COVER STORY

Ree power;. Movios for learning

, ,

Movies are not just an indulgence anymore... they have found a place in the toolkit of HR pros and trainers for imparting learning effectively and employees learn to work better by watching movies!

COVER STORY

Cinema.., provides an opportunity to HR professionals to deep dive into trends and changing mindscape of the employees and helps them to proactively think of ways and means of bringing in the requisite changes in the organization's ecosystem to meet the employees' asPirations.,
SANJEEV PARIDA

VICE PRESIDENT-HR * TECH MAHINDRA

it moves you and propels hope and action. Conversely, Panda has learned nuances of team building and leadership from movies like `Miracle', `Chak De' and `Lagaan'. He believes movies have many utilities the lessons learnt from movies can be used as a tool for educating and or motivating employees or they could be peddled as a self-help tool for employees to go out there and start looking at real life situations with a different perspective. Panda cites a few examples: lessons on goal setting, perseverance, focused approached to problem solving etc. are embedded in movies like `Thare Zameen Par', `lqbal' and `3 Idiots'. Insights into corporate greed and its pitfalls, organizational ethics are well identified from movies like `Disclosure', `Wall Street' etc. and films like `Apollo 13' have good lessons on innovation, resource There are many films that depict different management utilization, decision making and team building. aspects. For example, the film `Pursuit of Happyness', On the other hand, Raghavendra who always which shows the story of a struggling salesman, could thought creativity belongs to Disney.. changed his mind be used as lessons in motivation for the sales team. Dewan says he was able to understand new aspects of alter seeing `Avatar', `Lagaan' and `3 Idiots'. He feels sales management, customer focus, and business ethics that it is one's imagination that counts. The use of movie clippings inspires the entire from `Rocket Singh'; team work team. They give us great insights and work life behavior from on change management and Lagaan; how to work towards a adaptability to change. For HR common goal from `Chak De'; pros like Raghavendra, movies Recently I saw a movie `Pay fl Forward' how to drive the concept of such as `Lagaan', `Miracle', where a social studies teacher challenges suspecting and importance of `Monalisa Smile', `The Peaceful his class ol twelve-year-old students to filtering from `Saathiya'; drive to Warrior' offers Insights into make the wodd a better place. One boy achieve from `Pursuit of profound concepts like team creates and implements the idea of `paying Happyness'; how to teach team building, leadership, commitment, it forward' which is on the karmic belief work, strategizing and planning persistence, coaching, self-esteem, from `Ratatouille'; and the that if someone does a good deed for confidence, objectivity and wace. downside of mis-selling from `Ice you, you do a good deed lot someone else until the whole woild is reached. Think Age'. about thIs In the cotporate scenafl& Different people learn different things from same movies. Like Verma learnt a Depending on what the desired outcome should be, different feature from `Pursuit of Happyness'. She feels HR execs and trainers use movies as a tool to implement that success is a pursuit. Verma says, in the movie management lessons in different areas. Dewan uses when you see how the protagonist faces struggles and movies in outbound training OBT for team bullding, road blocks at every corner and then achieving victory, setting examples in goal setting and to understand
-

Panda, vice president, HR at Tech Mabindra. Time is a precious resource. And since it is a challenge to pull people off their work routines while attending to their client requirements, the use of movies to derive organizational results can be an interesting and a different way to derive the desired impact, says Raghavendra. Further, he says, even if employees do take out time mostly they prefer to move out of their work places, take a break and rejuvenate. rather than sit in a classroom. Thus, the challenge for the learning professional is how to make the best of the time available to them and derive the largest amount of learning using the medium of films.

Films with management lessons

Writer's Tip

Lessons implemented from movies

20 * August2010

bumancap,taIor1iflecom

HUMANCAMtAJ.

COVER STORY
processes. He says ORT is based on the values of team-man-ship, determination, grit, efforts and leadership skills. Since these training programs involve high energy levels and physical activities, here more than the tell mode, he uses movies consistently to help trainees gain immediate and powerful insights into their own and their team's work styles and behavior. Movies such as `Bridge On The River Kwai', `Saving Private Ryan', and `Few Good Men' have helped instill qualities of leadership, team building, selflessness, and performing and persevering under difficult situations in his team. Dewan also believes movies help in setting examples in goal setting to make team members realize the importance of achieving,the goal helps in fighting off differences within the team thereby making everyone perform in semblance and sync. For that he uses clippings from movies like `Chak iDe', `Vertical Limit', etc. to portray the importance of having a goal even before one embarks on a journey. `Chak De' isa perfect example of goal setting and performing to achieve that goal. He says it has helped instill values of working towards the holistic goal of the organization rather than have individual interests. It has also acted as a team binder. He has used movies to sensitize individuals about the importance of foflowing processes, ftllowing fair and ethical practices and the consequences of indulging in any malpractices. Cinema and probably even theatre help people go through a process of self awareness where the output
-

is resolution and empowennent. The cinematic visuals relevant to learning stimulate an environment which helps people identify their certain behavioral patterns. These patterns are barriers in the skill that one wants to develop, such as team management, listening etc or any other skills. Once employees identify barriers through these visuals it becomes easier to structure solutions that can help in getting the desired results, asserts Verma. Also, when experiential learning is combined with structured corporate techniques such as brain storming sessions, case studies, presentations and others, a platform to learn is created, which assimilates and reinforces the learnings thereby closing any gaps left in the learning process, says Verma. She in her program on Inner Katha, a module on finding balance for women managers, uses the concept of balancing navrasa, the nine emotional states in corporates and explains it through movie visuals. Basically, Navrasa's origin lies In ancient drama treatise `natya shastra' by sage bharata a concept never used befbre in management in India. She has introduced navrasa in management at companies like Genpact, Sony and others. Further, she explains: Navrasa in present day context has nine emotional states that an individual experiences in a day-to-day environment. These emotional states/ navrasa are shringara love, hasya laughter, karuna kind-heartedness gr compassion, roudra anger, veera courage, bhayanaka fear, bheebhatsya disgust, adbhutha wonder or surprise and shantha
HR Consultancy I Technology P .,cernent

cc,
"d' 4

Introducing absolutelt.j hassle Free online

3600

assessments From GEL Infotech.

e360. Fair. Balanced. Robust

Loaded wth features, Easy to Desgn, Depoy and Anayse. That,s what our anne 360 degree assessment package is all about e360 comes wth easy Graphical User Interface, Customzable Reports. Inbu -t Competency Dictionary, Mult Rater Feedback System. One-Touch Assessment Inuitat on System and more `cud ng efficent Assessment Completion Reminder System Worred about the cost? e360 is surpris.ngly affordable Get your free demo access today at wwwe3Oassessment con-. Our other o'-Iine tools: Survey I PMS Daly Management Tool I Assessment

tech eqAe
t.

@ceoinfotech.com www. ceoinfotech . corn www.e360ssessment.co +91 44 2642 1441 142 / 43

-

* .humancapitonlineom

August2010 * 21

COVER STORY

Movies offer an easy way of teaming concepts through visual imagery. This helps people remember stories and allows for higher and longer retention of ideas, values and concepts,
ANANO DEWAN

SENIOR VP-SALES & MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT TRAINING * KOTAK MAHINDRA OLD MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE LW,
peace or tranquility. They are dynamic and thus an

individual feels sometimes happy, sad, angry fearful etc. even at workplace. Navrasa helps us understand the impact of emotions on one's performance and how to enhance one's productivity and EQ. For example, while conducting this workshop at Genpact

to test the learnings derived from the concept of navrasa, Verma used cinematic visuals from `Jodha Alcbhar' that contained all nine emotional states or navrasa in the scene where Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai have a sword fight. This worked as an effective tool to recall learnings. The HR team of Claris Lifesciences picked up clippings from lesserknown movies like `Bk Ruka Hua Faisla', which showed the Problems as opportunities: Bhuvan accepts Captain Russels challenges to a cricket importance of logic and rationality match, which is a risk, but Bhuvan views the improved offer of no tax as a great to employees at the middleoption against the possibility of living a lowly, debt bounded ide. in reality, even we management level, and `Ek Doctor can think of our problems as opportunities for innovation. 11 Maut', which highlights how the Dream big and define the goal: Once Bhuvan accepts the challenge, his dream is lack of organization, time three years of no tax. Here, Shuvan, not only dreams big, but, also puts a strategy management and self'managemenr in place to make that a reality. He makes his dream into a vision where he makes could turn a benefit into a drawback. things happen the way he wants, envisions the future, and paints a picture In front Besides, the company named one of its HR programs as `Lalcshya', of others of how to achIeve ft. Determination in face of opposition: Bhuvan is opposed by all villagers for taking after the Hrithik Roshan starter.

Leadership lessons from `Lagaan'

up the challenge, but, on all occasions Ohuvan faces up and answers his critics with bravery, uftimately winning their support. In real life sometimes we give up and accept what we feel is perhaps a lesser decision, but, If we know we are fighting for the right Issue, and not against an individual we can win. Make a start: Bhuvan makes a bat and a ball, gets people Interested and begins, `To test out new ideas is by jumping in and getting started. 5. BuildIng the team: Bhuvan starts recruiting the right people and motivates them, He understands the pressures and the soft points of people, and utilizes this knowledge to make them a part of his team. Bhuvan talks to each of his team members, assigns them responsibilities, treats everyone equally knowing they are all different, The objective is to make them all work together bke a fist, like a team, Also, Bhuvan supports his team members even when they make mistakes, He gives Kachra a second chance on the second afternoon of the match despite the skepticism of others knowing Kachra can be a match-winner and Kachra proves him right. It is pertinent in any team that the captain supports his team, backing the jight person at The right time for The right job.
-

Impact of learning from movies

From the successful experiences, one understands that learning management lessons from movies improve employee understanding and performance. For Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance, as Dewan puts, its not just better and effective retention of learning, but, people have opened up to ideas and become more communicative. Alternatively, in Infosys BPO, employees comment on the characters on screen and then selfassess themselves and derive strategies for updating their own individual styles, for example, on leadership. This is a technique of

22 * August2010

.humancapt]ortne.com * HuMAN Q1ItAI

COVER STORY
association and works extremely well for the company. Upon evaluation, post the training program, the participants are able to highlight their learnings from movies and how they have modified theft own working styles for better inter-personal relationships. "The use of movies in training programs is popular among employees and continues to receive rave reviews. We receive feedback regularly from employees, team leaders and managers as to how a particular movie clip used in training has had an impact on them and how they have started enjoying their work, ultimately improving their productivity," enthuses Raghavendra. At Tech Mahindra, feedback received from employees through the employee satisfaction surveys and otherwise vindicates the overall success of learning from movies. In addition, the way teams in Tech Mahindra contribute in their respective official roles and also in other engagement activities even outside their official calling shows the positive effects of the initiative. "Happy and motivated employees do contribute to the bottom-line of any organization in a big way and that does reflect in our organization's performance over the years," says Padda. At an individual level, Panda has been influenced by the old Agatha Christie movie `Witness for Prosecution', where the arguments put forth by both parties for the july to arrive at a decision was quite vivid. Here, Panda learnt a lesson on decision making good decisions are always made on the basis of sound fundamentals and adequate information and
-

not on hearsay or circumstantial evidences alone. The movie still evokes a sense of deep involvement whenever Panda makes any major decision, either professionally or in any personal matters. The other movie with a great influence on Pai-ida was `Titanic', which he feels is a perfect example of an organization which has people with different mindsets and how they behave under a given situation. As shown in the movie, there are people who can go to any length even sacrifice their careers to see the organization grow and their colleagues flourish. At the same time, there are people who are so self centered that they just do not bother with any corporate ethics and trample on others to further their own cause. In contrast, Lagaan movie had an immense impact on Raghavendra as it depicted how ordinary people can do extraordinary things. When one is inspired by a movie, its stays with him/her and one automatically takes back the learning, says Verma. Once the learning has impacted the heart and mind, structured action plans and follow up interventions help scale up performance and the high moral in people. Her participants have reported to have resolved inner conflicts and have been able to structure action plans to enhance theft performance and apply the leamings. Verma cites a case, where a participant facing a guilt complex, was able to deal with this conflict effectively after going through an internal process of self awareness and worked out a way to balance life with less levels of stress.

Open

a FREE TRIAL offer by visiting w.centraItest.in instant activation, Rs, 3500!- wah tests free.
CaHusfora Demo +91 40 40130932 +91 40 42210210 +91 9948048343 or write to us at cti@centraltest.com wwwcentraltest.in

Psychometric Tests for HR purposes *

*
* * * *

more than 3500 cents more than 20 psychometric tests 2840 test adrnnlstraion per day user friendly and intuitive interface 24x7 availability, instant support dedicated R&D team to support

ENTRA
tk

tcsl

The art of Assessment

j
August 2010 * 23

HU!IANQIItcL * humancaptaoninecom

COVER STORY
carry the same spirit, it could become a challenge to implement this learning. However, it ultimately boils down to one's own willingness, sense of commitment and conviction that would help in internalizing and implementing the change. In addition, Patterns 1955: ThIs movie is about the relationship of a chainn3i a conducive and supportive environment and CEO with their senior learn. would be hugely beneficial. Another challenge that Raghavendra faces is that Head Office 1985: Its a movie about a thairman in aon. when a resource is spared from the routine, behaviour/attitudes of participants are Robocop 1987: ThIs film shows a chainnan and CEO who have expected to change for the bettefand skill no command on the company's senior executive team. sets enhanced 100% post the intervention! The Hudsucker Proxy 1994: A part of It shows a stock scam This is further compounded with the need of `SOs. It is about a graduate business student hired as a president to constantly cater to the `pull' factor, of a big manufacturing company with no clue about how the board where a program would need to have its works. share of believers, and employees and their managers should feel the need to attend. Chairman of the Board 2001: ThIs movie shows a young As Panda puts, the main challenge is to man who becornes the chairman of the board of a large corporation. customize the implementation as per the The First $20 Million 2002: It is about the board of directors organizations requirements and also their of Silicon Valley and their roles and responsibilities how they start a acceptability by the employees in general. shareholder's meeting in the company's offices. As a trainer, Verma encountered some challenges like mental blocks or fixed Enron: The smartest guy in the room 2005: U mind sets.of certain participants within A boardroom action is well featured towards the group like how this visual is relevant to the end of this movie. the management concept or a preference Meet Joe Black: This depicts inree board for a presentation or very structured style neetings. It also shows the chairman, who Is of learning. However, Verma tries the lying, calls off a prospective merger, and an combination of creativity and structure person, a brought to the board that are suitable for the different styles of Is rnoved fioni his post by the learning for different participants to his seat back just in a time combat her challenge. Since the benefits of learning from movies outweigh its drawbacks the trend of learning from movies will continue. In fact, if showing Challenges in implementing movie lessons movies is successful in its objective it will be used to Learning management lessons from movies may be successful; however, it has its own limitations. Dewan drive learning for positive or desired results. "To further says, not all movies can be run across all regions. Also, its initiative of learning through movies Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance is working on the concept of in-house aspects like human sentiments and sensitivity need to be considered. Matters such as regional bias and production for making a one hour movie on Consultative Sales Process and this will be different language can pose as major barriers to use movies in majority of the training programs. Hollywood movies from any traditional training video. This will be like any can be showcased only to a certain category/level of commercial Hindi movie with a hero/actress/villain participants to drive learning due to the language etc. a complete family drama around which key learning concepts will be driven," explains Dewan. barriers and relating to the depiction. Although, To keep pace is vital for HR and organizations to Bollywood movies make a good medium to drive learnings, they may not be the right way to drive avoid becoming obsolete. Time and attention spans learning diversity of the population as regional bias are rare to find and becoming shorter and the use of the visual medium is a good option and will continue becomes a hurdle. At Infosys BPO, Raghavendra says when one watches to evolve and flourish, opines Raghavendra. The need a movie its message has a certain influence or impact to be current and stay ahead of the curve..., be it in concepts and using the latest in technology is within the confines of the training hail. However, the environment that one operates in is totally different paramount for any HR professional to make a from the training venue. When one wants to implement difference. In fact, great films can change the world and inspire something new, s/he would be on a collision course of people to excel. Tech Mahindra, too, will continue to resistance. Countering this resistance is the challenge. For example, Fish Philosophy talks about an attitude take learnings from films as Parida feels they are the change. This would however require the support of windows to understanding the prevalent trends and mindscape of the society others around since managers and peers may not CE

I room action...

take your pick!

24

August 2010

humancaptaIanIine.com

. HUMAN cApltkt