Why a Coach Who Isn't in the Arena Can't Truly Teach the Game

 

Why a Coach Who Isn't in the Arena Can't Truly Teach the Game

There's a uncomfortable truth in the world of Business Coaching and consulting: if your Coach isn't actively doing Business themselves, they're teaching theory, not reality.

Imagine hiring a swimming instructor who's never been in the water. They've read every book about swimming, watched countless videos, and can recite perfect technique. But they've never felt the panic of water in their lungs, never experienced the exhaustion of fighting a current, never discovered that small adjustment that suddenly makes everything click.

This is the State of much Business Coaching today.

The Knowledge Gap

Business moves at lightning speed. What worked eighteen months ago might be obsolete today. Algorithm changes, market shifts, consumer behavior evolution, new technologies—these aren't just buzzwords. They're daily realities that fundamentally alter how Business operates.

A Coach who isn't actively running campaigns, closing deals, building funnels, or managing teams is working from outdated maps. They're teaching what should work based on principles that used to work, not what actually works right now, in this moment, in this market.

Theory Versus Battle Scars

The most valuable lessons in Business aren't found in frameworks or methodologies. They're discovered in the trenches:

The moment you realize your "perfect" sales pitch falls flat with real customers. The panic of cash flow problems that teach you financial discipline no spreadsheet ever could. The humbling experience of a product launch that nobody cares about. The unexpected breakthrough that came from breaking your own rules.

These lessons can't be taught secondhand. They must be lived.

The Credibility Problem

When a Coach faces difficult questions—"What would you do in my situation?" or "How did you handle this when it happened to you?"—their answer reveals everything.

If they pivot to generic advice or lean on case studies from clients, they're admitting something crucial: they don't actually know. They haven't been there. They're guessing, however educated that guess might be.

The Empathy Deficit

Running a Business is terrifying. The sleepless nights. The self-doubt. The financial pressure. The weight of people depending on you. The constant risk of failure.

A Coach who isn't experiencing this themselves cannot truly understand what their clients are going through. They can sympathize, but they cannot empathize. And that gap in understanding creates a gap in effective guidance.

Who Should You Learn From?

This doesn't mean all Coaches are useless. But it suggests a different standard:

Learn from people who are actively doing what you want to do. The entrepreneur who's building Businesses while teaching others to build Businesses. The marketer who's running their own successful campaigns while consulting. The leader who's managing their own team while Coaching other leaders.

These people bring fresh insights, current tactics, and hard-won wisdom that comes from recent failures and victories. They understand today's challenges because they're facing them right now.

The Exception

There is one valid exception: the retired practitioner who achieved significant success and stepped back recently enough that their knowledge remains relevant. But even here, there's a shelf life. A five-year retirement is very different from a twenty-year one.

The Bottom Line

Business isn't an academic subject. It's a contact sport. You wouldn't hire a football Coach who's never played football, never called plays under pressure, never felt the impact of a tackle.

The same principle applies here.

Before you invest your time, money, and trust in a Business Coach, ask yourself: Are they still in the game? Do they have skin in it? Are they risking their own resources on the same strategies they're selling you?

If the answer is no, you're not getting Coaching. You're getting consulting from someone reading the manual while you're trying to fly the plane.

Choose your guides wisely. Learn from those who are walking the path alongside you, not just drawing maps from a safe distance.

The best teachers are those who are still students of the game—still learning, still failing, still growing, still doing.

Shrishty Sharma

Group HR Head/ Author

Asiatic International Corp

Shrishty@Flying-Crews.com

Shrishty@Air-aviator.com

https://www.flying-crews.com 

LinkedIn  : 

https://shorturl.at/U5G6E 

 Link tree: 

https://linktr.ee/Shrishty_HRM_Flying_Crews 

 Vcard: 

https://linko.page/asiaticinternationalcorp 

https://linko.page/shrishtysharma 

 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/flyingcrewhrm  

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/aerosoftcorp

Hidden Cost of Remote Work: Why Your Home Office Might Be Quietly Burning You Out

 

The Hidden Cost of Remote Work: Why Your Home Office Might Be Quietly Burning You Out

Nearly a quarter of new jobs in 2025 are hybrid positions, and approximately 34.3 million employed Americans teleWorked or Worked at Home for pay in April 2025. Remote Work has evolved from emergency response to permanent fixture in the modern Workforce. But beneath the comfort of Working in pajamas and skipping the commute lies a growing crisis that many don't see coming until it's too late.

Over two-thirds of employees—69%—are experiencing burnout symptoms while Working from Home. This isn't just about feeling tired after a long day. It's about a fundamental shift in how we relate to Work when our bedroom becomes our boardroom.

The Blurred Line Problem

Remember when leaving the office meant you were done for the day? That psychological separation has vanished. About 26% of remote Workers say they're Working longer Hours than before, especially middle management, who are 20% more likely to report this.

The issue isn't laziness or lack of discipline. It's that the physical and mental triggers that used to signal "Work time" versus "personal time" simply don't exist anymore. Your laptop sits three feet from your bed. Your email notifications don't stop just because it's 9 PM. The kitchen that used to represent lunch break now represents "just one more quick task while I grab coffee."

This erosion of Boundaries creates a persistent low-grade stress that accumulates over time.

The Productivity Paradox

Here's where it gets interesting: Over 90% of employees believe they are as productive or more productive in their Work model than they were the previous year. Yet at the same time, nearly 70% are experiencing burnout.

How can both be true?

Because productivity and sustainability aren't the same thing. You can run a marathon pace for a mile, but you can't sustain it for 26.2 miles. Remote Workers are achieving short-term productivity gains while simultaneously depleting their long-term reserves of energy, motivation, and mental health.

A Stanford study on over 1,600 Workers revealed that employees Working from Home two days a week were just as productive and likely to be promoted as their full-time office counterparts. The key word there? Two days a week. Balance matters.

The Social Deficit

Humans are social creatures. We're not designed to spend 40+ Hours per week in solitary confinement, even comfortable confinement.

Working remotely caused feelings of being less connected with the organization and colleagues, configuring social isolation. That casual hallway conversation, the quick desk-side question, the shared lunch break—these weren't just nice-to-haves. They were pressure release valves that helped us process stress, feel connected, and remember we're part of something larger than our to-do list.

When those disappear, Work becomes transactional. Tasks become endless. Days blur together.

The Warning Signs You're Missing

People are now twice as likely to report exhaustion due to Work, a 32% increase from 20 years ago. But exhaustion is just the first domino. The progression looks like this:

Physical and mental exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest. Growing cynicism about your Work and company. Feeling disconnected and questioning whether your contributions matter. Declining performance despite Working longer Hours. Irritability with colleagues and loved ones. The scary part? By the time you recognize these symptoms, you're already deep into burnout territory.

What Actually Works

The solutions aren't complicated, but they require intention and discipline:

Create Hard Boundaries: Set specific Work Hours and actually stop Working when they're over. Create a ritual to mark the start and end of your Workday—change your clothes, take a walk, close your laptop and put it away.

Separate Your Space: Keep your Workspace separate from your living space. Even if it's just a specific corner of a room, make it exclusively for Work. Leave it when you're done.

Protect Your Calendar: Time blocking is a powerful scheduling method where you assign specific time slots in your calendar to every task. Block time for deep Work, but also block time for breaks, lunch, and end-of-day shutdown.

Move Your Body: Remote Work eliminates incidental movement. You're not walking to meetings, to the parking lot, to grab lunch. This matters more than you think. Schedule movement breaks.

Maintain Social Connection: If you're living with family, friends, or a partner, make the effort to really connect with them socially at the end of your Workday. If you live alone, find ways to get out of the house regularly.

Actually Take Time Off: Taking time off and managing mental health and Workload efficiently can increase productivity and prevent remote Work burnout.

For Companies: You're Part of the Problem

Organizations can't just offer remote Work and call it a benefit while ignoring the mental health implications. Promoting a healthy Work-life balance prevents burnout and supports employees' mental health.

This means respecting Work Hours, not sending messages outside of them, and actively encouraging people to unplug. It means regular check-ins that actually ask about wellbeing, not just project status.

LinkedIn  : 

https://shorturl.at/U5G6E 

 Link tree: 

https://linktr.ee/Shrishty_HRM_Flying_Crews 

 Vcard: 

https://linko.page/asiaticinternationalcorp 

https://linko.page/shrishtysharma 

 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/flyingcrewhrm  

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/aerosoftcorp 

When AI Slips Into Print: The Hilarious Case of a Newspaper Forgetting to Delete a ChatGPT Prompt

 

When AI Slips Into Print: The Hilarious Case of a Newspaper Forgetting to Delete a ChatGPT Prompt

In a moment that perfectly captures the evolving relationship between humans and Artificial intelligence, a Pakistani Newspaper unintentionally printed a ChatGPT prompt in its physical edition — turning an ordinary News article into an overnight Viral sensation.

What should have been a clean report on market trends instead included a cheerful AI suggestion:

“If you want, I can also create an even snappier ‘front-page style’ version with punchy one-line stats and a bold, infographic-ready layout—perfect for maximum reader impact. Do you want me to do that next?”

The error was highlighted by amused readers, and the internet wasted no time in turning it into a global meme. Screenshots of the print edition circulated across social platforms, sparking laughter, gentle teasing, and some serious discussions about the increasing dependence on AI-generated content in Newsrooms.

A Modern Editorial Slip-Up

While typos and misprints are nothing new in journalism, this incident stands out for one reason: it reflects the growing integration of AI tools into daily content creation. Many media houses now rely on AI for drafting, editing, fact-checking, and even idea generation. But with this convenience comes a new responsibility — ensuring humans double-check what AI produces.

The oversight wasn’t harmful, but it did highlight a simple truth:
AI can assist the Newsroom, but it can’t replace human vigilance.

A Lesson in AI Carefulness

Experts in digital media and AI ethics were quick to comment that this slip-up, while humorous, serves as a reminder of the importance of editorial review — especially in an era where technology plays such a central role in content production.

AI doesn’t just need to be powerful;
AI needs to be used carefully.
Misplaced prompts, incorrect data, unverified facts — these are all risks when human editors rely too heavily on automated tools.

The printed prompt was essentially ChatGPT doing exactly what it’s designed to do: offering to help improve the article. The only problem? No one removed the offer before hitting “print.”

The Internet’s Reaction: Laughter, Memes, and a Shared Reality

Globally, people found the incident funny, relatable, and oddly comforting. It showcased something we all know: mistakes happen — whether you're a journalist, an editor, or an AI. And in the grand scheme of things, this was one of the harmless ones.

Many social media users joked that the AI should now be included in the Newspaper’s editorial team. Others quipped that ChatGPT deserved a byline for its “contribution.”

The Future of Newsrooms

This incident is a small but vivid example of what the future of media may look like. AI will continue to evolve, becoming more deeply embedded in journalism — from writing assistance to automated reporting and content personalization. But the human role remains essential, especially for quality control.

In the end, the accidental inclusion of a ChatGPT prompt serves as a funny but important reminder:

• AI can speed up work.
  
  

• AI can improve writing.
  
  

• AI can boost creativity.
  
  

• But only humans can ensure what goes to print is truly ready.
  
  

The Newspaper may have had an embarrassing moment, but it also gave the world a laugh — and a gentle nudge to use technology responsibly.

And somewhere, ChatGPT might be thinking:
“I tried to help… You just forgot to delete my suggestion!”

Architect of His Own Demise The Best Revenge is a Billion-Dollar Bid

The Builder's Reckoning

The night before the final divorce hearing, Mrs. Rashmi Gupta called her husband Rahul into the lounge and presented him with the one document that instantly hollowed his gaze. Less than an hour later, Mr. Rahul Gupta was on his knees, weakly pleading for his wife to rescind her decision… but by then, the statute of limitations on second chances had long expired.

This is the story of Rashmi and Rahul Gupta's seven-year marriage, Rashmi's quiet devastation, her aggressive corporate comeback… and the profound, humiliating miscalculation of her "newly available" husband.

The Foundation Crumbles

Their marriage had once been the picture of modern success in Mumbai’s elite circles. Rahul was a celebrated real estate developer, and Rashmi possessed an innate flair for conceptual design. Their courtship began at an art gallery in Kala Ghoda, where he would gesture towards the towering city developments and confidently assert, “One day, I will finance my own skyscraper… and you will design its soul.”

And he had kept his promise. They settled into a luxurious penthouse in Bandra. Rahul frequently told his wife, “Just focus on creating a home, Rashmi, and leave the competitive world to me.” She believed him, willingly shelving her dream—to launch her high-end staging and design agency. She prioritized his career, his comfort, and the stability of their family unit.

But time, as it does with all weak structures, began to reveal the stress points.

Rahul’s personality began a slow, corrosive change. Late-night site visits stretched into early mornings, the excuses became thin and repetitive, and the silence between them grew heavy. One afternoon, Rashmi found a foreign pair of cuff-links in his travel bag. His mobile phone was always guarded, face-down on every surface. When a notification arrived, he would disappear to the terrace, speaking in hushed, intimate tones.

One evening, his phone vibrated against the marble counter. Rashmi had not intended to look, but the display flashed, mocking her composure:

“Shreya Silk”

Followed by a simple, transactional request: “Don’t forget the meeting details. 🔥”

When Rashmi asked for an explanation, Rahul erupted in a brittle, patronizing laugh—the sound of a partnership shattering. “You are becoming paranoid, Rashmi. 

She’s merely a project consultant. We have silly, motivational code names for our top partners.”

Rashmi desperately wanted to cling to his words. But trust, once pulverized, cannot be reground.

He began his verbal chipping: calling her "traditional," "unambitious," and "the background wife." 

He would sigh, “Try to maintain a modern image, Rashmi. You look perpetually exhausted.” She looked in the mirror. Tired eyes, her hair in a hasty braid, a simple cotton saree… yes, she looked like a woman who had devoted herself entirely to someone else’s success.

Then one afternoon, after Rashmi had spent hours preparing a lavish family brunch for his business associates, Rahul set his napkin down and delivered the blow in a calm, utterly devoid tone: “I require a separation, Rashmi. I need freedom to focus on my growth.”

Her hands did not shake. She did not weep. Rahul, clearly expecting a breakdown, scowled at her stoicism. He packed an overnight bag and left the penthouse.

In that moment of icy departure, Rashmi made her final decision: She would not be painted as the victim. She would build her own empire from the ashes of his ego.

The Quiet Resurgence

Rahul operated under the smug delusion that his wife was a dependent, emotionally fragile woman confined to his expensive home. He had no idea that while he was pursuing his "Shreya" under the guise of "investor dinners," Rashmi was securing capital and meeting architects in Worli. While he was allegedly "finalizing blueprints" late at night, she was completing her certifications in global business management. While he was telling their friends she “couldn’t handle the pressure”—she was signing contracts worth tens of crores.

For six months, Rashmi worked with the relentless focus of a diamond cutter, pouring every drop of her former devotion into creating—R.G. Stage & Design 

– Rashmi Gupta Interiors. 

(Her own initials, now representing her new identity).

She established a sleek corporate office, assembled a dynamic, focused team, successfully bid on major construction projects, and—most crucially—locked in a lucrative, exclusive deal with a global luxury furnishing brand attempting to enter the Indian market.

And Rahul? He remained convinced that he had simply discarded a "simple housewife."

The Ultimate Downfall

The night before the divorce proceedings, the penthouse was a tomb of silence. Rashmi walked down the grand staircase and addressed her soon-to-be-ex-husband. “Rahul, please join me in the media room. There is something you need to see.”

He looked haggard and intensely annoyed. “Don’t start with the dramatics, Rashmi. We have court in the morning.” But he followed her command nonetheless.

Rashmi darkened the room, connected her tablet to the projection screen, and pressed play.

A stunning, cinematic commercial filled the wall. High-end residential towers… immaculate, trend-setting interiors… flawless execution and lighting. Rahul slowly moved closer to the screen. Surprise transitioned abruptly into existential dread.

The advertisement concluded.

The screen then displayed in bold, irrefutable text: R.G. Stage & Design – Founder & CEO: Mrs. Rashmi Gupta

Then followed a montage of Rashmi: directing dozens of workers on-site, commanding a boardroom, signing major documents—a composed, stylish, and incredibly powerful woman.

Rahul’s jaw went slack. Finally, his voice barely audible, he choked out, “Is this… is this entire operation… yours, Rashmi?”

She gave him a cool, utterly self-possessed smile. “Yes, Rahul. Six months… 

Your six months of ‘focus and growth’…

 I built my own market.”

Then came the final, devastating reveal—the structural collapse of his new future.

“That massive government tender for the new high-rise project your firm was relying on? The one ‘Shreya’ was supposedly instrumental in securing? I outbid you for it last week, securing the contract as the lead design consultant.”

Rahul’s entire facade cracked. The builder who had confidently walked away from his foundation suddenly realized he had, in fact, demolished his own future. He sank to the floor, his face pale and contorted, pleading, “Rashmi, please. I was a fool, a complete idiot. We can fix this. I need your stability, I need your eye for design, I need you back…”

Rashmi looked down at the man who had traded her profound talent for a fleeting, shallow affair. The man who had suffocated her ambition only to call her boring for the resulting stillness.

She finally exhibited the true design she had been concealing—her unwavering power.

“You wanted freedom, Rahul? Consider the project complete,” she said, picking up the neatly bound court papers. “I do not renegotiate contracts with people who are too shortsighted to appreciate the value of a masterpiece. I will see you in court.”

Educated Mayor, UnEducated Governance The Paradox of Indore’s Decline

 

Educated Mayor, UnEducated Governance: The Paradox of Indore’s Decline

For years, Indore stood tall as India’s cleanest and most progressive city — a symbol of what effective urban management and public participation can achieve. It was more than just a city; it was a success story, a model for the rest of India to follow.

But today, that same Indore is struggling. The roads are broken, the projects are delayed, and the people are frustrated. The irony? The city has one of the most Educated mayors in the country — yet the governance feels less informed, less connected, and less effective than ever before.

---

The Paradox of Educated Leadership

When Indore elected an Educated mayor, hopes were high. People believed this would mark a new era of data-driven decisions, smart planning, and real civic engagement. Instead, what we see is disappointing — promises without progress and plans without execution.

Education, it turns out, doesn’t automatically make one a visionary Leader. Governance isn’t about degrees — it’s about dedication, direction, and the courage to act.

---

Where Indore Is Struggling Today

1. Urban Planning Paralysis
   Indore’s infrastructure development has lost its rhythm. Roads are dug up repeatedly without coordination, flyovers remain unfinished, and smart city projects have slowed. The city that once symbolized efficiency is now drowning in mismanagement.
   
   

2. Cleanliness Losing Its Shine
   “Swachh Indore” — once a source of pride — now feels like a fading memory. Waste segregation has dropped, garbage collection has become inconsistent, and the outskirts of the city are often neglected. The award-winning cleanliness model is cracking under poor maintenance.
   
   

3. Traffic and Water Woes
   Despite repeated announcements, water scarcity continues to affect many localities. Traffic chaos, meanwhile, has worsened due to poor road design, lack of public transport, and absence of traffic management planning.
   
   

4. Disconnected Leadership
   The administration seems distant from the people it serves. Feedback loops are broken, complaints go unheard, and decisions are made without ground-level consultation. The city’s governance has become a monologue instead of a dialogue.
   
   

---

Education Without Empathy Is Just Ego

A degree might teach management, but Leadership is about listening. Indore doesn’t need more conferences or speeches — it needs Leaders who walk its streets, talk to its citizens, and solve its problems with urgency.

The mayor’s Leadership feels overly performative — more about perception than progress. Indore needs action, not appearances.

---

The People’s Verdict

Ask any local, and they’ll tell you — the Indore of today feels slower, messier, and disconnected. The same citizens who once took pride in its transformation now feel betrayed by unfulfilled promises.

The question on everyone’s mind: Has Indore’s growth story been paused by Political comfort and administrative inaction?

---

Indore still holds immense potential. It has intelligent citizens, strong businesses, and a reputation worth rebuilding. What it needs now is accountability, not announcements. Leadership must evolve from showcasing success to creating it again — with honesty, vision, and citizen involvement.

The city that taught India how to stay clean must now teach itself how to stay accountable.

---

#Indore, #UrbanGovernance, #Leadership, #LocalPolitics, #CleanIndia, #CityDevelopment, #IndoreUpdates, #SmartCity, #CivicResponsibility, #Accountability, #EducatedLeadership