Author

Vibha Tomar

Beyond Celebration: Toward Real Equality

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

June 23 is International Women in Engineering Day (INWED).
Some of you might think, “Oh no, not another Women’s Day!”
Being a woman, I am always ready to celebrate women – any day, any way. As a kid, I might’ve rolled my eyes if this showed up in a GK quiz.
Consider this a light-hearted start to a serious conversation about women and the celebration of their achievements.
A few years ago, I attended a women’s leadership program. Like many peers, I initially questioned the need for a women-specific initiative.
“If we believe in equality,” we asked, “why special treatment?”
What I’ve come to understand through my experience and countless stories of women I’ve worked with, read about, or heard is that such programs aren’t about favoring women. They’re about leveling the playing field.
Let’s begin with education. From regressive mindsets to financial limits, it’s often a long, uphill journey for girls to access opportunities especially in STEM.
Now fast forward to the workplace. Early in her career, a woman may be asked:
“What are your plans for marriage?”
The reasoning? “We want stability before assigning responsibilities.”
A logic not far from families once reluctant to fund a girl’s education fearing she’d “eventually leave.”
If she’s married, the next question follows: “Any plans to start a family?”
This is asked casually or directly, during interviews, before promotions, or before key projects.
And no, I’m not exaggerating.
What about women navigating divorce, separation, or health issues? These are human experiences but they’re rarely raised when men are considered for leadership roles.
Let’s not forget:
If a woman is getting married, somewhere a man is too.
If she’s starting a family, there’s a partner involved.
If she faces a crisis, so might a man.
Yet, women are often expected to hit ‘pause.’ Not because they lack ability, but because they’re expected or choose to prioritize family. And when they return, it’s assumed they’ve lost their edge.
This is why women-oriented fast-track programs and support systems aren’t perks, they’re essential. They help women overcome systemic barriers and enable workplaces to be truly inclusive.
To be clear: this post isn’t to downplay the challenges men face.
It’s to highlight the unconscious bias in how we view roles and responsibilities based on gender.
Are we ready to ask women about their career goals without linking them to marital or parental status?
Or better, are we ready to ask men the same life-stage questions we routinely ask women?
Because equality doesn’t mean treating everyone the same – it means giving everyone the support they need to thrive.
On this International Women in Engineering Day, let’s not only celebrate the achievements of women in STEM, but also acknowledge the barriers they still face and commit to removing them.
Because the future of engineering and every field is stronger when it’s inclusive.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Leadership

The Story Inside the Data

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

We often hear the phrase, “data speaks for itself.” But let’s pause and ask – does it, really?
The truth is, data is just numbers until someone examines it with intention. Left untouched, it won’t reveal patterns, insights, or meaning on its own.
Let’s revisit the basics:
You can have data without information, but you can’t have information without data. Simple, right?
In today’s world, data is the raw material powering modern businesses. It holds immense potential but only when interpreted thoughtfully. The journey from raw data to actionable insight often starts with a belief, a hunch, an intuition that something valuable is hidden in the numbers.
But let’s be clear: relying solely on intuition to make decisions isn’t smart, it’s risky.
As humans, we are wired with emotions, biases, and judgments. Learning to rise above them is a lifelong process. That’s where data steps in – as an essential tool to bring objectivity, guide informed decisions, solve complex problems, and spark positive change across business and life.
Why Does Data Matter?
Because it enables smarter, more confident decision-making.
Because it helps us see clearly – even when our biases try to cloud the view.
Because data builds trust – within teams, with customers, and in strategy.
Because data-driven decisions improve customer satisfaction, sharpen competitive edge, and boost revenue.
It enables personalization, uncovering new opportunities and hidden needs.
It powers innovation and exposes inefficiencies that lead to cost savings.
But here’s the catch: having data doesn’t automatically lead to smarter decisions.
Ask yourself:
Is the data reliable?
Is it accurate, complete, consistent, and valid?
How much uncertainty are you or your organization willing to accept before taking action?
This is where intuition returns – not to override data, but to evaluate whether it’s ‘good enough’ to define baselines, set goals, and move forward.
Because data is only as good as its source, structure, and stewardship.
Was it collected properly? Is it organized, secure, and accessible? Can it be trusted?
In the absence of data, decisions become guesswork.
But with bad data, it’s even worse – decisions become misleading and potentially harmful.
The truth is, there’s always a story buried in the data. But which story gets told and which one actually makes sense, depends on your discernment and intuition.
The sweet spot is where data meets good judgment, where logic meets instinct, and where smart decisions are not just informed – they’re inspired.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Leadership

The Power of a Question

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

If I can ask you for one thing, it will be ‘Ask Questions’ because if there’s anything that can truly shift conversations, systems, and cultures – it’s the courage to ask questions.

Curiosity is not a weakness. It’s a signal that you care, that you’re paying attention. If you’re listening, reading, or observing and don’t feel compelled to question, challenge, or clarify – you might just be going through the motions. Don’t let fear or self-doubt silence you.

Yes, people might laugh. Some might assume you don’t know enough. Sometimes, even you might feel silly for asking. But that’s how it begins. With time, you’ll learn to ask sharper, deeper, and more purposeful questions. And you’ll learn to direct them to the right people.

Asking questions isn’t just about getting answers – it’s about awakening thought, and opening space for new ideas. Sometimes, a single question can bring clarity to confusion, or introduce a completely new dimension to a conversation. Even the smartest people may not have considered what you see.

When you stay silent to appear agreeable or to avoid discomfort, you don’t preserve harmony – you weaken the culture of honesty and learning. Silence can be mistaken for alignment. Worse, it can be used to protect power.

The ones who worry about questions are often those who’ve used their position or influence for personal gain. They benefit the most from silence and push back the hardest when asked to explain.

Leadership that thrives on suppression, intimidation, or silence isn’t leadership – it’s control.

True leaders are revealed in meetings where questions flow freely, not in rooms where people stay silent for hours and then applaud authority. When people don’t feel safe to question you, they no longer see you as a guide – they see you as a barrier.

So to everyone in every role, at every level:
Ask the question. Even the uncomfortable one. Especially the necessary one.
Ask for understanding, for accountability, for truth. That is how systems improve, and cultures stay honest and human.

Remember! If no one is asking you anything anymore, it’s not a sign of respect – it’s a sign they’ve given up on you. You’re already being ignored.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Life

You Are Not a Tree

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

You have probably heard the saying: You are not a tree – you can move.
It is not just about physical motion. As humans, we are meant to grow, to learn, to shift perspectives. Changing your mind is not weakness – it is growth in its most honest form.
And yet, many of us remain stuck – in roles, in relationships, in systems we know, deep down, are no longer right for us.
I have been there. I stayed because I feared judgment. I did not want to disappoint others or admit I had made a mistake. I told myself I had already invested too much – emotionally, mentally. The justifications were endless.
What makes reversing a decision so difficult is the self-doubt it stirs. We start questioning our own judgment – our ability to see people clearly, to make sound choices. We worry that changing direction makes the past meaningless. But it doesn’t. It means we have grown wiser.
Another trap: thinking that admitting we were once wrong somehow takes away our right to speak from a better understanding now. Change can feel costly, and so we whisper to ourselves, “It is too late.”
Maybe we were too afraid. Maybe we simply didn’t know better.
But none of that means we can’t choose differently now.
In fact, the sooner you step off a path that no longer aligns with who you are, the lighter the journey becomes.
Sometimes, the pressure to stay stuck comes from within. Other times, it’s reinforced by the systems we are part of. You might feel cornered, isolated.
But I promise you – the regret of staying will weigh more than the discomfort of changing.
There are moments when silence feels safer. When speaking feels risky. When wrongness becomes familiar. But truth carries a quiet weight – it settles in your chest like a persistent ache.
And eventually, you realize: the cost of silence is greater than the risk of voice.
We are all beautifully imperfect – constantly learning, unlearning, evolving. And with that comes the right to choose again. To undo. To redirect. To begin anew.
This isn’t about blaming others. But let’s be honest – some of our choices were shaped by the masks others wore. And when those masks fall, you owe yourself the truth:
Will you keep punishing yourself for once believing?
No.
You don’t need permission to change.
You don’t need validation to name what’s no longer right.
Evolving awareness doesn’t weaken your integrity – it deepens it.
So take the lesson.
And take your next step.
You don’t owe another second to anything that no longer serves your highest good.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Life

Do Not Compare

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

If I could tell you just one thing, it would be this: “Do not compare.”
I know, it sounds like a cliché.
But trust me, this is where we’re all meant to arrive one day.
From the beginning, we’ve been compared for grades, for jobs. Companies rank you against other candidates. Parents compare you with your cousin or neighbor’s kid . We ourselves compare the opportunities we had, the houses we live in, the cars we drive, the bank balance, the pay cheque, the vacation spot, even grocery prices.
So, when I say “Don’t compare,” does it make sense?
Yes, it does. Just stay with me for a moment.
You probably made a pros-and-cons list when you picked your subjects in school. You chose degrees, weighed career options. All of that required comparison.
But life has its own kind of exam, one you never consciously signed up for. There’s always a subject, a theme running through it. You won’t be handed a syllabus or a timetable. But if you pay attention, you’ll start to see patterns. Certain situations repeat. Certain lessons come back until you truly learn them. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, life moves you on to the next phase, another subject, another test. Again, not something you choose, but something that chooses you
Now you might ask: If I stop comparing, won’t I lose my edge? Won’t I stop being ambitious? Won’t life become dull?
Not at all.
In fact, the opposite happens. You become calmer, more focused, more powerful.
Not comparing frees you from distractions. It anchors you in your individuality. It reminds you of your uniqueness. The truth is: you were always unique, you just lost sight of it amidst all the noise.
Comparisons pressure us to become someone else. To chase what others have. To succeed the way others did.
But even if no one tells you to stop comparing (no one told me), life eventually brings you to this truth. It shows you that your path, your timing, your challenges, your joys, they are yours alone.
Some people will be married. Some happily. Some will have kids but no money. Others will have wealth but no peace. One will be a CEO. Another will be hunting job. And when you look around without comparing, you’ll finally see: everyone’s life is different. Unrepeatable. Special.
Your mind, your body, your emotions, your journey, are completely your own. That doesn’t make you any less. That makes you You.
I’m telling you this not just to inspire you but to empower you. Because when you stop comparing, you stop doubting your path. You stop measuring your worth against someone else’s story.
Maybe right now you’re feeling a little stuck. Perhaps that’s only because you’re using the wrong benchmark.
So hold your head high, because you’re on unique path. You don’t have what others have. You don’t need what others want. And even if you’re not there yet, you’ll get there.
Just remember, ‘do not compare’.
My niece says it the perfect way, ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Life

When No One Is Watching

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

In work and in life, perhaps the most profound act is to simply show up – with honesty, compassion, and authenticity.
True integrity doesn’t seek attention. It lives in quiet choices, in unseen moments, in the courage to do what’s right when it would be easier not to.
Principles, when deeply held, don’t require reminders. They express themselves, in how we treat others, how we make others feel, in the way we walk, in the way we talk, and in the decisions we make when no one is watching.
Values aren’t confined to policies or guidelines. They rise when structure falls short. They whisper when noise surrounds us. They guide us in ambiguity, and reveal our character in the spaces between right and easy.
So the questions we carry become quiet companions:
– Am I true to my voice?
– Do I act from conviction, not convenience?
– When challenged, do I uphold what I know to be right?
– Do I embody what I hope others will learn, not from my words, but from my conduct?
These aren’t questions asked once, but every single day. These are not for applause, but for alignment.
Always remember! somewhere, someone is observing you, noticing you, learning from you, and perhaps even drawing strength from you.
It is who we are, it is not written in our job descriptions or any other rule book, but etched in how we choose to live.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Life

Beyond the Surface

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

Growth, to me, is much more than just progress you can measure.
We’re all familiar with the idea of growth in tangible terms – financial growth, career advancement, business scaling – essentially, an increase in something visible or measurable.
We also know about the growth mindset, a concept popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, which is the belief that abilities, talents, and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning, and persistence. In contrast, a fixed mindset assumes that these traits are static and unchangeable.
For me personally, growth begins with strengthening my belief in myself – trusting that I can evolve through consistent effort and by trying new things. It means being open to learning, even when things don’t go as planned.
Growth also shows up in how I respond when my biggest decisions go wrong. It’s about being willing to reflect, extract lessons, and move forward. To me, re-framing failure is a key part of growth – recognizing that stepping back is not the same as a setback.
A major shift in my own journey has been learning to stop comparing myself to others. Instead of feeling lesser, I’ve started seeing others’ success as inspiration, not competition.
Growth means not shying away from challenges, but facing them with a mindset anchored in my values and a belief that I’ll figure things out. It’s not about always being confident – it’s about being willing.
There’s no shortcut to growth. But I’ve found it’s contagious. Surrounding myself with people who live and think with a growth mindset has made a real difference.
And sometimes, growth doesn’t look like movement. The same bank balance. The same role. The same work. The same people. On the surface, it may feel like nothing’s changed. But true growth is internal – it’s about how I interpret experiences, setbacks, and success. That shift in perspective is what growth really looks like for me.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Life

The Power of Everyday

by Vibha Tomar December 19, 2025

May 2nd, marked my 14th work anniversary at Bosch – and 20 years overall in my professional journey.
What makes the 14th year special?
It’s not the number – it’s the realization that makes it meaningful.
It’s about how I feel about myself, my career, and my life after these 14 years with Bosch.
I clearly remember reaching my 10-year milestone at Bosch – a proud professional moment, celebrated with congratulatory messages and well wishes.
But behind that milestone, I was facing a difficult reality that many working professionals, especially women, might relate to: navigating personal challenges where education, independence, and ambition were misunderstood. In some spaces, being career-driven was seen as being disrespectful or difficult.
I come from a family that once lost everything while fighting for our nation’s freedom. We rebuilt ourselves through education. Every woman in my family has stood tall on her own feet and passed on that strength to the next generation.
Financial independence is not a luxury – it’s the only way I know to live.
My parents had one dream: to educate us well and make us independent – not to be in competition with anyone, least of all our future families – but to be strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder in times of crisis, just in case life throws us challenges like the ones they faced.
Choosing to work or stay at home is a deeply personal decision, and I respect both choices. But before pressuring your spouse to give up her career, ask yourself: yes, you can provide today – but if life changes, if you’re no longer there, how do you expect her to suddenly become a “wonder woman” overnight?
It’s not always about earning – it’s about freedom, dignity, and preparedness. A bird that’s been caged too long may see flying as a threat, not a possibility.
In my case, however difficult it was, I chose what was right for me – thanks to a job that gave me purpose, coworkers who valued and supported me, and an environment where I was appreciated.
I’ve always believed that there’s no clear divide between personal and professional life. Life is a unified experience. During the hardest personal moments, it was my professional life that gave me the strength and stability to endure and grow.
At 10 years with Bosch, I didn’t fully realize my own strength or potential. But now, at 14, I do. I cherish the person I’ve become.
And with this awareness, I’ve decided – I won’t just celebrate the big milestones. I’ll celebrate every year, every month, and every day of my work life.
Because I’ve earned it. Every single day.

December 19, 2025 0 comments

Life

Detach to Move Forward

by Vibha Tomar December 16, 2025

We all live inside our dreams.
Our dreams are the worlds we build in our imagination – the versions of life we hope to experience one day.
And these dreams exist in every part of our lives, whether personal or professional.

When something collapses – a pet project or initiative fails, a relationship ends, or a long-awaited promotion doesn’t come through – we feel deep sorrow. But what we mourn is not the project, not the role, and often not even the person.
We mourn the loss of the dream attached to it.
We grieve the version of life we thought was just within reach.

There is nothing wrong with setting goals or dreaming of a better future. Dreams give direction, energy, and meaning to our efforts.
But we must remember this: there is never only one path to a dream.

Even when we start understanding this, disappointment can still follow.
We’re human – setbacks sting. Which is why we need constant reminders to see failures, delays, and detours not as signs of impossibility but as essential parts of the process.
Every setback carries a lesson that prepares us for the future we are moving toward.

And in this journey, detachment can play a powerful role.
The more we learn to detach ourselves from a particular path, a specific person, or a rigid timeline, the freer we become.
Detachment doesn’t mean giving up on the goal – it means releasing the expectation that there is only one way to get there.
When we do that, not only do we increase our chances of reaching the goal, we also open ourselves to enjoying the journey.

There is no fixed route.
There is no deadline.
There is only the path we are shaping – and the courage to keep walking toward the life we want.

December 16, 2025 0 comments

Relationships

Our Small, Sacred Talks

by Vibha Tomar December 16, 2025

Some of the best lessons in leadership, empathy, and awareness don’t come from work – they come from the people who know us beyond our titles.
For me, it’s my sister.
Our conversations move from books and healing to courage, gratitude, and shaping the next generation with consciousness.
It reminded me – growth is not just professional, it’s deeply personal.

What Do Sisters Talk About?
This can’t be covered in a single post. I’ll share more in my upcoming blog once it’s live, but here are a few things that might resonate with many of you.

All through our childhood, we fought a lot – as most siblings do. But somewhere along the way, without me realising it, she became my pillar of strength. And yes, she’s the younger one.

She began her journey toward awareness first, and it’s the very book she forgot that became the one I started mine with.

Now, our conversations flow from books and healing sessions to growing awareness, reflections on the past, and how we now see those experiences through the lens of consciousness we continue to build together.

We talk about what helps us overcome fears, the small and big things we do to heal, and even the joy of our new Instagram page we’re currently enjoying.

My sister knows the energy I carry to fight for what I believe in – and she often helps me align it toward causes truly worth my time and heart.

We often let people deal with their own karmas, but once in a while, we decide to take them head-on – together.

Amid all these serious discussions, we often burst into laughter when my little niece picks up the call on another device, insisting on joining in.

I rarely feel work and life are two separate things. What truly matters is what we are made of – and from where we operate – in both. Whatever we do today becomes a guideline for the next generation; whatever we leave unresolved becomes theirs to solve.

At work, you might have “lessons learned” sessions – we sisters have our own versions, drawn straight from life. And how beautiful it feels to pass those reflections to the mini version of us.

I still remember a late-night chat with my eight-year-old niece this year, when she was struggling with jet lag during her visit to India. As we talked, I found myself answering her innocent questions through my childhood experiences – realising how life quietly comes full circle in these small, tender moments.

Teaching her the power of prayer, the strength that comes from self-belief and self-acceptance, and how gratitude enriches every experience – reminding her never to shrink herself just to be accepted by others, and to use her voice to express herself fully and authentically – all of this feels sacred. And as we share these lessons, they serve as gentle reminders to us too.

Our talks may begin as sisterly chats, but they always end as lessons in empathy, awareness, and the quiet leadership of simply being human – together.

December 16, 2025 0 comments