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In my work as a leadership coach for women, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide spectrum of organizations, each at a different point in their journey toward gender diversity. The corporate landscape is far from uniform, with some companies just beginning to acknowledge the importance of this issue and others having made significant strides. I’ve encountered organizations where gender diversity is considered a strategic asset, an integral part of their success. However, I’ve also worked with those who are still unclear about why and how they should implement a gender diversity program.
This diversity in approach underscores a fundamental truth: The path to gender equity in the corporate world is both varied and dynamic.
How do you know where your organization stands in its gender equity journey? I see most organizations move through three key phases in their journey.
Phase 1: Explore
Organizations in the explore phase are focused on becoming compliant with the laws of the land and prevailing social imperatives. They are at the data-gathering stage, identifying the big whys and gaining buy-in from stakeholders.
These could be legacy organizations that have never felt the need to prioritize gender equity until recently. Or they could be startups that have focused on revenue and business performance for survival, with gaps in human-capital practices.
It’s important for leaders in this stage to ask the right questions that can lead them to the approach that is most valuable in their context. They must reflect on what gender equity means to their organization and its culture, as well as to them personally as leaders.
Phase 2: Emerge
In this stage, organizations shift from observing and complying to experimenting with initiatives of their own. Leadership plays a crucial role here in shifting the existing culture of the organization to look at gender equity beyond just demographics and representation.
Leaders must invest time in creating an organization-wide strategy that is aligned with business initiatives and outcomes. These leaders should also publicly commit to the company’s gender equity philosophy and strategy, making themselves accountable for change within the organization. Employee resource groups (ERGs) and gender equity champions play an imperative role in driving the culture.
Since this is the experimentation phase of a strategic approach, the enthusiasm that accompanies a new initiative is high, but efforts at different levels and across different regions may sometimes be uncoordinated. Some regions and functions within the organization may emerge as gender equity champions, while others may ignore the new initiatives. Resilience is the most important attribute to be demonstrated at this stage, as some efforts may fail and can be short-lived.
It’s important for leaders in this phase to reflect on how their gender equity strategy is aligned with business initiatives and outcomes. They need to consider their full sphere of influence: How do gender discrimination and inequity impact their internal and external stakeholders? Finally, they must reflect on how they can standardize their efforts and ensure consistency in implementation.
Phase 3: Flourish
This is the stage organizations reach after they have finally learned an approach that works in their context after much trial and error. Some of the features of this stage include establishing and integrating strong practices and best-in-class, personalized strategies.
Organizations in this phase are in a position to make statements like “We prioritize gender equity in every sphere and decision within our organization.” It’s noteworthy that here achieving gender equity is not the ownership of one leader but a part of the organization’s DNA, dependent on every single individual to make it a success.
Leaders must remember that humility is the most required attribute for organizations in this phase to flourish. Flourish is not about reaching a stage of “perfection”; rather it focuses on continuous improvement and consistency. Organizations and their leaders must be modest enough to identify and accept what is not working and change course when needed. They must reflect on how they plan to continue to sustain this culture of gender equity.
By understanding their current maturity levels, organizations can address gaps in their current approach and formulate a road map of what the journey ahead looks like and which actions they need to focus on to make their efforts in gender equity successful.
Final Thoughts
My experience working with various client organizations has shown me that gender diversity is not just about programs; it’s about culture. By fostering a holistic approach to gender equity, organizations can empower their women professionals and, in turn, enhance their success.
This journey is ongoing, and I’m excited to see the continued growth and empowerment of women in these organizations and the broader corporate world.
To know more about TransforMe’s Women Leadership Development offering, click here.
If you would like to know more about how we can help your start-up or organisation through women leadership development, write to us at connect@transformelearning.com.
This article is written by our colleague and Co-Founder, TransforMe Learning, Sandra Colhando as an official member of Forbes Coaches Council. Read the full article here.
The ability to engage, influence and inspire people is crucial, and storytelling can be your ally.
An experiment about “the identifiable victim effect” was conducted at Carnegie Mellon University in 2007 to explore the difference between a fact-based approach and a story-based approach in influencing people. The study showed that students who received a fact-based appeal from Save the Children donated $1.14, whereas students who read a story about a specific child donated an average of $2.38, more than twice as much.
Additionally, if you watch this TED talk by Hans Rosling, you will see how a topic as data-heavy as 60 years of world health data can be made engaging and engrossing through storytelling.
The message is clear: Storytelling can help build your credibility, initiate change, inspire teams and engage people.
Here are four tips that you can leverage to become a great storyteller.
Tip 1: Telling The Right Story
In my opinion, telling the right story is about two things: knowing your objective and ensuring audience relevance. Let me explain how that works.
Is your goal to introduce yourself? Or do you need to influence someone? Or are you trying to foster collaboration? Knowing your objective will help you be clear on whose story you are sharing. If you’re introducing yourself, the story must be about you—your experiences, your journey. A classic story structure for this goal is “the hero’s journey,” which Joseph Campbell describes in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
But if you’re trying to influence someone, the story might be about someone similar to your audience, who went through a similar problem or situation and overcame it. Let’s say you want to influence your team to innovate and stay ahead of the curve. You might share the story of Nokia or Blackberry or even Kodak—organizations that struggled to stay ahead of the curve and how it impacted them. This story will be relatable and relevant because your audience will be able to draw connections between their situation and the situation these organizations were in.
Once you have a pattern, it’s about crafting the journey. Regardless of the pattern, each story must have a protagonist, a dilemma/problem to solve, a resolution and an outcome/learning.
So it’s not just about telling a story; it’s about telling the right story.
Tip 2: Stories Of Personal Failure
The reality is that since we were kids, we have been told that failure and mistakes are signs of weakness.
Many leaders attempt to inspire people by sharing stories of past successes—but countless examples show us that stories of failure can inspire people, too.
Take for example J.K. Rowling’s 2008 Harvard commencement speech, where she inspires the graduates through her story of failure. Here’s an oft-quoted excerpt from this speech that illustrates the power of a well-chosen personal anecdote: “…by any conventional measure, a mere seven years after my graduation day, I had failed on an epic scale. An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless. The fears that my parents had had for me, and that I had had for myself, had both come to pass, and by every usual standard, I was the biggest failure I knew.”
In my opinion, stories of failure can have a much deeper and more powerful impact on inspiring people than success stories because people relate to failure and it invokes deeper emotions like empathy, compelling them to take action.
Tip 3: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
One of the opening statements in my own company’s storytelling workshops is: “The stories you tell yourself stop you from telling the stories you must!”
You could have the most amazing story, but you may hesitate to share it. Internal stories like “Why would anyone want to hear my story?” or “What if people don’t like it?” are big obstacles for many of us. Psychologists refer to these feelings as a “fear of negative evaluation” (FNE), which they’ve quantified through an assessment they also call FNE. A high score on this scale is more likely to lead an individual to perceive their attempt at public speaking, for instance, as poor.
Replacing hindering internal stories with positive ones can transform and influence your external storytelling.
Here is a quick exercise I use in my courses to help change a harmful internal narrative: Ask yourself to think of a situation where you felt you were being negatively judged but later realized it was all in your head. As you think of this incident, “amplify” the feeling of relief you felt when you figured out that your perception of the situation was worse than it actually was. There you go—you are beginning to change the story you tell yourself!
Tip 4: The Art Of Starting
How you begin a story matters. Let me share three sure-fire ways my company has developed to help you get your audience hooked from the first sentence you say:
• Intrigue: You don’t always have to start the story from the beginning; instead try starting from the most impactful, emotional or compelling part of your story, and then go back to the beginning. This will keep your audience truly intrigued.
• Question: The most powerful thing a question does is compel your audience to think. So ask a rhetorical question, pause for a few seconds and then answer it yourself!
• Visuals: Another great way to start a story is to show an image and use that as the foundation for your narrative.
Conclusion
In the world of business, storytelling is more than a skill; it’s a superpower. By applying these four secrets, you can not only engage, inspire and influence but also establish yourself as a thought leader in the art of storytelling.
Would you like to know more about how your organisation can leverage Storytelling for business success? Read more about our Storytelling module.
Write to us to at connect@transformelearning.com to elevate your storytelling game.
This article is written by our colleague and Co-Founder, TransforMe Learning, Sandra Colhando as an official member of Forbes Coaches Council. Read the full article here.
Startups are labors of love for entrepreneurs, yet many founders don’t remain the CEO after a few years. Many times, this is because founders often find the transition to becoming CEO strenuous. Becoming an effective leader overnight can be challenging, especially in the startup ecosystem where it’s all about learning on the go.
Here are the five most common issues brought up by founders in my coaching sessions and some effective ways to deal with them:
1. Clarity In Decision-Making Amid Chaos
From market conditions to consumer demand, change is the only constant. Add policy reforms and supply-side crises to the mix and you have the perfect storm for businesses. In such a volatile environment, it is hard for even big corporations to make decisions, let alone startups, which are often capital-starved and lack relevant experience or information. While this chaos may appear too messy to tackle, there are a few simple practices that can help you in your decision-making process.
Firstly, gather and analyze data to ensure you are equipped with the right context to take the right call. As there is no magic wand to address all simmering issues in one go, focus on taking crucial short-term decisions while keeping the long-term strategic priorities on the radar. Simultaneously, work on your self-awareness so emotions and biases don’t cloud your judgment. As the saying goes, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.”
2. Limited Time And Resources
Constraints relating to financial capital, manpower and technology often make it difficult for startup leaders, who sometimes are solopreneurs, to allocate their resources. Moreover, founders are faced with multiple priorities including product development, fundraising, marketing and team management, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming.
Startup leaders should start by identifying core problems. Once you figure them out, you can allocate resources more efficiently. Another smart way to steer through a lack of resources is by using online tools for your business needs. The last but probably most important way to tackle constraints is by seeking out partners and collaborating with them. Connecting with other businesses and individuals who share your vision and values can help both parties achieve common goals faster.
3. Elusive Successor—How To Groom?
In the initial stages, founders take the driver’s seat, but as the venture starts to scale, it becomes important for them to cultivate the next crop of leaders. However, identifying and grooming a potential successor is often easier said than done. Many founders feel hesitant to give up control of their business. Some founders are also trapped with “like-me syndrome” and are biased toward individuals who are like themselves.
While zeroing in on a successor, there should be a heavy emphasis on culture, values and experience. It is also essential that the new head gets the support of the team and the board members. Apart from grooming the successor, founders should also focus on themselves. Cutting the cord on a business you’ve poured years of your life into can be painful, but moving on also opens new opportunities.
4. Difficult Conversations With Sensitivity
No founder looks forward to having tough conversations with the team, but you may need to confront underperforming team members, relay bad news to employees or investors, or deal with unhappy clients. While managing the emotional roller coaster of these conversations can be challenging, it is always better to tackle tough topics head-on rather than kicking the can down the road. As the saying goes, “No one is born with the gift of the gab; we all have to learn along the way.”
There’s just one pre-step before the actual conversation. Founders should give some time to reflection (or rather self-reflection) before engaging in difficult conversations with their team. It is crucial to think about the actions and choices that led to the conversation. To have a fruitful discussion, take your emotions and assumptions out of the equation. Have an open-minded discussion, because your words can either elevate a group or take someone down. Let your team know about the meeting and its agenda beforehand so everyone is in the right mental space to have a constructive discussion.
Avoid making vague (or blanket) statements. As a leader, you should focus on finding a solution rather than trying to prove your point or win an argument. Be empathetic but transparent while delivering bad news or addressing sensitive topics. Lastly, be open to receiving feedback authentically.
5. Filling Your Own Cup
The startup grind is real, and even though many of such ventures are passion projects of their founders, fatigue can set in with time. If you don’t have enough fuel left in the tank, one practical solution to keeping yourself invigorated and motivated is to ensure a good 6-hour sleep (at the least) every day. Cutting hours of your sleep lower can limit your capacity to think outside of the box.
Another efficient way to beat burnout stems from the age-old adage, “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body.” Seeking consultation and mentorship to vocalize concerns and gain insights is critical for self-growth. In fact, talking to coaching professionals at least once a week should be on your schedule even if you don’t feel burned out.
There is nothing stronger than a resilient spirit! The goal of resilience isn’t just to survive, but to thrive. Becoming an effective leader can be challenging, but these five tips can help you navigate the choppy waters and rise above them.
The original article has been published by BusinessWorld. Click here to read the original article.
Many organizations have moved from generic leadership sessions to programs curated specifically to needs and challenges of women professionals, enabling them to fastrack their growth. Most are in different stages of implementation from small-pilot to scaling their global women leadership programs.
The Strategic Imperative Behind Gender Diverse Talent
Women have historically been a part of the workforce yet it’s only now that the modern workplace is recognizing women talent as a key imperative for business success and realizing that the work environment may not be gender equitable. Absence of childcare facilities, lack of flexible work opportunities, fear of missing out on crucial conversations at late evening networking get-togethers and being benchmarked against traditional leadership behaviors are all examples of gaps that organizations are trying to address. What are some of the top reasons that have led to this change? One, talent scarcity is a global issue and building a strong women leadership pipeline has gained strategic importance. Companies that are not investing in growing this rich talent pool risk losing out to competition. Second, some of the traits and leadership behaviors unique to women from participative decision-making to people development are being recognized as crucial to future global challenges. So a diverse talent pipeline aids inclusion but importantly it fosters innovation and change.
Women Leadership Programs - A Case of Missing The Wood for The Trees
One key area that has gained prominence is putting women professionals at the center of their growth – enabling them to challenge not just external but lesser recognized internal barriers, aiding their discovery of innate talents and finally finding support through a community of women professionals across roles and geographies.
Many organizations have moved from generic leadership sessions to programs curated specifically to needs and challenges of women professionals, enabling them to fastrack their growth. Most are in different stages of implementation from small-pilot to scaling their global women leadership programs.
Though most women leadership programs are well intentioned, there are some big mistakes that come in the way of their success:
- Weak linkage to business impact – It’s easy to start a program but requires consistency and a strong results orientation for it to become sustainable. In the short term, tracking feedback scores, attendance rates, and skill assessment may be useful but in the long-term it needs to be aligned with overall business strategy. For example, one of the IT clients we worked with would monitor the cohort of women professionals for a period of 1 year and set a promotion-led target. If a certain target %age of women from the cohort got promoted, it was seen as a measure of success for the program as it helped those women professionals claim and be ready for leadership positions.
- Quick fix mindset – Finding themselves to be late in the game and worried about missing out, organizations sometimes jump to a quick solution with no real measure of success defined. There is a larger opportunity to build a strong employee brand, attract good talent, and be recognized among the best places to work if the organization does not get stuck in short-term optics and focuses on creating long term value.
- Leaving it only to external partners – Bringing in an external specialist can bring value for the learners, but strategically it may miss the goal when there is limited structured internal support. Consistency is key and if leaders tune-out they also risk missing out on valuable feedback that enables not just growth for their women professionals but cues for fostering a more inclusive work environment.
- Event-based approach – Without mapping a calendar and launching with a one-off event is unlikely to produce lasting results. It also misses out enabling the virtuous circle of learning possible by grooming women leaders to mentor subsequent cohorts and be internal role models. They become the champions and torchbearers for the program building word of mouth, better participation and helping change the culture bottom-up.
Doing It Right
Non-customized leadership journeys rarely work because they don’t factor in the realities of women in their specific world of work. The realities of the 21st century post-pandemic world have added further complexities to women professional journeys that require to be recognized and acted upon by organizations. Women are weighing in heavily in favour of flexible working as they have found it to improve their work-life balance, improve their mental health and likelihood of staying in their current jobs,
Having said this, what’s interesting is that while some challenges that women face may be common across board but many differ depending on organization and its culture.
This is why a good start point for an effective Women Leadership program is inside the company, researching the context in which women professionals work and understanding their challenges. Once you are clear of your specific internal realities is when you can look outside, learn from best practices and understand the external trends driving the space. This is where you can bring in external subject matter experts (Leadership development companies) to participate and co-create with you a learning journey for your women professionals. Remember, this is not a solo performance, an effective program needs a strong partnership, a waltz between the internal team and the external partner.
How To Identify The Right Partner
A simple online search for ‘women leadership program’ will send you down a rabbithole of programs from leading ed-tech platforms, business colleges, women influencers and a range of learning companies. Finding a program that meets your needs can be challenging. Here are some ideas you keep in mind when making a decision:
- Value alignment – Understand the key values of the partner, how do they define their ‘why’ and try to match it with your own organizational values and priorities. A partnership approach is likely to be more effective than aiming for a vendor/supplier relationship.
- Flexibility – A one-size-fit program is unlikely to deliver impact, it’s important to find out if the partner is able to customize their program depending on the unique needs of your organization and be open to adapt during the course of the journey. There are some easy ways to assess this – Do they run diagnostics before rolling out the program? How do they conduct diagnostics – is it just a survey form or does it include coaches in conversations with learners to understand their needs, challenges and learning styles? Are feedback forms used only to gather scores but also as means to incorporate learners’ inputs to the program dynamically? Example – some cohorts may need more break-outs and simulations, others may need more reflection oriented group-work. Your partner’s ability to inject flexibility at different stages of the program can help drive deeper value to the learner.
- Experience – Remember, progressive clients also help the external partners get sharper at their content and stay relevant. If your partner has worked with clients with mature women leadership programs, they are likely to bring deeper insights to your program. Assess if they have worked with clients in an industry similar to yours, with clients in highly competitive industry segments such as tech, consulting, etc all of which would require for them to operate with greater agility, flexibility and data orientation. What’s their breadth of experience?
- Quality and Diversity of the facilitators – The ultimate test of the program is the quality of the content and the people bringing it to life. Women facilitators bring a lot of first-hand experience and those from their own geography and culture also help build relatability. However, it’s also important to balance unique perspectives by bringing in facilitators from different genders, race, ethnicities, and geographies as it fosters deeper empathy and new perspectives for the learners. They help the learners not to get into the victim trap, recognise the universality of their own challenges and gain insight on different ways to solve for the same challenge.
- Program Success – It’s important not to get trapped in base metrics to evaluate the overall success of the program. While feedback scores, attendance rates, etc are useful metrics, they may miss out on the quality of the intervention and its impact on the learners. One thing we have learnt that’s powerful is to capture the learners’ personal stories at the end of the journey. Having each learner share how the program has unleashed them helps assess the impact, witness the transformation as well as have them become champions for the organization’s learning efforts.
Sustaining a Women Leadership Program
The journey of women professionals to drive impact in their roles and organization only starts with the program. Once they have gone through the skills training and reflection processes, it’s crucial to assess next steps – are they ready to take on additional roles or projects? Do they need to be aligned with a mentor or a coach to support them to continue their journey? Can they be offered opportunities to speak in internal forums, gain more exposure? Most importantly, how can they become the advocates, internal champions and mentors for the subsequent cohorts?
An effective women leadership program not only transforms women professionals to perform and exceed in their own role but also enable them to become catalysts of change for other professionals across the organization.
That’s how CULTURE is shaped and Performance enhanced.
In a recent interview with People Matters magazine, Priti Shetty, Chief People and Culture Officer, WeWork India spoke about the impact created by Evolve by TransforMe Learning in developing senior women leaders at WeWork India and its role in WeWork India’s D&I strategy. Here’s the excerpt –
“Our flagship development initiative, the “Evolve” program, in partnership with TransforMe Learning, is exclusively designed for women leaders in WeWork India. This customised leadership training comprises four virtual workshops and coaching sessions, focusing on adaptive leadership, personal branding, influence, and mindset. The program has yielded tangible results, with increased engagement, improved retention rates, and notable career advancements. Out of a cohort of 25 women leaders, we are proud to share that 28% have experienced significant career enhancements through promotions and role expansions.”
Read the full article here.
We are thrilled to announce that TransforMe Learning, in collaboration with WeWork India, has been selected as a finalist in the prestigious Diversity & Inclusion category at the AITD Excellence Awards 2023.
Our entry, “How WeWork India achieved its D&I goals by Empowering its Women Leaders,” sheds light on an inspiring journey towards fostering Diversity and Inclusion.
In the real estate industry where women have historically been underrepresented in leadership roles (accounting for only 2% of these positions), WeWork India set a powerful example by committing to bridge this gender gap and enhance overall inclusion within their organization.
TransforMe Learning’s customized women leadership program, “Evolve,” became the catalyst for change.
This program included a thorough diagnostics phase, followed by immersive workshops and group coaching sessions.
Its aim was to empower women leaders at WeWork India, helping them overcome imposter syndrome, recognize internal barriers, enhance workplace influence, adapt leadership styles, and build personal brands for increased credibility.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday, 19 October 2023 at the Island Gold Coast, and we eagerly anticipate celebrating the achievements of all finalists in the Diversity & Inclusion category.
Speaking on the occasion, Sandra Colhando, Co-Founder, TransforMe Learning and a Woman Leadership Coach, shared, “We are excited by this recognition at the AITD Excellence Awards 2023. This award inspires us to continue our mission of empowering women leaders and championing diversity in the workplace. Together, we can create a world where everyone’s unique talents and voices are not just heard but celebrated.”
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AITD Excellence Awards panel for acknowledging our dedication to empowering women leaders and promoting diversity within the workplace.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to champion Diversity and Inclusion in the real estate industry and beyond.
Discover which stage your organisation is in its Gender Equity Maturity. Download our latest report to take the assessment and get specific recommendations on how you can take your gender equity to the next level.
TransforMe Learning and Leadership Solution Wins Gold
TransforMe Learning, a transformational leadership training and coaching company in collaboration with Cleartrip won a coveted Brandon Hall Group Gold award for ‘Best Team Development program’ in the Learning and Development category.
Synergizing Strengths Lab is a Transformative Team Development Program which works through a 4-phase system and allows us to understand the unique dynamics and challenges of team and then help them rise to meet them. Our Team Transformation Program comprises four essential components. First, we conduct Team Diagnostics, delving into your team’s goals, challenges, and strengths through surveys, interviews, and assessments. Next, we generate a comprehensive Team Assessment Report, utilizing Patrick Lencioni’s “5 Dysfunctions of a Team” assessment, serving as a roadmap for your team’s improvement journey. The Synergizing Strengths Lab fosters open dialogue, expertly led by coaches, resolving conflicts, building trust, and co-creating new team norms. Lastly, we provide Individual Coaching tailored to each team member’s specific needs, ensuring comprehensive support for their success. This holistic approach facilitates improved communication, trust, and overall team performance. We did this lab for Cleartrip on ‘How India’s leading travel company, Cleartrip, turned the pandemic into a growth opportunity by synergising its new leadership team.’
“Excellence Award winners are shown to be organizations that truly value their employees and invest in them through their human capital management programs. These HCM programs have been validated as best in class for business value and the impact on the employees themselves,” said Brandon Hall Group Chief Operating Officer Rachel Cooke, HCM Excellence Awards program leader. Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group analysts, and executives.
“Our award winners are relentless in their pursuit of excellence,” said Brandon Hall Group Chief Executive Officer Mike Cooke. “We have received some of the most innovative use of HCM strategy that we have seen in the last 30 years, and in most cases, technology and collaboration across departments have helped them achieve amazing business results.”
About TransforMe Learning
TransforMe is a modern learning organization dedicated to fostering enduring talent development practices. Our distinctive “transformational” approaches yield concrete business outcomes. We’ve gained recognition for our various programs, including the Breakthrough Leadership Journey (BLP), Evolve (an empowering women’s leadership initiative), Synergizing Strengths (promoting transformative teams), The Art of Storytelling (for influencing, engaging, and inspiring), and our coaching services encompassing systemic, leadership, and purposeful coaching. Our team of highly accredited and industry-acknowledged professionals undergoes extensive self-improvement and rigorous training, making our commitment to driving progressive change in individuals stand out in the Learning & Development industry. With a global presence, corporate offices in Australia and India, and a reputation built on referrals and repeat business, we are privileged to partner with over 200 organizations globally, boasting a 90% inbound business rate and 95% repeat business rate. Our clients include renowned entities such as the UN, Google, PWC, EY, Accenture, McKinsey & Co, TikTok, Ericsson, Monotype, Schneider Electric, Adobe, Uber, Walmart Flipkart, Samsung, Nestle, and many more.
About Brandon Hall Group
Brandon Hall Group is the only professional development company that offers data, research, insights, and certification to Learning and Talent executives and organizations. The best minds in Human Capital Management (HCM) choose Brandon Hall Group to help them create future-proof employee development plans for the new era. For over 30 years, we have empowered, recognized, and certified excellence in organizations worldwide, influencing the development of over 10 million employees and executives. Our HCM Excellence Awards program was the first to recognize organizations for learning and talent and is the gold standard, known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management.” The awards recognize the best organizations that have successfully developed and deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems, and tools that have achieved measurable results. We are honored to receive applications from organizations worldwide ranging from small, medium, large, and global enterprises to government, not-for-profits, and associations.
The Grow Your Damn Business Podcast is a business podcast which delves into the journeys of entrepreneurs, exploring the highs, lows, and everything in between. This podcast is hosted by Scott Goodrich, a professional EOS implementer.
On this episode of Grow Your Damn Business! our colleague and co-founder of TransforMe Learning, Gatik Chaujer, joined as a special guest speaker where he shared his incredible journey of transformation, highlighting the importance of focusing on specific areas rather than claiming to be good at everything.
Read the transcript below.
Scott Goodrich – When we last spoke, you were facilitating a class that I attended at our previous company. Since then, it’s exciting to see that it has evolved into a business venture for you. Could you kindly provide our audience with some background on how that evolution unfolded? We’re eager to learn more about your journey as an entrepreneur and business leader.
Gatik Chaujer – It feels like it was ages ago, more than a decade to be exact. I don’t want to give away our ages too much! Back in 2010-ish, I was a shy, under-confident teenager with low self-esteem and a crippling fear of public speaking. Stage fright was my biggest challenge, and I vividly remember one embarrassing moment reciting a poem on stage where my hands shook, my voice trembled, and my heart pounded uncontrollably. It seemed like nobody was listening.
From those experiences of feeling inferior and not good enough, my personal journey has been a transformation. Now, I find immense fulfillment in helping others overcome their fears, develop leadership skills, and harness the power of storytelling. This is why the name “TransforMe” resonates with me so deeply. It’s not just my journey; it’s a collective journey of a tribe that came together to make a difference.
And that’s a brief glimpse into my journey. But TransforMe is more than just my story—it’s about the work my partner, Sandra, and I embarked on together. We experienced our own transformations and felt compelled to share it with the world. So, that’s the essence of our journey—a collective effort to create positive change.
Scott Goodrich – You’ve had the incredible opportunity to deliver not just one, but two TED Talks, taking something that once scared you as a child and transforming it into the foundation of your work. Can you provide us with some insights into the transition? Was there a defining moment or was it a result of continuous effort and practice? And let’s also delve into the growth of your business and how it has evolved over time.
Gatik Chaujer – My daughter affectionately calls me Superman for various reasons, but I’d rather not be known for wearing red underpants! However, let’s focus on the journey, evolution, and transformation that has led me to where I am today. It’s difficult to pinpoint a single moment that sparked the change; instead, it has been a progressive process. Even now, I face different challenges that require growth and adaptation.
The turning point in my journey occurred about 23 years ago during my first job at a call center in India. At that time, a trainer position became available, and 60 of my colleagues applied, eager to move away from handling calls. I, on the other hand, didn’t apply because I believed public speaking was not for me. One day, while dropping off my then-girlfriend, Sandra, she questioned why I hadn’t applied. In that vulnerable moment, I shared my deepest insecurities about my fear of public speaking and feeling inferior. Sandra’s response was a wake-up call. She saw potential in me that I couldn’t see in myself and encouraged me to apply. Her belief in me made all the difference.
I took her advice and was selected as a trainer, but it didn’t end there. Being among experienced trainers at a respected company like General Electric (GE) created a new set of fears and doubts. Impostor syndrome kicked in, and I questioned if I belonged among such talented individuals. Looking back, I realize that somewhere along the way, I made a resolution. I accepted that I wasn’t naturally gifted in public speaking but committed to putting in the effort to excel in that field.
Since then, it has been a journey of continuous effort, practice, discipline, consistency, and embracing the notion that I can improve and grow. This mindset guided me as I started my own business. It’s the disciplined focus and consistency that have propelled me forward.
So, whether it’s in personal or professional endeavors, I firmly believe that putting in the extra effort and consistently learning and honing our craft can lead to growth and success. That mantra has been instrumental in my journey and continues to guide me today.
Scott Goodrich – Let’s discuss TransforMe and your transition from the corporate world. In what year did you make the decision to step back and venture into this zone yourself? Was it in 2012, marking 11 years since then? Considering you had previously worked in larger organizations like Encore Capital and GE, where we met, with hundreds or even thousands of employees, what spurred your decision to leave and pursue your own path? Let’s delve into the factors that prompted this decision and explore the process of making such a significant career shift.
Gatik Chaujer – The decision to embark on my own journey with TransforMe was a progressive one, Scott. I believe that things happen in life that serve as catalytic events, leading us to where we are meant to be. In the first ten years of my career, I experienced significant growth, partly due to fortunate circumstances. Being in India during the IT boom allowed for ample opportunities for professional development. However, this early success also had unintended consequences. It fed my ego and led to complacency, distancing me from my true purpose.
An event that significantly impacted my path was attending a seminar with LAL, which prompted me to rediscover who I truly was. As I climbed the ranks in organizations, I found myself drifting further from my craft, consumed by meetings, conferences, and a sense of busyness that lacked fulfillment. Frustration grew, and I began questioning the purpose of my work. It became clear that the corporate world was draining my energy rather than nourishing my soul.
A tipping point came when I arrived home one night to find my wife, Sandra, expecting our second daughter, having quit her job to focus on motherhood. This transition meant a shift to a single-income family with more mouths to feed. In that moment, I sat at the dining table, vulnerable and honest with Sandra, and made a declaration—I was quitting. I had already made up my mind to pursue something of my own.
Sandra, always a supportive coach, asked me about my intentions. Without hesitation, I shared my desire to help people transform. To my amazement, she expressed her willingness to join me on this journey. And that’s when we made the decision to embark on our entrepreneurial path together.
It was a perfectly timed decision, aligned with our shared vision and purpose. Sandra’s own journey of discovering gestalt and coaching had prepared us for this leap. With her as my partner and coach, we set out to make a positive impact on people’s lives through TransforMe.
Scott Goodrich – When you have a clear purpose and the necessary skill set, it’s essential to let go and trust others. Delegating tasks that you know others can handle just as effectively allows you to focus on the next round of responsibilities. Can you recall a specific moment when you had to let go and delegate? What was one of the things you had to relinquish control over?
Gatik Chaujer – One of the initial challenges I faced was letting go of one of my most cherished creations, the program called “The Art of Storytelling.” It was a product born out of my passion for storytelling, and I had become known for my expertise in that area. It was a space where my ego thrived, and I truly enjoyed it. However, despite my personal attachment, I realized that the business itself wasn’t progressing.
At that moment, I had to make a crucial decision. I took the step to certify six trainers on the program, completely removing myself from its delivery. Today, after around five or six years, I now only facilitate around 10% of those workshops. Surprisingly, I couldn’t be happier with this shift because it opened up new opportunities for growth.
By letting go of the majority of the workshops, I created space to develop another product focused on story crafting, which has become my new passion. This shift has been both exhilarating and rewarding. It allowed me to diversify and explore new avenues within my business.
Letting go of that initial creation was a pivotal moment for me, and it served as a catalyst for further innovation and expansion. It taught me the importance of adaptability and the willingness to evolve, ultimately leading to greater satisfaction and fulfillment in my work.
Scott – Did you and Sandra ever find yourselves in a situation where you veered away from your original intentions? Did you chase something outside of your core focus and purpose that you had initially committed to? If so, how did that experience unfold?
Gatik Chaujer – We did find ourselves in a situation where we veered off track from our original purpose. It happened early on in our journey. Initially, we were focused on leadership transformation, but we ended up taking on team-building programs and time management courses for clients just to get our foot in the door. We got caught up in going with the flow rather than staying true to our direction. Thankfully, a conversation with our business mentor served as a wake-up call. He reminded us of our firm’s name and the deep transformational work we set out to do. It was a valuable lesson in staying aligned with our core focus.
Scott Goodrich – So, what’s next for us?
Gatik Chaujer – We have narrowed down our focus to four pillars of TransforMe: top leadership team alignment, leadership development, storytelling, and women professional development. Moving forward, we see two key areas of emphasis: driving diversity and inclusion, particularly in storytelling, and expanding into the Sydney market. As we enter our 12th year, I’m in a phase of challenging myself and exploring new opportunities. While I don’t have all the answers yet, I am certain that the next phase will bring something different and exciting for our business.
Scott Goodrich – We wrap up all of our conversations with 5 quick questions. So I’m gonna get the chance for you to share with the audience a little bit about who you are and what you like to do. The first thing is we’d love to hear about your favorite sports team. and particularly with a little international flavour, I hope. So what is your favourite sports team?
Gatik Chaujer – This is gonna get interesting. So I’d have to say that I don’t I actually don’t watch sports. I play sports. So it’d be very difficult for me to pick on a sports team, but my heart just wants to say the Indian cricket team, so I’m just gonna go with that.
Scott Goodrich – What would you eat for your last meal?
Gatik Chaujer – I have one of my favorite Indian delicacies, which is called Chole bhature. which is a kind of deep fried bread with a lot of chickpeas, again, fried. It’s a lot of fried stuff. You’re gonna go for another run. — spicy stuff after that. But it’s gonna be my last meal.
Scott Goodrich – What is your dream vacation spot?
Gatik Chaujer – I recently visited Queensland, specifically Hamilton Island, and I must say it was one of the best vacations I’ve had. You see, both Sandra and I are beach people, so being by the beach is pure bliss for us. Just being able to spend time on a beautiful beach, perhaps in a cozy shack, and enjoying a few beers is all I need to be happy. There’s something truly special about the beach that brings a sense of relaxation and joy. It was an incredible experience for us.
Scott Goodrich – what’s the favorite show that you and Sandra are watching or that you watch yourself? TV, movies, streaming, anything. What’s got your attention these days?
Gatik Chaujer – The most recent movie that I absolutely loved is “Air.” It was fantastic. I truly enjoyed it. The storyline and the portrayal by Ben Affleck were captivating, especially since I recently read “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight, which made me relate even more to the character. I have a penchant for autobiographies and stories about companies, so this movie was right up my alley. As for TV series, I must admit I’m a bit old-fashioned. I enjoy watching reruns of “Friends,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” and “Two and a Half Men.” They are all great shows.
Scott Goodrich – What’s a piece of advice or quote or or something that you’d like to share that always echoes for you something you’d come back to time and again?
Gatik Chaujer – I believe in the connection between passion and purpose. It’s something I had my daughter write out for me and used to have in my old office. Whenever I’ve struggled to figure out what I should be doing with my life at different stages, this principle has been a guiding light. In a coaching conversation, I once said, “Experiment with your passions until you discover your purpose.” Your purpose is closely tied to your passions, so keep exploring what truly excites you. If one passion doesn’t lead to a sense of purpose, try another. Keep experimenting, and you’ll eventually find your path and purpose.
Scott Goodrich – Great takeaways here today. Really appreciate you sharing all that. It’s really been a pleasure having you on on the episode today, and for taking the time.
Gatik Chaujer – Thank you so much for having me here, Scott.
In the fiercely competitive world of entrepreneurship, it is crucial to cultivate a strong personal brand in order to stand out and achieve sustainable success. For solopreneurs, their personal brand becomes a powerful tool for establishing credibility, attracting clients, and setting themselves apart in the market. The question that arises for solopreneurs is: How can they elevate their personal brand to the next level?
In the following discussion, Sandra Colhando, our colleague and Co-founder of TransforMe Learning, along with 16 other members of the Forbes Coaches Council, share essential steps that solopreneurs can take to enhance their personal brand. Discover why these steps are vital for the growth of their businesses and gain valuable insights on taking your personal brand to new heights. Read the full article here.
Leverage AI Tools And Technology At Every Stage
Amid the digital noise, one has to stand out to survive. AI tools are disrupting business in favor of solopreneurs who can reach audiences at a much larger scale. Solopreneurs are already wired to be self-reliant, and by leveraging tech at every stage—from content creation and curation to engagement and publishing—they can automate the basic aspects and focus more on chiseling out their core value proposition. – Sandra Colhando, TransforMe Learning
Many entrepreneurs, senior leaders, and executives still lack a clear understanding of what it truly means to be an agile leader, how it is manifested, and the associated benefits. Agile leadership extends beyond mere adaptability to change. It involves adopting a specific mindset and implementing practices that empower leaders to navigate uncertainty, cultivate creativity, and drive organizational success.
In the following discussion, our colleague and Co-Founder, TransforMe Learning, Sandra Colhando along with 18 other members of the Forbes Coaches Council, delve into the essence of agile leadership. Discover Sandra’s insight on why embracing agility is crucial for leaders in today’s economic climate. Read the full article here.
Being Flexible And Responsive To Change
An agile leader is someone who is flexible, adaptable and responsive to change. They are comfortable with ambiguity and have a different approach that enables them to make quick and confident decisions. While the traditional top-down approach of leadership may have been effective in the past, we now live in a rapidly changing and complex world where agility is crucial for business success. – Sandra Colhando, TransforMe Learning
TransforMe Learning is a globally focused leadership training and coaching company in Sydney. We provide leadership training, executive coaching, and team transformation to better prepare individuals and organisations for the future of work.
TransforMe Learning acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.