Team Building Stories

Team Motivation-The Crossing of the Sea by Hanuman.

2009-03-13T23:51:00.000-07:00

The Crossing of the Sea by Hanuman.
Learning that Seeta was prisoner in Lanka, the Vanaras headed by Angada(Son of Vali).In that group were many heroes including the mighty Hanuman and the wise Jambavan.
When they reached the edge of the sea, the team of Vanaras were filled with fear and anxiety and started discussing how can we cross the sea and return?
Angada said: Courage is the key to do any task and then he addressed his team and said, I have heard and known that you all have great prowess and strength.We should fulfil this task of finding Seeta and without that we cannot return to our land.So tell me the longest jump each one have strength and courage to attempt?
So one by one the Vanaras said 20 Yojanas, 30, and each one started improving on the other.Then Jambavan said, I am the oldest of the warriors, I can manage 90 but that will not be enough for the task.
Then Angada said I can do 100, but that is enough to cross the sea but I dont know whether I can return?
During this whole episode, Hanuman was listening sitting apart and silent.
Jambavan said: “I think the son of Vaayu, is the best person who has the strength and skill”
He brought Hanuman to the midst of them and said to him:”Why are you silent, do you not surpass all of us in strength? You are equal to Rama and lakshmana in Strength.The light of your shouldes is equal to Garuda, the king of birds, who can cross the sea. Your father Vaayu promised your mother that you will be the mightiest and most intelligent of the Vanaras.In you child you flew towards sun to puck it.
Dont be modest.Increase your stature , you can cross the sea and our Sole hope.”

Encouraged and reminded of his prowess, Hanuman grew in size and with enthusiam and faith told that he will fulfill the words by flying to Lanka and see Seeta and return with the good news.

Motivation is needed to encourage and remind people of their potential, it was needed even for Hanuman.

Responsibility and Collaborations - 4 Daughter-in-laws

2009-01-17T02:31:00.001-08:00

Responsibility and Collaborations

Once there was a family of Mother, Father their 4 sons and the 4 daughter-in laws all living together.
All 4 Daughter-in laws were good but there was always quarrel, whose responsibilities is do to what.
One day the Mother-in law decided to end this problem by assigning proper responsibility
.So She called all 4 of them and Said:
I know you are all very good and you don't shy from responsibilities; but since the responsibilities is not clear, you have misunderstanding. Lets now define the responsibilities.
One of you will – Prepare the food
2nd one – will arrange the dining.
3rd one – will serve the food.
4th one – will clean the utensils and dining
When each one of you finished your job you will announce the next person will do the next job.
And every week we will rotate this responsibilities.
All of them said it is good and agreed.
The Next day :
The first Daughter in law prepared the food and when she finished she informed “Food is prepared”
The second Daughter in law arranged the food in the table and announced, “the food is arranged in table and every body come to eat”.
The 3rd Daughter in law started serving the food and she announced-” the food is served”.
The 4th Daughter in law collected all the plates and utensils from the table and cleaned them and said “ The utensils and dining is cleared”.

The Mother-in law was dumb stuck.

Though all of them performed their duties and responsibilities, then end result was no one ate anything and the food was a complete waste.

Moral – It is not only the responsibilities but also good collaboration is very important to makes things work.

Team Meetings -Battle of Kurukshetra

2009-01-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

Conducting Meetings - Taking Views
Mahabharata-
Battle of Kurukshetra
Appointment of Chief of Generals
The Kauravas had 11 divisions and the Pandavas had 7.
The Seven divisions of Pandavas were headead by
Drupada,Virata,Dhrishtadyumna,Sikhandin,Satyaki,Chekitana and Bhimasena.
Yudhistra assembled his brothers and Krishna to Select the Supreme Commander from these seven people.
So Yudishtra first asked Sahadeva - Who can be selected:
Sahadeva -Virata who supported us when we were in disguise and with whom we formed the army to fight.
Nahula-Drupada because of age,Wisdom, Courage,birth and Strength.
Arjuna -Dhrishtadyumna , who has senses under control and who is born to bring Drona to end.
Bhima- Sikhandin , as he ahs come to kill Bhishma,as he alone can defeat Bhishma.
Kesava- Supported Arjunas Choice of Dhrishtadyumna.

The Younger Folks were considered for opinion first, to give more self confidence, else they will not speak freely;as honest differences can be viewed as disrespect.

Collaboration -Heaven and Hell

2009-01-11T05:15:00.000-08:00

A good Team Collobarate and help and share with Each other for the profit of the whole Team
A Swami was having a conversation
with Lord Shiva one day and said.

'Lord, I would like to know what
Heaven and Hell are like.

Lord Shiva led the Swami to two
doors..

He opened one of the doors and the
Swami looked in. In the middle of
the room was a large round table. In
the middle of the table was a large pot
of stew, which smelled delicious and
made the Swami's mouth water.
The people sitting! around the table
were thin and sickly. They appeared to
be famished. They were holding
spoons with very long handles that
were strapped to their arms and each
found it possible to reach into the pot
of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer
than their arms, they could not get the
spoons back into their mouths.

The Swami shuddered at the sight
of their misery and suffering.

Lord Shiva said, 'You have seen Hell.

They went to the next room and
opened the door. It was exactly the
same as the first one. There was the
large round table with the large pot of
stew which made the holy man's mouth
water. The people were equipped with
the same long-handled spoons, but here
the people were well nourished and
plump, laughing and talking. The Swami
said, 'I don't understand.'

'It is simple,' said Lord Shiva.

'It requires but one skill.. You see
they have learned to feed each
other, while the greedy think only
of themselves.'

Remember to always share
the spoon.