How A Simple Game Changed My Professional Life?
Everybody knows the importance of adding a game into their personal and professional life (I mean an entry as Hobbies in resume at the least) but few of them really understand how it can change things in your daily routine life.
I have been writing Tech blogs on “Payment System of INDIA” but after few years of additional training in football I thought why NOT share the experience of lifetime to the larger audience.
Just after V-day on 16th Feb 2016 I was called upon by one of my friend who knew I had background of playing football and he badly needed an extra player for his organisation match against opponent in Bull Ring Arena, Indiranager (its a small 5 a side playground) We lost that match by 4–2 but it ignited an idea in my mind that why NOT start a small group in redBus itself for like minded people.
Thankfully our then HR (redBus) also joined hands and we started finding out people of same interest. During this hunt we got an opportunity to meet several colleagues in redBus whom we have seen in corridor or at desk but never got chance to know them personally. This was the start.
Smoke breaks and clubbing is NOT the only way to get social.
We started small from 5 a side to 6 a side and then 9 a side matches among redBus employees, we named it “Samurai FC” and we started divided the teams into Team A and B since the number of members have increased from 5 to 33 now. We chose to play every Friday in Active Arena, Outer Ring Road.
Below are 5 learning (personally experienced) during the game -
Learning Experience 1 was to know different people from the same organisation whom you never knew and what they do or why they are shy to interact people (current team members are from different department like Design, Marketing, QA, Product, R&D, Data Analytics, Development and our CTO too) These connection helps you in daily work environment.
Learning Experience 2 is directly proportional to the first experience, we have been busy with launching Platforms in different countries, since I know them personally I don’t have to write them emails they can basically do it just for a verbal request (personal relationship takes over professional formalities)
Learning Experience 3 Once you started playing any game it helps you to release extra sweat and negativity and enhances the born-to-win attitude plus a glow in your body n face, since we all started working + playing the physical fitness of most of the employees can be easily seen which means less WFH or sickness and improves productivity and quality.
Learning Experience 4 Interesting clubs like running or bike riding or football lets people adhere to the organisation due to team value and I bet it helps in retention of employees too (I hope HR team is reading this :P)
Learning Experience 5 Managers like me can easily find born leaders on and off the ground, the players who bind the team and takes the lead, eventually waits for an opportunity to show their skills in professional life too. This helped me to find the real talent on the ground. I actually started respecting these fellows more after playing with/against them.
Of course there are so many advantages of being a part of a game, i always say
“You Don’t choose the game, the game will choose you”
A simple game can enhance inter communication skills and make space for leadership. Within last few years I have learnt so much and the learning is continuous. We are looking forward to celebrate the 5th official birthday of our football club “Samurai FC” on Feb 2021. Hope this article will motivate few other organisation and their employees to go for the kill.
