Three Months later...

Its been exactly three months since I first landed in Patna. So, what's changed?


I've realized over time how impatient I've been with people, processes and the systems around me. As I look back, I distinctly remember my first monthly management meeting. I remember voicing my concern about several changes I deemed integral to the organization's success. At the time, experienced managers politely told me - we just weren't ready for them yet. Last week, many of the same changes transitioned from the wish list and made it on to the essential list. 


Similarly, our roles as fellows have transitioned significantly. We have slowly integrated ourselves as part of the team.  Investees are no longer referred to by name instead as I noticed on our latest Global Fellows call, all the fellows were using the words "we, us, our" when referring to their projects or teams. A transition accomplished through patience and perseverance despite cultural, physical and mental barriers.


Personally, I've learnt to cope and find comfort in my surroundings. The hard wooden plank I call a bed no longer phases me; I am no longer phased by seeing my coworkers the minute I wake up; I now automatically pause for 10 seconds after speaking into my computer because of the Skype lag; I have developed a system to keep the swarms of mosquitoes at bay; I have scheduled down time in my evenings when I know internet won't cooperate;  I even have my own rickshaw guy who rides a special low rise rickshaw convenient for baggage and shorties like me!


I have become more patient with myself and others; Patience and acceptance are integral to building personal credibility and making even the smallest contribution in this community. I'm glad to have 6 more months to grow.

Bihar's Got Moves!

The quiet and dark streets in my neighborhood are suddenly filled with sparkling lights, colorful flags and songs blaring in every corner. Normally a rather quiet neighborhood, has suddenly come alive and transformed itself.  You can taste the festive spirit in the air. Women roaming the streets in their finest gold bordered saris and kids manning the little temples that have sprung up everywhere to celebrate Saraswati Pooja. 

My neighbor's kids were performing at their coaching class cultural show and I decided to go check it out. I was amazed at the talent in this little crowded room. With make shift curtains and bed sheets as their backdrops, these kids certainly proved that Biharies can dance!

Where are the neighbors' kids Nishant and Chotu? Well, the kid who was going to play the 'baba' the holy saint ran home because he got nervous. Without the saint, the followers (Nishant and Chotu) had no one to follow and so the play never took stage. They promised a private performance once the saint memorizes his lines.

P.S. Apologies for the side way videos - it was hard to tape the kids while avoiding heads and jabbing the person next to me. It took over 5 hours to post these...so hope you'll enjoy them as much as I did!

How do you measure Leadership?

Developing PMS 

Husk is working with Optima on developing a performance management system. A few days ago, a group of Husk employees tried to define how leadership should be measured and evaluated. I found this list fascinating especially given all that we've read about leadership through the Acumen Fellowship curriculum. They defined a leader as someone that 

• Can implement change
• Makes strategic decisions
• Motivates and empowers employees 
• Has an ownership attitude
• Is aligned with code of ethics and values
• Is accessible to subordinates
• Creates co-operation among team members and across teams
• Is accepted as a leader

Certainly big shoes to fill.

Perhaps the most critical and telling aspect about being a leader is judging one's acceptance. The danger lies in confusing the varying degrees and reasons for "acceptance". Soliciting feedback & the ability to reflect become integral to filling the big shoes.

Jugaad

Jugaad is a Hindi word that loosely translates as "the gutsy art of overcoming harsh constraints by improvising an effective solution using limited resources." *
I witnessed jugaad first hand on my terrace. Chotu making his own kite out of what he could find around the house to celebrate Makar Sankrant.


Bihar is filled with resourceful people, with the right mix of entrepreneurs, investors and policies, the state is bound to reach new heights just like Chotu's kite.

Ready to fly

*http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/12/think_like_an_indian_entrepren.html

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock

Regulars @ the Line Dhaba !

Travelling to Tamkuha with Blair gave me a renewed appreciation for the everyday. Watching her experience Bihar with the eyes of a new comer was refreshing.  We walked past a half finished straw basket on the way to check out the new Husk installations. Blair wanted to buy 2, as a memory for us. The local producers could not understand why anyone would want to buy unfinished baskets. After repeated attempts of trying to convince them to sell them to us, we gave up. Instead we bought 2 finished baskets that ‘appeared’ from somewhere during the course of our conversations.

The unfinished basket
 that started it all!

The whole episode was truly entertaining for both the villagers and us. Men stopped and provided their two cents, women looked at us confused – telling us there’d be no use for the basket if it wasn’t finished and then there were lots of children, starring at the tall blond woman holding the unfinished multicolored basket. The villagers also insisted we take the baskets as gifts, since Blair was visiting all the way from the US. After much discussion, they allowed us to pay for a month’s worth of electricity for the two baskets.

The whole episode left me in admiration of living in the present. No one seemed to be rushing. The thirty odd on-lookers had time to stop and see what was going on. The producers had time to set aside their work and tell us about how they use the baskets and ask questions about why we wanted the baskets in the first place. We too had time to learn, share and experience. We all had the time to connect through our conversation and laughter. 

I wonder if as city dwellers, we maybe forgetting to live in the present or to make time to connect. I question how many interesting experiences I've missed out on because I thought I had something more important to get to. Next time I see something interesting, I’ll stop, peek and even throw in my two cents! I may find more unfinished treasures that’ll remind me to live a richer life by being present. 

Photo Credits: Ms. Blair Miller *
*Despite my numerous attempts to dissuade her, Blair took lots of pictures through out the trip. I'm really glad she did!

Donkey Tales (Continued)

Arunji told me this story, during my visit to Tamkuha with Blair. It resonated and stuck...plus it happens to be about a donkey, so I had to share.

He was watching donkeys carrying heavy loads on their back walking around Gandhi Maidan in Patna. He thought about the tremendous effort and hard work they endure, and yet donkeys aren’t respected. When kids joke, they often refer to each other as a donkey or gadha, taunting and teasing “You are as dumb as a donkey”. It made him question, why such a hardworking animal lacked recognition for his effort.

After some pondering, he decided it was because the donkey waited to be told what to do and simply followed. It focused on the one repetitive task of carrying loads, without learning through its surroundings or experiences. As individuals, we too limit our potential, if we don’t evolve through our interactions, work and surroundings. If we only focus on the tasks at hand, implement without questioning, we may be missing out on tremendous opportunities to achieve our potential.  

Snail mail worth the wait!

Only a true friend can send you a care package that will last for 8 months!  My care package came from Katie and the Cains. Complete with 20 types of card depending on what type of day I was having - there's one for a crappy day, a lonely day, when I need a hug, even one for when I miss Momma Cain! Warm fuzzy socks, a diary with special reminders, Andes mint chocolates and 3 types of deodorants for the torturous heat, I've heard so much about. I even have pictures of Little Em with her pretty blue eyes. My desk that seemed rather bare, is suddenly personalized.

I've always been a little old fashioned preferring hand written notes and letters. The charm of being surprised by a note or a parcel is incomparable. As I opened my box of goodies, I imagined Katie packing it, giggling to herself as she wrote on each envelope and card. The distance disappeared for a while. My favorite (not that I would trade any of the wonderful presents) is the little box with a 100 reasons why she can't wait until I go back home. Directions say: "Open one every morning.  XOXOXOXO"

It is overwhelming to have such thoughtful & loving people in my life. I am the luckiest gal in Patna!