?????, ????, ????- 10: From Hubris to Humility, Spring semester 2024, & Happy Mother's Day!

The Perfect 10 Challenge -

My mother became a mother on 10th June. Her firstborn started tinkering with spare parts at a bicycle workshop at 10. 10 years later, her son's passion culminated in purpose while mentoring 10 young entrepreneurs, inspiring him to build 10 innovation labs in India. His journey continued at his motherland's apex Innovation office, where he grew this number to 10 thousand Tinkering Labs, which saw participation from 10 million students. Perfect 10s foster a sense of invincibility that overshadows modesty.

In 2022, I traveled 10 thousand kilometers to Harvard.?The ‘Big H’ inflated my massive bag of Hubris. This attitude was reflected in the way I approached classes. I couldn't seperate what's strength and what's Power. And I thought the leadership courses would teach me a framework to control, dictate, and tell people what to do. Instead, it gifted me the tools to facilitate, nurture, and lead.?

10 months at Harvard shed my cocoon of self-centeredness. I felt exposed, and the commencement left me confused, disoriented, and uncertain. When one is weak and exhausted, they go home. My story is no different.

I went back home. The myriad interplay of human emotions, prejudice, and societal norms was more jarring than ever before. My people had stories to share but were limited by their fear and ego, much like my former self when starting at Harvard. I ventured into helping them with what I learned. Countless failures later, I asked myself, what was going wrong? I yearned for the power which I once had. I asked again, wasn’t Harvard supposed to make me operate faster, not force me to think slowly? I was chasing a perfect 10 in whatever I do and wherever I go, never being kind to myself.

The past 10 months have been a graveyard of failures AND LEARNINGS. During one of my bus rides, I thought deeply about my life before Harvard and realized all the success I enjoyed was supposed to be shared; it belonged to everyone. I thought about an initiative I was a part of - Mentor India. The program identified the unwavering commitment to nation-building in an unorganized group of industry leaders and experts. 10,000 leaders organized 1 change in their local communities. Their stories nurtured relationships, creating structures from best practices. Their actions had strategic intent, and I contributed by weaving their wisdom into a handbook . “Oh! Success always belongs to 10s of people, not 1 person. I can now see!”

Acknowledging that it’s never too late transformed me. I understood that paths in life, much like on a bridge, can be traversed in either direction. It’s okay not to score a perfect 10. Being a better human being, growth mindset, and exercising kindness to yourself in this time and age are more important than ever. For better or for worse, nothing is permanent. I returned to the ‘Big H’ and continued my learning journey this spring semester.

However, this time, the Challenge was not from the outside but within.

The Choice of Returning for Spring Semester -

Keeping true to the theme of '10', I participated in 10 learning journeys under the mentorship of 10 amazing women, in no particular order!

During the Education Policy in Resource-Constrained Environment class, Gabriela Gambi shared, "Developmental programs are like nurturing a child, 4 years of implementation will have an impact after 12."

Rosi Greenberg 's leadership coaching taught us about our SAM - How can one make their inner critic their friend.

Hugh O'Doherty & Monica Giannone 's Intensive workshop - Crossroads taught us that, "It's all about listening. Use inquiry, then advocacy."

During our Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Collaborative workshop, Joan Moon shared - "The most strategic are the most prepared. The most prepared are the most strategic."

Candace Bertotti comic delivery during her study group sessions chuckles us and gives a powerful CPR (Content-Pattern-Relationship) toolkit.

During the Developing Executive Presence as a Social Innovator program organised by Social Innovation + Change Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School , Lily Lapenna MBE shared the importance of waiting, pausing, and engaging.

We revisited the Story of Self (SoS) framework of Prof. Marshall Ganz 's Public Narrative course with Lacey Connelly and Khadija Amer during our training.

My friend, Lynda Rodríguez teaches me the art of International Dining Etiquette and Protocol workshop at the Harvard Club of Boston .

Shirley Wong 's methods of compartmentalizing work and well-being with discipline enhance how I think of work as a part of my life.

And finally, Shriya Kumar ensuring that I don't give up my entrepreneurial journey!

The Outcome - Dropping the Zero and starting from One!

Today, the 'Big H' in my life represents my journey from Hubris to Humility, with a transformative touch of Harvard in between. This time, rather than hopping to my next perfect 10, I dropped the zero and started from the 1. One conversation, One book, one brisk walk, one habit, and maybe one Sunday of sharing a story. I am now collecting these ‘ones’ of my life, and maybe this is how I will measure my life.

In my series of posts on LinkedIn titled ?????, ????, ???? (Education, Skill, Heart) , I shared personal stories. The responses to these posts have facilitated meaningful dialogues, reinforced my understanding, and allowed me to engage and inspire a broad audience.

This piece wouldn't have been possible without the nudge and support of Kriti Chopra and Deepanjali Rao . And today, if you acknowledge that this piece is helping, please take another minute and leave us with your thoughts!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is a picture of my dearest, Prof. Emiliana Vegas . I don't know why she loves me, I am just grateful she does!

My mother, Priya Jogeshwar, is engrossed in learning the theory of Jobs to be Done facilitated by Prima Pupornchai at Harvard Business School.

The Next One(s)!

Another set of amazing 100 Days is coming to an end!

So, what's next? Where is the next Day One?

And, as always!

#MakersGonnaMake

#HappyTinkering