EQ is not enough. I propose we start talking about EM
Emotional intelligence has become a standard in leadership development, but it is no longer enough. In my work, I see leaders who understand emotions well, yet still avoid the decisions that matter. This article introduces emotional maturity as a deeper leadership capacity – the ability to stay with reality, carry its emotional cost, and act consciously.
Before You Decide, Ask This One Question
In leadership, the biggest cost rarely comes from bad intentions – it comes from misdiagnosing the situation. In this article, I explore how distinguishing between simple, complicated, complex, and chaotic realities can transform decision-making. Sometimes the most powerful leadership move is not acting faster, but understanding what you are truly facing.
Small Talks About Big Work Myths
In many careers, we stop asking whether something makes sense and start asking whether it is normal. This article explores the workplace myths we quietly obey – about hard work, loyalty, productivity, and conflict – and the hidden costs they carry over time. Real growth begins when we stop normalizing discomfort and start questioning what it is costing us.
Expert’s answer: How Leaders Grow: Careers, HR, and the Truth About Training
In this insightful ЧайКО podcast episode, I share honest reflections on what it takes to grow as a leader. The conversation explores career development, modern HR, real training impact, and how managers transform from operational roles to strategic ones. From systems thinking to emotional maturity, this is a must-watch for leaders, HRs, and changemakers across the region.
HR in 2026: The End of Safe HR
2026 is not just another year in HR – it is a turning point. Safe HR, the one that advised without ownership, is fading. What replaces it is accountable HR – bold, data-backed, and deeply involved in shaping how decisions are made. This article is my forecast for what’s ahead. Spoiler: the human in HR is not disappearing – it is growing sharper, stronger, and more essential than ever.
This year tested my presence
This year was not about speed or ambition. It was about presence – being fully there for people, teams, and responsibilities across borders. In this reflection, I share what it takes to build businesses, communities, and trust while remembering that behind every strategy, life itself remains the most important creation.
From Dial Phones to 70 Messages an Hour: Where Are We Heading?
We used to wait in line to make one precious intercity phone call. Now, we reply to 70 messages in one hour. In this reflection, I explore what this shift means for our presence, patience, and the future of human communication. Maybe the question is not about the phone – but about how we live.
MELA academy Business Showcase: Gamified learning for Business
In this showcase talk at Middle East Leadership Academy (MELA), I share why real learning happens when people stop overthinking and start engaging. By returning to a child’s mindset through play, flow, and gamified environments, adults open up, learn faster, and move from knowing to doing. This is how we design trainings that truly change behavior, not just transfer information.
Why Conferences Develop Us More Than Trainings
After three months of events across Dubai, Brussels, and MELA, one thing became clear—conferences and professional communities shift us more than structured training ever could. In this reflection, I share why the energy, people, and unexpected magic of real gatherings change not just what we know, but how we think and who we become.
Belgium, Brilliance and HR
Representing Armenia at the EAPM Annual Delegates Assembly among 36 nations, I witnessed how honest conversations, deep questions, and collective reflection shape the HR profession across borders. From fishbowl dialogues on the mission of HR to roundtable debates on AI and values, this wasn’t just networking — it was a shared landscape of global challenges and collaborative spirit. Armenia may be small, but we carry agile lessons in resilience and innovation that deserve a seat at the European table.
