A morning walk along the bandstand promenade in Mumbai, brought back many memories. A kaleidoscope of images cascaded through my mind. I went down memory lane and reflected on how the skyline had changed since 1996, when I first set foot in the city at the very beginning of my career.
Later in the day, sitting in a conference room, as if prodded by an image from my morning walk, I remembered an instance where a friend and I got caught in a downpour and, after 45 minutes of sheltering under the overhang of a building, managed to get an auto to ferry us to dry land. I messaged that friend, let’s call her Ms. Sunshine, sharing this memory.
Within minutes, a plan had been hatched, and we were meeting up later that evening. During our catch-up, Ms. Sunshine shared with me two instances where a conversation with me many years ago had stayed with her to this day. The funny part is that I have no recollection of these pearls of wisdom that I ostensibly passed on. She said, “I came to you one day and shared that I cannot see the light…” My cryptic response was “Then be the light….” And she says that shifted something in her, which has, on many occasions, since then been her mantra when she finds herself in a dark place.
A reminder to me that words matter and the way we show up in the world touches others in ways we cannot imagine. I am very grateful for the effort Ms. Sunshine made to meet with me on such short notice, and this serendipitous meeting underlines something else that I have always known but was reminded of again this week. In-person meetings with genuine presence are precious. She reminded me of the value my presence brings and that my contribution matters.
Earlier in the week, I caught up with all the “new joiners” in Delhi. I call these fresh eyes meetings. I get to see my workplace through the fresh eyes of the new people who are experiencing our workplace for the first time. It also serves the purpose of connecting people across different teams and levels. One of them said to me, “I’m glad to know, I’m not the only one feeling…” This feeling of not being alone is the value of bringing people together. The bonus is that it creates connections, sparks an exchange of information or ideas, and from there, possibilities emerge.
In another meeting, with a group of colleagues, we played a game called “standing in another’s shoes” where we tried to imagine what it would be like to lead their business unit and talk about an expertise other than our own. A wonderful way to remind ourselves that everyone has a unique expertise and we need to know and appreciate what they bring to the table.
The lesson this week seems to be bringing me is to make the effort to meet people in person and to bring people together. In a largely digital first world, the texture of these meetings and conversations, and connections seem to cut through. Not a new insight, but an important one.
Each of us has a unique way in which we touch others’ lives and contribute. Here I am reminding myself and you to be the light. Show up, even on the dark days, and let it shine. Sometimes it will be a flickering candle, and at others as bright as the sun on a summer day.
Show up with intention and shine. As a wise leader keeps telling me, “Do the best you can. Live up to your potential.” Be the light.
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