Toon Takeaways: Ratatouille!

Be the reason someone shares their ideas, issues, and views with you.

Not the reason they stop after a few.

Remember Chef Gusteau says that “You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from”?

That’s when Remy gets the confidence to pursue his passion and not be limited by his background or origin. 

Imagine if the Chef just shut him out instantly or blamed him for the issues he faced?

An idea always starts with a hesitant voice.

A half-knock on your cabin door.

A request for a conversation.

A message that says, “Do you have some time?”

And it matters how you respond in that moment. Specifically, the words you choose make a super strong impact. If you immediately say no, shut out, or blame them, it may not work.

Yes, you might be thinking, “I’m just being honest.”

But your words don’t just communicate—they echo.

A sharp “no” or a blame can shut doors in someone’s mind.

So slowly, without a fight, they check out.

They stop asking. Stop suggesting.

They go on auto-mode.

It’s never about just this idea. Or a challenge. Or a major issue they are facing at work.

It’s about whether it’s safe to bring the next one.

Everyone gets tired. Everyone is busy. Deadlines are real. Time is short.

But empathy takes seconds.

Choose kindness. You might be shaping someone’s courage to try again. You might be losing someone slowly and gradually without even realizing.

Even just saying, “Okay, can we sit on this tomorrow?” or “Let’s talk more soon” or “I understand the challenge you are facing, it must be hard…but let’s sort this out this way…” or “I am here for you always, but let me finish this task and get back to you…” makes a world of difference.

If dismissed once, they might just choose silence next time.
And no—it’s not their fault if they don’t come back. Some doors, once shut, leave people feeling dismissed, not welcome.

Because what you see as just another issue or idea, might have taken them tons of effort to first resolve it, or calibrate and brainstorm.

And your words might echo as a lasting silence.

Think of Ratatouille, where Chef Gusteau says, “Anyone can cook.”

It’s not about food—it’s about possibility. And opportunity.

Yes. Anyone can build. Anyone can create.

But only if they’re heard.

Be the reason someone feels heard, not hesitant.

The reason they open up, not shut down.

The reason they share the next idea—because they felt safe with the first. 

Did you water your Orchid?

“You know, we are like orchids, while they are dandelions or cactuses, maybe with thorns – for selective people like us.”

We laughed when a very sweet friend of mine said this last week. However, it really struck a chord with me. He mentioned how even he felt the same way – the lack of care, empathy, and such excessive formality and brevity even in life-death situations – which feels unusual and selectively deliberate – especially when we pour our dedication, love, and care onto someone.

Have you ever heard of the concept of orchids and dandelions? The idea is that orchids, like sensitive flowers, thrive with nurturing and genuine care and bloom amazingly, beautifying your surroundings. Meanwhile, dandelions are seemingly unaffected by their environment. When provided with the right conditions, orchids can surpass dandelions in their achievements and well-being.

It got me thinking about how we navigate these dynamics, especially in the workplace. It is surprising how some folks seem to be so nonchalant about the struggles or triumphs of those around them.

Imagine pouring your heart out about a recent crisis only to get an “okay” in response. Or sharing the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet just to receive a casual “aww, sorry.” Or letting your guard down and sharing how someone made you feel bad and being told that they don’t care and you need to fight your own battle – even when the opponent is a parasite on them. Or when you share your concern under confidence about someone’s inappropriate behavior, which may harm them, and instead, you are blamed for sharing, while the other person gets rewarded for reasons best known to them. It stings, doesn’t it?

Such emotional insensitivity, especially with the ones who are always on their toes for you, often leaves them on the receiving end, feeling undervalued and emotionally drained.

I guess we all crave a bit of acknowledgment, a touch of genuine care, especially from those we spend most of our waking hours with. I also learned that I had been harsh with someone who was not able to complete his or her task. I realized that I need to have empathy and understand why they lagged behind – or what they feel.

It is not about expecting grand gestures or constant attention. Sometimes, once a day, a simple text or a quick check-in can make a HUGE difference – creating an environment where empathy and kindness are the norm, not the exception, and not for selective people.

Let us water each other’s orchids and nurture those sensitive souls who may not always speak up but deeply appreciate a listening ear and a caring heart.

Meanwhile, let me be lavender, bringing peace, solace, and support in life’s ups and downs and a constant source of comfort for those in need.

After all, in the hustle and bustle of work life, it’s the human connections that truly matter.

Did you water your Orchid today?

Bloom.

We were in 3rd/4th grade and everyone used to play games in the playground during the recess. There were no rules, no age-bar, no gender bias; one could witness kids playing hide and seek, ice-water, red-letter, steps, catch-the-ball or a football match-especially during the monsoon when the ground was full of water puddles.

These matches were either intra-section, inter-section or even inter-grade at times. After the 40-minute recess got over, the PT teachers used to collect the skipping ropes or footballs or tennis balls.

The teams used to sing after the match. Not “sing-a-song” sing, but a slogan. The winning team sang- “Hum jeet gaye, hum jeet gaye; wo haar gaye, wo haar gaye” (We won, we won; they lost, they lost) while running towards the school building happily. It was their way of expressing joy. Happiness. Victory. Everyone appreciated it and none of the teachers asked them to shhh.

BUT, the team which lost, ALSO used to sing – “Hum haar gaye, hum haar gaye, wo jeet gaye, wo jeet gaye” (We lost, we lost; they won, they won) – with equal enthusiasm and appreciation for the winning team. This team might have been upset about losing, but their happiness was all about playing the match whole heartedly, knowing that it’s just a game they played in that short recess, which refreshed them and prepared them for the next.

Both the teams used to walk together, happily, in a group, teasing each other, smiling, laughing, hugging, pushing, clapping and giving high-fives. Their uniforms would be full of dirt, black polished shoes turned brown with mud; and faces and hands messed up. But the smiles on their faces and the care and appreciation they had for each other was outstanding. It was human.

We all grew up on the same swampy ground and played in the same mud – at a different time and place, maybe. Like numerous lotuses in the water pond. Some turned out to be the flower petals, some roots, some the plant leaves. And some even the foundation – the water.

My click at IIM Indore.

But now, it is not just a ‘match’ for us. We are formal, and our ‘uniforms’ are now stained with a competition to get the best ‘catch’. There is no genuine appreciation or encouragement, nor we are expressing victory or failure whole-heartedly. We are chasing our ‘goals’ wearing formal polished shoes. We serve ‘penalty shots’ and blame others for expecting or even asking something out of concern, and then often declare a ‘foul’.

Its time we again take a short recess, trust the light, grow through this dirt, believe in new beginnings, breathe in deep and let life unfold. Bloom.