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Showing posts from January, 2024

Toastmastering in UK

In August 2010, as I eagerly awaited the processing of my UK work permit, my initial instinct led me to explore the Toastmasters International (TMI) website in search of clubs within the UK. Despite the absence of an issued visa and a specific project to align myself with, I found myself daydreaming about attending Toastmasters meetings in the UK – a testament to the transformative power of Toastmasters. It brings to mind the Tamil saying, “Kovil illada ooril kudi iruka vendam,” loosely translated as "Do not live in a city without places of worship." For Toastmasters enthusiasts, the sentiment might be rephrased as, "Do not reside in a city lacking a Toastmasters club." Considering the rapid emergence of new clubs, it won't be long before there's hardly a city in the world without a Toastmasters presence Undeterred, I revisited the Toastmasters International site and this time discovered the HOD Speakers Club at Stanmore. I reached out to the club's Pres...

Perseverance: The Key to Unlocking Success

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  Have you ever wondered what separates highly successful individuals from the rest? While talent, intelligence, and opportunities may play a crucial role, one underlying trait stands out as the bedrock of achievement: perseverance. Perseverance is the ability to push through challenges, setbacks, and adversity, even when the going gets tough . It is the fuel that keeps us moving forward, relentlessly pursuing our goals and dreams. Those who possess unwavering determination to overcome obstacles are the ones who ultimately reach new heights of success. So, why is perseverance truly the key to unlocking success? Overcoming Challenges : The path to success is never smooth. It is filled with hurdles and roadblocks that test our resilience. Perseverance allows us to navigate these challenges, learn from them, and find innovative solution s. Each setback becomes an opportunity for growth and a stepping stone towards success. Staying Focused: Persistent individuals possess an unwaveri...

The Power of Constructive Feedback: A Leader's Impact on Personal Growth

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20 years ago, at the early stages of my career, I found myself in a sales role for a prominent brand in the India IT Education domain. While struggling to close deals, my boss took the time to have a meaningful conversation with me that would eventually shape my perspective on professional growth. Instead of pointing out my mistakes, my boss displayed three key traits that had a profound impact on my journey. First, empathy - my boss approached the conversation with understanding and patience, creating a safe environment for open dialogue. By not harboring negativity, paved the way for a constructive conversation that would inspire growth rather than discouragement. Second, my boss demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback. It was focused on an objective analysis of my performance and highlighted a missing element of aggression that could have positively impacted my sales results. Additionally, during the process identifying a possible potential in program management sort o...