Inspiring others

Generally we feels that others are not performing as we would have performed if placed in such a situation. This feeling may be partly due to one’s biased observation. But there may be some truth in the feeling.

I am very passionate about something as I conceived it want it to happen. One has to understand that others may not know the details and for them, it is another routine job.

The question here is can I inspire others to be as passionate as I am in a cause. There are few points one can contemplate in this situation.

1.      Does one care for others

2.      Does one encourage others do something rather than ordering them around?

3.      Does one passionate about the job oneself in order to inspire others?

4.      Is the need clearly communicated to others.

Most of the issues that one encounters in these questions or discussions pertains to relations rather than knowledge or skill. This is to be understood, before one tries to inspire others. I recently read a good example of this behavior, narrated by APJ Abdul Kalam. He was the team leader for Satellite launch vehicle project. When his first mission(launch satellite launch vehicle)  was a failure, his boss handled the press conference taking the blame. The next time when the launch was successful, his boss made Kalam go and chair the press conference.

Thus one can inspire peers, subordinates and children with one’s attitude.

Different way to coach

An often used format while coaching anyone, specially children, is to give the answer so that the child can get a quick gyan. Is this always appropriate?

When someone gets stuck with a problem and comes to a person for advise, generally the advise is dispensed generously, giving all possible solutions. The person who gets stuck chooses a solution and gets one’s task done.

For example, if my son comes to me for help to write a composition on say a cow, I can easily recite some 10 lines about a cow and he can write them down and the job is done.

Is there any issue with this method? When he has to write the next composition, he will come to me and I will have to help again, making him gradually dependent on me.

Is there a better way?

As a popular saying goes, donot tell when you can ask a question.

I can think with him to get some points for his composition, at the same time I can develop the thought process in him  by choosing appropriate questions. Thus, he will complete the composition but also learns the process by which one can complete the task at hand.

The above may be a very trivial example. But the process can be used in many situations. Thus one can inspire a peer, child or subordinate to think on his own for a solution.

This, I found was most effective with children and after sometime, the children will become really self directed in many routine tasks.

Another Cube puzzle.

There is another toy puzzle, which is similar to rubick’s cube. It is called Soma cube. It has 7 pieces from which on has to make a cube. You can see an animation of the same on you tub from following link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ngzN2RQEtM

Though it looks simple, it is not so easy. But children can find the solution with some effort. They will enjoy the challenge.

Many other arrangements can be made with these pieces as shown in the above video.

This is an inexpensive toy which can provide good time for a child.