Session on Integrating into Corporate Teams - School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad

 It was good to go back to the School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad after several years, some due to the pandemic. We were planning a Growth Lab as Prof Jyothi called it but due to paucity of time, she had me do a 2 hour talk to the MBA, HR stream students. About 20 of them showed up.

I started with Simon Sinek's Golden Circle as usual - (WHY, HOW, WHAT) which would give them a new way to look at life and at work. When you begin with why you bring your own vision (WHY) into the work and normally it gives a sense of ownership as well. I made them do the common purpose exercise with everyone looking in different directions and said that if they all had a common vision two years ago to double their job pay, they could have done that.

After that we touched upon the importance of values (HOW) and how they must understand what their  values are and how to practice them in alignment with the team. We discussed the Mahindra Holiday story about values. Vales show as behaviors and behaviors show as culture.

Then we looked at the goals (WHAT) and I asked them to write down their goals for 20 years, 10 years, 5 years, 2 years and 1 year on all the important aspects of their life. We looked at money, material wealth, career goals etc and tried to get some examples.

Then we looked at roles and how they must have clarity of roles. They must check with their managers about the expectations and from there try to exceed the expectations. The typical cycle for a high performer is to 1) know and fulfill role fully 2) expand role and impact team positively 3) helping others in team with expertise 4) owning up leadership positions when opportunities arise and 5) being promoted to leadership positions. To give an example of how one expands their role I told them the story of my 158 not out and of my IDBI stories.

Then we looked at HR and what it means. To find the immense potential of humans and to realise it is their job. We realised that we give our best in the right environment and we tried to figure how to bring about the right environment. On one hand we felt that people respond well when they are 'seen' and 'heard'. We discussed the practice of the 3As (acknowledge, appreciate, ask for help) and did some role play (Junaid and Tulsi were game enough). Then we did an exercise on feedback management which we realised was most important to growth. 

I shared my experience with the learning mindset in my cricket career and how they should get the right mindset and grow to their full potential with it.

I would have liked to discuss more on Psychological Safety and done an exercise on Communication (Chinese Whisper) but due to paucity of time, ended what was a nice interactive session.  All of them shared their takeaways from the session and we ended a rather  hot, afternoon session, well.

Prof Jyothi and I planned to have sessions on leadership for the next batch in August. Good to be back.