First of all, I would like to clarify that “drowning” in the title is not an anecdote, but it is literal. What this Business Analyst (me) had experienced was the moment of truth for her. I sincerely apologize if my recollection of the event appears distorted.
As part of the team-building exercise, our whole P&C Insurance vertical was at Jim Corbett National Park. First, into smaller random groups, each group had to complete the task to cross a river holding the rope tied from one bank to the other bank of the river. Our group comprised of (in the order we lined up) — all non-swimmers.
- Developer
- BA (peer)
- BA (me)
- Manager
- Senior Manager
- Head
Random, but we somehow represented a subset of the organization’s hierarchy. We decided to go first, and here is the sequence of events. Our developer was leading, and he crossed the river without blinking, which translates to without looking back. The rest of the group slowed down in the middle of the river as it was slightly deep, and the peer BA lost her balance. While BAs were struggling, we continued to hear “move”, “move”, “move” from the back of the line.
My reporting manager could see what was happening but acted only when I cried for help; however, peer BA had drifted apart and was drowning. We shouted, and that got the attention of our developer. He returned and helped peer BA reach the bank, where she slowly started recovering. All these were happening, and I could still hear “move”, “move”, “move”. I could not cross the ditch, and I felt that I was the one who was slowing down the group, and I left the rope I was holding so that the rest could cross. Then, it was my turn to drown. This time the lifeguard came, and then I realized that I didn’t even know how to get help. Not long ago, I was parasailing at Myrtle beach with one of my colleagues who was scared, and I was the wise owl telling him how he should not try to fight with water if he falls in the sea. He should let the lifeguard pull him and how “drowners” drown the saviours in this world. Here at Jim Corbett river, I behaved exactly like those “drowners.”
I do not recall what happened next, but I remember the first thing that the lifeguard said was that we were the worst group ever. Second, I reached out to my peer BA to see how she was doing, and to my bewilderment, she denied she had been even drowning and asked why am I bothering her.
The truth witnessed then surfaced from time to time to remind me.
- The first-mover advantage comes with a disadvantage — you are taking the unknown risk, and you can never tell how prepared you are. All the other groups learned from our tragedy, and they formed their line in such a way that the weakest link was at the middle of the line; therefore, when that ditch came, they carried the group member without losing balance.
- We cannot control having all the knowledge of the subject, but this does not stop us from preparing at our best. Failing to plan is a foolproof plan to fail.
- We were the perfect example that we were merely a group whereas other groups were Team. As a team, they worked together based on their skill set. The summation of individual performance does not account for team performance. Team performance comes with collaborative effort and synergy.
- As a team, you cannot win alone; you win when your Team wins. Despite an excellent performance by our developer, we were the worst-performing group/team.
- Ask for help. You may have some managers or colleagues who are hesitant or do not have the slightest awareness that you need any help, so it’s our responsibility to ask. At the same time, you should also not wait for people to ask for help if you can see them struggle, you just offer support or re-direct them to the proper people/forum. (do not impose)
- There is a vast difference between theoretical knowledge and knowledge gained from practice. Bookish knowledge is useless if you cannot apply it when needed. Also, do not preach like me (“drowner) if you cannot act. Gain experience and then share when asked!
- Not all “move” chanting is motivational. Identify good stress vs bad stress. Bad stress lets you drop the rope and let you fall.
- Learn from your mistakes, understand your skill gap. After our fiasco, many started swimming lessons.
- There could be a reason why my peer BA denied her drowning and our effort in saving her where everyone witnessed the ordeal. Maybe she was feeling embarrassed. Always give the benefit of the doubt and move on.
- We got down and lost, but we did not end up dead. Cherish how you survive your worst moments. We did not do it then, but I am doing it now.
