From Silence to Surprises: Unlocking Unexpected Leadership and Teamwork at #YouthBoostHB

This Saturday, the #YouthBoostHB session unfolded in a way none of us could have anticipated. What started as a simple gathering evolved into a day full of learning, growth, and surprises that left everyone with new insights. Here’s a breakdown of the highlights from the session that kept us all on our toes—and left lasting impressions.

A Silent Start, A Loud Lesson ??

The session didn’t start the way we planned. Everyone voted on the timing, and we finally began around 12 PM. But the real start wasn’t when I joined—it was when I assigned a surprising leader to collect fines from latecomers. And here’s the twist: I picked someone quiet, introverted, and not usually expressive.

You can guess what happened next—nobody paid the fine. ?? Why? Because the person assigned to collect them was so soft-spoken that people couldn’t take it seriously.

When I rejoined, I asked the group, "What would you have done if you were in his place?" Everyone shared their strategies for collecting fines, from being more assertive to using humor or peer pressure.

Finally, I asked the leader himself, “What would you do differently next time?” His response showed clear reflection. He shared a few things he’d change, indicating he had learned from this leadership experiment. ?? It wasn’t about fines; it was about how we lead and adapt in situations where we're pushed beyond our comfort zones.

The Fine That Wasn’t: A Leadership Experiment ??

The beauty of this moment? It wasn’t about the fines; it was about leadership, confidence, and adapting in the moment—a theme that echoed throughout the day. We realized that communication is not just about speaking; it’s about ensuring the message is received and acted upon. This lesson stretched far beyond the task of collecting fines—it resonated in how we all could improve our leadership and communication skills.

Time Management Trick: Even Leaders Can Be a Distraction ?

Ironically, I had distracted two people myself just before noon, and they ended up entering the session late. This led to a valuable discussion on time management and how, no matter who or what distracts you, the focus must remain on the purpose.

Lesson learned: Leadership, while powerful, can sometimes unintentionally sway others. Stay focused on the goal, not the noise around you. ??

The Quiz That Took Us Back to College (But with a Twist) ??

Then came the quiz—25 practical questions based on last week’s session. But this wasn’t your typical quiz. The environment was more like a fun college exam, where everyone’s competitive spirit came alive. It brought us back to our student days, yet this time, the focus was on real-world application, not just theory.

The quiz held a few surprises, but I’ll get to that later. For now, let’s just say it wasn’t the people we expected who rose to the top. ??

Small Acts, Big Lessons: The Power of Awareness ??

Sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the biggest lessons. During the session, the pantry boy quietly placed water bottles for everyone. This sparked an unexpected conversation about the importance of being alert and how even small actions—when done with purpose—can make a big difference.

We observed that being aware of the needs around you and acting on them without being asked is a valuable quality, even in leadership. This moment underlined the significance of paying attention to details, no matter how small. ??

Even small actions, like the pantry boy bringing water bottles, showed how essential it is to be alert and plan well, reinforcing lessons we learned during the Mount Abu trip. You can read more about those learnings from the mountains here.

“Less Is More”: A Battle of Perspectives ??

I then wrote “Less is More” on the whiteboard, and it kicked off a lively discussion. Everyone had their own perspective, sharing personal experiences and examples. It was fascinating to see how this simple phrase resonated so differently with each person.

One of the most important takeaways here was the lesson about communication. We talked about how giving less but relevant information is crucial. When too much irrelevant information is shared, people tend to ignore the source entirely, which diminishes its credibility. I emphasized that while this is a learning for everyone, one person in particular needed to understand this lesson. Thankfully, they acknowledged it and understood the message. ?? ?? For more insights on our approach to real-world communication and problem-solving, you can check out Real Communication, Real Problems, Real Solutions: Highlights from #YouthBoostHB.

This idea of “Less is More” became the cornerstone of our communication strategy moving forward: Don’t just speak to fill the air, but speak with purpose and relevance.

Manali Ruchandani 's explanation stood out during this discussion. Her response was concise, to the point, and aligned with everything we had been learning about communication. Even when I challenged her, she stayed composed, clear, and impactful—showing that sometimes, saying less speaks volumes. ??

Round-Table Reflections: Brainstorming for Improvement ??

The team then gathered around a round table, where everyone shared their observations, applications, and learnings. The brainstorming session was focused on how we could apply these insights moving forward and improve upon them.

This was also a chance for the team to reflect on their growth, share their thoughts, and discuss how to make future sessions more effective. As a team, we realized the importance of defining roles clearly during group activities. The right person should be doing the right job, and even in the absence of a leader, the group should know how to proceed. ??

I shared my feedback, emphasizing the importance of opening up, role definition, and collaboration. The best thing? Many people were stepping out of their comfort zones and truly applying what they were learning. The fact that some people were surprising us by going beyond their usual character showed the power of attitude and growth. ??

Surprising Successes: A Quiz That Defied Expectations ??

Now, let’s talk about the quiz results. The biggest surprise? Siddhi Jadhav , who many—including herself—would have ranked in the lower-middle, scored the highest! ?? It was a revelation for her and the entire group.

Another surprise was Vaishnavi Chitara , a quiet participant who doesn’t often stand out. She landed in the top four, proving that there’s more to people than what meets the eye. Both received well-deserved recognition, and it showed us that hidden potential is always waiting to be discovered.

Fire and Peace: My Thought Process on Leadership ????

Here’s something I’ve been reflecting on deeply: You may feel happy when you come first, but the peace and inner satisfaction that comes when you help someone else come first—that’s even greater. Knowing that you are the reason behind someone else’s success is a kind of fulfillment that goes beyond personal achievements.

I also talked about how having “fire” in you is important. Fire can help a rocket soar into space, but if misused, it can also burn you and those around you. So, the key is not just to have the fire—but to use it wisely and direct it in a way that uplifts yourself and the people around you. ??

A Special Guest and a Moment of Recognition ??

To make the day even more memorable, we had a guest today, Sadhana Penta , who participated in the group activity as a silent observer. She shared her valuable insights and observations with the team, which were incredibly helpful and added new perspectives to the discussion.

And to top it off, I invited our founder, Ram Chhawchharia , to join us for the prize ceremony. Not only did he take time to motivate the group, but he also distributed the prizes to Manali, Siddhi, and Vaishnavi. His words ignited a fire in the group, and his one-on-one interactions with a few members left them with valuable insights. It was a moment of recognition and inspiration that energized everyone. ??

Closing Reflections: Unplanned but Unforgettable ?

As the session came to a close, each person shared their single biggest takeaway from the day. It was clear that this session, though unplanned, had delivered some of the most valuable lessons yet. From learning through unexpected leaders to gaining deeper insights into teamwork, everyone left with something new to apply in the weeks to come.

The good thing was that many people tried new things, observed, and even applied their learnings, some even going out of their comfort zones to do so. It was surprising and inspiring to hear how certain members were stepping up in ways we didn’t expect.

I couldn’t help but feel like a teacher grading quiz papers, especially after witnessing the surprises the day had in store. But what made this session truly special wasn’t the scores—it was the attitude, the learnings, and the growth everyone showed.

With such an enthusiastic group of people, and the surprises that keep coming, I can’t wait to see what the next #YouthBoostHB session brings. ??

This session was a powerful reminder that even the quietest voices can lead, surprises are always around the corner, and the biggest lessons come from the smallest moments.

#Leadership #Teamwork #Learning #YouthBoostHB #GrowthMindset #Surprises #HiddenBrains