Do you live in a glass house? Turn on the lights.

Yes, all leaders, managers of any organisation, military, civilians, political, business, government, professors and teachers, live in their respective glass houses.

How did Mr Ramesh Swamy, Trustee of UNNATI (www.unnatiblr.org) and Mr Prithviraj Karai, Founder of NGO Thread India (www.threadindia.com) increased their Open Areas on the well known Johari Window?

Mr Ramesh Swamy is heading the NGO UNNATIBLR and has established 50 institutions all over India to empower youth. UNNATI has two types of staff and teachers, volunteers and permanent employed. On 02 May 2017, during the Strengths-Based Workshop, he attended for the entire duration along with his 11 Staff and Volunteers. He let the team know his strengths and values. This increased the open space on the Johari Window. He revealed certain other unknown aspects of his personality- which became like an open book. He also learnt about values and strengths of his team members.

Mr Prithviraj Karai is a young College Graduate who started an NGO with 5 like-minded young Graduates. They went through the Strengths-Based Workshop on 02 May 2017 and them all emulated Mr Ramesh Swamy.

One written report given to them about the Team Strengths, they shared these with their team members.

They turned on the lights of their glass houses and this will be able to build trust, compassion, stability and hope.

By Satyendra Kumar & Murari Thayi of Satyssparks

Age is just a number even at 78

Age is just a number even at 78

This has been proved by Mrs Nirmala Srinivasan. We the team of SatysSparks (www.satyssparks.com) planned a Strengths-Based Development workshop for the 11 UNNATI (www.unnatiblr.org) Volunteers and Permanent Teachers; and 5 members of another NGO ThreadIndia (www.threadindia.org). Mrs Nirmala heard about this new programme and she volunteered to take this programme. It was a group coaching basically for two teams.

A brief introduction about her: she is 78 years of age. She is a mathematics teacher. Years ago, she retired as Principal from a prestigious school of Bangalore. Now she is teaching English at UNNATI as a Volunteer.

UNNATI is an NGO having 50 centres all over India. They empower youth to become self-assured and an earning member of the family. Their motto is LEARN! EARN! STAND TALL. Details can be found in their website. www.unnatiblr.org

I met her in the UNNATI Premises where she comes for her classes. That day she was 30 minutes early to get briefing from me. It was a very absorbing and “asking questions session”. The next day she took the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment and commenced asking questions about each of signature themes. It was real pleasure for me to interact with her initially on telephones, later face to face and finally during the group coaching. Out of 16 participants she was the only one with “Context” theme and she narrated as to how did she leverage this theme for the education of children and to motivate them. She also highlighted her “Positivity” theme and recalled this theme of her which saved the life of a class X student who was about to commit suicide. Now he is 29 year of man and doing very well in life. Her wealth of knowledge and long experiences in the field of education were of great learning for all participants.

For testimonial, we invited a family of three who had gone through this programme: Cdr Rajeshwar SM, Mrs Meenakshi SM and their daughter, Sunidhi. They gave out their experiences and changes after undergoing Strengths-Based Development coaching. Mrs Nirmala Srinivas very inquisitively asked questions to Mrs Meenakshi as to how the awareness of her strengths has affected her family as a Home Maker. 

Finally, Mrs Nirmala Srinivasan graded our programme as 5 out of 5 and wrote:

“It was lively and most interesting. The two facilitators were so down to earth and explained the various concepts very clearly. I’m sure I will be able to use what I’ve learnt today. Getting the Guest Family of three tell us about their experience was a very good idea. The presentation was terrific”

Strengths-Based Happy Family

Cdr Rajeshwar a retired Naval Officer took the Clifton StrengtsFinder Assessment at about 10 PM on 02 November 2016. He was so impressed with the top five themes that at 11 PM his wife Mrs Meenakshi, a home maker took the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment. It did not stop here, their son Adish, who was at a different location busy pursuing his studies in Architectural Engineering took the Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment at around midnight. The daughter, Sunidhi that time a student of Standard 8th took the Assessment on 08 November 2016.

I coached, Cdr Rajeshwar and Meenakshi on 08 November 2016 but completed coaching the family today, 22 April 2017.The word cloud of the Combined Strengths of the family is

The family has a total of 16 Strengths out of 20, four being common between them. Rajeshwar and Meenakshi have a total 10 strengths.

by Satyendra Kumar, Founder Director of SatysSparks

What after XII?

These are the signature themes of a student of Standrad XII. She was not sure what to study in her UG. What career should she go for. After taking Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment and undergoing face to face coaching for four hours she wrote:” This session gave me clarity as to what my strengths are. I also learnt that success lies in focussing on your strengths rather than trying your weaknesses”.

Based on her Signature themes she has been advised

Choose a workplace that is known for being among the best in its field. Workplaces with lesser standards probably would frustrate you. Your talents can be useful on search committees and in recruiting process, as you are able to see ways in which people’s talents can fit particular roles.Careers in which you could work one – on – one with people would allow your Individualisation talents to flourish, as you see each one as a distinct person and empower them to grow. Avoid work environments in which there is little opportunity to extend your gregarious social nature. Powerful Activator talent make you good at the starting line. Look for work environments that will reward you for getting people out of the blocks quickly. Your Adaptability talents will flourish in environment that reward responsiveness and your ability to “turn on a dime” …….. Source ” Strengths Quest” by Donald Clifton

Based on above she has decided on her career and is applying for the appropriate UG Course in various colleges and universities.

post by Satyendra Kumar, SatysSparks

Developing a fully engaged project team leveraging Strengths

I practiced and studied leadership models together with aspects of cross cultures and people interactions very closely during my tenures in Indian army for 32 years and the United Nations for about 12 years. Subsequently embarked on another study of the Gallup’s^® strengths based development and got certified as a Gallup Coach. The strengths framework, for development of individuals, teams and organizations, had a profound effect on me and was intrigued by the immense possibilities for the development of potential.  Partnering with a subject matter expert (Murari Thayi, PgMP, PMP) in area of project management, a blended personal development framework has been evolved. This development framework is at the intersection of the Gallup model focused on talents and strengths, 21st century skills and project management.

I am grateful to PMI Bangalore chapter for the opportunity to present this strengths framework for

‘developing a fully engaged project team’, during a knowledge sharing session to the chapter members in Feb 2017. It was received well and feedback very encouraging. The members gained an understanding of this impactful development framework and how strengths can be brought to bear on individuals and teams to bring out the full potential. 

Some of the participants subsequently started their journey of self discovery of their strengths through one- on –one coaching. I was pleased with their interest in self development and willingness to leverage their strengths to unleash their full potential and that of their teams. More details about the coaching workshops at: www.satyssparks.com

Career Choice by High School Students

Career Choice by High School Students

There is no dearth of career opportunities today and a variety of options are available to a high school student. As a high school student, you’re probably thinking about graduation and what comes next. You’ve got many important decisions ahead of you. What are you going to do after graduation? What are you going to study in college? What do you want to do with your life? These are just a few of the many questions high school students face. Finding the answers begins with choosing a satisfying career.

It's a big decision! With so many choices and so much to consider, finding the right career path is a challenge for many high school students.

What Career is best for You?

The first thing to consider when choosing your career path is YOU. Your talents, values, interests, strengths and personality play a big part in determining which careers will provide you with the most personal satisfaction and growth opportunities.

Finding Your Dominant Talents

The Gallup strengths framework and Strengthsfinder® assessment tool provides a scientific way to determine as to who they are and what their natural talents are. These talents are lifelong and will not change. These individual talents are recognized, understood and developed into strengths. Students are coached to operate from their position of strengths and partake in activities through active engagement, for achieving their goals in life. 

You will find ideas for coaching and motivation for action at www.satyssparks.com

Strengths based Career Choices for Students

Special for Students: Unleash your potential. Direct your talents. Do what you enjoy.

 Standard IX and X Students………….  What to study in XI as per your natural talents?

Anoop Devaraj: Standard IX Students:  Competition! Significance! Deliberative! Analytical! Ideation

This programme was very helpful to me and I understand all the thing in this programme. This will be very useful in my future.

Standard XI and XII Students …………  What course to take for Under Graduation so that you enjoy your studies and life?

Akhilesh Vasisht, Standard XI Student: Adaptability, Includer, Positivity, Woo, Context

It was very good learning about my strengths and talents

Undergraduate Students …………………  What next? What type of job? Which direction for Post-Graduation?

Debjani Chatterjee, UG Student: Developer! Connectedness! Learner! Responsibility! Individualization

It was of course one of the memorable experience of my life where I discovered myself and those characteristics that I was unaware of. The best part was the presentation, where I was fully unprepared but was able to speak exactly what I wanted to convey as a presenter

Wanting to seek admission in MBA …….  do you want to determine your stream as per your natural talents?

Anubhuti Patnaha, MBA Student, : Harmony! Empathy! Adaptability! Connectedness! Relator

It was really a great experience knowing my strengths and personality. I believe the purpose of this session have been served tremendously. Thank you.

Engineering and B Com & other Students …. Where do you want to go from here? Making the right career choice based on your talents and strengths.

Karan Kothari, B Com, :  Restorative! Adaptability! Communication! Connectedness! Individualization!

The training is effective and it needs to be extended till the ambition of that person is clear. Sir is very inspiring and motivating. I hope I can learn a lot from him and get my career and talents in the right path.

Nihal T, Engineering Student,  Strategic! Responsibility! Relator! Individualization! Self- Assurance

It was an overall good experience. Got to know many people. A good mix of all ages so the knowledge gained was quite a lot and a very precious experience. Looking forward as how to inculcate and improvise on the strengths.

Rajat Jain, Media Student, : Belief! Input! Connectedness! Developer! Context

My top most theme is Belief. I have a strong belief that the animal sacrifices should not take place in temples. I worked on this and achieved success in getting an FIR done. Thank you once again for making me aware about my strengths. You showed me the path in my life and taught me several important things that are golden gifts for me.

We will assist you in finding most appropriate answers to your most vital questions of your life. We will assist you to find your specified path leading to your goals. Final decision will be yours. It is not counselling. We will coach you to deliver your best from your strengths zone.

Visit   www.satyssparks.com     contact:    saty@satyssparks.com  Call:  9900073571