The Power of Suggestion

SEALA 2, DAY 5

Another radiant morning blesses our continuing endeavors at the Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside. 

So far there have been three alleged sightings by SEALA friends of a crocodile in the bushes beside the lake. (Editor's note: the lake is a man-made creation used for water sport competitions. SEALA blog is thrilled by the crocodile story and pledges to report, wholly uncritically, any and all further sensational news about the Loch Putrajaya monster.)

Meanwhile indoors – in the relative safety of the ballroom – Bill Starnes (former Partner, Trammell Crow International) simulates the dynamics of a team with a tennis ball exercise.

An impromptu huddle to discuss how to improve the team's performance.

"Trystorming" by the team: a new idea is quickly generated and tested. Bill is game for new suggestions!

The "hand cascade." Full marks to the team for inventiveness, but unfortunately the idea sounded better than it was. Try and try again.

A personal strategy is an instrument to achieve our goals, whether personal or professional; it requires a proper accounting of our assets to ensure that they match the task. John guides us through a simple but effective thinking process about the resources and behaviors necessary to attain the outcome we desire.

Vijay's goal is to touch the sky. He's going to need more resources.

Monica would like to rid the world of mystery crocodiles terrorizing resort hotels. This will require an adjustment in her behavior. (And the crocodiles'.)

Do not fret! Solutions are close to hand. John unveils the Y-Strategy Model, which matches resources and behavior to yield the desired outcome.

Basu feels better already.

These participants were late for the afternoon session and are paying for their infraction. We are not at liberty to explain exactly what they are doing, except to say that the punishment fit the crime.

Anand transfers the insights contained in John's strategy model to the realm of hard practicality with a session on strategy deployment. Rapid and successful execution needs buy-in throughout the organization and a disciplined process.

Anand's lecture is powerful... 

...but his shirt is awesome. And obviously patterned to reference the Loch Putrajaya monster. (Compare photograph of lakeside foliage, at the head of this blog.)

 Staff member Daven Aldrich is always a reliable and reassuring presence in the room.

SEALA Masterpiece Portrait # 2:

"The Guardian."

Evening Small Group Sessions afford participants the opportunity of drilling down into specific topics in a round table format, led by seasoned experts in those areas.

Vaidy Swamy (former Managing Director, P&G, Asia) addressed the subject "Building the Business versus Building the Organization," and where to strike the right balance.

Afzal Abdul Rahim (CEO, Time Dotcom) spoke on "Challenges in Building an Aligned, Cohesive Senior Team that Doesn't Hide Behind Key Performance Indicators or Power Points."