Mounica Veggalam - Mounica Veggalam

partnership

Problem-solving makes most of your problems worse.

Three years ago, on one of my coach-training calls, a peer, the CEO of a family business, asked for support to solve his overwhelm. This was a practice session where we coached each other and got feedback. He said: "I have to train this new person on talking

achievement

Less than 12 weeks left in the year. Your strategies to hit your goals could make them harder to reach.

I woke up this morning with a pit in my stomach. I set a goal of holding two more workshops last month and I have set up only one so far. It seems like time is running out and I must get over my mental blocks and get shit done.

Her First Dance (Orchardson, 1884): a dancing master bows to a young woman in white while the room watches. Handwritten above her: “What if I run from polite society?”

partnership

The cost of working with a coach: it’s not the time and money

People think the cost of hiring a coach is the time or money. But I argue you can arrange those things if needed. We buy cars, go on vacations, and scroll social media all the time. Time, money, space, logistics, and situations can be figured out. The real cost of

The First Cloud (Orchardson, 1887): a husband by the fireplace watches his wife leave the room. Handwritten above him: “I thought it would be a great day to upset you today”

partnership

Before Radical Candor, you need an inner stance

The 5 Stages of Inquiry Before A Conversation

Her First Love Letter (Marcus Stone, 1889): one woman reads a letter, her friend listens. Handwritten: “Yeah, but not like on purpose or anything” and “Are you right?”

achievement

Why perfectionism isn’t the root cause

Right/Wrong Thinking Blocks Connection

The Last Evening (Tissot, 1873): on a ship’s deck two older men whisper while a young officer leans toward a woman. Handwritten by the men: “We’re starting a feedback culture”

partnership

When smart problem solvers become the problem

The interpersonal blindspots that hold back high-performing teams

Disappointing News (Raja Ravi Varma): a woman lies back holding a letter, looking up. Handwritten: “What’s on my to-do list today?” and “Oh right. EVERYTHING.”

achievement

How to get things done without the suffering

I could have written the tweet above. After years of personal development work, I've realized something about how I show up to my work. It's not empowering. It’s a compulsion. A subtle and constant obligation. To work on all my unfinished projects. And oh boy,

Nameless and Friendless (Osborn, 1857): a young woman offers her painting to a dealer, who studies it, hand at chin. Handwritten above him: “well actually...”

partnership

Leading highly-critical people

Highly critical people can be 'managed up' if you learn the art of leading. Highly critical people trigger me. I feel dumb, incompetent, and insignificant in their presence. Previously, I would fight, avoid, or cut them off. But recently, I've learned to lead them. Perhaps you&

In Love (Stone, 1888): a man broods at a garden table; a woman sews apart. Handwritten by him: “of course I care about how you imagined I thought you perceived I wanted you to feel.”

partnership

How not to blame your partner (even if you’re convinced they’re wrong)

In a TV interview, a famous South-Indian actress said, "I gave everything I could to my relationship." The subtext story is that they got a divorce because her husband cheated on her. Her heartbreak, the betrayal, and the grief are piercing and justified. Yet... "I had

There Comes Papa (Raja Ravi Varma, 1893): a mother holds her child and points to the door. Handwritten by her: “Vanilla or chocolate?” By the child: “No!”

decision-making

If you win the right choice, you lose your autonomy

Looking back at my life, I've made many independent, bold decisions. At 21, I decided not to sit for the usual college job placements and emailed a startup CEO to hire me. At 30, I quit a well-paying job at Microsoft to start a solo practice in