Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a “conversation style” developed by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick to help people cultivate intrinsic motivation and a “commitment to change.” Originally conceived in a clinical setting for patients suffering from substance addiction, it has…
Arguments, whether at home or at work, can be unpleasant. They can either devolve into shouting matches or cold-shouldering.Either way, contentious issues rarely get resolved amicably. Whether its about an unfair division of labour or not feeling heard,Disagreements can run…
First published in The Hindu, 4 July 2026 Given that we live in a fractured world, it’s not surprising that many people are living with a sense of unease. With mental health issues on the rise, individuals are contending with…
A few months ago, I decided to cultivate a small terrace garden, mainly to provide a more pleasant view for myself. As I’m a novice gardener, I contacted a local nursery and went with their recommendations of a random assortment…
“Why do we have to memorise tables in this day and age?” is a lament that Jasmine Oberoi, a high-school Math teacher at Strawberry Fields School, Chandigarh, often hears.
First published in The Hindu, 31 May 2026 Given that working in the real world usually involves cooperating with individuals and even teams, educators are increasingly giving students group assignments to foster skills of collaboration and communication. While professors may…
In a global survey conducted by Deloitte in 2025, Gen Z and millennial workers said that money wasn’t the sole driver of their motivation to work. Most also looked for meaning and an optimal work-life balance.
First published in The Hindu, 3 May 2026 The term ‘stress’ does indeed receive bad press. So much so that people deem all forms of stress as aversive and something to be avoided. In his book, 10 to 25, psychologist…
Whether you are a team leader, supervisor, mid-level manager or a C-suite exec, mentoring colleagues is an essential feature of your role. While different rungs of the corporate ladder involve varying roles and responsibilities, the principles of managing people remain…
Struggling to communicate with teenagers without conflict or silence? In this psychologist-backed guide, discover 5 proven parenting strategies that improve teen communication, build trust, and help you understand how to talk to teens with confidence
Aruna Sankaranarayanan is the author of Zero Limits: Things Every 20 Something Should Know. She was the Founder & Director of PRAYATNA, a centre for children with learning difficulties in Bengaluru & Chennai for 22 years.