Meet Jagdeep Singh, a Superintending Engineer of the Executive Director ( Transmission & Planning-Project Monitoring Unit) Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh India . He looks after the procurement of electrical outdoor substation equipment of up to 400 KV class via a project, mainly financed by ADB. He has been with this office from 1998.
Jagdeep fondly remember his TOF days. He took his course last September 17 to 24 2008 in Goa with Andrea and Pet. Up till now, Jagdeep still has lofty memories of that day and reflects on the lessons he got from the course. In a recent interview by this site, Jagdeep expressed how he (and his colleagues) benefitted from the course.
Site: How did you benefit from theTOF?
Jagddep: Internally, I can now understand what teamwork really means. In teamwork, we get motivated, our contribution increases, output is more refined and accurate and our perception changes. We seem to have the common feeling that somehow our views are seriously considered. We are part of the decision making process.
Site: And externally?
Jagdeep: Externally, I have learned what it is to be a facilitator. Facilitators have a very interesting viewpoint. Usually, we want to decide and dictate others to do what we like. We don’t listen to others properly. We ignore their viewpoints. Facilitators do the opposite. They encourage their participants or groups to take decisions, guide them through, remind them of their norms but let them act and decide. This works well in my family (my son for example) and the office as well.
Site: Can you be more specific?
Jagdeep: I remember one of the important lessons from the course. The course advised us that to effectively prepare for a session, the Facilitator must: rehearse! rehearse! and rehearse! What are the advantages of preparation. With this lesson, I got at least 30% more time to do the things I love…with the same output. Now, I delegate and share more. I also have more confidence in others. And in return gets more participation from others. I am more relaxed and happier.
Site: Any special message for your other classmates in the ToF Goa?
Jagdeep: I like to tell them to: (a) come together, (b) remember what we learned in Sep 2008 in Goa, and (c) practice facilitation daily, always.
Site: How would you expand the facilitation opportunities in the region?
Jagdeep: Keep Andrea Iffland and Pet …at any cost.They are outstanding. Both knew much more than we. They are totally committed and love what they do. After the course, my perception about ADB changed. In my eyes, its reputation increased manifold. I now understand what world class means. It has gems and will grow in India like anything. I think nobody will like to leave once it is in your organization.
Site: Any final thoughts?
Jagdeep: I would like to share the following: (a) go for quality and not for quantity. Invite persons for a short visit and shortlist for your future ToF courses according to competency and suitability; (b) train these persons again; and (c) call some of us for short refresher courses.
sending...
