Summary of Session 1 – Adarsh Venugopal
Distinguished Guests:
1. Rtn A Ramkumar
2. Rtn Dr. J Balavenkatasubramanian, Founder, As I Evolve
3. Rtn MD R S Maruti
4. Rtn Pradeep Yuvaraj
The inauguration began with Rtn Pradeep Yuvaraj, Founder and CEO of Team Prezantim, who warmed us up, introduced us to the honourable guests and the goals of As I Evolve, a 15-year long holistic programmes aimed at cultivating skills within bright young minds, so that they can lead, inspire and revolutionise what’s to come.
The first formal address was given by President Rtn A Ramkumar, who offered us insight on the magnitude of greatness achieved, and the professional relevance of each and every one of the guests present there.
Followed by Rtn Maruti, whose entire family is associated, and actively involved in ‘all-things Rotary’. He spoke highly about the motives of Rotary, the goals achieved. “Rotary opens opportunity” is a statement that is beyond true. He highlighted the strides achieved by Rotary in helping individuals afflicted directly or indirectly, by the onset of COVID-19. Contributing monetarily along with Rotary, but the most intuitive and effective measure, conceived by Dr. Balavenkat, was to provide oxygen concentrators, which saved countless lives at Government hospitals, and continues to do so.
He encouraged us to make the most out of this intensive year-long mentorship programme, to learn everything that there is to offer,
The address by Dr. Balavenkat, who is essentially a treasure trove of motivation, vision and thought, was phenomenal and mind-stirring. “Crusade against mediocrity”, “Small aim is a crime-Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam”, “If you decide to make your next minute better than the present or previous, you have won”, “Begin with an end in mind” are some of the wisest words, stemming from the depths of knowledge and experience.
Attributes of a leader:
Knowledge
Skill
Wisdom- To use the knowledge and skill
Attributes of a Professional:
Integrity
Humility
Communication
Inter-personal Skills
Optimism
The address concluded with an anecdote: – “Why do some people succeed and some don’t? The people who succeed have a stimulus. The gap between the stimulus and the response is that which determines the success.”
“Create things twice. Once in your mind, and then physically”
“Leadership starts within. First be your own leader. A leader is a one who isn’t reactive, but proactive. A leader is one who treads an untread pathway, rather than the routine one. A leader is one who does things for himself and not for his master, for a slave does things only in the presence of the master.”
By far the most instilling discourse that can be given to nurture young minds, an everlasting flame.
After this we had the star of the show, our chief storyteller Rtn Pradeep Yuvaraj, MD & CEO Prezantim. This was a magnanimous, awe-inspiring presentation that can drive each and every intended point into the thickest of skulls. The subject: – The Art of Storytelling, with primary focus on Leadership.
Talks, stories, jokes, banter, puzzles and what not. During the entire duration we were kept on our heels, all while learning what there is to learn about becoming a leader, a good leader.
Primary focus is on ATTITUDE. Everyone has skills, potential, knowledge. But it’s the attitude/ “ENNAM” that matters the most.
Solutions need not be complex. The simplest can be the best, and optimum.
Pradeep sir is an interesting person with one of the most tumultuous careers. From working in the biggest of companies, to having a sudden awakening and a desire for becoming an entrepreneur. A series of decisions that could’ve been better, but with the best of outcomes towards the end.
After having his first three business becoming straight failures, after losing unforgivable amounts of money and time, he still didn’t give up, kept persisting, upgrading and voila! The next three were blockbusters, selling them and now becoming a “surviving entrepreneur”, and a part of Prezantim, specialised in investment pitching, getting clients from all across the globe (quite literally, even from Antarctica).
Why the emphasis laid on something as small as a story?, people might ask. But the importance of stories, how they aid in conveying the most complex of contents is phenomenal. Simple yet strong is what a story is. It enables our mind to visualise and not forget. Easily absorbed and retained. Like a sweet medicine (unconventional, ikr). Stories are things that take something consistent, and bring in the unexpected, and that cements the point deep within the conscious. They have credibility, and convert knowledge into meaning.
MANTRA
S – Simple
U – Unexpected
C – Credible
C – Concrete
E – Emotion
Ss – Story
Recipe for Success, part 0 of 9, as part of As I Evolve 2024.