Team story: One convinced individual can lead to quick endorsement for you - 07/24

In 2003, I enrolled at COEP Technological University and chose to stay in the hostel. Engineering studies felt like I was born to learn it and I started exuding an air of arrogance. I’d quiz professors with challenging scientific questions, respond bluntly to my batchmates, and took "introduction" of my own batchmates posing as seniors.  By end of first semester, my reputation had become one to avoid - so much so that once a fellow female batchmate, "AP", took a semicircular route to avoid crossing path with me. 😱 

Fast forward to 2005, I decided to run as an independent candidate in the college elections. As I did a decent job as the boys hostel mess secretary in 2004, I expected votes from my male peers. But what about female voters, who made up 30%-40% of the electorate? 

Serendipitously, just two months before the election, I became good friends with one of my female batchmate, “RP”. Unplanned as it was, “RP” championed my cause in girls hostel, dispelling misconceptions about me. It’s likely that out of the 350 votes I secured, 50-60 came from female voters. 👍

Similarly, in 2017 at ZS, I joined a well-functioning project led by two senior associates. The team delivered on time and added value, but efficiency remained an issue. Late nights were the norm due to convoluted processes. My attempts to comprehend the process (let alone enhance it) were met with resistance. 

However, I remembered my college lessons: One convinced person can make a difference. So, I worked closely with team member “SS” implementing a small automation process. I highlighted "SS" across senior leadership for this work. In turn, "SS", propagated to other team members, my genuine intentions and commitment to supporting the team, leading to my faster acceptance in the team. 📢

Follow me on LinkedIn