My "Shadow The CEO" Experience: Growth and Insights

A normal day in office started for me.

As usual I came to office at 10 O'clock and started my regular work which generally starts with lighting the lamp and offering prayers to the god.

After some time, Rakshita Jain came to me and said that Amar, today, I am going to teach you the setup of OBS Studio. We both went to the recording room to perform this activity. We have a big screen of 86 inches, camera and microphone setup.

First Rakshita downloaded the OBS studio software on my laptop. After installing it, she explained to me how to record the video using the app. She also explained how to record the voice using the microphone by configuring it with OBS.

Joy of Learning something new!

After knowing all this, there was a different level of happiness in my heart. I got so excited that I recorded my first video as well in front of our big TV using the configured setup. I watched the recorded video again and again and this gave me further inspiration to record couple of more. There was a sense of joy, learning and achievement after doing this activity on my own.

The way Rakshita helped me understand the usage of OBS was very simple, nice and easy. Thank you, Rakshita for helping me understand this new area of learning as by doing this, I felt motivated to extend my learnings further on this tool so that I can start contributing towards the upcoming recording activities that will happen in Sarvārth .

[Note – I am encouraged to use conversational AI and search on the internet. Because of this I worked on knowing a little more about each topic came my way in office. Hence, I am sharing that awareness in the blog as well. It came out after additional research later.]

What is OBS Studio?

OBS (Open Broadcasting Software) is a free and open-source software for video recording and live streaming. It is widely used:

·?????? YouTubers and dual streamers for live streaming and recording gameplay, tutorials and vlogs

·?????? Content creators for recording podcasts, webinars and online courses

·?????? Used to create and market promotional videos, product demos and live event

While the OBS activity was going on, Vaibhav Patil came to the office and checked with Rakshita that who is the candidate for “Shadow The CEO” activity this week.

Change in my normal work schedule!

Rakshita told Vaibhav that this week it will be Amar and to be honest, that is when I realized that I am the lucky one today. The feeling in my heart was both of joy and pain as it was something I wanted but could not happen in my childhood.

When I was studying in school, I remember even our Guruji could not spend a complete day with us sitting in a corner and discussing on topics for a long time. This time, I was getting the opportunity to spend a complete day with the Guruji of my lifetime, Vaibhav.

I have learnt a lot of things from Vaibhav and would love to learn more each day by day.

Official Start of Activity

We have a tradition of taking pictures in Sarvárth. These pictures help us in future to share something with wider audience (like in this blog). During our OBS setup work Vaibhav continued the tradition by taking a picture of me and Rakshita.

Later Rakshita helped us by taking a photograph of me and Vaibhav for “Shadow The CEO” post on LinkedIn.

The criterion for the photograph is that we must stand in the same position as the CEO. After taking the photograph, we came to the room where he usually works (his place generally not fixed – we even have setup a official program where everyone needs to change their seats).

Importance of a quick connection

Before we started the actual “Shadow The CEO” activity, Vaibhav went to the reception area to do phone calls with couple of people. Post the call, he mentioned that it was very important for him to do those 2 calls. Even though the overall call duration was only of 5 - 7 minutes, but sometimes these important calls help us to initiate good progress around the topics that might be blocked from a long time.

In the same way, if we give proper time to the people around us, our association and cooperation with them progress in life and helps us to do lot of collaborative work in future.

The time duration does not matter, it sometimes can be only couple of minutes, and this is what I understood from Vaibhav when he attended these 2 calls.

Can Shadow ask questions too?

Before starting shadow, the CEO I had a query do I only observe, or can I ask questions (I mean interrupt too). But then I understood, yes, we can, and it is recommended to do so.

Dheeraj Janrao , Anshul Shukla and Rajanigandha Mane were sitting next to Vaibhav and were talking about THE BAAP COMPANY . I couldn't understand anything. Then I looked at Vaibhav's laptop and asked Vaibhav, are you working on this for a video to upload on YouTube channel? Then he explained in simple and easy way.

We are creating a document for The BAAP Company i.e. making a profile and that's what they were discussing. I understood and started searching more about The BAAP Company. Knowing one term and searching it on my mobile internet is a good new habit I am adopting.

The Baap Company Introduction

Raosaheb G. is the founder of the Baap company before this he was working abroad. While lockdown in 2020 he returned to India & decided to start the first IT company in his village Paregaon.

Despite having his job abroad, Raosaheb has decided to do something for his village and locality. Through this IT company-farmers' children are getting an opportunity to work at the global level by staying in the village itself. Therefore, the message of Mahatma Gandhi 'go to village' is brought into reality.

Knowing about Shridhar Vembu!

Rajani (who was 1st Shadow of the CEO) was working on one slide for the document they all were working. It had mention of Sridhar Vembu.

?I could observe the slow progress of the document being prepared. And I felt that the design work is to make the pots like a potter, for that the first step is to collect the clay. Its clay has to be prepared and shaped then it has to be fired in a kiln and then the pots are made then it has to be colored. ?I noticed that the design was ready in the same way thanks Rajni and our senior designer ?? Vinay Thoké They all make it easier to understand for everyone.

So, let's know who is Sridhar Vembu?

Sridhar Vembu is an Indian billionaire, industrialist and founder of Zoho Corporation. According to Forbes, he is the 55th richest person in India with a net worth of $3.75 billion as of 2021. In 2021, he was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.

Vembu was born in 1968 in a middle-class Tamil Brahmin family in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. He graduated in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in 1989 and received his MS and PhD degrees from Princeton University in New Jersey.

Sridhar's journey from humble beginning in a middle-class Tamil Brahmin family to graduation from IIT Madras and Princeton University is a testament to hard work and innovation.

Framework of Future of Team

Vaibhav explained to Anshul, Dheeraj & me about the framework of future of team. He is writing a book along with Kapil Sharma and Rakshita. Let's know what is the framework and how does the framework work? Vaibhav shared 3 aspects which are as follows.

1) Autonomy 2) Empathy 3) Creativity

I did my own research on all 3.

1) What is Autonomy?

Autonomy is the ability to make one's own decisions about what to do rather than being influenced or told what to do by someone else. Each area manager has considerable autonomy in the administration of his own area.

Imagine we are playing with toys and must choose which game to play and how to play it. We don't have to ask anyone else; you just decide!

Or, like if we are eating a sandwich and can choose whether want peanut butter or jam. We are the boss of our own sandwich!

2) What is Empathy?

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings and perspectives of another person. Some examples of empathy include.

Mirroring Emotion If a friend is feeling happy, we are probably smiling. If a friend is feeling stressed, we can mirror those feelings.

Understanding another's point of view. During an argument, we can try to understand the other person's point of view.

A sense of guilt: We may feel guilty if we think we misunderstood someone or said something wrong.

Empathy in the workplace - We can show empathy to co-workers by supporting them, celebrating achievements, sharing resources, or checking on their well-being.

3) What is Creativity?

Creativity is the ability to use imagination, to create valuable ideas or tasks. The products of creativity can be intangible (e.g. an idea, scientific theory, literary work, musical composition, or joke) or physical objects (e.g. an invention, a dish or meal, an object of jewelry, clothing, or a painting). Creativity can also describe the ability to find new solutions to problems or new ways of doing things or reaching goals. Creativity therefore enables people to solve problems in new or innovative ways.

Creativity means using your imagination to come up with new and fun ideas. When we think of different ways of doing things, like drawing in a way no one else has or creating a cool game to play. It's about trying something new and exciting that we haven't seen before.

Another word Vaibhav mentioned during that time was Context Switching. And here is my research on the same.

What is Context Switching?

Imagine we are playing with our toys and suddenly we stop playing with car and pick up a doll to play with. Then, we put the doll down and start drawing. Every time we stop something and start something new, our brain has to "switch" from one activity to another.

It's like "context switching" - when you change what you're focusing on! Just as we need a moment to remember what we are doing when you pick up a new toy, our brain needs time to adjust.

Vaibhav’s T-Shirt

Vaibhav came wearing SLK T-shirt to office. There is a story behind it.

In Oct 2023, Vaibhav called to meet me. I remember that day was the last day of Navratri.

When we met, he said that Chairman of SLK Group, Parth's son Vidur Amin owns a Software Testing company called Avo Automation. When Vaibhav told the story of SLK then I quickly realized that I worked in Kirloskar Brothers Limited from 2009 to 2014. He was so happy to hear that I also worked in Kirloskar, it must be a coincidence and there was a kind of glow on his face.

Many thanks to Vaibhav for wearing SLK t-shirt today during my Shadow the CEO today.

The T-Shirt it related to an activity called SLK DNA Chronicles in Bengaluru in the month of August with SLK Family. SLK DNA Chronicles was a program that helped them to read, analyze and discuss books 'Cactus and Roses'. It is an autobiography of Shri S L Kirloskar (also known as Sri SLK).

Who is Sri SLK?

Shantanu L. Kirloskar is a prominent Indian industrialist and businessman. He is a member of the Kirloskar family, known for its significant contribution to Indian industry through the Kirloskar Group. The Kirloskar Group is engaged in various sectors including engineering, manufacturing and industrial products.

Shantanu L. Kirloskar has been involved in various leadership roles in the Kirloskar Group and has contributed to the growth and development of the group. His work often focuses on expanding the group's global presence and enhancing its technological capabilities.

Musical Notes!

Vaibhav had brought some printed copies of the song Aarambh Hai Prachand (it’s a Hindi song). He asked me to keep a copy on everyone's desk, because we have been practicing this song for the past two weeks.

CEO to CEO conversation

I was sitting next to him, and Vaibhav got a call from Vidur. We could listen what Vaibhav was saying. I observed how a CEO was talking to the other CEO. Vaibhav nicely shared with Vidur that Wolfgang will visit India in the month of October 2024 and our plan is to setup The Founder Circle program. It was great to hear these two talk.

The Baap Company Visit of Himanshi

On the same day when I was shadowing, Himanshi visited The Bap Company.

The BAAP company is in open space surrounded by green fields and forests and seeing the natural environment and the open air there, a girl who grew up in the cities was so happy when she went to that company. I felt that she was happy like a bird came out from a cage. When we leave them freely in the sky, the bird takes flight without looking back.

Similarly, in my opinion, Himanshi also took flight in the open environment.

Unhappy side of Vaibhav

It was time for lunch - Vaibhav had an important call with external person. I wasn't invited to be in it. After that call, Vaibhav said a very nice sentence about people who are on online calls.

People join the call, but they don't keep the camera open, so what does that mean, how much serious they are? Because of these online calls, the connect between you and another person is decreasing. We don't know when they come in the screen.

What I could feel is that he is expecting when people are on the online call, are they focused enough or not?

Importance of Comments - LinkedIn

During the day he kept checking the LinkedIn post he shared in the morning. Among the comments that came in for him, the first comment was from Atanu Roy . The comment described me very well, Thank you very much Atanu.

We must reply to comment on the post, we should reply to them soon. All the comments and likes on LinkedIn post-Everyone gave me a lot of affection. I feel so good when I read their comments and reply to them. It's a kind of happiness in my heart that I'm still connected with these people.

How I comment on LinkedIn without knowing English?

I have a little difficulty - Commenting immediately on post is not possible for me since I do not know English that well. Since I studied in Marathi medium, lot of mistake happens in English.

When the sugarcane is first put into the machine to filter the sugarcane juice and then put back into the machine, the procedure is kept on repeating. In the same way I also must go through the procedure of many words while writing a comment, then the comment is prepared.

I use online tools and AI for formatting and spell checks. Also, I use English – Marathi translation and then use it again. This blog in-fact is written in Marathi originally and later translated into English.

And its time for the last click of the day.

This was I spent the whole day with Vaibhav, finally it was evening and was time to end the day to say goodbye to each other. I felt, Shadow of the CEO is a movie and keep running whole day & should never end.

And in the movie that I am watching, the main hero is playing the role of Vaibhav, and I am watching on the screen. We are watching the movie from the beginning to the end. And this one-day movie has given me a lot of learning in my life, how to talk to seniors, how to complete work on time, how to leave personal responsibilities and do your work properly. Bringing a ray of hope Shadow of the CEO should keep flowing but finally I realized that time is limited, and Vaibhav called all the team and Vinay took a selfie for all of us. Thanks, Vinay, for that photo.

A long process Started (to write blog).

It is my first time to write a blog. While writing a blog I was very worried how to write so for two or three days were just gone in thinking. Then I went to Vaibhav and asked him please tell me how to write?

He told me in a very nice way in a calm atmosphere you remember the activity done with me. ?And write down the meaning of each word. When we listen to our inner heart, we start writing automatically. When I was asked to do Shadow of the CEO activity it was a surprise for me, and I took full advantage of it. It took a lot of time and efforts to write this one. But what I now know, how much worth of an effort a real blog need?

Thanks for your time to read this blog. Please share your feedback with comments.