, evocative, profound and packed with learnings backed by real experiences, following Rajen would be a no-brainer!
I find Rajen to be a highly sensitive and an observant individual and his writings very insightful.
He has a great ability to make regular instances & occurrences into an inspirational story that make for a simple and a wonderful read.
I write this piece with a sense of exhilaration … and more importantly, with a sense of privilege and pride. He is ever gracious in mentioning about the ‘break’ I gave him, but I consider it my serendipity that I got the opportunity to work with him and know him, albeit briefly, when he was in his early twenties.
It was only when I began to read his posts regularly that I felt that I was getting to know Rajen, the professional, the human and the writer. Initially, I was reading his posts casually but very soon, they began to grow on me, and leave a mark …the seemingly casual way of sharing anecdotes and experiences contain layers that are rich in meaning and perspectives.
In an almost no holds barred style, Rajen touches upon different facets of work, life and relationships…with his pen revealing his emotions and experiences, and sharing lessons learnt. His writing, which often includes a self-directed sense of humor, mirrors his passion and love for life, infused with honesty, gratefulness and a sense of being rooted.
Now on Saturday morning, I check if there is a notification on LinkedIn. A habit is now becoming an addiction!
Thanks to Nuggets from lived experiences, this is my second innings of knowing Rajen and what he is made of.
The beauty of #RajenReflects is it shows a mirror to the readers. Many a time we don’t realise the impact of our actions; we get to do once we face or read about such a situation. Rajen's reflections give the readers a way to course-correct how they live and do their jobs.
Your words of wisdom often come at such a right time in my personal journey! There are times I feel, you unknowingly mentor so many, including me. Sheer blessing. Gratitude 🙏
"Rajen has a natural curiosity and wisdom that shines through in his writing. If you're looking for a newsletter that provides real-depth instead of basic platitudes, Rajen Reflects is the place to go."
In 2005, inside a giant hall filled with strangers, a person walks up to me, smiles and says hi, I am Rajen. It broke the ice and warmed my heart. I realised he had spotted me looking a little lost, and cared enough to do something about it. Over the next 9 years, Rajen and I ended up working very closely on virtually every major news event, mega projects and channel launches.
The time spent with him confirmed my first impressions of Rajen being a highly competent, fair, empathetic and a sensitive leader. I also knew he was observant and had a satirical sense of humour that almost always made me laugh. I had read hundreds of mails and notes from him - all businesslike and to the point.
But it was only with Rajen Reflects, did I realise his real power of expression. I look forward to his honesty in writing. That's the one diminishing art form that so desperately needs a revival and Rajen's weekly columns keep my faith alive.
I love reading Rajen’s reflections. They are simple, to the point and always touches my heart. He is a great storyteller and his anecdotes bring to life everyday events that form a part of our professional life. These stories are full of empathy, kindness and teach us that before we call ourselves professionals, we are human beings. I look forward to his blog posts eagerly. Best wishes to Rajen and hope he continues to encourage and inspire us through his writings.
Rajen is a brilliant writer. I first got in touch with him when he was kind enough to point out mistakes in my own content and fix them. Since then, I've taken his help plenty of times to improve my work. I've read his articles and they're soulful - the right blend of personal stories with lessons that invoke emotion. Highly recommend him!
Latest Post
This week, Davos was in the news. All eyes were on Donald Trump and what he might say. Every reporter wanted a piece of him. One Indian journalist cut through the noise. Was it luck? Or something far more deliberate? This week’s Nugget breaks down what really separates those who hope for opportunities from those who create them.
Have you noticed how some plans fall apart the moment you talk about them? Over time, I’ve learnt to keep certain things quiet—until they’re ready to stand on their own. Not out of superstition, but experience. This week’s Nugget is about silence, timing, and why some wins arrive sweeter when announced last.
“I helped him learn the ropes. And now… look where he is.” Sounds familiar? You’ve either said it yourself or heard it from a colleague. The truth is, many of us struggle when someone younger surpasses us. When a junior overtakes us. When someone we once guided is suddenly… ahead. So, how does one deal with that?
This one — Nugget No. 200 — isn’t a celebration piece. It’s a survival piece. For you, me, and everyone who is employed today. And everyone who will be. Because in a world that’s changing faster than we’re prepared for, reflection isn’t a luxury anymore. It’s a necessity.
This is the last Nugget of 2025. Year-end pieces are usually about accomplishments and numbers. Promotions. Awards. Milestones. Metrics. This year, I chose to write about someone I first noticed on LinkedIn a few years ago. Like most of us, I sent him a connection request, thinking it would be another digital handshake. Another “good to connect.” Another contact. In 2025, I finally met him. And that’s when I realised something that will stay with me forever. LinkedIn may be about networking. But with some people, when you hit “Connect”… they don’t just add to your network. They add to your life. Just like him.
When was the last time a film made you root for the wrong person? Not because he was louder or flashier, but because he was quieter, controlled, and surprisingly magnetic. This is a story about how, once in a generation, a performance flips our moral compass and rewrites what power on screen really looks like.