Dr. Sadiya Fuggawala

  An everyday scene at Indian Home Eight-year-old Aarav sat at the dining table in his small apartment in Pune, carefully writing in his notebook. His homework was almost done, but his attention kept drifting toward the living room. His parents were arguing again. “You never listen!” his father shouted. “Oh really? And you do everything perfectly?” his mother replied sharply. Aarav stared at his notebook. His pencil slowed down. His stomach tightened. This had become familiar. The raised voices. The heavy silence that followed. Later that night, his mother came into his room. “Why are you so quiet these days?” she asked softly. Aarav simply shrugged. What he couldn’t explain was something he had learned without anyone teaching him: When adults are angry, it is safer to stay silent. Years later, teachers would describe Aarav as a “very well-behaved child.” He never argued, never complained, and rarely expressed his feelings. But deep inside, Aarav had quiet...

How Saudi Arabia Sets a Global Benchmark in Crowd Management During Ramadan and Hajj   Every year the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts some of the largest and most complex human gatherings in the world . During the holy month of Ramadan and the annual Hajj pilgrimage  millions of pilgrims from diverse cultures languages and age groups converge in Makkah and Madinah to perform sacred religious rituals. Managing such massive crowds—often under extreme weather conditions—without widespread incidents of stampede harassment theft or loss of life is a monumental governance and management challenge . Yet in recent years Saudi Arabia has demonstrated a remarkable evolution in crowd and people management transforming what was once a high-risk scenario into a globally admired model of safety discipline and human dignity . 1. Understanding the Magnitude of the Challenge The Hajj pilgrimage alone brings together over a million pilgrims within a limited geographical area and a fixed ti...

How Ramzan Nurtures Self-Discipline and Inner Peace: An Emotional Intelligence Lens    Ramzan is widely recognized as a sacred month of fasting and worship, yet its psychological                  dimensions are often overlooked. Beyond religious observance, Ramzan creates a unique      environment for developing Emotional Intelligence (EI) —especially the abilities of self-discipline      and inner peace . When examined through EI theory, Ramzan emerges as a lived practice of emotional   awareness, regulation, and empathy.      Emotional Intelligence as a Framework      Emotional Intelligence is commonly defined as the capacity to perceive emotions accurately,      understand their meaning, and regulate emotional responses in oneself and others (Salovey & Mayer,      1990). Later work by Goleman (1995) emphasized self-regulation ...

  Hiring With Heart - Dr. Sadiya Fuggawala      Introduction Recruitment is the cornerstone of any organization's success. Yet in today’s rapidly evolving work environment, HR professionals are navigating a storm of challenges—talent shortages, unconscious bias, candidate ghosting, poor cultural fits, and rising turnover. While tools like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and structured interviews have optimized processes, they often fall short in   understanding the human behind the resume. In a world where roles evolve faster than resumes, hiring is no longer just about matching skills— it’s      about matching values, emotional alignment, and adaptability . So how do we address these “human” problems in hiring? The answer lies in a very human solution: Emotional Intelligence (EI).        The Real-World Problem: A Story from the Field   Meet Ritu, an HR manager at a fast-growing fintech startup. In a rush to meet team ex...

Soft Skills: The Power Skills That Shape Your Success Featuring Emotional Intelligence as the Core Skill   In a rapidly evolving world where automation and technology handle most technical tasks, one thing   remains irreplaceable—human connection. And that connection is powered by soft skills. Whether you're a student, a teacher, a working professional, or a leader, your ability to communicate, collaborate, and manage emotions defines your long-term success. Skills are the abilities or competencies that a person develops through learning, practice, or experience, which enable them to perform tasks effectively and achieve desired results. Source – Dr Sadiya   What Are Soft Skills and Hard Skills ?   To succeed in any career, you need two types of skills: soft skills and hard skills. Both are important, but they serve different purposes.   Hard Skills (Technical Skills)   Hard skills are the specific, teachable, measurable abilities needed to perform a job. ...

  Welcome to My Emotional Intelligence Space: Hi, I’m  Dr. Sadiya Fuggawala   — an Emotional Intelligence Coach, HR educator, researcher, and former corporate HR professional. With over  5 years of corporate HR experience  and  more than 10 years of teaching and coaching , I’ve seen one truth across workplaces, classrooms, and personal lives: Emotions shape success — far more than we realize. My career in corporate HR gave me deep exposure to people, performance, behaviour, leadership styles, conflicts, and workplace challenges. My academic journey and PhD research strengthened my belief that  emotional intelligence is the foundation of every meaningful achievement  — in relationships, careers, leadership, and self-growth. This blog is my space to share everything I’ve learned — simple insights, relatable stories, powerful tools, and everyday strategies  to help you understand your emotions and use them wisely. My purpose is simple: To help y...