samkanna

[samkanna]

Agile Coaching: Guiding Through Partnership, Not Persuasion

In a recent conversation, someone asked me to “convince” them of the value of Agile coaching. But coaching isn't about persuasion. Our goal isn’t to sell agility—it’s to help organizations discover whether they need it and how it can truly help.

Starting with the Right Questions Rather than convincing, Agile coaches begin by asking: • What challenges are you currently facing? • Why do you believe agility is necessary for your organization? • Is this shift a response to a trend, or are there real issues to solve?

These questions open the door to honest reflection and ensure that any transformation is grounded in purpose—not hype.

Clarifying Misconceptions A core part of Agile coaching is dispelling myths. Agility isn't about moving faster or taking shortcuts. It's about building adaptable, sustainable systems that can evolve with change. True transformation isn’t defined by adopting a framework but by how well people, practices, and metrics align to support continuous improvement.

Focusing on What Matters Agile coaches work as partners, not persuaders. We support leaders in identifying meaningful outcomes and measuring progress in ways that reflect real growth—not just process adoption. It’s about aligning actions with results that matter.Why It Counts The real impact of Agile coaching lies in thoughtful collaboration and clarity. When we stop trying to sell agility and start uncovering what truly needs to change, we create space for deeper transformation and long-term success.

[samkanna]

Applying Positive Psychology in Coaching: A Personal Journey

I recently completed a course in Positive Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led by Barbara Fredrickson. This learning experience has deepened my understanding of human emotions and enhanced my coaching approach. Here’s a brief overview of the key insights and their impact:

Foundations of Positive Psychology Positive Psychology focuses on strengths, well-being, and resilience. Instead of only addressing problems, it promotes what helps individuals thrive.

Power of Positive Emotions I explored ten key emotions—joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love. These emotions support long-term growth, enhance creativity, and foster stronger social bonds.

The Broaden-and-Build Theory Positive emotions expand our thinking and help build lasting personal resources such as resilience, optimism, and meaningful relationships.

Enhancing Coaching Practice This course has helped me: • Foster resilience and a positive mindset in clients • Encourage habits like gratitude journaling and mindfulness • Support stronger relationships and personal growth

Why It Matters Positive Psychology shifts the focus from fixing weaknesses to building strengths. It offers a powerful approach to helping individuals and teams achieve well-being, success, and fulfillment.

[samkanna]

Leadership Lessons from The Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton

Paddy Upton’s The Barefoot Coach offers profound insights into what coaching truly means and how it can elevate both individual and team performance. Drawing from his experience in Indian cricket, Upton redefines coaching as a people-centric and empowering practice—one that mirrors the principles of servant leadership and Agile transformation. Here’s how these insights can enhance your coaching approach:

Encouraging Specialization to Maximize Impact • Recognize Unique Roles: Just as sports teams rely on specialized coaches for batting, bowling, and fitness, workplace teams benefit from targeted coaching in areas like mindset, collaboration, and technical development. • Avoid the Generalist Trap: One coach can’t be everything to everyone. Introduce specialists when needed to meet the team’s evolving needs. • Strengthen Team Dynamics: Specialization allows deeper, more focused support, which leads to better individual growth and team outcomes.

Integrating Mindset Coaching for Lasting Change • Support Mental Resilience: Coaching the mind is as important as coaching the skill. Encourage emotional intelligence and self-awareness to help team members handle pressure and adapt to change. • Focus on Growth and Learning: Help individuals embrace failure, view setbacks as opportunities, and develop a growth-oriented mindset. • Enable Long-Term Performance: A mentally strong team is more consistent, creative, and collaborative in the long run.

Applying Servant Leadership Principles in Coaching • Lead by Serving: True coaching is not about control, but about creating space for others to thrive. • Empower Autonomy: Guide individuals to make their own decisions rather than prescribing solutions. • Build Trust Through Empathy: Show understanding, listen actively, and create an environment where team members feel safe to express themselves and take ownership.

Bringing It into Agile Coaching • Shift Mindsets, Not Just Processes: Agile coaches, like great sports coaches, focus on transforming how people think and work, not just implementing frameworks. • Coach with Humility: Don’t lead with authority—lead with curiosity, openness, and the willingness to learn with your team. • Enable Sustainable Change: Build systems and habits that allow the team to improve continuously, even when the coach steps back.

Why This Matters By adopting the principles from The Barefoot Coach, team coaches can: • Guide individuals to uncover their strengths and become more self-reliant. • Encourage a coaching culture that values continuous improvement and open dialogue. • Support long-term team health, resilience, and high performance.

Coaching, when done with intent and humility, becomes more than a role—it becomes a leadership style that inspires real change.

[samkanna]

Coaching Beyond the Field: Insights from The Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton

The term “Coach” often carries layers of ambiguity—whether in sports, life, or Agile environments. Early in my career, I noticed this confusion around roles like Scrum Master, and today, coaching seems to suffer a similar identity crisis. The Barefoot Coach by Paddy Upton brings refreshing clarity to what coaching truly means—and what it can achieve.

Reframing Coaching Through Cricket

Upton’s book starts by unpacking the differences between facilitating, coaching, and mentoring. He argues that exceptional coaches lead like servant leaders—empowering rather than instructing. Indian cricket offers a powerful case study: before 2008, coaching was directive and rigid. The shift to a more specialized and conversation-driven coaching model marked a turning point in team performance.

What Coaching Excellence Looks Like

Specialization Drives Success One coach can’t do it all. Introducing specialists—batting, bowling, fielding, fitness, and mindset—brought Indian cricket to new heights. The same applies in the workplace: specialized coaching meets diverse team needs.

The Power of Mindset Coaching The introduction of a mental fitness coach was transformative. High-performing teams need support not just in skills, but in mindset. Coaching the mind builds resilience and fosters continuous growth.

The Servant Leadership Model Coaches who serve rather than command inspire more trust and accountability. It’s about guiding, not dictating—creating an environment where individuals thrive on their own terms.

Agile Coaching: Lessons from the Pitch

Just as in sports, Agile coaches often face misinterpretation. They're not here to give orders or hold the reins. Their mission is to guide mindset shifts, support transformation, and empower teams to become self-reliant. Upton’s lessons are deeply relevant: coach with humility, lead with empathy, and focus on sustainable change.

The Barefoot Coach doesn’t just tell you how to coach—it shows you how to lead people in a way that sticks, whether on the cricket field or within an Agile organization.

[samkanna]

Transforming Leadership Through the Power of Coaching

Today’s successful leaders are not just decision-makers—they’re great coaches. The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier is a practical guide for leaders who want to bring out the best in their teams by mastering the art of coaching.

Why This Book Resonates

This book is a standout for one simple reason—it's incredibly actionable. It’s short, sharp, and packed with useful strategies that leaders can start using immediately. Though it’s a quick read, the insights leave a lasting impression.

Coaching as a Leadership Essential

Coaching isn’t just a role—it’s a mindset that every manager, director, and executive should embrace. While the idea of coaching can seem time-consuming, especially for busy leaders, this book proves otherwise. Stanier shows that effective coaching can be done in less than 10 minutes, making it a realistic part of everyday leadership.

Developing Coaching as a Habit

True coaching impact comes not from one-off efforts but from consistency. Like any habit, coaching improves with regular practice. When integrated into daily interactions, it transforms your leadership style and empowers your team to become more independent and confident.

Core Principles That Stick

• Ask More, Say Less – Shift your focus from giving advice to asking thoughtful questions that lead to deeper understanding. • Keep It Simple – Even a short coaching conversation can create meaningful change. • Build the Habit – Make coaching a consistent practice, not just a one-time fix.

Why You Should Read This Book

If you’re serious about becoming a better leader and unlocking potential in others, The Coaching Habit offers the clarity, simplicity, and tools to make that happen. It’s a no-nonsense, results-driven guide to transforming how you lead—one powerful question at a time.

[samkanna]

Igniting Young Minds: Empowering Students for the Real World

Last week, I had the privilege of engaging with MBA and BBA students at R C College of Commerce, Bangalore, in a workshop designed to prepare them for the transition from campus to corporate life.

Why This Matters

Entering the professional world is not just about securing a job. It’s about building confidence, developing adaptability, and stepping into the workplace with clarity and purpose. This workshop aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world corporate expectations through experiential, hands-on learning.

Workshop Highlights

We focused on practical and impactful areas that are essential for young professionals:

Design Thinking: Understanding how to approach problems through empathy, innovation, and real customer insights

Resume Building: Crafting compelling and effective resumes that make a strong impression

Interview & Group Discussion Skills: Gaining real-time feedback through mock interviews and group discussions

Personal Branding & Time Management: Learning how to present oneself with clarity and manage time effectively in a fast-paced world

The Impact

This wasn’t a typical lecture-based session. Students were actively involved in:

Designing and refining their own resumes

Participating in mock interviews and group discussions

Applying design thinking to solve complex challenges

Engaging in self-reflection and receiving personalized feedback

Over 90 percent of the students rated the sessions as highly effective. The visible transformation in their confidence and engagement was a true highlight of the experience.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you to:

Dr. Naveen Gurusiddaiah, ICF PCC Coach

Manavalli Veena

Rotary Club Indiranagar and Menda Foundation for their continued support

Ramnath for his partnership in designing, facilitating, and assessing the impact of the sessions

Your collaboration made this initiative a meaningful and impactful one.

[samkanna]

Lessons from Handwriting the Bhagavad Gita: A Journey of Self-Discipline and Growth

In November 2024, I had the opportunity to visit Udupi and receive darshan from one of the greatest coaches in the world, followed by a profound meeting with His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji. It was during this visit that I first learned about the “Koti Gita Lekhana Yajna”—an initiative inspiring people to handwrite the Bhagavad Gita in different Indian languages.

At first, the idea felt daunting. Writing all 18 chapters by hand? It seemed like a huge commitment. Still, something inside me nudged me to take it on—not as a task, but as a personal challenge.

The beginning was slow and awkward. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had written so much by hand. But I started dedicating just 15 to 20 minutes a day, slowly getting into a rhythm by writing around 8 to 10 shlokas daily. Eventually, last week, I completed the entire Gita in my own handwriting.

Key Lessons from the Experience

The Power of Consistency Simply showing up each day—regardless of how I felt—made all the difference. Those small, steady efforts built real momentum.

Patience and Inner Strength There were difficult days when I wanted to quit, but staying committed helped me realize our capacity to persevere, even when it’s hard.

Life Mirrors This Process Whether it’s pursuing fitness, learning a skill, or leading teams—these same principles apply. With consistency, patience, and discipline, we achieve outcomes we once thought were out of reach.

This journey wasn’t about finishing a task—it was a reflection of what’s possible when we stay with something, no matter how small our efforts may seem.

Now I’d love to hear from you: What’s one small habit that has helped you grow over time?

[samkanna]

Leading Change: The Transformation Leadership Program

Program Overview Designed for forward-thinking leaders, the Transformation Leadership Program equips professionals with the strategic tools, Agile expertise, and leadership mindset needed to navigate and drive successful organizational change. This immersive program blends theory with real-world application, helping leaders build cultures of innovation and resilience.

What You’ll Gain from This Program

Agile Mastery Develop a deep understanding of Agile principles, frameworks, and practices to lead Agile teams with confidence.

Effective Leadership Skills Learn leadership techniques that support collaboration, motivation, and high performance in dynamic environments.

Enterprise Agility Discover how to scale Agile across large teams and complex organizational structures.

Strategic Measurement Use tools and metrics to evaluate Agile maturity, progress, and impact.

Culture Building Cultivate a culture rooted in continuous improvement, feedback, and innovation.

Creative Problem Solving Apply design thinking to address complex challenges with empathy and originality.

Portfolio Management Understand the role of portfolio planning in aligning transformation with business goals.

Lean Thinking Learn to create Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and optimize value delivery through Value Stream Mapping.

Digital Transformation Insights Explore the evolving digital landscape and how to lead tech-enabled change.

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Strengthen your emotional awareness and interpersonal skills for more impactful leadership.

Sustainability and Ethics Integrate responsible practices and long-term thinking into your transformation strategies.

OKRs in Practice Master the art of setting and implementing Objectives and Key Results to drive focus and alignment.

Why This Program Stands Out

Built on a foundation of real-world case studies, hands-on workshops, and proven frameworks, the Transformation Leadership Program empowers leaders to immediately apply insights and drive lasting results in their organizations. Whether you're initiating change or scaling transformation efforts, this program prepares you to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

[samkanna]

Developing High-Performing Teams Through Strategic Training

In today’s dynamic business environment, empowering teams with the right skills is essential for driving performance and innovation. My training programs are designed to help teams unlock their full potential and contribute meaningfully to organizational success.

How My Training Programs Drive Impact

Enhance Team Performance Equip teams with practical tools and knowledge to boost productivity and collaboration.

Spark Innovation Foster a mindset of creativity and adaptability to solve real-world business challenges.

Align with Strategy Ensure team efforts are aligned with broader organizational goals for greater impact.

Optimize Processes Streamline workflows to eliminate inefficiencies and deliver better outcomes.

Training Programs Offered

Design Thinking Workshops Hands-on sessions that promote user-centered problem-solving and innovation through empathy-driven approaches.

Effective OKR Writing Guide senior leaders in crafting clear, measurable objectives that align teams and focus execution.

Agile Fundamentals Build a strong foundation in Agile values, principles, and frameworks to enhance delivery and responsiveness.

Portfolio Leadership Develop strategic capabilities to manage product portfolios, prioritize work, and drive long-term value.

Value Stream Management Learn to map and optimize workflows, reducing waste and increasing the delivery of customer value.

Each session combines real-world case studies, interactive activities, and actionable insights to ensure meaningful learning and immediate application.

Let’s Build a Future-Ready Team

Partner with me to create a customized training program that aligns with your organizational goals and empowers your teams to thrive. Let’s connect and start building your next success story.

[samkanna]

Leading Agile Transformations with Purpose and Clarity

Step confidently into the world of Agile transformation with guidance rooted in experience and strategic insight. I bring together 14+ years of hands-on expertise in business transformation and leadership coaching, along with credentials as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Throughout my career, I’ve partnered with leading global organizations including Visa, PayPal, and Standard Chartered Bank. These experiences have taught me that true transformation goes beyond frameworks—it begins with empowered, adaptable leadership.

What You Can Expect When We Work Together

Cultivate an Agile Mindset Embrace adaptability, resilience, and a customer-focused approach to navigate today’s fast-paced business landscape.

Encourage Collaboration Across Teams Break down silos and build high-performing, aligned teams that innovate and execute with clarity.

Lead Through Complexity Strengthen your ability to lead through uncertainty, using practical tools and strategic insight to drive sustainable outcomes.

One of the most impactful initiatives I’ve led involved facilitating OKR (Objectives and Key Results) alignment workshops for leadership teams—turning abstract strategies into clear, measurable goals that flow seamlessly across departments.

With a human-centered approach and a strong foundation in real-world experience, I help leaders transform not just how they work—but how they lead.

[samkanna]

Corporate Coaching That Drives Performance and Innovation

Empowering Organizations Through Strategic Leadership Development

In a fast-evolving business environment, investing in leadership development is more than a competitive advantage—it's a necessity. Corporate coaching provides a strategic pathway to unlock your team's full potential and build a resilient, future-ready organization.

Why Corporate Coaching Makes a Difference

Drive Tangible Results Elevate employee engagement, improve team collaboration, and directly impact business performance through focused leadership coaching.

Prepare Future-Ready Leaders Equip your current and emerging leaders with the strategic mindset, emotional intelligence, and adaptability needed to lead through uncertainty.

Build a Culture of Excellence Foster an organizational culture where learning, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration become everyday habits.

Strengthen Market Position Develop leadership that propels innovation, responds to change, and sets your organization apart from competitors.

Why Choose to Work with Me

With over 26 years of experience in corporate leadership, including managing global teams of 1,000+, I bring deep insight into the real-world challenges organizations face. My coaching blends strategic frameworks with practical tools tailored to your culture and goals. The result is a transformative impact on both individuals and organizations.

Ready to Elevate Your Organization? Let’s explore how a tailored corporate coaching program can unlock leadership potential, drive change, and create lasting impact across your business.

[samkanna]

Personalized Leadership Coaching for Career Growth and Impact

Unlock Your Leadership Potential with One-on-One Coaching

Partnering with me means embarking on a personalized journey of growth, clarity, and transformation. Through one-on-one coaching, you’ll develop leadership capabilities that drive results and elevate your presence in your organization.

What You Can Expect

1. Strategic Self-Reflection Understand your leadership style, uncover hidden blind spots, and align your strengths with your long-term goals.

2. Leadership Impact Enhancement Develop executive presence, sharpen communication skills, and learn to effectively lead high-performing, motivated teams.

3. Customized Development Roadmap Together, we’ll design a tailored coaching plan that reflects your goals, values, and the leadership impact you want to create.

4. Proven Results Through Real Outcomes My coaching has helped leaders make tangible progress. For instance, a senior program manager I worked with transitioned into a leadership role, improved strategic decision-making, and led her team to new levels of success.

A Story of Leadership Transformation One of my clients, a mid-level manager, was facing challenges related to low team morale and unresolved conflict. Through focused coaching around communication, conflict resolution, and delegation, and using tools like 360-degree feedback, we created a major shift. The result: stronger team cohesion, improved performance, and elevated leadership credibility.

Start Your Transformation Today If you’re ready to grow as a leader and unlock your full potential, let’s connect for a discovery call. Together, we’ll explore how personalized coaching can move your career forward.

[samkanna]

Empowering IT Leaders to Succeed Through Personalized Coaching and Transformation

Introduction With over 26 years of experience in the corporate world and credentials as an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), I understand the complex challenges faced by mid-level IT managers and executives. Today’s fast-paced business environment calls for more than technical expertise—it requires emotional intelligence, resilience, and strategic leadership.

Earlier in my own career, I battled imposter syndrome and the weight of high expectations. Coaching helped me recognize my strengths and turn self-doubt into self-leadership. That transformation now fuels my passion: to help others lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

My Solutions

1. One-on-One Leadership Coaching Tailored coaching sessions to help you sharpen your leadership style, navigate challenges, and achieve personal and professional goals.

2. Corporate Coaching Programs Customized coaching interventions that foster growth across leadership teams, enhancing alignment, agility, and business performance.

3. Organizational Transformation Support Agile and change leadership coaching designed to support large-scale transformation journeys with clarity and focus.

4. Team Empowerment Through Training Skill-based training to enhance team collaboration, communication, and innovation in today’s hybrid and high-performance environments.

5. Strategic Leadership Development Build forward-thinking leaders equipped to drive results while fostering a culture of trust and resilience.

Why Work With Me? Having collaborated with global leaders like Visa and PayPal, I combine strategic insight, coaching mastery, and deep corporate experience to deliver lasting impact. My approach is practical, empathetic, and focused on meaningful, measurable outcomes—for individuals, teams, and entire organizations.

[samkanna]

Shaping the Future of Organizations Through Strategic Coaching and Transformation

Welcome. I am a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and bring over 26 years of experience in the Information Technology sector. My focus is on enabling business transformation, developing impactful leaders, and delivering results-driven change across organizations.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with global firms such as Visa, PayPal, and others—leading complex programs that drive measurable and sustainable outcomes.

My Core Expertise Includes:

• Business Transformation Helping organizations adapt, evolve, and thrive through well-structured, purpose-driven initiatives.

• Leadership Development Coaching leaders to reach their full potential, align their teams, and inspire meaningful impact.

• Program Management Excellence Orchestrating enterprise-scale programs that blend strategic direction with operational precision.

Whether it’s coaching senior executives, facilitating team alignment, or leading enterprise initiatives, I bring a balanced approach that combines strategic clarity with human-centered leadership.

Let’s work together to navigate change and achieve transformational outcomes that matter.

[samkanna]

Empowering IT Leaders to Drive Strategic Transformation

Today’s IT leaders are not just technology experts—they are catalysts for change, innovation, and organizational growth. Whether you're leading Agile adoption, managing enterprise programs, or shaping strategic initiatives, I support you in turning vision into reality.

About Sriharsha Sriram

With over 26 years of experience in IT business transformation, I’ve worked with global organizations including Visa, PayPal, and Standard Chartered. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), I specialize in helping IT leaders and teams manage change, build alignment, and lead with purpose.

My Approach

• Strategic Clarity Together, we define clear goals, align on a shared vision, and chart a path forward.

• Execution with Impact I help leaders turn plans into action through precise, results-oriented program management.

• People-Centered Leadership Blending technical acumen with emotional intelligence, I focus on developing leadership that values people as much as performance.

Client Feedback

“Harsha is a skilled Agile Coach and Program Manager. He’s a mentor, advocate, and a teammate I’d take into any program, especially the toughest ones.” – Eugene Burke

Ready to Lead Change?

Let’s partner to unlock your full leadership potential and deliver lasting business value. Connect with me to begin your transformation journey.

[samkanna]

The Montessori Way: A Century-Old Approach That Still Shapes the Future At MMI Chennai, we embrace the timeless wisdom of Dr. Maria Montessori, whose groundbreaking approach to education was designed to nurture peace, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. Rooted in her belief that education is the key to a better world, the Montessori Method continues to inspire teachers and learners across the globe.

More than 100 years later, Montessori classrooms remain vibrant spaces where children explore, discover, and grow—at their own pace and in their own unique ways.

What Makes the Montessori Approach Unique?

Child-Centric Learning Environment Each classroom is thoughtfully prepared to adapt to the needs of every child, creating a safe and engaging space for independent learning.

Hands-On Exploration Specially designed Montessori materials allow children to learn by doing—through touch, movement, and discovery.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Encouraged to explore freely, children learn to think creatively and solve problems with confidence.

Whole-Child Development From social skills to emotional intelligence, Montessori education focuses on nurturing all aspects of a child’s growth.

Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome We value effort and exploration, helping children appreciate the joy of learning—not just the final result.

At MMI Chennai, we’re proud to offer a learning experience grounded in the Montessori tradition. Our approach helps children become independent, motivated, and compassionate individuals ready to thrive in today’s world.

Discover how the Montessori Method can unlock your child’s full potential—one step at a time.

[samkanna]

Montessori Teacher Training at MMI Chennai: Inspiring the Educators of Tomorrow At Modern Montessori International (MMI) Chennai, our Teacher Training Centre is globally recognized for excellence in Montessori education. We offer a comprehensive program designed to equip aspiring educators with the skills and knowledge needed to guide children aged 2.5 to 6 years using the Montessori Method. With a perfect blend of academic theory and hands-on practice, our training empowers teachers to create nurturing and engaging learning environments.

Why Choose MMI Chennai for Montessori Teacher Training?

Accredited Curriculum Our program follows international standards and is accredited by respected institutions such as the Open Distance Learning Quality Council (UK) and the British Accreditation Council, ensuring world-class education.

Expert Mentorship Learn from experienced Montessori mentors who provide personalized support, practical insights, and professional guidance throughout your training journey.

Nationwide Presence With our headquarters in Gurgaon and a growing network across India, including Chennai, MMI makes high-quality Montessori training easily accessible.

Recognized Certification Upon successful completion, trainees receive the internationally respected MMI Diploma, opening doors to rewarding teaching opportunities across the globe.

At MMI Chennai, we are dedicated to shaping future educators who will inspire the next generation of learners. Whether you're starting a new career or enhancing your teaching skills, our Montessori Teacher Training program offers the perfect foundation.

Discover how MMI Chennai can help you transform your passion for teaching into a meaningful and impactful profession.