Serendipity and Learning

A few weeks ago, we got an opportunity to work on an Influencing Skills workshop.  Now this is a commonly requested workshop and is run in many flavours - from communication to networking to negotiation - depending on the ask. When Madhu reached out to me, we thought how could we make it different from what is already there in the market. After a few days of intense effort, a design emerged as did a model (more on the model soon). What we worked with as the outcome was that in this day and age, many of these concepts need to be worked on differently - both from a delivery and a design standpoint. Madhu being a theatre expert - we attempted to weave in theatre concepts to bring out each element of influencing. For example, we put the team into an activity that was tough right at the start that brought out their own 'blocks' on 'influencing'. And rather than talk about it in the head - they experienced it in the activity and from there, was far more easier for them...

As I completed a year of entrepreneurship, I decided to, coincidentally - take a 5 day trek across a part of the Himalayas. In this process, I learnt many a life lesson. Though there is a goal, the goal has to be attacked in small chunks and stages. Most of the the time, the goal is not visible - at least not in the exact shape envisioned by you. Climb the first mountain only to see the second tower ever so taller in front; climb that and see the third show a daunting face; and so on...Each time the view gets better... When you reach the goal, you will know. The route is never visible, you will only know it as you go forward. The terrain keeps changing - be prepared. The terrain is never the exact way you imagined it to be... It is hard work - and there will be times when you will feel like giving up. At those points, just keep putting one step ahead of the other- and slowly, you will reach your destination. Dont forget to enjoy the sights along the way. Rest. Take a...

A few weeks ago, we went on a fairly arduous (by our standards) trek. We had a guide taking us over somewhat difficult terrain. None of the trekking team members were experienced - they were as good as first timers with varying levels of fitness. There were many challenges - distance, climb, weather, terrain, language - and he had no idea who this team was and we had no idea who he (and his team) was. The trekking team was 5 members plus 7 helpers (cook, porter, helper) led by a guide. The team started with a lot of enthusiasm - as all teams do and burnt themselves before the first rest stop. Not that we realized it - except for the huffing and puffing - but he gave us an unscheduled stop and asked us to have lunch. That automatically slowed us down. Lesson: Pace your team Day 1 night there was a terrible storm - the kind of which I have never seen in my life. It was a blizzard, rains, strong winds, tents threatening to get uprooted - and while the team panicked, this guide was ...