My wife is an incredible source of inspiration in my life. Her unwavering support, boundless love, and remarkable determination have continually motivated me to become a better version of myself. She possesses a rare combination of strength and grace, facing challenges head-on with a resilience that never ceases to amaze me. Her unwavering belief in my abilities has pushed me to reach new heights and pursue my dreams fearlessly. Through her kindness, compassion, and unwavering faith in the goodness of others, she has taught me the true meaning of love and empathy. Her presence in my life is a constant reminder of the beauty and possibilities that lie ahead, and I am eternally grateful for the #inspiration she brings every day. She is my #magician and the person who drives me to achieve more.

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your magicians?  
 
Can you be a magician for someone today?

Born and brought up in a remote village. Did schooling in state board schools in a town in Tamil medium. With lot of difficulties completed Engineering degree from a not so reputed institute that point of time. Came to Chennai city for work. Absolutely didn’t know where and how to start.

Somehow got placed in an IT organization as a #Sales Executive. Never interacted with people in English fluently. Low #selfesteem. Poor #selfimage . This was me, three decades back.

Joined a Personality development program called Alma Mater (now it is called infinitheism) run by Mahatria Ra. Those days, the program focused more on instilling confidence in people to take life challenges head on. Obviously public speaking was one of the key aspects in the course.

Every public speaking competition would have a theme / title and the participants need to speak for 2 minutes. If you want to win Numero Uno title (First place), you need to speak without any pause, stutter, stammer and you need to complete your speech exactly on 120th second. Plus or minus 1 second, you absolutely don’t stand a chance to win the Numero Uno title, probably you might end up in 5th or 6th position. Such was the intensity of the competition in every session.

For the initial few sessions, I thought this was not my cup of tea and hence didn’t do much preparation. I just went through the motions. Somewhere around the 4th session, I wanted to give a try.

4th session – I prepared well but couldn’t even complete 3 sentences.

5th session – I prepared well but stopped the speech half way through due to performance anxiety.

6th session – I prepared well and at the fag end, again stopped the speech, as I realized I made a mistake while delivering the speech.

7th session – I spent enough time for preparation. Practiced the speech for more than 100 times. Previous night couldn’t sleep. Just before the competition, the trainer called me and said, “Kumar, you have started doing well. I observed that you are trying to impress people and that’s why you faulter. Don’t try to impress people. Just express yourself. Live the moment”

When my name was called out to deliver the speech, I didn’t know what happened. I just roared like a lion and expressed myself. Finished the speech exactly on dot. Result – Numero Uno title.

That was the turning point of my life. That was the magical moment. Post that incident, I never looked back. My outlook towards life got completely changed.

Thanks to #MyMagician Mahatria Ra without whom I wouldn’t have been what I am today.

I am sure every person would have these kind of #magicalmoments and some #magicians who would have played a key role in your life.

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your #magicians?

I was reading some of the job postings in #linkedin recently where the hiring managers had described the 100% fit candidates for the roles perhaps not wanting to take any chance.
 
This took me down the memory lane to early 2001 when I was employed in the e-procurement business of an IT services major based in Chennai in the Sales function. It was Q1 of the financial year when my manager asked me to come prepared to work from Bangalore for a week. I met him in the Mission Road office with many questions in mind.

My manager came straight to the point. He asked me to take over the Delivery responsibility for South India with immediate effect. I was not fully prepared for this challenge and hesitated to take the new path. I was also worried about the dual reporting to a Functional Manager who was in favor of a hard-core delivery professional for the role.
 
My manager said “I have full faith in your capability and am sure that you will deliver. Just take the plunge. I am taking a bigger risk by taking a novice for a demanding role”. He asked me to take the new responsibility, prove in it and later pursue whatever I like. I agreed to take up the role and initial 6 months was challenging. I did commit mistakes in the job and learnt by trial & error method. But the unconditional support my manager offered motivated me to work hard. At the end of the year, we were judged as the best region.
 
I fondly recollect and reminiscence nearly two decades of my association with Ramkumar Ratnam. #MyMagician to whom I express my sincere #gratitude. He is not in the material world now, but his great memories do.

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your #magicians?  

I just got back from a vacation in Sikkim, Northeast India. The mountains, snow, and the people who look very different from us down here in the South taught me many humbling lessons. But what stood out most to me was how it reminded me of the magician in my life. The entire trip, we were in different cars with different drivers and each time when I first conversed with them, their question invariably was – ‘(in Hindi) You’re from Chennai? Then how are you so fluent in Hindi?’

While the statement is biased, it’s also somewhat true that in the South we are taught to read and write Hindi pretty well, but conversational Hindi is a bit tough to master considering that not a lot of people speak the language. The statement reminded me of my school days, to a memory that remains vibrant in my mind.

Until 5th grade, I was very average in Hindi. It was an alien language because none of my folks spoke it, nor did I have people around me who did. I was failing miserably.

One fine day, my school brought in Mrs. Jyothy. Our new Hindi teacher, from Ahmedabad. Her first rule made me cry, her dictation made me cry harder – we were allowed to speak only in Hindi during her class, and the teaching was always dictated, and we had to write to her speed of delivery. I was devastated and felt like an absolute loser.

Few days went on in misery but just like that, very unceremoniously, without even my own knowledge, my Hindi got better. I could write faster, understand better and start conversations. I scored remarkably well in my 10th boards, in Hindi. I wondered what magic that was. Years later, when people ask me about my Hindi, I am reminded that it wasn’t some magic that pushed me hard beyond my limiting boundaries, it was my magician. My teacher. I never thanked her for it because I didn’t know it then. I don’t even think she expected gratitude. I wish I can someday tell her about the dramatic effect she has had in showing me that real growth is always outside of one’s comfort zone. #MyMagician #thankyou

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your magicians?

Can you be a magician for someone today?

It is an absolute joy to meet one’s magician! #MyMagician #thankyou

Today as an Executive Coach, I am learning the power of unconditional positive regard for another human being, and how it can aid transformation across multiple levels.

In this journey, when I reflect on the one person who has enabled this mindset for me – it is Dr Jayshree Suresh! She was my Professor and Head of Department during my UnderGraduation.

Last week I had the opportunity to meet her, after 25 years, and she still continues to give unconditionally and make each one of us feel that we are worthy and special, and believe in our inner strength and potential. The time I spent with her, every single minute she was talking about her students with pride and emotion, and there was not a single moment of any pseudo flattery or negative talk.

Here is my magician, who inspires, motivates and guides students like myself, through unconditional positive regard and highest levels of consciousness. May the universe continue to flourish her tribe and create more worthy humans in this world.

Thank you Dr.Jayashree! You are #MyMagician.

—> Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your magicians?

—-> Can you be a magician for someone today?

The beauty of learning is always in the hands of great Narrator, who can articulate any concept in the right imaginative way. One such great learning experience has happened with my Physics concepts in +1 & +2 . Physics was the least preferred subject till then for me; the Professor was so passionate about the subject that he has introduced experience Learning during our Class – (Theory – Imagination – Implementation) .

That was a game changer for me; I started loving the concepts and enjoyed loving the subject too. At that given point, I did not understand the magic moment why such a transformation happened.

Life has taught a great lesson at a very young age; the true meaning of experience learning and how it inspires oneself to enjoy the learning and application process.

If I want to learn or explain a concept; I still follow this model of Experience Learning. It makes the learning process fulfilling and complete .

Professor: Venkatesh has been a true magician in my life ; I have very high Regards for him ; when ever I visited my school I make it a point to see him and share my gratitude . People with such great aspiration keep inspiring students around them. #MyMagician #thankyou

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your magicians?

Can you be a magician for someone today?

Tell me about the magician whose spark lighted up your life. Take a moment to leave a note of gratitude.

In my high school years in a small town of Bengal, I used to be a terrible student. I use the word ‘terrible’ because I had lost interest in my studies, did not like my teachers and was trapped in a vicious cycle of criticism. After four years of not performing well came the time of the board examinations. Following this, it was decided I would relocate to Calcutta for better academic opportunities. My parents were sure it would be quite challenging given my high school academic record.

In Calcutta, my mother took me to a coaching centre near my house. They gave me a test. I performed poorly, leaving the owner — an aged teacher with a house full of books — disappointed. The owner, Nishit Sir, asked me to come back another day and meet the English teacher at the centre. The next day, this English teacher asked me a few interesting general knowledge questions which I couldn’t answer. Clearly, I was a lost cause.

I went home dejected but a few days later, Nishit Sir called saying the English teacher wanted to take me under his wing and had convinced him. For the next two years, I didn’t just study the literary texts in the syllabus, but every book, poetry and story that I could lay my hands on. He taught me to read voraciously, believe in myself and be constantly curious about the world.

Years later, before Nishit Sir passed away he told me how he had been convinced. My teacher had told him, “This girl has unrealised dreams and a hunger for knowledge that she isn’t aware of. If I don’t show her the beacon light today, she will be lost like many others.” That was my #MyMagician – a teacher who had gifted me a new lease of life. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have half the confidence to explore new territories, learn new things and find eternal joy in the company of books. Every time I think of my journey, I thank him profusely and hope that every student finds a teacher like him.

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your #magicians ?