Moving, Mehta (not Meta) and Most Admired

When cinema first transitioned from silent films to talkies, directors struggled. They filmed movies as if they were just capturing a play—static cameras, actors enunciating as if the audience was in the last row of a theater. It took creative rule-breakers to realize that the camera could move, zoom, and frame scenes from a bird’s-eye or ant’s-eye view. That’s how cinema found its grammar.

Moving homes feels the same. At first, we try to carry everything forward—every piece of furniture, every forgotten trinket, every impulse-buy that seemed like a great idea at the time. But true transformation happens when we let go, rethink, and embrace the new.

1. Get Rid of What No Longer Fits

If you haven’t used something in years, it probably doesn’t belong in your new home. That exercise bike doubling as a clothes rack? Those jeans from a decade ago you swear you’ll fit into again? Let them go. The same applies to how companies adopt AI. Many try to bolt it onto existing processes without questioning whether those processes even make sense anymore.

2. Make Room for the New

Moving is not just about packing boxes; it’s about making space—physically and mentally. Instead of stress, think of it as a reset button. Organizations need the same mindset with AI. Instead of fearing job losses, consider what new roles and efficiencies AI can create.

3. Reimagine, Don’t Just Transfer

Cinema evolved when directors stopped filming plays and started making movies. Your new home isn’t your old home in a different location. It’s a fresh start. Likewise, companies shouldn’t just add AI—they should rethink how work gets done.

So, whether you’re moving homes or upgrading technology, don’t just carry forward the past. Reimagine the future.

5Cs That Drive Innovation

Talent Connect Asia has just wrapped, and I couldn’t agree more with LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer,?Aneesh Raman’s?take on the five C’s of soft skills – a critical component to a successful workforce. If you missed his powerful keynote, don't worry. You can still catch it in the replay of the TC India Virtual Show?here.

Right now, we stand at the most consequential moment in our careers—the redefinition of human work. Throughout history, transformative technologies like the steam engine, electricity, and computing have shifted where and how we work. AI is the next great disruptor, marking the shift from the knowledge economy to the innovation economy—one where human creativity, empathy, and problem-solving take center stage.

The Second-Order Effects on Individuals

This transition reshapes not just jobs but how individuals grow, contribute, and find meaning at work. The innovation economy demands a new skill set—the Five Cs:?Communication, Creativity, Compassion, Courage, and Curiosity. Unlike technical skills, these core human capabilities cannot be automated. They form the foundation of leadership, collaboration, and trust-building across diverse teams and industries.

Read about the second order effects on individuals here <click this>

Asking employees to take a pay cut to work from home is a bad idea

I read about some employers taking away upto 25% pay for letting an employee work from home. The poll results are clear. Check out the comments here <click this>

Several notable employers have experimented with location-based compensation or remote work trade-offs:

1. Google implemented a location-based pay model where employees who relocated to less expensive areas faced pay adjustments.
2. Facebook/Meta announced similar policies where remote workers' salaries might be adjusted based on their location's cost of living.
3. VMware offered remote work options but with salary adjustments of up to 18% for employees moving to lower-cost areas.
4. Reddit eliminated location-based pay differentials in 2021, moving to a national compensation structure.
5. Stripe offered one-time bonuses for employees willing to relocate from high-cost areas, but with subsequent salary adjustments.

The False Economy of Trading Salary for Remote Work

My recent LinkedIn poll revealed 85% of professionals question why salary should be linked to work location at all. This highlights a fundamental disconnect in workplace values.

While companies like Google and Meta implement location-based pay cuts, they misunderstand what remote work represents. Remote work isn't a perk to "pay for" through salary reduction—it's a different approach that often delivers equal or greater productivity.

Progressive organizations recognize that value comes from outcomes, not location. They're implementing results-based metrics rather than proximity-based management.

What matters more to you: where work happens or the value you create? Share your experience with remote work compensation policies.

The World's Most Admired Companies

Is there a company on this list that you feel does not belong here? Is there a company that should have ranked higher or lower?

The Mehta Boys (on Amazon Prime)

This is a movie I watched on Amazon Prime. This was the second movie I watched last week that involved an architect. And yeah ... I spelt Adrien wrong. But I predicted that he will get the Oscar <click this you sceptic!>, but did not predict how long his speech would be.

“The Mehta Boys,” directed by Boman Irani, is a poignant drama that delves into the complexities of a father-son relationship. The story is about Amay Mehta (played by Avinash Tiwary), an architect in Mumbai, and the relationship his father, Shiv Mehta (played by Boman Irani), following his mother’s demise. The film explores their emotional journey over a 48-hour period, highlighting themes of familial bonds, personal aspirations, and cultural identity.?

I loved the authentic portrayal of the father-son relationship. The nuanced depiction of the father-son dynamic is understated and that is what made this so engaging without any melodrama.