Got my visa in today ! Sigh !!! What a relief !!!!
So... York - here I come... The final lap - the final leg - the last push.
Downloaded all the material, and started reading it with earnestness and joy ! A heavy dose to take I must admit. Still at a loss as to what to choose as a dissertation topic - but will get there eventually !
Now for a beer to celebrate !
Cheers !!!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Robert Kennedy College - Shit Happens !
If astrology is anything to go by : I was born on the same time Murphy was born on !!! If anything can go wrong - it certainly does !!!
I was so looking forward to the residency in York in April. All of my friends from the program were going to be there - and I made all the preparations - including reading the case studies and the material given.
I gave the visa application in a month before - and imagine my absolute shock when the thing did not come back for over a month ! Our visas now go to India for processing - and nothing I did materialized - and I had no option but to pull out of it - since even after the program had begun my visa had still not come in !
What can I say - shit happens !
I sincerely hope that my visa is now processed - and look forward to the residency in June... Hated twiddling my thumbs for three months - and itching to start the dissertation - the final lap for me !!!
I was so looking forward to the residency in York in April. All of my friends from the program were going to be there - and I made all the preparations - including reading the case studies and the material given.
I gave the visa application in a month before - and imagine my absolute shock when the thing did not come back for over a month ! Our visas now go to India for processing - and nothing I did materialized - and I had no option but to pull out of it - since even after the program had begun my visa had still not come in !
What can I say - shit happens !
I sincerely hope that my visa is now processed - and look forward to the residency in June... Hated twiddling my thumbs for three months - and itching to start the dissertation - the final lap for me !!!
Robert Kennedy College - Leadership reading material
A few articles and other material that came in handy...
The Drucker Foundation : The Leader of the Future, 1996, Jossey-Bass Publishers
Senge PM, “Leading Learning Organizations : The Bold, The Powerful and the Invisible”
Blanchard K, “Turning the organizational pyramid upside down”
The Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice, 2010, Harvard Business Publishing
Conger, J A, “Leadership Development Interventions”
Chatman J A and Kennedy J A, “Psychological perspectives on leadership”
Guillen, M F, “Classical Sociological Approaches to the Study of Leadership”
Javidan M, Dorfman PW, Howell JP and Hanges PJ, “Leadership and Cultural Context : A theoretical and empirical examination based on project Globe”
Lorsch J, “A contingency theory of Leadership”
Porter M E, Nohria N, “What is Leadership : The CEOs role in large, complex organizations”
Zupan M A, “An Economic Perspective to Leadership”
Harvard Business Review on Breakthrough Leadership
Goleman D, Boyartzis R, MsKee A, 2001, “Primal leadership”
Collingwood H, 2001, “Personal histories : Leaders remember the moments and people that shaped them”
Harvard Business Review on Motivating People, 2003, Harvard Business School Press
Herzberg F, 2003, “One more time : How do you motivate employees ?”
Manville B, Ober J, 2003, “Beyond Empowerment : Building a company of citizens”
McClelland D C and Burnham D H, 2003, “Power is the great motivator”
Nicholson N, 2003, “How to motivate your problem people”
Harvard Business Review on The Mind of the Leader, 2005, Harvard Business School Press
Maccoby M, 2000, “Narcissist Leaders : The incredible pros, the inevitable cons”
Coutu D L, 2004, “Putting Leadership on the Couch : A conversation with Manfred FR Kets de Vries”
Zaleznik A, 1977, “Managers and Leaders : Are they different ?”
Kellerman B, 2004, “Leadership - Warts and All’
Goleman D, 1998, “What makes a leader”
HBR’s 10 must reads on Leadership, 2011, Harvard Business School Publishing
Kotter J P, 1990, “What leaders really do”
Collins J, 2001, “Level 5 leadership”
Ancona D, Malone T W, Orlikoswki W J, Senge P M, 2007, “In praise of the incomplete leader”
Goffee R and Jones G, 2000, “Why should anyone be led by you”
George B, Sims P, McLean A N, Mayer D, 2007 “Discovering your authentic leadership”
TED Videos
Benjamin Zander : ‘On music and passion’ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
Drew Dudley : ‘Everyday Leadership’ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership.html
Fields Wicker-Miurin : ‘Learning from leadership's missing manual’ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/fields_wicker_miurin_learning_from_leadership_s_missing_manual.html
Simon Sinek : ‘How great leaders inspire action’ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
David Logan : ‘Tribal leadership’ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/david_logan_on_tribal_leadership.html
Stanley McChrystal : ‘Listen, learn ... then lead‘ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/stanley_mcchrystal.html
Derek Sivers: ‘How to start a movement’ http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement.html
On Line Magazines
Knowledge @ Wharton
Useem M, 2011, “Mission Critical: 15 Principles to Help Leaders Meet Their Toughest Challenges”
Adam G, 2010, “Analyzing Effective Leaders: Why Extraverts Are Not Always the Most Successful Bosses”, November 2012
Deloitte CEO Barry Salzberg on “Leadership as 'the Norm, Not the Exception'”, May 2011
MIT Sloan Improvisations
Ginka Toegel and Jean-Louis Barsoux, “How to Become a Better Leader”, Spring 2012
McKinsey Quarterly
Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, “How leaders kill meaning at work”, January 2012
Joanna Barsh, Josephine Mogelof, and Caroline Webb,”How centered leaders achieve extraordinary results”, 2010
Other online documents and reading material
Dr. Jon Warner, Using a Performance and Potential Grid to Guide Coaching Interventions, Warner Results Coaching http://www.linkageinc.com/thinking/linkageleader/Documents/Jon_Warner_Using_a_Performance_and_Potential_Grid_to_Guide_Coaching_Interventions.pdf
Tennabaum R and Schmidt WH, 1973, ‘How to Choose a Leadership Pattern’ Harvard Business Review downloaded from http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/bcarr/documents/How%20to%20choose%20a%20leadership%20pattern.pdf
Robert Kennedy College - Leadership and Lollypop Moments !
Leadership is probably the most hacked topic in Management. However, traversing the many angles is a joy ! I must admit I have often wondered whether we blow this whole thing out of proportion, and subscribe too much to it - and to this end, I found one particular video awe inspiring ! The perspective that leadership is very much an 'everday' thing - and that we all can and ought to be leaders - and that it takes nothing more than a small word or deed to impact on someones life (what Drew Dudley calls Lollypop moments') made such a profound impact on me that I thought of sharing it with you all...
Click on the link to see Drew's speech on TEDx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVCBrkrFrBE
Robert Kennedy College - No pain No gain !
One of the things I learnt quite fast into the program was that it certainly was a lot more demanding that I expected it to be. The age old saying 'no pain, no gain' came to mind - and I must admit, I did not quite expect the levels of sacrifice I needed to make to make a success out of the program.
Apart from the lectures and the reading, I resorted to a lot of different things to broaden my level of understanding and appreciation for the subjects : and thought of sharing some of the ones that gave me a lot of benefits with you :
Apart from the lectures and the reading, I resorted to a lot of different things to broaden my level of understanding and appreciation for the subjects : and thought of sharing some of the ones that gave me a lot of benefits with you :
- I started discussions on the various topics discussed on the 'lectures' with my team. I ran the slides, and got them to ask questions - enabling me to ensure I knew the material well enough to speak of it to others.
- I kept a a file. I know that printing stuff is old school but it helped me tremendously. Whenever the lecture went on the screen I scribbled notes, and also made footnotes on the kind of research required.
- I started building a video library - mostly through TED (www.ted.com) which helped me get some really awesome insights which helped in the assignments
- I started having small group discussions with students of various MBA programs, and started cross referencing some of the material they were subscribing to
- I made post it notes on all the books I read - and kept a list of it in the PC - so that when the time came for assignments, I had material ready
- I subscribed to the HBR - the magazine really helps !
- I also took printouts of articles I read, highlighted key areas, and had them on file with each relating lecture note - this helped tremendously in ensuring I could piece the assignments together.
- Sought help from a few lecturers in local universities to discuss key concepts, and test whether I had correctly understood the key principles
All told, these little things helped. Above all, it helped to have great tutors - I recommend you not make the same mistake I made by not putting enough posts - make use of the forums - and the tutors will be of great help !
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Robert Kennedy College - Saved by the book
Browsing through some book shops, I came across this life saver. It has almost all the theories related to Leadership, and also has material from almost all the authors listed on the modules. Wish I had seen it before, but at least for the second semester this truly became useful.
Hope it helps you too !
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Robert Kennedy College - Bibliographical Conundrum !
One of the biggest problems I had - and still have actually, was that of finding the correct bibliographical rendition. I must admit, to me, the guidelines offered were a little confusing, and try as I might I struggled with getting it right. Every assignment I did, I knew some of the citations were not according the the standard set, and that I will have marks deducted for it.
The biggest challenge was that of compilations. I bought a lot of HBR compilations (which were hugely helpful, and I recommend them thoroughly) which has a host of articles under one common theme. An article from these books proved to be a problem to cite - as they were neither an article by themselves, nor a book (as it had articles from multiple authors and was not edited by anyone - as such, the 'book' itself did not have an author !)
My only sanity was a fellow student called Pius - who ended each of his posts with a beautiful bibiliography which we got spot on ! So, I followed his lead and thanks to him, at least got it right for the most part - thanks Pius !
Sit down and get it right. It is important - and honestly, it will make all the difference between an A and a B sometimes !
The biggest challenge was that of compilations. I bought a lot of HBR compilations (which were hugely helpful, and I recommend them thoroughly) which has a host of articles under one common theme. An article from these books proved to be a problem to cite - as they were neither an article by themselves, nor a book (as it had articles from multiple authors and was not edited by anyone - as such, the 'book' itself did not have an author !)
My only sanity was a fellow student called Pius - who ended each of his posts with a beautiful bibiliography which we got spot on ! So, I followed his lead and thanks to him, at least got it right for the most part - thanks Pius !
Sit down and get it right. It is important - and honestly, it will make all the difference between an A and a B sometimes !
Robert Kennedy College - Difficulties, frustrations and sighs : and some helpful advice !
I have never been the 'studious' type : though I have always given my studies pride of place, and taken them very seriously. An avid reader from my early childhood, I have devoured books with the same relish as I would wolf down on Triple Beef Burger at McDonalds ! However, reading and studying are two wholly different ball games - and studying I must admit is difficult.
Anyone undertaking any on line course I think will go through their fair share of frustrations : and I thought I will jot a few of mine - and a few things that helped me : with the hope of offering anyone who braves the course a few helpful pointers.
1. Block your time judiciously ! : We all work. Most of us have families. We ALL have a life outside the self learning portal - and it is certainly extremely easy to put watching our Dearest Prof. Boak on the back burner ! So, when you commit to take the course, block the times you will commit on the calendar and guard it like Hades guarding the under world !!! NEVER break your time with your studies, and in some hopeless situation you do, immediately block that time on another day.
I personally blocked out half days on Saturdays and Sundays (from 6.00pm to 1.30am) as this worked best for me. Weekends are precious - and having spent time with the kids, I would lock my self out for this time - and not yield until my sessions were done. I also carved out 2 hours every other day for research on the topics covered for that week. One of the toughest challenges I had was to stick to it : when I did, it was great - when I did not, I really felt lost when the work had piled on !
2. Buy the books early ! : Buy the books early - as it allows you to really dive into the subject. Sadly Sri Lanka did not have most of the prescribed texts - so I had to supplement most : but buy the books - it is money well spent ! If you are able to read stuff on Kindle or any other new fangled e platform, then get yourself a hand held (or whatever they are called) and buy the e version of the books. Ofcourse, if you can read them through the e library then you are blessed. I HATED IT - and found the interface hopelessly cumbersome and unhelpful.
3. Do research every week : Don't let it pile up. I made this mistake for one of my subjects initially and was overwhelmed with the quantum of work I had to cover when the assignments came along. Do your research and further reading weekly.
4. Make citations and keep for reference : Whenever you read, paraphrase it, and keep the citations done. Once again, I learnt the hard way, but for the second set of subjects, I judiciously kept notes and the citations - and it was immensely helpful when the assignments came along. I had enough material piece things : and it was a true joy to know you knew where the stuff came from.
Read a wide variety of journals, periodicals and material. Don't stick to only the books prescribed. This always comes handy when writing the assignments. However, always remember to write the references and keep. I was lost for one subject as I did not do this - and found it near impossible to remember where I had got the material from !
5. Use the forum - for ALL the sessions : The forum is brilliant. This is the biggest regret I have of the program - that I could not get involved in the forum as I should have done. It is wonderfully enriching to read the posts and practical experiences of others : and it truly supplements for face to face discussions in a traditional class. If you really get involved in the forums you will realize that you actually have a lot more depth on the subject, and that you actually get a lot more than a standard lecture in a class room !
Need to run for a meeting - more tomorrow !
Anyone undertaking any on line course I think will go through their fair share of frustrations : and I thought I will jot a few of mine - and a few things that helped me : with the hope of offering anyone who braves the course a few helpful pointers.
1. Block your time judiciously ! : We all work. Most of us have families. We ALL have a life outside the self learning portal - and it is certainly extremely easy to put watching our Dearest Prof. Boak on the back burner ! So, when you commit to take the course, block the times you will commit on the calendar and guard it like Hades guarding the under world !!! NEVER break your time with your studies, and in some hopeless situation you do, immediately block that time on another day.
I personally blocked out half days on Saturdays and Sundays (from 6.00pm to 1.30am) as this worked best for me. Weekends are precious - and having spent time with the kids, I would lock my self out for this time - and not yield until my sessions were done. I also carved out 2 hours every other day for research on the topics covered for that week. One of the toughest challenges I had was to stick to it : when I did, it was great - when I did not, I really felt lost when the work had piled on !
2. Buy the books early ! : Buy the books early - as it allows you to really dive into the subject. Sadly Sri Lanka did not have most of the prescribed texts - so I had to supplement most : but buy the books - it is money well spent ! If you are able to read stuff on Kindle or any other new fangled e platform, then get yourself a hand held (or whatever they are called) and buy the e version of the books. Ofcourse, if you can read them through the e library then you are blessed. I HATED IT - and found the interface hopelessly cumbersome and unhelpful.
3. Do research every week : Don't let it pile up. I made this mistake for one of my subjects initially and was overwhelmed with the quantum of work I had to cover when the assignments came along. Do your research and further reading weekly.
4. Make citations and keep for reference : Whenever you read, paraphrase it, and keep the citations done. Once again, I learnt the hard way, but for the second set of subjects, I judiciously kept notes and the citations - and it was immensely helpful when the assignments came along. I had enough material piece things : and it was a true joy to know you knew where the stuff came from.
Read a wide variety of journals, periodicals and material. Don't stick to only the books prescribed. This always comes handy when writing the assignments. However, always remember to write the references and keep. I was lost for one subject as I did not do this - and found it near impossible to remember where I had got the material from !
5. Use the forum - for ALL the sessions : The forum is brilliant. This is the biggest regret I have of the program - that I could not get involved in the forum as I should have done. It is wonderfully enriching to read the posts and practical experiences of others : and it truly supplements for face to face discussions in a traditional class. If you really get involved in the forums you will realize that you actually have a lot more depth on the subject, and that you actually get a lot more than a standard lecture in a class room !
Need to run for a meeting - more tomorrow !
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Robert Kennedy College - Innovation : a fresh look
One of my colleagues, Fayaz, took on a 'walk' with Dr. Anil Gupta and nearly 50 others to walk to the remotest villages of India with the mission to find 'grass root level' innovations. Fayaz heads our publication division, and puts out a monthly magazine 'Perspectives'. The magazine is rather unique : in that every month we explore a different aspect of Management : with a view to look at fresh perspectives. Soon after returning, Fayaz did a issue on Innovation which you might find interesting.
If you want to subscribe to the Perspectives (it is free) write to Fayaz on fayaz@highfiveconsultancy.com
The magazine is a PDF - but it is also on a blog - which you can visit for the articles on innovation
http://www.high5perspectives.wordpress.com/2012/01/
If you want to subscribe to the Perspectives (it is free) write to Fayaz on fayaz@highfiveconsultancy.com
The magazine is a PDF - but it is also on a blog - which you can visit for the articles on innovation
http://www.high5perspectives.wordpress.com/2012/01/
Robert Kennedy College - Innovation ?
One of the first modules I undertook was Leading Innovation and Change : which introduced me to Innovation. Being a consultant and a trainer, innovation and change are topics I had a HUGE interest in and it was truly wonderful to be able to explore the academic content on the topic of innovation. I have always been an avid reader, and I managed to collect some wonderful articles and videos around the subject which came in really useful for my work as a trainer.
Here are a few links that may help you (may not be for the assignments specifically - but for a wider appreciation of the topics):
Here are a few links that may help you (may not be for the assignments specifically - but for a wider appreciation of the topics):
Charles Arthur - the Guardian Technology Blog
Dr. Edward De Bono - Serious Creativity, The Journal for Quality and Participation; Sep 1995; 18, 5; ABI/INFORM Global
Edward B. Dean - ‘Creativity and Innovation from the Perspective of Competitive Advantage’
Infed - ‘Peter Senge and the learning organization’
Kyung Hee Kim - ‘Can We Trust Creativity Tests?’
A Review of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) pages 3-14
Creativity Research Journal, Volume 18, Issue 1, 2006
Rune Todnem - ‘Organizational change management, a critical review’
Published in Routledge's Journal of Change Management
Stephen R. Grossman
from Innovative Leader Volume 8, Number 12, December 1999
‘Does Logic Stifle Creativity?’
Anil Gupta: ‘India's hidden hotbeds of invention’ on TED
Harvard Business School video - Innovation at Procter & Gamble - an interview with A G Lafley
Sir. Ken Robinson - ‘Schools kill creativity’ on TED
Steve Johnson - ‘Where good ideas come from’ on TED
Robert Kennedy College - One or two ?
One of the critical questions I had to answer for myself was whether I wanted to take one topic at a time or whether I wanted to brave two subjects at once. Being rather confident by nature I thought I will take up two - and should I fail, resort to do one each !
Looking back, I regret this decision. The lectures and the forums were so lively and absorbing, but I could not really do justice to any subject because of this. I completely mis judged the time commitments required, and paid dearly for my arrogance. No, I did not fail (I don't know the second set - but the first set I did manage to get through) - but what I regret is not being able to truly immerse in the subject and the content.
Each of the topics are discussed in depth, and the reading of other material is what truly adds colour to the subject. The forums are superb - but one has to immerse and engage - and be willing to commit the time and the focus required to make the most of the subjects.
My recommendation to any student who is not looking to simply pass is to take one subject at a time, and make the commitment to have atleast 15 hours or so a week as a minimum to seriously commit to the subject. Work is a common problem for all of us : and work really got heavy during my second semester, and I rarely had the time to give enough to my studies. Had I taken one subject per semester I would have been much richer in content !
Looking back, I regret this decision. The lectures and the forums were so lively and absorbing, but I could not really do justice to any subject because of this. I completely mis judged the time commitments required, and paid dearly for my arrogance. No, I did not fail (I don't know the second set - but the first set I did manage to get through) - but what I regret is not being able to truly immerse in the subject and the content.
Each of the topics are discussed in depth, and the reading of other material is what truly adds colour to the subject. The forums are superb - but one has to immerse and engage - and be willing to commit the time and the focus required to make the most of the subjects.
My recommendation to any student who is not looking to simply pass is to take one subject at a time, and make the commitment to have atleast 15 hours or so a week as a minimum to seriously commit to the subject. Work is a common problem for all of us : and work really got heavy during my second semester, and I rarely had the time to give enough to my studies. Had I taken one subject per semester I would have been much richer in content !
Robert Kennedy College - First Impressions
My first introduction to RKC was not a positive one. Having paid up in April I found out to my dismay that I had to wait till June to commence the program - and that all I could do was the orientation. Being extremely gung-ho about all of it - and rearing to go this was a let down - and I must admit I was forlorn and annoyed ! However, the age old saying that 'everything happens for the better' proved to be correct once again, and this initial three month period proved to be an excellent opportunity for me to meander through the self learning platform and orient myself for the work ahead without the pressure of deadlines and assignments.
It was a difficult adjustment. Working on line was not my cup of tea. I was a 'books' person - and loved to sit on my ancient chair (passed down the family for three generations) and read - not be at the computer 'flicking' through an imaginary book ! The more I worked on the PC the more I began to be frustrated : and internet speeds did not help either. Our internet service providers suck here in Sri Lanka - and without proper bandwidths the whole thing became monstrously difficult to navigate and maneuver.
The only thing that made it 'tolerable' was the immense support I got from Mitra and all the others whom I would have been a bother to. The team at RKC were extremely customer centric, and patient. They probably had my 'type' before : and I must admit I hated being such a pain - but I honestly had no other options either.
Slowly but surely, I started to get the hang of things, and I must admit, it started growing on me : and by the time the lectures hit - I was ready...
It was a difficult adjustment. Working on line was not my cup of tea. I was a 'books' person - and loved to sit on my ancient chair (passed down the family for three generations) and read - not be at the computer 'flicking' through an imaginary book ! The more I worked on the PC the more I began to be frustrated : and internet speeds did not help either. Our internet service providers suck here in Sri Lanka - and without proper bandwidths the whole thing became monstrously difficult to navigate and maneuver.
The only thing that made it 'tolerable' was the immense support I got from Mitra and all the others whom I would have been a bother to. The team at RKC were extremely customer centric, and patient. They probably had my 'type' before : and I must admit I hated being such a pain - but I honestly had no other options either.
Slowly but surely, I started to get the hang of things, and I must admit, it started growing on me : and by the time the lectures hit - I was ready...
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Robert Kennedy College - sanity suicide !
After 15 years of waiting - why do it now ? Now that's a good question. The answer was on that day : that fateful day sanity was suicidal, and insanity took over... This is the story :
My mom and I have always had a very confrontational relationship. Don't get me wrong - I love her to bits - and I am certainly the center of her universe (being the only kid helps !!!) - but she and I completely differ in our view points on most things. Being passionate creatures - we both have a no holds barred go at each other... As you would guess, she being so much older does not help - and her uncanny ability to know what I will say makes her a deadly opponent !
April is New Year for us in Sri Lanka. Whilst having a small get together in the family, the topic of 'loose ends' came up - and my mom got on my case again - ranting over the fact that my Masters was one of my biggest 'lose ends.' Having being ever so mildly high - and pouring myself another Bacardi and Coke, I mused that I was ready to any Masters - if only I was rich enough ! My mother retorted 'you know you have the money - that is such as lame excuse' - for which I quipped 'Oh Ma - I am poorer than you think. My entire life savings is being saved up for Shaakya's dowry (dowry is quite common in Sri Lanka - though neither I nor any in the family ever subscribe to it) ! My mother took the bait (or so I thought) and boy did she give me an earful. I simply laughed - and my dad gave me this knowing look to say 'that's enough now' - and after a few more rounds of witty repartee and me getting a little too intoxicated for coherent rebuttals, my mother withdrew - but I knew the battle was far from over !
The next day, around mid day, my mom came home - with approximately US$ 5000 in hand. I did not make the connection. She saw my puzzled look. 'You said you can do it - now do it - and since you don't have the money, I thought I will give it to you !' I was flabbergasted.
'You are scared aren't you ?' mom teased - in front of my 9 year old daughter - who was eavesdropping with eager glee (why ? I will tell you later) - and that was it - the tipping point. Ego bruised, and pride on the line - I took the dare - and registered - handing her money back to her...
That's how I ended up doing the course - that moment's lapse of sanity - which for once paid rich dividends !
My mom and I have always had a very confrontational relationship. Don't get me wrong - I love her to bits - and I am certainly the center of her universe (being the only kid helps !!!) - but she and I completely differ in our view points on most things. Being passionate creatures - we both have a no holds barred go at each other... As you would guess, she being so much older does not help - and her uncanny ability to know what I will say makes her a deadly opponent !
April is New Year for us in Sri Lanka. Whilst having a small get together in the family, the topic of 'loose ends' came up - and my mom got on my case again - ranting over the fact that my Masters was one of my biggest 'lose ends.' Having being ever so mildly high - and pouring myself another Bacardi and Coke, I mused that I was ready to any Masters - if only I was rich enough ! My mother retorted 'you know you have the money - that is such as lame excuse' - for which I quipped 'Oh Ma - I am poorer than you think. My entire life savings is being saved up for Shaakya's dowry (dowry is quite common in Sri Lanka - though neither I nor any in the family ever subscribe to it) ! My mother took the bait (or so I thought) and boy did she give me an earful. I simply laughed - and my dad gave me this knowing look to say 'that's enough now' - and after a few more rounds of witty repartee and me getting a little too intoxicated for coherent rebuttals, my mother withdrew - but I knew the battle was far from over !
The next day, around mid day, my mom came home - with approximately US$ 5000 in hand. I did not make the connection. She saw my puzzled look. 'You said you can do it - now do it - and since you don't have the money, I thought I will give it to you !' I was flabbergasted.
'You are scared aren't you ?' mom teased - in front of my 9 year old daughter - who was eavesdropping with eager glee (why ? I will tell you later) - and that was it - the tipping point. Ego bruised, and pride on the line - I took the dare - and registered - handing her money back to her...
That's how I ended up doing the course - that moment's lapse of sanity - which for once paid rich dividends !
Robert Kennedy College - the 15 year itch
15 years I waited - nay, procrastinated. A demanding job, wife, kids, more work, a fledgling business of my own : they all became convenient excuses : very convincing when I tell myself 'I have no time for this !' So, for 15 years after completing my bachelors I waited. But... the itch would not go away. I hungered and pined to get back to my studies : and complete my Masters at long last. But how ? I could not find a program that allowed me the flexibility to study - but also work at the same time. Sri Lanka does not really have any 'self study' programs just yet - and searching for something on line - I came across RKC - so, here I was...
What gave me the final push ? Well, that's another post !
Thought I will share a small poem I did as an introduction for the Culture and Innovation class...
Vidusha Nathavitharana is my name
Please note I am a Sir, and not a Dame
Fifteen long years it took - which is a shame
For me to do my studies again, hence here I am writing this poem lame !
Married with two kids, a daughter and a son
I canoe, hike and camp to have fun
As an HR consultant my own little firm I run
Log on to our blog ( www.http://high5consultancy.blogspot.com ) to check out what we've done
Trepidation is what I feel
But from excitement I reel
One layer at a time, this course I plan to peel
A ton of time I know I will have to steel
The first subjects were really tough
I guess this will be the same, hopefully, not as rough
Still very sore, and formal learning does not come easy
About all those citations and bibliographies I still feel queazy
So, here I am - a warm hi to all of you
Lively banter and healthy debate I hope will hold true
Whatever mark I get, I have learnt a thing or two
Which I am honestly glad about, 'cause it helps me in what I do
Greetings and salutations - let's start our journey now
See you all in the forum, for now, I take a bow !
What gave me the final push ? Well, that's another post !
Thought I will share a small poem I did as an introduction for the Culture and Innovation class...
Vidusha Nathavitharana is my name
Please note I am a Sir, and not a Dame
Fifteen long years it took - which is a shame
For me to do my studies again, hence here I am writing this poem lame !
Married with two kids, a daughter and a son
I canoe, hike and camp to have fun
As an HR consultant my own little firm I run
Log on to our blog ( www.http://high5consultancy.blogspot.com ) to check out what we've done
Trepidation is what I feel
But from excitement I reel
One layer at a time, this course I plan to peel
A ton of time I know I will have to steel
The first subjects were really tough
I guess this will be the same, hopefully, not as rough
Still very sore, and formal learning does not come easy
About all those citations and bibliographies I still feel queazy
So, here I am - a warm hi to all of you
Lively banter and healthy debate I hope will hold true
Whatever mark I get, I have learnt a thing or two
Which I am honestly glad about, 'cause it helps me in what I do
Greetings and salutations - let's start our journey now
See you all in the forum, for now, I take a bow !
Sunday, May 6, 2012
A little something about me...
Hi everyone ! I thought it best to start this blog with a little something about me...
My name is Vidusha Nathavitharana - from the resplendent isle of Sri Lanka (Ceylon for those who are older than I - the name we were given during 200+ years of British rule : the Romans called us Taprobane and the ancient Phoenicians, Indian and Chinese traders, Thambapanni).
I am a father of two - a daughter of 9, Shaakya, and a son of two, Jaith. My wife, my kids and I live in Nugegoda, about 20km from the capital, Colombo. My home town is a quaint little town called Deraniyagala - approximately 60 Km from Colombo, and the place I feel most at home.
I completed my secondary education at S. Thomas's College Mount Lavinia, a missionary school modeled after Eton (http://www.stcmount.sch.lk) and did my ALs in the Arts stream, reading English, Political Science, Economics and Greek and Roman Civilizations. I did my bachelors in England at the University of Linoln in Hull, and completed my Chartered Institute of Marketing also during the same time.
I worked for an American company called Sara Lee Courtaulds for seven years, heading the HR function in Sri Lanka for Courtaulds Clothing, and at 28, decided to venture out on my own, and started High5 - a boutique HR Consultancy and Soft Skills Training Company.
I love to read, write poetry and to travel. I enjoy and revel in the outdoors, and canoe and raft often. I also take hikes. I love dogs - and have two cockers and a highland terrier back in Deraniyagala (we hate to bring them to Colombo as they all love the great outdoors, and have a blast running around the five acre property which has a lovely little brook that flows in three sides !) My wife is arguably the best when it comes to batter fried prawns - and as you can imagine, my near obesity is down to her over indulging me in all things fatty ! Her cheesecakes are divine too - so, I have no hope of ever having that elusive six pack back !
My name is Vidusha Nathavitharana - from the resplendent isle of Sri Lanka (Ceylon for those who are older than I - the name we were given during 200+ years of British rule : the Romans called us Taprobane and the ancient Phoenicians, Indian and Chinese traders, Thambapanni).
I am a father of two - a daughter of 9, Shaakya, and a son of two, Jaith. My wife, my kids and I live in Nugegoda, about 20km from the capital, Colombo. My home town is a quaint little town called Deraniyagala - approximately 60 Km from Colombo, and the place I feel most at home.
I completed my secondary education at S. Thomas's College Mount Lavinia, a missionary school modeled after Eton (http://www.stcmount.sch.lk) and did my ALs in the Arts stream, reading English, Political Science, Economics and Greek and Roman Civilizations. I did my bachelors in England at the University of Linoln in Hull, and completed my Chartered Institute of Marketing also during the same time.
I worked for an American company called Sara Lee Courtaulds for seven years, heading the HR function in Sri Lanka for Courtaulds Clothing, and at 28, decided to venture out on my own, and started High5 - a boutique HR Consultancy and Soft Skills Training Company.
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