Learning Song

Learning... Its Learning that keeps you going
in good times...   hard times....    any time!
learning... Its learning that keeps you going
in good times...   hard times.... any time!

I feel so wonderful-  I feel so great..
I feel so confident..
with changes, in knowledge..
with changes, in skills..
with changes, in attitude....  ( Learning.. 1st stanza )

Learning,  helps me at work
Learning,  helps me at home
Its learning that sustains me
for years, for years and years  ( Learning.. 1st stanza )

Come, let us learn & grow
come let us wear the shield
of learning that sustains ..
at all times...

Learning... Its Learning that keeps you going
in good times...   hard times.... any time!
learning... Its learning that keeps you going
in good times...   hard times.... any time!
any time... any time.. any time....

How My Sessions Begin

In my role as a facilitator
no matter what the topic of the training
I ask people
during the icebreak introductions -
as to what are the  activities
that make them happy

For many it is watching or playing cricket
 Music is another favourite
for some it is travel
for others visit to their  native place

Meeting up with friends
going on a hike
reading books-playing with kids
visit to the Gym- cooking
the list can be varied and endless

I then ask them  how
frequently do they indulge in these things
that give them happiness?

Often times we know
that pressing a particular switch
will light up a lamp
that we desire & love-   yet
we give many reasons or excuses
why we are unable to put on that switch of happiness

Too busy, too tired, no support...
many & varied are the reasons that pop up
yet.they deny us happiness
which is our natural birthright

We would be better leaders, better communicators, better motivators
why, we would be better husbands & wives
better fathers & mothers to our children
better sons & daughters to our parents
if basically we were happy

I exhort my participants
to engage in more & more
activities that make them happy
This opens the windows
for effectively playing any role
be it at work or at home!

Challenge

Yesterday, I was in the valediction
 of a training program
all the participants were charged up
they were all praise for the trainer

Many scenes similar have I seen
over the years- excitement on the last day
but back to business as usual
on returning to work

people climb mountains together
do tough outbound activities together
help each other complete
support each other to win
in an outbound activity....
yet the same help & support
 disappears on returning to work

The challenge is-has been 
to sustain the same excitement
desire for change
transport the impact from the fun filled training scene
to the serious work scene

For this to happen
should the work scene become less serious
and the training scene a little less funfilled?
the debate , the groping in the dark continues
for ways to meet this challenge!

Question-Answer

Are you frustrated-fed up?
quipped a reader
so much of critique
in your poems on corporates....

No, no I protest
can you give up on your family
just because everything
isn't perfect?

yet, you don't pretend
that everything is fine
give smiles that do not
reach your eyes
and sweep everything
under the carpet

you point out flaws
so improvement happens -yes,
you don't give up on families
nor do you give up
on the source of your bread

you don't give up on a source
which can still be a haven in a hapless world
providing possibilities
for fulfilling your aspirations!

Climate in a Team

Scorching summer, heavy rains elsewhere
the climate in a team is always  one of
openness-  to be able to
tell each other including seniors
of what one thinks without fear,without constraints

Complimenting not competing with each other
one filling up for what is lacking in another
together completing all needs & aim of the team

Presence of a leader so it becomes a team
from  a  mere group
A leader to guide,coach & motivate towards goals

The climate in a team is that of trust
where everyone is comfortable with each other
and excited working together
excitement in the journey, not destination
in the journey of continuous improvement!

Let them be

In an office situation, corporate situation
there will always be a few
who make the right noises
to project themselves, keep a leg
for you to trip and fall

The few who focus more
on what impresses bosses
and less on the work itself
or what's good in the long run....

Never mind them, let them be...
no resistance, no confrontation-
just go above their frequencies
with a clear vision of
what you want, don't want...


Don't envy their success
or seeming importance
many have climbed ladders
reached the top, to realize
the ladder was against
the wrong wall!

When you have your vision
bright and clear
just move on that path with confidence
unmindful of the few
let them be.....

Insecurity

"water water everywhere, not a drop to drink"
 said the great poet
insecurity,insecurity everywhere, not a beam of light
at the end of the tunnel Say I , of the corporate scene

Keeping long hours out of insecurity-not love
Praising  boss,peer, junior out of insecurity- not from the heart
By passing your reportee, keeping him in the dark
 and regularly interacting with juniors
out of insecurity.......

yet this policy has its gains say some
"It is the paranoids who survive" say others
but is it enough to survive?
Don't we need to be alive-
liveliness in everything we do
sincerity in everything we do
authenticity in everything we do

only then would insecurity drop
secure in the knowledge that we are safe
that another person's win is not our loss
that the win is so much more sweeter
nurturing and sustaining....
when we are all in it together!