INFOSYS CONNECT: Connecting with Excellence

Ever since I rejoined Infosys in 2015, I have been privileged to attend the annual sales conference. The last in person Connect was conducted at Orlando in 2019. The pandemic like with many other bits, disrupted this event of ours too; forcing us to look at virtual meets. This year we gathered again at the famous Disney town of Orlando for the event. The energy and anticipation was palpable. As I fly back to Bangalore, I cannot stop reflecting back on the learnings from the event. I am listing the top 5 things that the event stood out for. So here you go:

1. Nothing succeeds like SUCCESS: Infosys has been the fastest growing amongst its peer set and that meant that the 1400 odd people that gathered came with a belief that we are the best. There was this incredible energy and momentum; combined with a sense of humility. We were looking to celebrate but also challenge ourselves on how do we keep the trend up and push harder. There was hunger on display and a sense of curiosity like no other
2. Vision and Purpose truly inspire: Salil joined us in 2018 and he articulated this simple yet powerful strategy around Digital Transformation being our core focus. The Digital Pillars were crisply put through the Digital Pentagon. The messaging has been crisp, consistent and super clear. This year what stood out for me is just how Salil and all other leaders were so much in sync on this vision and sense of purpose. The message around Domination, Key Focus areas; were repeated consistently across multiple sessions and the message was loud and clear, WE ARE HERE TO HELP OUR CLIENTS NAVIGATE THEIR NEXT.
3. Hard Work, Dedication, Conviction and Commitment are paramount: In what was the most inspiring moment, Michael Phelps came as the guest speaker. When you have one of the (if NOT THE) greatest athletes of all time, it is difficult to not get inspired and awed. Phelps shared some very simple yet inspiring messages. The highlight clearly was “Its what you do in the dark, that puts you in the light”. I am sharing a few learnings from the session that stood out:

Importance of practice: Phelps practiced for 6 years non stop (7 days a week and 365 days a year). He spoke about how this gave him an advantage on his nearest competitors, who practiced 6 days a week allowing him 70+ days advantage in the year. He explains how the true test of character is not how you push yourself everyday to practice; but push yourself on those days when the body does not feel like practicing.

The power of conviction: Phelps with his mental health issues etc may not have had it easy. However he has the conviction that if he works harder than others, there could be NO ONE who could beat him

Knowing the competition: Phelps made a statement on how he knew his competitors better than what they knew about themselves. We all endeavor to know our competitors but the effort to them better than they knowing themselves, Simply wow!

1. The power of resilience and a Growth Mindset: If Phelps was great, the learnings were further enhanced when Monika Seles and Andy Roddick came as guest speakers. In spite of what Seles went through after the infamous stabbing incident, she chose to not ponder on “What could have been” but instead on what she achieved. It was so easy for her to get carried away, cry foul and lament all her life about what she missed out on. But she is grateful for what life has given and therein lied such an incredible learning on resilience and Growth Mindset
2. The power of In Person interaction and Having FUN: Yes, the pandemic has changed the world forever and hybrid is the new normal. However, the event showed us the importance of in person interaction. We did not speak ONLY business; but the connect, the sharing of our personal stories, the hugs, the smiles made it all worth it. I come back flying away from my colleagues but growing closer than ever before!

As I conclude the post, I will end by saying that I am recharged, reinvigorated, refreshed and I cannot wait to unleash everything that I learnt. Thanks Infosys and thanks to each one of my colleagues to make this all so worth it!