Immersion_Making Of Thoughtworkers…
Pre week of Immersion: Week 0:
During Week 0 of Immersion, my calendar is blue-zoned for 9 to 5. The meeting invite says “Immersion” and repeats “get ready to immerse!!” and my soul is asking where??! I had to wait for a week to figure that out.
I can hear you, did you just ask “did you inquire about it?” “I did.” The response is, “You will not be disappointed, but: get ready to be in video all-time!! “My attitude was, oh..! With or without make-up?” “When is the break time for brunch?” With covid, most of them lost the habit of having breakfast, and I, recently cultivated the habit of having breakfast after paying bills for acidity and ulcers.
However, these concerns were sidelined for a while as I was filled with BA Bootcamp. Rushing towards timelines, assignments etc. Hence, I told myself to “Take one per day. Live the moment”. It works amazingly. Oops..! that’s too much philosophy. My grey hair’s side effects!!
Week 1:
Day 1: Creating Skeletons.
Me, to be part of the training: It’s sort of pulling myself out of my comfort zone to wake up early, prepare and have breakfast and be part of the session. Honestly, the first day I could not. I overestimated my strengths. I sat straight to the session after work out. It wasn’t a bad start. This is where I miss the office cafeteria. At Least, I would have got a coffee..!! Spinster life..!
Good Morning, Everyone! The energetic voice of Ananya, Srimathi woke me up and put me on the spot.
Here comes a question, “how are you feeling?” Really? Huh! Of course, the expected answer is “excited”,” curious”, “looking forward to the day to learn”; but I was on the other end, exhausted and starving. Quickly, we were done with 1.5 hrs and given a break. Most awaiting one.
Notes from 1.5hrs: It is all about the context setting for the day and for the upcoming days. Fair listening.
The most awaited time of the day, Breakfast. After gulping two dosa, I am set to attend the session. The session started with Thoughtworks, who found it, the motto behind it etc.
The breakout room discussion was worth considering as you tend to network.. From there, 6 hrs become 6 mins. Never realised, I am done with 6 hrs of daytime..!!
Rules:
- 9 means 8:59;
- The video must be on..!!
- Be Active! Break hours come with self-paced sessions..!
- Latecomers must exhibit superpowers to make up for other waiting times.
- This is the strongest “must” but not rough..in a nicer way. Time is valued ! not only yours, others too..:-
Takeaways: Thoughtworks!! Know the company!!
That calls out day 1.
Day 2: Left Brain Tuning
I prepared to attend the session by pushing my waking hours early. All set for the session. Wait, there is a surprise test. I must say, the puzzle app was amazing. It wasn’t like a serious quiz app. It is sort of a video game app that doesn’t stress you. The questions were not out of the syllabus but I still did not make it to the top 3.
Moving on, the real tech stuff. It wasn’t Greek to me like day 1. I was all in sync. The training
was tailored to make sure everyone remembered and immersed themselves in the Agile world.
- Break out room discussion.
- Q&A
- Poll
- Self Paced session.
After being part of above all, there is a high chance that you can skip
Agile immersion. Unconsciously, you start learning it and some might
have deep-dived into it.
One interesting fact is that the group had a diversity of backgrounds. The background wasn’t limited to technocrats. A bunch of them were from People Champion, Infrastructure, Marketing & Sales, Trainers, Designer, SEO etc. End of the day, we made sure that they are eligible to enter the Software world of Agile, XP, Tech Strategy etc.
Finally, the takeaway is that the developing world is not limited to copying & paste. It is beyond it.. :-)
Here, I welcome you to the Agile world!!.
Day 3: Right Brain Tuning.
The day started with Puzzle and I topped 3. Finally! Following that, superpower exhibitions! True inspirers! 2020 lockdown success stories, The hidden talent in the traffic signals were discovered, improvised and brought into the runaway!!
The context is of TW Culture, Principles and Values. I like the context of shaping up as a Thoughtworker. Once the left brain is filled with tech, the right brain is filled with culture, values and principles.
They were extraordinarily rich and tempting. One cannot say “No” adhere to it as it gonna make you stand out from the public.
Highlighters: Guests walk in and talk about their experiences. They have been modest about their journey. “Calling a spade as a Spade” really needs some courage.! It sort of aligns with me because I am not creative enough to call Spade, the Golden Shovel. I am just bad at it or I have to be trained to say that. That’s really an effort.
Well.. at the end of the day, all good. but, there is something missing.
The “experience report”.I was lucky enough to be part of a team, named “Thunder Chickens” which had a lot of initiators and coordinators. All I have to do is be part of it, embrace it and enjoy the moment. Quite a long day. Eyes were strained after seeing the mac for a long time. My bed filled me early.
Highlighters: Zumba session
Day 4: Activation.
The day started pretty fast. I was expecting a test and No test. Instead, there was Q&A (Scenario-based).
Then comes the context setting, and the fireside chat with leaders. Honestly, leaders were not fancy..they were like us.. Very approachable and they activate you as Thoughtworkers.
In the afternoon, we had a reveal of our creativity.. Trust me, it was fun-filled with real creativity..
Our trainers gave us an award and I was awarded as “The chatterbox” and I am silent as rain. But still.uhmmmm…!! Trainers, please take note of this
Hold on there… Here we are!!
Sign off
Saritha Subramanian
