What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Mumbai Local train? Insane crowd, right? Those living in India’s financial capital and hub of Bollywood have experienced the push and shove in local trains at least once in their life. Reliable, economical and fast, Mumbai local is a lifeline for millions of people who come to this city with big dreams. A staunch Mumbaikar, I have a special bond with Mumbai local train. I have been commuting by local train for over two decades now, and I can assure you that it is a treasure of inspiring stories. Mumbai local has taught me many lessons of storytelling and communication and I resonate with several aspects of the train journey with my profession.
Here are my four major learnings from Mumbai local from the lenses of a Communicator.
Be Loud to grab Attention
When an overcrowded train runs at a speed of 60 km/hr to 80 km/hr, people hardly have the patience to pay attention to the pledge of fellow commuters hanging at the edge of the door. Still, some smart ones manage to get inside and make space for themselves. Do you wonder how? They know the trick to make others listen to them. They persuade, shout, and even engage in a verbal spat but achieve their target. In context with public relations, we communication professionals (comms pros) are required to adopt unconventional ways to grab the eyeballs. In a world where a shrinking attention span is a challenge, comms pros should be creative in telling impactful stories. Loud does not mean they have to be aggressive and bombard customers with brand messages. Comms Pros should ensure that their story reaches the last mile of customers and help the brand increase its visibility/business.
Collaboration is key to Success
Collaboration is the most critical aspect of a local train journey. No matter how much people fight for space, they help fellow commuters reach their desired destination. Have you seen people holding hands with those hanging on the door? This unspoken compassion in the Mumbai local train always fascinates me. Communication is all about collaboration and teamwork. Take an example of integrated marketing, where multiple departments like PR, Advertising, Marketing, and Finance come together to execute successful publicity campaigns. Communication is a vast function that requires expertise from different domains, and the ability to work with different sets of people can help comms pros excel in their careers.
The Superpower of Focus
Have you seen students completing their projects or people reading books in packed trains? I am often surprised to see their ability to detach from the hubbub and focus on their work. Comms pros should have this superpower to shine in today’s hustle-bustle work culture. Once they are able to disassociate from the surrounding noises and focus on their tasks, they become unstoppable. Adaptability is the key, and comms pros should build resilience to adjust to any work conditions. The ability to focus also helps in prioritising tasks and ensuring quality checks.
Humility is Non-negotiable
Humility is the biggest lesson I learned in Mumbai local. If you are humble and ask for aid, people are willing to extend their helping hand. Those who are unreasonably unfair, eventually get kicked out. The power of community is evident in local train. The same principle applies in the communication profession as well. Be humble and grateful to people who help you excel in your job. Most importantly, give credit where it is due. Learn to delegate tasks when you feel overburdened with too many things. It is also a good way of building trust and personal PR in the organisation.
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