The Job

Since returning I’ve been in a funk.  It has been tough readjusting to the rhythym of things in Bombay.  A bright spot has been my job 

Team Week

For 5 Days in mid-September all 80 staff came to a place in the middle of nowhere in order to:

•  Think about things we don’t think about (or shouldn’t think about) when we are working
• Do things we don’t do during the module
• Plan for the coming module
• Focus on 1 specific areas to get better at.  This time it was how to analyze and use data to make our work better.

Here are some pics and videos from the week

Three people with whom I have spent hours debating, reflecting, planning, and laughing.    They never cease to ask WHY.  A brilliant and dedicated trio who always push and challenge to make the work better.  The first three months I wasn’t my full self.  As I’ve gotten  gotten more comfortable I have started to let 70% of my sense of humor come out.  They are finally starting to understand.

Board Games

The most popular game of the week was…Secret Hitler.   It’s a political science board game where people are either “liberals” or “fascists.”  Based on someone’s actions in the game you have to keep guessing.  By the end you find out who is the “Hitler.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Animated group during board game screaming “Fascist” and “Liberal” at each other.

A silly game called “Bajao” (to beat or smack) where people run around throwing balls at each other.

The men of the school team!  Like most places in the social development sector, men are the minority.   What does that say about men?  My team, which works directly with teachers and students, only 6 out of 40 are men.  We pulled them out specifically to do some role plays on how to improve coaching when you are a different gender.  In certain schools & communities this is an issue we have to address with high levels of sensitivity in order to build trust and rapport.

In the middle of the week our team spent the whole day together.  First time since coming to India, where I felt true success in designing and executing a day long workshop. Our team are the ones who are on the ground leading workshops and coaching of teachers across 3 cities.  ACT = Analyst, Coaches, Trainers.

Part 1: Reflection on the past 3 months and data analysis.

Part 2: Learning from one another best practices to be a great facilitator.

Part 3: Creating our workplans for next 3 months

Part 4: Learning from one another best practices to be great coaches and celebration.

Was a high energy, fun and productive day.  One of those days where 9 hours flew by!  People saying nice things about each other at the end.  Fantastic culture of celebration at my workplace.

The South Indian Breakfast I had to eat every morning.  The donut looking stuff is medu vada.  The yellow rice things are poha.  You dip it in some coconut chutney and sambar.  Truth be told not a big fan.  North American breakfasts (USA, Mexico, Canada, etc) are still my favorite.

 

Posing!