Sarabdeep Singh

NYC Meal Pack for 9/11 Day (mealsofhope.org) is an volunteering engagement for 2 hours. As you head towards the packaging area, you are in a sea of humanity. Half the crowd heading out after completing their shift and the other half heading in. The teams are assigned a table and instructed on the various tasks to be performed. It is a mini assembly line which completes packaging an meal packet. As minutes tick by, you raise your head to take a look around. You observe various teams huddled around tables cranking out meal packages. All activities in unison. A bell rung at an table signifies a box is complete. The "I" sees the "We" in action. Actions for the same purpose. The purpose is advancing the (same) goal. During those two hours you are not thinking about commonality or differences. Not about comfort or discomfort. Your focus is on your action. Actions guided by purpose. As progress is made, a warm feeling of content starts building up. There is no sense of success v failure. It is simply about degree of accomplishment. This small experience shapes a powerful mindset which can be applied to other areas. As the saying goes, if you feel stuck, change your perspective. Giving is an opportunity. I feel lucky that I got a chance to be with like-minded individuals again this year. Got to see some new faces, and meetup with familiar ones. 🖖 #911day #mealsofhope #NYSE #ICE

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I conquered an enemy today. These were the words my daughter said happily when I picked her up from the school bus. When I asked her the details, she said she had an open conversation with Anirudh, and they both are friends now. I was curious about that open conversation and asked for the full story. She said, I asked Anirudh for the reason for hating me. He was uncomfortable initially, as I asked straight. He thought for a while and said there was no specific reason. I told him, If there is no reason, let’s be friends, and extended my hand for friendship. She continued saying to me. He was not comfortable for the entire day, mama. After our talk, he sat with his friends and didn’t sit with me yesterday. Today he sat with me and spoke with me very friendly. The fight between my daughter and Anirudh has been for one year. There were times she didn’t go to the canteen because of this boy. She was worried at the start of the year, because they were both in the same section. At the start of the month, she said to me, they are both bench mates this month. She was concerned about that. I was amused after listening to my daughter. Making that boy comfortable and building a friendship was a big win for her. It really made me think, why don’t we elderly think this way ? There was a time in my career where I thought of having these kinds of conversations. But I was not courageous to initiate. The only thing I did was, I moved out of that project.I was simply a coward. I strongly recommend these open conversations if there is any difficult situation. If we do not have open conversations and resolve them, those will be carried forward and will blast one fine day. It is courageous to initiate these conversations. You may look an outlier in the group. That’s OK. It may take some time for the other person to settle down. That is also OK. But at the end of the day, you both need to understand what you both are thinking. What are your experiences in handling difficult situations? #personaldevelopment #leadership

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I just completed Shreyas Doshi's course for Managing your PM career on Maven this weekend. It is just what I needed right now in my career. Here are my 3 immediate take aways: 1. Define what success means to me 2. Set a 3 yr goal and grow my product competence 3. Framework to convert competence to reputation

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Check out this Q&A with Capital One’s Head of AI Product, @Aparna Sinha, where she shares advice on building enterprise AI/ML capabilities. The conversation touches on the importance of product management in AI, Capital One’s AI/ML priorities, advice for those looking to break into the industry and so much more! Read it now on the Capital One tech blog

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Most of us have heard the news: CVS Health is laying off about 2,900 employees as part of a cost-cutting strategy. While this obviously impacts those affected, it also highlights broader challenges many of us face in today's job market. If you’ve been in a similar situation—due to layoffs, a career shift, or feeling misaligned with your values, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. There's a line from the ’90s movie, "Carlito’s Way" that comes to mind: “Somebody's pulling me close to the ground... I can sense, but I can't see. I ain't panicked.” It’s a reminder to stay grounded despite uncertainty. Here are some insights that have helped me, and I believe they can assist others on this journey: Invest in Yourself: The world is always changing, and adapting is essential. Enhance your skills—whether in tech support, project management, or communication. These investments prepare you for new opportunities and distinguish you in a competitive market. Leverage Your Network: I know firsthand the power of a strong network. Reconnecting with former colleagues can lead to unexpected opportunities. A simple conversation with someone who trusts you can spark new possibilities and provide support when you need it. Embrace Value Creation: This is particularly close to my heart. Every interaction is an opportunity to showcase your value. Companies seek innovative thinkers who can increase revenue, drive efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, or enhance employee experience. My tech background and leadership style have positioned me as a proactive problem solver. Consider your own value and learn to articulate it. Seek Mentorship: Finding a mentor can offer invaluable insights during transitions, helping you navigate your path more effectively. Take Classes or Start a Business: Taking courses or freelancing keeps your skills sharp and expands your network. The flexibility can be a game-changer—like reaching places in 20 minutes that used to take an hour by avoiding rush hour. Take Care of Yourself: Prioritizing your spiritual, mental, and physical well-being is crucial. Engage in activities that bring satisfaction and build resilience. There’s a Maya Angelou quote that resonates with me: “You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.” While we may not all be in the same boat, many of us are in different canoes paddling through the same waters. Let’s support one another on this journey. If you have experiences or insights to share, I invite you to connect. Together, we can create pathways for success.

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✨ 8 Highlights from GHCI 2024: A Working Mom’s Journey ✨ 🌟 1. Transformative Sessions Generative AI, LinkedIn branding, and cutting-edge innovations—each session at #GHCI2024 left me inspired with actionable insights to take back to my team. 🌟 2. Inclusive Workspaces As a working mom, the Clay childcare setup was a game-changer. I could immerse myself in learning and networking, knowing my daughter was in great care. Huge thanks to AnitaB.org for this thoughtful initiative! 🌟 3. Stunning Visuals From inspiring keynotes to vibrant panels, every corner of BIEC, Bangalore reflected the brilliance of diversity in tech. 🌟 4. Powerful Networking Moments Meeting industry leaders, peers, and innovators from Expedia Group and beyond was an enriching experience. It opened doors to fresh ideas and collaborations. 🌟 5. Support for Moms Balancing career and motherhood is no easy feat. GHCI’s thoughtful initiatives reaffirmed that workplaces can empower women at every stage of life. 🌟 6. Inspiring Stories Hearing personal journeys of resilience and innovation in tech was a humbling and motivating experience. 🌟 7. Celebrating Diversity From innovative projects to scholarships advancing inclusion, GHCI 2024 truly championed #DiversityInTech and the need for equitable representation. 🌟 8. Gratitude I’m deeply thankful to Expedia Group and my manager Atul Nagpal for enabling me to participate in this incredible event. Your unwavering support and belief in growth inspire me every day! 🔗 Let’s Start a Conversation! What initiatives or policies have helped you balance career and family life in tech? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s learn from each other! #GHCI2024 #WomenInTech #DiversityInTech #Leadership #Innovation #Empowerment #CareerGrowth 📽 Watch the Highlights:

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The Capital One Tech blog is full of useful tips to help make you and your work more efficient. Today’s tip: Consider using these design patterns in your next microservices app and make organization more manageable >> https://dy.si/FUWLJ

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Layoffs in Big Tech - it may not be what you think. Over the past two years, as major tech companies have gone through rounds of layoffs, the narrative in the media has often framed these actions as “downsizing” — a necessary trimming of the workforce in response to economic pressures. But, in many cases, that’s not what’s really been happening. While headlines have suggested that these layoffs are a sign of companies getting leaner, a closer look reveals a different strategy at play. Many companies have been quietly shifting jobs, not eliminating them. Offices have been opened in countries where labor is less expensive, and new teams have been trained over the past few years or more. When the time was right, these companies laid off some higher-cost employees in the West. It’s a kind of internal outsourcing: the work remains within a company but moves to locations with cheaper labor. So, when we talk about “downsizing,” we’re often missing the bigger picture. For every job cut in the West, there may be several new hires elsewhere. The total headcount might not decrease at all — in fact, it might even grow. What’s really happening is a global shift in the distribution of talent, not a reduction in overall workforce size. I recently came across a post claiming that we’re losing jobs to AI, but that’s not quite accurate either. To my knowledge, AI hasn’t really had a significant impact on tech layoffs. We are still in a phase reminiscent of what we saw 20 years ago when outsourcing seemed like a brilliant cost-saving strategy. Back then, companies moved jobs overseas in search of cheaper labor, only to later realize the downsides — from quality control issues to cultural and communication barriers. Today, we’re seeing a similar trend, only it’s happening internally, within companies, rather than through third-party outsourcing firms. This isn’t to say there aren’t a great many talented engineers outside the West — there certainly are. But it’s important to remember that an engineer’s value doesn’t just come from the ability to write code. Skills like understanding the cultural context of a market, having a history of innovation, and being able to work closely with product teams to drive strategic goals are all critical — and not all of these can be easily replicated or replaced. There’s a difference between being busy and being productive, and it’s a distinction that companies often rediscover the hard way. So, while the media may continue to report on layoffs as a simple story of companies trimming their sails, it’s worth looking beneath the surface. The reality is more complex. What looks like downsizing might actually be a strategic shift in where and how work is done — one that comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. And as always, time will tell how effective these strategies really are. But I don't believe most of those newer branches/offices are likely to go away, because there are good engineers outside of the west.

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I am deeply grateful to Macy's Tech Leadership Team for the incredible opportunity to participate in one of the best Leadership Essentials Programs through McKinsey Academy. Over the past 4-5 months, I have gained valuable insights, shared expertise, and built a strong network. The well-organized curriculum, alongside quality speakers from #McKinseyAcademy, made the learning experience easy to absorb and truly impactful. This program has helped me enhance my skills in: 1. Business Leadership 2. Team Leadership 3. Self-Leadership

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📱 Starbucks' Mobile Evolution: With Brian Niccol, the incoming CEO, at the helm, Starbucks might see a significant shift in its digital strategy. As the former Chipotle CEO who pioneered the company's digital transformation, Niccol could potentially target Starbucks' mobile app for enhancements. 🌟 Key Focus: Niccol's expertise suggests a deep dive into refining user experience, boosting loyalty programs, and possibly integrating more personalized features. 🔍 Looking Ahead: The coffee giant's mobile app has already set a strong foundation, but with Niccol’s leadership, we might witness a new era of innovation that could redefine how customers engage with the brand.

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A powerful team is never just a collection of individuals. There is extraordinary value in connections and relationships that are built over time. But how do you quantify these nuanced and dynamic traits? Here are some ideas: ✨ DORA Metrics: While primarily leveraged for assessing software delivery performance, DORA Metrics can offer insights into team efficiency and collaboration. Metrics like deployment frequency and lead time for changes are indirect indicators of how well a team operates together. 🌟 Net Promoter Score (NPS): Going beyond customer satisfaction, internally, NPS can be adapted to gauge team members' satisfaction and willingness to recommend their team to others. It captures engagement, morale, and overall sentiment within the team. ♻️ Feedback loops: How often is the team giving feedback to others? Tracking data points like these over time, and especially showing how changing the team impacts the data can tell a compelling story. It might give a clear voice to a nuanced understanding of the impact of changing the team when there are concerns for doing so. As a leader what metrics do you track to help you understand how change impacts a team?

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Having personal and emotional boundaries is crucial for your well-being in and out of the workplace. Boundaries put limits in place to protect our time, energy, and mental health. At Optum, we are dedicated to prioritizing mental and emotional health in our work to deliver better health care for the people and communities we serve, along with how we support our employees. Encouraging healthy boundaries is one way we can work together to help find balance at work and at home. http://spr.ly/6048qTye8 #WorldMentalHealthDay

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#PeopleAsset #Work_Relationships #InvestingInPeople Investing in people is like investing in your most valuable asset—only instead of numbers, it’s about building real connections. Too often, I see people reaching out only in a crisis, like the saying, "Sanakata bandaaga Venkata Ramana"—we remember God in tough times, trusting He’ll forgive ( He's God so he will) but with people, it’s different. You can’t just show up when things go south! Real relationships need regular care, even beyond work. Here’s the strategy: invest your time consistently—whether it’s casual chats over coffee or being there during tough moments. Like diversifying financial investments, nurturing relationships across different people is essential. Friendships and professional connections don’t magically appear when you need them; they grow with care, just like your savings. When you invest in people over time, the returns are priceless—emotional support, career growth, and meaningful friendships. It’s not about waiting for a crisis to reach out. Build strong, lasting connections, so when you need them, they’ll be there, solid and unwavering ( remember the diversified portfolio one asset will surely outperform)

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Efficient, air-gapped infrastructure is the backbone of any scalable product—without it, you’re just running on 'localhost'. 🖥️ Think twice before adding layers of micro management. A lean, focused team often outperforms one weighed down by unnecessary Program Managers. Aspiring DevOps Engineers: This role demands experience. Start with Cloud Engineering to build the essential skills needed to thrive in the DevOps domain. Focus on what truly drives value and growth. 💼 #TechStrategy #StartupWisdom #DevOpsCareer #CloudComputing"

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"You are a poet, please compose a poem about how to reset password" In a world of keys and locks unseen, Where passwords guard the digital sheen, There comes a time, for one and all, To reset, reclaim, stand up tall. First, the query must begin, "Forgot your password?"—a humble spin, A link is clicked, a path anew, A journey simple, clear, and true. Email or phone, the choice is thine, A code sent forth, a secure sign, With digits bright or letters clear, A path to start, from there to here. Enter the code, with careful hand, As if you’re crafting lines in sand, A password new, of strength and might, To guard your secrets day and night. Make it strong, yet easy to recall, A mix of symbols, letters, tall, Avoid the names of those you know, Or birthdays past, or places you go. Confirm it now, once more in line, A double-check, a sign divine, And with a click, the deed is done, A password reset, a battle won. So fear not the forgotten key, For in each step, there lies a plea, To start anew, with strength, with care, Your digital realm, now secure, laid bare.

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