Himal Mandalia
@himal.bsky.social
Systems thinker and changer
himalmandalia.medium.com
himalmandalia.medium.com
A belated birthday lunch for my sister because I was in New Zealand. But this card made up for it. She was sufficiently amused. Quite proud of my work here.
February 16, 2026 at 5:43 PM
A belated birthday lunch for my sister because I was in New Zealand. But this card made up for it. She was sufficiently amused. Quite proud of my work here.
Reposted by Himal Mandalia
Standards are not perfectionism.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
Standards Are Not Perfectionism
Why standards are boundaries, and why pressure makes them brittle
medium.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Standards are not perfectionism.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
The jetlag is rough. Got in Friday evening but struggled to sleep. Up early Saturday then crashed by 1400 (after eating a Morley’s). Nap turned into 12 hour sleep. Lay in bed dozing from 0200 to 0700.
Feeling fine but must make it to 2000 ish tonight.
Feeling fine but must make it to 2000 ish tonight.
February 15, 2026 at 8:09 AM
The jetlag is rough. Got in Friday evening but struggled to sleep. Up early Saturday then crashed by 1400 (after eating a Morley’s). Nap turned into 12 hour sleep. Lay in bed dozing from 0200 to 0700.
Feeling fine but must make it to 2000 ish tonight.
Feeling fine but must make it to 2000 ish tonight.
Standards are not perfectionism.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
Standards Are Not Perfectionism
Why standards are boundaries, and why pressure makes them brittle
medium.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Standards are not perfectionism.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
They’re boundaries.
But under pressure they get reframed as “idealism.” Coping hardens into culture. Standards are sacrificed.
This piece ties together previous posts on noticing first, burnout, norms, regulation, effort vs capacity and progressive disclosure.
Little harbour ride. Then 30 hours back.
February 12, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Little harbour ride. Then 30 hours back.
Last day in Wellington. Sydney tomorrow and then depart for London Thursday.
This trip has provided clarity and closure. Completion.
This trip has provided clarity and closure. Completion.
February 9, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Last day in Wellington. Sydney tomorrow and then depart for London Thursday.
This trip has provided clarity and closure. Completion.
This trip has provided clarity and closure. Completion.
Burnout and disengagement aren’t individual failures. They’re signals of systems under strain.
When effort replaces capacity and responsibility is pushed down without authority, people adapt. Some burn out. Others disengage.
Until conditions change, transformation only reproduces the same risks.
When effort replaces capacity and responsibility is pushed down without authority, people adapt. Some burn out. Others disengage.
Until conditions change, transformation only reproduces the same risks.
Burnout and Disengagement Are Signals
Why exhaustion and disengagement are signals, not failures
medium.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Burnout and disengagement aren’t individual failures. They’re signals of systems under strain.
When effort replaces capacity and responsibility is pushed down without authority, people adapt. Some burn out. Others disengage.
Until conditions change, transformation only reproduces the same risks.
When effort replaces capacity and responsibility is pushed down without authority, people adapt. Some burn out. Others disengage.
Until conditions change, transformation only reproduces the same risks.
@sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social is absolutely brilliant. Hire her.
Despite the talking, I am honestly a delight to work with 😂
I'm looking for a fractional Product leader/ Coach type role folks, 2/3 days a week, remote ideal but London based and can travel occasionally. Also available for workshops/ training/ away day type fun! Shout if you hear of anything? Ta 🖖🏻
I'm looking for a fractional Product leader/ Coach type role folks, 2/3 days a week, remote ideal but London based and can travel occasionally. Also available for workshops/ training/ away day type fun! Shout if you hear of anything? Ta 🖖🏻
Has anyone else found updating their user manual a humbling experience? I wrote the first one 8 years ago, before I knew I was autistic/ADHD. As I re-read it, I could see how those years have "seasoned" me for the better. Still talk too much though...
www.sianmurrayhuynh.com/sian-user-ma...
www.sianmurrayhuynh.com/sian-user-ma...
February 2, 2026 at 12:12 PM
@sianmurrayhuynh.bsky.social is absolutely brilliant. Hire her.
So restful here. Been almost two days and still haven’t gone into town.
February 1, 2026 at 10:52 PM
So restful here. Been almost two days and still haven’t gone into town.
Would love to see some
February 1, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Would love to see some
Latest piece on systems, culture and sustainable change.
Before strategy or transformation, norms are already doing the real work. Not plans, programmes or tech.
What gets normalised decides what’s possible.
Norms are cultural infrastructure and preconditions for transformation.
Before strategy or transformation, norms are already doing the real work. Not plans, programmes or tech.
What gets normalised decides what’s possible.
Norms are cultural infrastructure and preconditions for transformation.
Norms Before Transformation
How “the way things are” quietly decides whether change is possible
himalmandalia.medium.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:09 AM
Latest piece on systems, culture and sustainable change.
Before strategy or transformation, norms are already doing the real work. Not plans, programmes or tech.
What gets normalised decides what’s possible.
Norms are cultural infrastructure and preconditions for transformation.
Before strategy or transformation, norms are already doing the real work. Not plans, programmes or tech.
What gets normalised decides what’s possible.
Norms are cultural infrastructure and preconditions for transformation.
Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. It’s good to be back.
January 31, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand. It’s good to be back.
Reposted by Himal Mandalia
Last day for #CampDigital early bird tickets. An amazing lineup, including: @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social
@himal.bsky.social
@laurayarrow.bsky.social
@dasbarrett.bsky.social
@lisariemers.bsky.social
and of course @sharonodea.com returns with lightning talks
www.nexerdigital.com/camp-digital...
@himal.bsky.social
@laurayarrow.bsky.social
@dasbarrett.bsky.social
@lisariemers.bsky.social
and of course @sharonodea.com returns with lightning talks
www.nexerdigital.com/camp-digital...
Illuminating talks and bright ideas on design and digital : Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Camp Digital is an inspirational conference that brings together the digital, design and UX communities exploring the latest thinking in the tech industry
www.nexerdigital.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Last day for #CampDigital early bird tickets. An amazing lineup, including: @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social
@himal.bsky.social
@laurayarrow.bsky.social
@dasbarrett.bsky.social
@lisariemers.bsky.social
and of course @sharonodea.com returns with lightning talks
www.nexerdigital.com/camp-digital...
@himal.bsky.social
@laurayarrow.bsky.social
@dasbarrett.bsky.social
@lisariemers.bsky.social
and of course @sharonodea.com returns with lightning talks
www.nexerdigital.com/camp-digital...
Reposted by Himal Mandalia
Still looking for Content Designer and Graphic Designer (both unpaid volunteer, part-time, 4-6 hours, flexible).
Have lived experience of ADHD and want to work with a great team pushing for change in ADHD care?
Email: [email protected]
Have lived experience of ADHD and want to work with a great team pushing for change in ADHD care?
Email: [email protected]
January 29, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Still looking for Content Designer and Graphic Designer (both unpaid volunteer, part-time, 4-6 hours, flexible).
Have lived experience of ADHD and want to work with a great team pushing for change in ADHD care?
Email: [email protected]
Have lived experience of ADHD and want to work with a great team pushing for change in ADHD care?
Email: [email protected]
Goodbye Melbourne. Again. I thought I had unfinished business here but no, I already had closure on that chapter of my life. Instead some nice catch ups, excellent brunches and a massive chicken parma. Now Melbourne just becomes a lovely city to visit with some lovely people I know. That’s enough.
January 28, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Goodbye Melbourne. Again. I thought I had unfinished business here but no, I already had closure on that chapter of my life. Instead some nice catch ups, excellent brunches and a massive chicken parma. Now Melbourne just becomes a lovely city to visit with some lovely people I know. That’s enough.
Watching myself work with boundaries, and I mean just the ones I set for myself. Like the hour in the mornings I set aside for admin and work stuff. And then that’s it. Nothing more for the rest of the day while I’m away. Doesn’t matter how “free” I am.
Clean separation and compartmentalisation.
Clean separation and compartmentalisation.
January 27, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Watching myself work with boundaries, and I mean just the ones I set for myself. Like the hour in the mornings I set aside for admin and work stuff. And then that’s it. Nothing more for the rest of the day while I’m away. Doesn’t matter how “free” I am.
Clean separation and compartmentalisation.
Clean separation and compartmentalisation.
Something I’m increasingly reflecting on is the ways in which I substituted being needed/admired/respected/interesting etc for connection, because I couldn’t allow that. And now that I can, how hollow, transactional or one sided some relationships feel. Especially with those who also cannot connect.
January 27, 2026 at 4:06 AM
Something I’m increasingly reflecting on is the ways in which I substituted being needed/admired/respected/interesting etc for connection, because I couldn’t allow that. And now that I can, how hollow, transactional or one sided some relationships feel. Especially with those who also cannot connect.
It’s been interesting being back in Melbourne. Spent 7 months in 2023 and made some good friends. Lovely catching up.
Being here also confirmed something I’d come to realise recently: no place is special. What I was seeking wasn’t here. It was inside me, I just couldn’t connect to it back then.
Being here also confirmed something I’d come to realise recently: no place is special. What I was seeking wasn’t here. It was inside me, I just couldn’t connect to it back then.
January 26, 2026 at 10:24 PM
It’s been interesting being back in Melbourne. Spent 7 months in 2023 and made some good friends. Lovely catching up.
Being here also confirmed something I’d come to realise recently: no place is special. What I was seeking wasn’t here. It was inside me, I just couldn’t connect to it back then.
Being here also confirmed something I’d come to realise recently: no place is special. What I was seeking wasn’t here. It was inside me, I just couldn’t connect to it back then.
I’m doing some things for the first time on this trip - no, on this holiday:
- Not making plans, leaving unstructured time
- Leaving non urgent messages unanswered
- Diagnosing and assessing but making no decisions
- Writing with no deadlines
- Letting myself feel happy/sad/annoyed/lonely/loved
- Not making plans, leaving unstructured time
- Leaving non urgent messages unanswered
- Diagnosing and assessing but making no decisions
- Writing with no deadlines
- Letting myself feel happy/sad/annoyed/lonely/loved
January 25, 2026 at 6:16 AM
I’m doing some things for the first time on this trip - no, on this holiday:
- Not making plans, leaving unstructured time
- Leaving non urgent messages unanswered
- Diagnosing and assessing but making no decisions
- Writing with no deadlines
- Letting myself feel happy/sad/annoyed/lonely/loved
- Not making plans, leaving unstructured time
- Leaving non urgent messages unanswered
- Diagnosing and assessing but making no decisions
- Writing with no deadlines
- Letting myself feel happy/sad/annoyed/lonely/loved
Reposted by Himal Mandalia
When leaders struggle to step back systems become anxious.
Care without restraint can unintentionally get in the way. People optimise for approval, heroics get normalised, and autonomy disappears.
Sometimes the most supportive thing a leader can do is create space and let others step forward.
Care without restraint can unintentionally get in the way. People optimise for approval, heroics get normalised, and autonomy disappears.
Sometimes the most supportive thing a leader can do is create space and let others step forward.
Regulation Before Rescue
Why restraint, not heroics or rescue, sets the ceiling for sustainable change
himalmandalia.medium.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:44 AM
When leaders struggle to step back systems become anxious.
Care without restraint can unintentionally get in the way. People optimise for approval, heroics get normalised, and autonomy disappears.
Sometimes the most supportive thing a leader can do is create space and let others step forward.
Care without restraint can unintentionally get in the way. People optimise for approval, heroics get normalised, and autonomy disappears.
Sometimes the most supportive thing a leader can do is create space and let others step forward.
Reposted by Himal Mandalia
In systems under pressure, people labelled “disruptive” or “perfectionists” are often early warning signals. And often the ones most likely to burn out.
When psychological safety and cognitive capacity are low, effort replaces capacity, heroics
become infrastructure and burnout becomes normalised.
When psychological safety and cognitive capacity are low, effort replaces capacity, heroics
become infrastructure and burnout becomes normalised.
The Cost of Noticing First
Why regulation determines whether early signals become insight or burnout
himalmandalia.medium.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:58 AM
In systems under pressure, people labelled “disruptive” or “perfectionists” are often early warning signals. And often the ones most likely to burn out.
When psychological safety and cognitive capacity are low, effort replaces capacity, heroics
become infrastructure and burnout becomes normalised.
When psychological safety and cognitive capacity are low, effort replaces capacity, heroics
become infrastructure and burnout becomes normalised.
Hadn’t seen @jessbuildstech.bsky.social in years. Turns out they’re moving to Melbourne and just arrived last night. Small world!
January 24, 2026 at 1:18 AM
Hadn’t seen @jessbuildstech.bsky.social in years. Turns out they’re moving to Melbourne and just arrived last night. Small world!
Australia has its issues with race, but the fact that I don’t get dirty looks or people’s threat detection flaring up just for having a brown face and beard is refreshing. Reminds me of what the UK, even London used to be like.
It’s pretty bad back home lately. I don’t take it personally.
It’s pretty bad back home lately. I don’t take it personally.
January 23, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Australia has its issues with race, but the fact that I don’t get dirty looks or people’s threat detection flaring up just for having a brown face and beard is refreshing. Reminds me of what the UK, even London used to be like.
It’s pretty bad back home lately. I don’t take it personally.
It’s pretty bad back home lately. I don’t take it personally.