A Better Retrospective

This was an action pending on me, where I brought in a few restructuring in the retrospective format. Still miles to go :-)

From the earlier discussion, one important point I noticed was a lack of proper structure, to the way retrospectives were happening. [PS: I always believed there was a structure, but my team members thought the other way – it is always better change the way you perceive, especially when the majority is on the other side :-)]

What I did was to make the structure more explicit with a diagram and explain it to my team members. Below is the diagram I prepared. [Reference: Agile Retrospectives - Making Good Teams Great by Esther Derby, Diana Larsen]

Setting the stage:

I briefly explained the team members on what each item meant, to ensure that each member in the team is on the same page and then we started with our retrospective.

Gather the data:

We presented the data for last couple of sprints. Once this was done we split into 4 separate teams (we were 16 of us).

Now it was the turn of each teams to discuss and come up with top points on what worked and what did not.

Generate insights:

Each team presented their summary with high level views on why they thought so. We requested each team to explain when things were not very clear.

Decide what to do:

Once all points were explained in detail, we started picking up the items and decided what action needs to be taken for each item.

Close the retrospective:

Before we closed, we checked back on actions from earlier retrospectives.

[PS: By this time, one of my team members indicated that they are too hungry and this is one focus point in forthcoming retrospectives i.e. to reduce the time taken for retrospection.

Are you enjoying your work?

If not, there is only one cause - YOU

Let me explain that. When I don't enjoy what I am doing, the obvious question is, "OK, what am I doing about it?". It all boils down to the answer I have to this question. I believe no one else can make me feel good about my work other than me.

I have heard my colleagues/ accomplices telling, "You know what, my first job was the one I enjoyed most. I felt my contribution was at its peak there". Especially when I hear that a person does not enjoys his job now, but his earlier or first job, I feel "not something is right". 

This is my side of it. I believe, our first job is where we have the least of influences. Since we are on a new job, we are under more scrutiny. Someone else is driving the show, and we are having minimal contribution in most of the decision making process. As we spend more time in job, people around get more confident on our capability and we get freedom to choose, the way we work. For me, when I do my job on my terms and achieving the desired goals is what makes me really happy (And definitely not when someone else drives).

Are you telling me that you enjoyed your work when someone else was driving it. In that case, the simple question is :
What are you doing? 
What is your contribution? 
What is the difference you are bringing on to the table?

The Personal Touch

I am part of  MITR - an employee counseling initiative at Wipro. In simple words, “MITR is Just about anything”

Every year we celebrate our anniversary and this year too we had this function, however, it was special (for me as well as the complete group). On our anniversary day, we spend a complete day together, reflecting on how the year went by, on a new learning, a great lunch together. We volunteers are also provided a gift coupon (as a token of appreciation on efforts we put in J. This year, however, our anniversary celebrations were quite different

Most of the members joined as usual from various locations. We exchanged our joy of meeting everyone, we reflected on the MITR journey over years, our future vision etc. We had a  wonderful learning session where we discuss on stress management and a great lunch as always. One simple act that was done different made a huge impact. As I mentioned, every year, there is a gift voucher provided, which was not given this year and instead it was a bunch of gift packs. All neatly packed, arranged and handed over in a wonderful carry bag.

Usually I handover this gift voucher to my daughter. This time however it was very different. I handed over the gift bag to my daughter and immediately I could see that sparkle in her eyes, when she saw all those gift packets. She was very excited, while she opened each packet and naming who will keep each gift. (She never had any second thoughts on who should keep the chocolate box)

A little introspection on what made this difference

The personal touch. The experience. These two aspects made a significant impact and I am sure we will never forget the sparkle my daughter had in her eyes. A little creative thought actually touched all of our MITR families.

When I look back, the starting point was same. We all wanted to celebrate the anniversary, we fixed the date, we knew who all will be attending, It was almost the same budget available as previous years. The intent to do something different and the approach made this difference. I might say that was one of the special experiences that I am going to cherish. A special thanks to Shreya who actually took the road less traveled. :-)

What is the lesson?

Having in a personal touch brings in huge difference. We all are emotional beings, and when we bring in personal attention, it changes the complete dimension.  A paradigm shift happens as it touches the heart of people who are involved. Be it work place or family affair, it is important to always look at each one as a person rather. It sends out the message, loud and clear, “I care for you, you are important to me” and we being human beings nothing more is important.

How I relate this to business?

This is where apple product makes a huge impact and difference. It is all about “I”. Right from the experience of opening the package to the first use, everything is taken and that is the sole reason why apple is apple