Physically present- Mentally Absent

It happened to me, just  yesterday
happens every other day
on almost all occasions
even during serious professional discussions...

Yesterday, as is my wont
I was taking notes at a professional meeting
on an interesting topic of transforming
an ancient, process oriented  huge company
to be more flexible, agile and responsive
to the changed times and business scenario

In short the challenges of teaching
an elephant to dance...

The guy seated next to me
 was glued to his mobile
continuously typing messages
his indifference and the frequent hand movements
distracting me from my main purpose

Giving vent to my annoyance, talking to him
could result in my missing
key points in the discussion
so I continued focused on my basic purpose
 desperately trying to ignore his antics

Had I spoken  to him though
I would have asked
"Hey why drive down this far
to fiddle with your mobile
you could have saved petrol
and driving time
accomplishing task at home!"

Campus to Corporate

One of my happiest moments
is when I am in a class room
facilitating training sessions....
The cup gets full and overflowing
when the participants are young
active, full of zest and enthusiasm!

Such an occasion it was
on the first of March, doing a program

for the graduate engineering trainees
of a Brazilian multi national
moving from the college campus
to the corporate world!


We discussed the cultural shock
that youngster's face
with changes in expectations
the challenges and priorities
in the real world out there!

Building rapport with everyone
the boss, peers and the juniors
who in fact, could be in age seniors!

Tips on communication
managing stress
keeping self esteem levels high
positive thinking at all times
and finally, rounding it off with mind programming!

Facilitation of such lively programs
are its own reward
yet positive, enthusing feedback during the breaks
soon after the program
and over the telephone from HR
days after the program....
is simply exhilarating, memorable

 It's like the icing on the cake!

Ps: The 'Çup' referred to in the first stanza is to the 'cup of joy'