The Center – That’s where you start
The core..
That's what decides
The colour of that surface.
Then you align the CROSS - around the center
Then …
You get the corner pieces in place
How??
Simple.
Just by turning and turning ....
Till you come round right
And..
It's not just about the colour on One side
It has to align with the ‘Neighboring’ pieces..
Otherwise it’s not “Right” …
Even when you do get the colour right
'Coz sooner or later you will be up against that fact.
....when the other pieces stop aligning
With one side “done”
You turn the whole thing upside down..
And what was initially the top..
now becomes the base.
And you start working on the ‘middle’
And .... again
A Set of algorithms….turns ..rules, if you will
And more turning and turning ..
till you come round right..
And just when you think you are getting it..
with all, but one side aligned
You have to make moves that will throw ..'Everything’..
out of place
Un-coordinated..
All mixed up..
And it will freak you out..
And all your instincts will tell you NOT to do it..
I mean ....come-on..5 sides out of 6 are good ..
Right ?
Why disturb all of them to get the one side right..
Leave it ..leave it..Leave IT!!!
Bask in the glory of all your effort thus far….
Life is not ALL about Completion.
Right?
.
.
.
But..
You will realize ..like I did
There is NO other way of completing it.
No matter what story you tell yourself..
You will yearn for completion…
Almost completed is not the same as Completed.
And of course you can't take an almost completed cube
and jump around Smiling..
With a Sigh..!!!
You start moving…
You will mess it up…
And create what looks like chaos
Destruction
Of a carefully put together puzzle ..
Piece by piece
Literally.
So much thought has gone into it..
And time…and focus…and energy
Phew!!
Trepidation
Fear
Uncertainty
Reluctance to let go
Inner dilemma of choosing..
between comfort and completion
But..
You will also realize .. as I did
That if you keep at it..
Slowly …ever so slowly
It will start falling into place .
Without you knowing how..
Almost magically !!!
Just as long
As you follow the algorithm..
And keep turning and turning ..
till you come round right..
And come round right you will.
to
Completion.
No ..I wasn’t talking about life.
These are my lessons
From the
Rubik Cube
Pretty Close don't you think?
PS: You know I solved the cube, right?? ..The next challenge ... do it quicker next time !!
There are a lot of people out there who have made a thriving career out of linking these ..’words’ back to whatever the product..
Because as we all know..”People make buying decision emotionally and justify them rationally”
I want to stop here for a minute and look at Brand YOU .
What does Brand YOU say…?
How is Brand YOU ‘Talked’ about by others to each other?
What Value does this brand bring to whatever ..Association you have.
and.....
WHO is doing the Brand building??
Have you given this a though at all??
Well if you haven’t then it may well be time to stop and look at this most valuable Brand..a Brand that you are ALWAYS endorsing…(and you may not be getting paid for it either :) ]
Here is a short exercise:
A BRAND has to have the following 3 Components
It has to be : A.B.C
Authentic
Believable
Communicative
1.> If you were a brand ..what would be your commercials punch line..Your USP, if you like (Hint: Make it in 7 words or less)
2> And WHY should somebody pay ..anything ..for
3> HOW would you like to leverage this Brand,,in ways that you are NOT currently doing??
Rhea the joy of creative momentum... (Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:49:20 GMT)
Rhea Life Finds It's way......... (Sat, 02 May 2009 18:56:57 GMT)
Rhea well what can I say...his open sprightly eyes were totally worth the wait ..he is Verrryy sweet ... (Sun, 03 May 2009 11:45:15 GMT)
Rhea I have a Crazy Dream !!! It's Ok to be Crazy sometimes...but it's always good to Dream. (Mon, 25 May 2009 17:17:43 GMT)
Rhea I am a part of your Story........... (Wed, 27 May 2009 19:42:05 GMT)
Rhea When someone is not Listened to ..Viloence is born. (Fri, 29 May 2009 14:46:18 GMT)
Rhea Everytime when someone is not listened to....Violence is bron!! (Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:41:19 GMT)
Rhea I want a LARGER Perscpective (Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:44:53 GMT)
Rhea Freedom Under Construction ..... (Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:15:57 GMT)
Rhea The Eagle's journey of re-invention. (Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:16:08 GMT)
Rhea Be quiet...It's the wind that sings... (Sun, 14 Jun 2009 04:04:17 GMT)
Rhea Either write something worth reading , or do something worth writing. (Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:02:59 GMT)
Rhea If I can't walk on water, I'd rather die than swim. (Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:09:09 GMT)
Rhea I am the Universe. I can hold contradictions. (Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:13:52 GMT)
Rhea The Pause is pregnant... I am Waiting !!!!! (Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:47:22 GMT)
Rhea Rain..Coffee...Conversations.... (Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:02:02 GMT)
Rhea The question is not whether we can afford to Trust, the question is can we afford not to? (Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:01:10 GMT)
Rhea "The Barren heigths of Cleverness...the soft green pastures of ..silly" (Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:33:21 GMT)
Rhea If I was on a mind-less journey...what would be on my mind?? (Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:49:45 GMT)
Rhea Interconnectedness.... (Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:08:07 GMT)
Rhea An early morning jog in the drissle..hot coffe..some more rain...music...incence...thoughts..AAAHHH!!.. (Sun, 28 Jun 2009 05:20:45 GMT)
Rhea The hope of Forgiveness: Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. (Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:10:06 GMT)
Rhea Spoke my mind ..phew!!! (Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:55:01 GMT)
Rhea The Frozen blade of grass protested witha crack, when the sandaled foot fell on it...Only to realise that the pressure had set it free. (Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:03:11 GMT)
Rhea "Judgement" is when a lazy person's mind stops Observing. (Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:02:14 GMT)
Rhea The Power of 3 .... (Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:44:14 GMT)
Rhea We argue in order to stay in a relationship (Tue, 21 Jul 2009 02:40:21 GMT)
Rhea The Art of Lliving is really the Art of Leaving ... (Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:15:05 GMT)
Rhea I am back.... :) (Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:00:20 GMT)
Rhea Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom... (Sat, 01 Aug 2009 09:31:49 GMT)
Rhea Sometimes you gotta do what you ought do. (Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:09:56 GMT)
Rhea There are blue ships, and there are red ships..But the best ship..is Friendship :) (Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:34:48 GMT)
Rhea Feeling Blessed and Humbled at the same time... (Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:22:35 GMT)
Rhea Order is to Existence...What Chaos is to Evolution (Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:42:06 GMT)
Rhea She says she gets a high on the moon... (Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:38:12 GMT)
Rhea :) (Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:00:58 GMT)
Rhea It Rains. (Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:07:15 GMT)
Rhea In the shadow of the wind..the Bolero reaches a crescendo.. (Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:33:40 GMT)
Rhea Freedom is Not doing what you want to do... (Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:16:09 GMT)
Rhea Quit Trying...Start Allowing...!!! (Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:11:40 GMT)
Rhea I am Just another You !!! (Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:09:29 GMT)
Rhea What was said to the rose..was also said to me. The rose ..opened. (Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:45:05 GMT)
Rhea You are what you think you are..You are also what you think you are not!!! (Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:23:33 GMT)
Rhea The Ephemeral Glimpse of Eternity...takes my breath away..... (Sat, 15 Aug 2009 03:49:36 GMT)
Rhea Truth is a bully everyone pretends to like. (Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:49:09 GMT)
Rhea I am Back.... (Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:40:09 GMT)
Rhea aahh to be a child again...and to be able to enjoy something ...without the need to understand it. (Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:50:25 GMT)
Rhea Sometimes you have to keep moving to be still.Sometimes you have to be still ..to keep moving. (Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:44:19 GMT)
Rhea Back home... :) missing the puchkas :( (Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:58:12 GMT)
Rhea Hosted My FIRST webinar on world Interconnectedness day... It was so much fun...I love the energy of the anticipation of the new and unknown... (Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:06:30 GMT)
Rhea What's got you here...Will keep you here. (Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:10:41 GMT)
Rhea Just back after an amazing workshop at BHUMI in Hyderabad....and realised.."A good way to overcome your shortcomings is to observe what irritates you in others" (Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:57:50 GMT)
Rhea Let Us not wait till the End to Start... (Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:01:55 GMT)
Rhea Truth comes at the price of loneliness. (Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:47:39 GMT)
Rhea Seek and you will miss. (Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:07:08 GMT)
Rhea The What-If has altered the What-Is. (Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:55:12 GMT)
Rhea Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there." - Rumi (Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:20:03 GMT)
Rhea The Extent of our Expression is a direct function of the Depth of our Exploration. (Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:20:03 GMT)
Rhea Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit. (Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:30:49 GMT)
Rhea The Painting dosen't come to the artist..The Artist is taken to the Painting.. 'IF' he drops Significance...and 'IF' the painting wants to be discoverd. (Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:25:12 GMT)
Rhea If A little coverd truth is Still truth..Then a Lie is truth that is mostly covered!!! ..Oh! The luxury of Convinient Perspectives..... (Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:34:12 GMT)
Rhea Just saw The milky way..and my constellation.....feel Blessed. (Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:55:36 GMT)
Rhea Spirit cannot be faked .... :) (Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:12:30 GMT)
Rhea Greater the Pain..Important the Lesson !!!! (Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:02:53 GMT)
Rhea Back ..... (Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:02:56 GMT)
Rhea Innocent Morning breeze..my baby pigeon wants to jump off and fly,,, (Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:18:22 GMT)
Rhea When everything changes, Change everything - Neale Walsh (Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:02:08 GMT)
Rhea In silent contempalation..the joy of sunlight playfully flirting on the surface of water. (Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:21:55 GMT)
Rhea Yield.. Don't audit life. (Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:54:07 GMT)
Rhea Life is Beautiful ...hit the pause button!!! (Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:19:48 GMT)
Rhea Life is an Occasion. Rise to It :) (Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:16:58 GMT)
Rhea Your Personality IS your Purpose. (Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:49:09 GMT)
Rhea Events don't happen 'To' you ..They happen 'for' you. (Sat, 26 Dec 2009 13:16:01 GMT)
Rhea Back after a an awesome time at Vipassanna....and it's all quiet !!!!! (Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:27:03 GMT)
Rhea Back from Goa...Mediating by the sea was an awesome EXPERIENCE (Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:52:10 GMT)
Rhea Forgive the Not's to untie the Knots. (Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:22:45 GMT)
Rhea Come, Even if you have broken your vow a thousand times. - Rumi (Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:36:05 GMT)
Rhea You are already naked, there is no reason for you not to follow your heart - Steve Jobs (Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:07:04 GMT)
Rhea What's your story in Six Words: Mine - "Laugh freely Learn intensely Love Abundantly" (Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:41:35 GMT)
Rhea Had a very close look at life, and how it all finally boils down to moments....I knew it..but have just begun to understand. - Stirred not Shaken. (Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:25:26 GMT)
Rhea What you do in the next 5 min ...is paid for by 5 mins of you life. Choose wisely !! (Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:30:53 GMT)
Rhea When sentences and thoughts....get celebrated as your own...irrespective of who they are coming from....it's a "Connection" :) (Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:46:18 GMT)
Rhea All the Oyester wanted was to get rid of the grain of sand..and ended up creating a Pearl...There's a Plan at work..even if we cant see it. (Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:06:33 GMT)
Rhea Because you Can or Because you should...What is it? (Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:10:12 GMT)
Rhea Just because you know what it's called , does not mean you know IT.... Stay. (Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:45:24 GMT)
Rhea Life Inspires colours...Colours Celebrate Life !!! Happy Holi :) (Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:07:04 GMT)
Rhea Life Finds It's way. (Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:34:43 GMT)
Rhea “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” ~Vincent van Gogh (Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:50:15 GMT)
Rhea Work is Love made Visible - Khalil Gibran (Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:26:01 GMT)
Rhea Most choices are disguised decisions. (Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:19:08 GMT)
Rhea I am amazed at how..if you take the initiatve and go out and "Touch" the word once...The world comes rushing out to touch you may times over..:) (Sat, 06 Mar 2010 19:04:31 GMT)
Rhea The Audacity of Living.... Happy Womens Day.. (Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:51:06 GMT)
Rhea Whatever is Unexpected..is an indication of the whole. (Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:30:31 GMT)
Rhea 21 Grams (Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:58:14 GMT)
Rhea I can live with Decisions... (Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:44:07 GMT)
Rhea This too shall pass..... (Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:12:08 GMT)
Rhea A new delicate pink bud is proudly showing off.. in my little garden :) Feeling happy (Sat, 03 Apr 2010 02:49:06 GMT)
Rhea Kindness in words creates confidence; kindness in thinking creates profoundness; kindness in giving creates love. - Lao-Tzu (Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:35:46 GMT)
Rhea Find out who you are..and do it purposefully. (Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:23:34 GMT)
Rhea My emotions always point me back to what’s truly important to me. (Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:56:54 GMT)
Rhea “The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” - Don Williams (Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:48:23 GMT)
Rhea Spin, Hurt and die - Live again as butterfly. (Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:42:50 GMT)
Rhea "Business cannot succeed in society's that fail." (Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:01:54 GMT)
Rhea I want to stay as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center. (Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:09:36 GMT)
Rhea Do one thing every day that scares you. --- Eleanor Roosevelt (Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:11:44 GMT)
Rhea In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. --- Eric Hoffer (Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:08:51 GMT)
Rhea The Way to Change the Game, Is to Change the Frame. (Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:03:40 GMT)
Rhea When someone does you a big favor, don't pay it back... Pay It Forward (Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:29:49 GMT)
Rhea Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans... Live in and for the Moment :) (Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:33:43 GMT)
Rhea Alphonso Mango !!! a sign that god loves us !!! (Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:52:27 GMT)
Rhea The Most Beautiful things in life are not things....Celebrate !!! Every experience.. (Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:53:22 GMT)
Rhea I get paid to read..talk..laugh..give and eat chocolates....touch peoples lives..make a difference..Does it get any Better ?? (Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:15:23 GMT)
Rhea "If the sharp axe had the power, it woud create just as much damage when it hit water, as it did when it hit a stone...The state of the receiver alters the result. Be Fluid" -Rhea (Sun, 02 May 2010 04:33:34 GMT)
Rhea When your Need and Want is the same..You have a moment of Joy (Mon, 03 May 2010 20:21:21 GMT)
Rhea "The Magic of Celebration is in the Celebration of Magic " - Rhea (Wed, 05 May 2010 18:51:13 GMT)
Rhea If you catch yourself justifying or needing to justify a decision..then know; that deep inside, that is not your decision...Pay attention to tension. (Fri, 07 May 2010 07:41:16 GMT)
Rhea I have a Pink wall in my room..I think I am finally growing up :) (Fri, 07 May 2010 11:35:54 GMT)
Rhea Yippesss !!! Travelling and world here I come.. (Sun, 09 May 2010 03:37:31 GMT)
Rhea Well done is better than well said. (Wed, 19 May 2010 06:26:35 GMT)
Rhea Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.~ Richard Bach (Sun, 23 May 2010 07:03:26 GMT)
Rhea Feeling intuitively called upon to come forth ...I feel myself moving along ...ahhh old times are back :) (Sun, 23 May 2010 19:31:23 GMT)
Rhea How about we move from a go-getter to a go-giver ?? (Mon, 24 May 2010 17:15:57 GMT)
Rhea When it comes down to it..how many people speak the same language , even when they speak the same language??? (Tue, 25 May 2010 15:43:24 GMT)
Rhea At panchgani...the palce is a riot of Colours..Bouganvilliea..gulmohar..Life is Beautiful !!! (Fri, 28 May 2010 16:33:15 GMT)
Rhea Dark..quiet..lush mountain top..waiting for the moonrise with bated breath..trees lit up by thousand of fireflies...in an orchestra!!! Nature at it speactacular breathtaking BEST !!! (Mon, 31 May 2010 12:08:43 GMT)
Rhea Back Home...to a wonderful surpirse.. Showers..cool breeze and the amazing smell of wet mud !!!! (Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:31:36 GMT)
Rhea Trying to contain pure happiness ..is SOOO much hard work (Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:05:29 GMT)
Rhea "The Future belongs to those who don't know what they can't do " (Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:14:51 GMT)
Rhea Syncronicity ...When it happens I love it. When I love it ..It happens :) (Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:53:23 GMT)
Rhea Was stranded at the Delhi Airport..JET airways delpayed flight by 4 hours..Ended up having a ball with co-delayed passengers, made some new friends :) ..life IS fun (Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:45:13 GMT)
Rhea The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent or absorbing positive knowledge. - Albert Einstein (Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:56:18 GMT)
Rhea "I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." - Jack London (Tue, 22 Jun 2010 03:18:12 GMT)
Rhea Conversations ...... (Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:36:30 GMT)
Rhea "We are at source infinite yet we continually manifest in finite" - Tom Madgich (Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:33:45 GMT)
Rhea The reason lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place is that the same place isn't there the second time...I am changing even as I write this...ahhhh !!! (Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:26:50 GMT)
Rhea Sometimes laughter just bubbles up ..and gurgles out..like right now..for no apparent rhyme or reason.. :) ...humm (Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:35:21 GMT)
I recently heard someone mention that seen from outer space, the Earth looked like an organism 'Infested' with virus of 'non-appropriate conduct' , which in pattern looked a lot like the formation of cancerous cells.
If this is true.. then I am also able to see ..'the Anti-Virus bodies' bonding and coming together..and the Movement is catching Momentum..
Last week , I had the privileged to attend a 2 days Summit on “Conscious capitalism” – presented by Conscious capitalism Institute CCI www.consciouscapitalism.com based out of USA
Here is a Talk by one of the Members , John Mackey :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYJl3DOMGM8
The theme was, how can Capitalism be more conscious… how can we move from ‘Shareholder’ to ‘Stakeholder’ as a Practical Paradigm . How can Business be Leveraged. And How doing good IS good for business.
This organization is fairly new, and co-founded by Dr. Raj Sisodia, who has also authored the Book “Firms Of Endearment”
What Really caught my attention was :
• The foreword of this book talks about , how it was really the manifestation of a Norman Lear, daring to listen to his “Inner Voice” • About bringing “Love” to Businesses - Def of love – “Selfless promotion of the growth of the other” [Sarosh Uncle will Love this ] • Worlds Largest Ad Agency, Saatchi & Saatchi told brands to transcend from Brand-mark to Love mark
In a nutshell it talks about how we are in the “Age of Transcendence” - Here is an excerpt
A Business Model for the 21st Century
“We’re entering an Age of Transcendence, as people increasingly search for higher meaning in their lives, not just possessions. This is transforming the marketplace, the workplace, the very soul of capitalism. Increasingly, today’s most successful companies are bringing love, joy, authenticity, empathy and soulfulness into their businesses; they are delivering emotional, experiential, and social value – not just profits.”
Why Am I writing this? - 3 Reasons
1. I think there is merit in connecting with them. 2. Also since most of us also connected to the “Business World:” in some form or the other, I think it will be a good Idea if we come up with a “Model” of how do we Also leverage this window. 3. The “Anti-Virus” needs to spread and spread fast.
Innovation is the New buzz world today...Having said that how do we differentiate between,, as Mike Parker says, Theory in action and Espoused theory .
In my 15 years of trying to understand and live 'Innovation' I have been able to come to the following thoughts :
Case Studies :
1. Changing the Context :
Very often being in a certain situation for very long, limits your perspective. It's like being in the same room for a long time..you feel like you have seen 'everything' that is there..and so a certain sense of ennui sets in..and one become. Lethargic in ones view of the situation..thereby 'missing' certain.. "clues" or "Gaps" - Changing the Context - gives a different playground
Example: One of our client had an ongoing issue with their top leadership team..starting to lose interest ..and not ‘innovate’ and think of different approaches to the business.. The core of the problem, we found out was , each of these 9 guys, were stand alones, in that they each handled 2-3 countries as an account, as a result they had NO team..no one to report to them..and although they were achieving their numbers ..they were not satisfied
Diagnosis: Their implicit need was to work with ‘their’ team , their people, contribute into ‘their’ growth.. Since they were in this position for a long time now, they were ..bored with the view.
Suggested Solution: We asked them to offered them - “Change of Context” – one could not physically remove them from that role …and 2 days “ outbound’ workshops don’t Really help in a case like this .
What we did , was extremely radical in one sense. We asked them to put them on, individually, on to a different “Social” project – example – organizing drives for blood donation, food, clothes etc..education
In this way , they would get an opportunity to work with a TEAM, be face to face with different challenges and situation and figure away around them..and like in most social projects – the means are always limited, one has NO choice but to Innovate.
Result : • They were able to “fulfill” their need for a “different environment., being able to contribute, work and nurture team members and feel good about creating something new. • They were able to bring to fore their latent creativity ..which “automatically” was now available in their workspace • They were more ”present” in the roles now . • They “Stopped” looking for a certain kind of fulfillment form their role, knowing that they had an alternative “Context” where they could get it from. • They are able to play an “active” role in the CSR activities of their organization. • They are Happy and intrinsically motivated. • The quality of their work and creativity speaks for itself.
2. Found In Translation : [ I Love this One ] If ever you are ‘struck’ in a situation..looking for an innovative way.. Look at a very different industry where a similar situation is handled, and see how that solution can be made to fit in your context.
Example : One of our client , and Insurance company n ..had a an issue with different departments NOT seeing eye to eye..and as a result ..the “Client” would invariable get the brunt of the whole thing in the form of delayed or inefficient service. The organization had tried various things..360 degree feedback.. team building workshops etc and nothing worked.
Diagnosis : The Teams’ never Really met. And didn’t ‘Know’ each other..and so operated on perception and twisted perspectives.
Each there making up most of the picture more in their heads. And operate from a space of doubt and mistrust.
What was required was more oppurtunities for them to meet and REALLY get to know each other…over time..and not just a “fix-it” solutions of a workshop.
Suggested Solution : “Found In translation” Applied – We looked at which other place this thing worked – Bonding, meeting regularly and getting to know each other – and not surprisingly in the brainstorming, most people recalled their colleges days.
So the lessons taken from the “Campus to Corporate “ were: • Creating “interest Forums” cross organization – people of like interest come together • ‘ set up an “Organizing committee that is responsible to organize “cricket match” football viewing” etc • And , also not to forget – talent shows
Result : • People realize they had more in common than they thought • They “looked” for oppurtunies to meet and talk • They opened up and were less formal • They could pick up the phone and make a ‘friendly’ request for some work instead of the old way of writing a formal mail, with a CC to the Boss • Higher spirits and “extremely improved “ client experience.
I was at graduation ceremony organized by Ashoka youth ventures last Sunday. An event that celebrates a year long journey of young entrepreneurs who have lived their dream and continue o the journey. That o was overwhelmed is an understatement. Lisening to 20 young people,(read avg age 19 yrs) coming and sharing about initiatives that they have taken.
To share a few ,
A girl of 19 years , who could not complete her education as a result of insufficient finance, and had to drop out of schlool when she was in her 5th std, now gathers all school dropout from the slum that she lives in and talks to them about the importance of education. 9 out of the 15 kids that she has been talking to have now gone back to school.
Another young boy, 19yrs, who , till a year ago used to rob trucks with his friends and smoke and drink. One day decided that enough was enough. And he did not want to waste his life. But he did not stop at just that, he decided to help his other friends. He started a project called "Khel" - means " Play" - where he organises cricket matches in the slums. The 'idle' young boys, now have something to look forward to. They practice and work hard at their matches.Their time is now spent on the ground. In between mathes, the group gets to listen to a few talks about the importance and dignity of honest work. and they , by the way also learn about goal setting , team work, fitness in an engaging way.
A young girl of 18yrs, who works with child sex abuse, and encourages dialogues between parents and other social volunteers, when asked WHY she chose to do what she is doing, replied " I am doing it simply for so that few years from now I do not want o look back and regret the fact that I knew what the problem was, I knew the solution and yet I did not do anything about it.
I was left spellbound at such unadulterated wisdom. And a question that keep coming to my mind , is If these young people, given their exposure and circumstances, can take that Initiative, what is our excuse not to?
I was surprised that this event was NOT covered by any media.
I firmly believe that such stories need to be told and heard many more frequently and by more people.
Over 2 cups of cutting chai,in the first showers of Bombay, with my friend, The idea of "Stories of Hope" was born.
A gathering of people who have stories of hope to share a listen to. -Maybe once EVERY month in as many place as we can start.
We need to share stories and "Gossips" about the good that is happening in the world.
I am a regular at Prithvi..The cafe. and those who are regularly regular, know Mr. Joshi or know of Mr.Joshi, or Joshi Uncle..The lone figure with a flowing white beard playing a flute..under the tree..just by himself ..for himself.
He comes plays..enjoys it for it's sake...says a passing hello to anyone who cares to salute..him or his spirit ..actually it's the same thing, for this 75 yr young..free spirit and just as inconspicuously goes away.
A couple of months ago, when I was sitting with a some friends, listening to the meloncholy strains of the flute...the music..stopped. And my friend equally abruptly asked...Why did he stop so ..suddenly. This suddenly gave birth to this poem :
Lingering Thoughts
The rumbling humdrum of voices Dreams, exhilaration, hopes, Suleimani chai glasses Continues...... The Mellow strains of Mr. Joshi’s flute Stops.
Abruptly. They say.. Why does he not linger? Taper off Be gradual More gentle Why? So ....Sudden.
Sudden? It’s done. He’s done.
He’s played Lived, Loved Smiled, Got lost In his boulevard Of Memories For now.
When it’s over It’s over.
A breath...exhaled. Note completed. Moments lived. Conversations done. Expression exhibited.
