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

Panda, vice president, HR at Tech Mabindra. it moves you and propels hope and action. Conversely,
Time is a precious resource. And since it is a Panda has learned nuances of team building and
challenge to pull people off their work routines while leadership from movies like `Miracle', `Chak De' and
attending to their client requirements, the use of movies `Lagaan'. He believes movies have many utilities the -

to derive organizational results can be an interesting lessons learnt from movies can be used as a tool for
and a different way to derive the desired impact, says educating and or motivating employees or they could
Raghavendra. Further, he says, even if employees do be peddled as a self-help tool for employees to go out
take out time mostly they prefer to move out of their there and start looking at real life situations with a
work places, take a break and rejuvenate. rather than different perspective. Panda cites a few examples:
sit in a classroom. Thus, the challenge for the learning lessons on goal setting, perseverance, focused
professional is how to make the best of the time approached to problem solving etc. are embedded in
available to them and derive the largest amount of movies like `Thare Zameen Par', `lqbal' and `3 Idiots'.
learning using the medium of films. Insights into corporate greed and its pitfalls,
organizational ethics are well identified from movies
Films with management lessons like `Disclosure', `Wall Street' etc. and films like `Apollo
There are many films that depict different management 13' have good lessons on innovation, resource
aspects. For example, the film `Pursuit of Happyness', utilization, decision making and team building.
which shows the story of a struggling salesman, could On the other hand, Raghavendra who always
be used as lessons in motivation for the sales team. thought creativity belongs to Disney.. changed his mind
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
from `Rocket Singh'; team work movie clippings inspires the entire
and work life behavior from team. They give us great insights
Lagaan; how to work towards a
common goal from `Chak De';
Writer's Tip on change management and
adaptability to change. For HR
how to drive the concept of Recently I saw a movie `Pay fl Forward' pros like Raghavendra, movies
suspecting and importance of where a social studies teacher challenges such as `Lagaan', `Miracle',
filtering from `Saathiya'; drive to his class ol twelve-year-old students to `Monalisa Smile', `The Peaceful
achieve from `Pursuit of make the wodd a better place. One boy Warrior' offers Insights into
Happyness'; how to teach team creates and implements the idea of `paying profound concepts like team
work, strategizing and planning it forward' which is on the karmic belief building, leadership, commitment,
from `Ratatouille'; and the that if someone does a good deed for persistence, coaching, self-esteem,
downside of mis-selling from `Ice you, you do a good deed lot someone confidence, objectivity and wace.
Age'. else until the whole woild is reached. Think
Different people learn about thIs In the cotporate scenafl& Lessons implemented from
different things from same
movies. Like Verma learnt a
movies
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

20 * August2010 bumancap,taIor1iflecom U 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
- reinforces the learnings thereby closing any gaps left in
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
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

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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 to test the learnings derived from the concept of
individual feels sometimes happy, sad, angry fearful navrasa, Verma used cinematic visuals from `Jodha
etc. even at workplace. Navrasa helps us understand Alcbhar' that contained all nine emotional states or
the impact of emotions on one's performance and navrasa in the scene where Hrithik Roshan and
how to enhance one's productivity and EQ. For Aishwarya Rai have a sword fight. This worked as an
example, while conducting this workshop at Genpact effective tool to recall learnings.
The HR team of Claris Lifesciences
r Leadership lessons from `Lagaan'
picked up clippings from lesser-
known 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 middle-
option 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 others of how to achIeve ft. of its HR programs as `Lalcshya',
Determination in face of opposition: Bhuvan is opposed by all villagers for taking after the Hrithik Roshan starter.
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 Impact of learning from
accept what we feel is perhaps a lesser decision, but, If we know we are fighting movies
for the right Issue, and not against an individual we can win. From the successful experiences,
Make a start: Bhuvan makes a bat and a ball, gets people Interested and begins, one understands that learning
`To test out new ideas is by jumping in and getting started. management lessons from movies
improve employee understanding
5. BuildIng the team: Bhuvan starts recruiting the right people and motivates them, and performance. For Kotak
He understands the pressures and the soft points of people, and utilizes this Mahindra Life Insurance, as Dewan
knowledge to make them a part of his team. Bhuvan talks to each of his team puts, its not just better and effective
members, assigns them responsibilities, treats everyone equally knowing they are retention of learning, but, people
all different, The objective is to make them all work together bke a fist, like a team,
have opened up to ideas and
Also, Bhuvan supports his team members even when they make mistakes, He gives become more communicative.
Kachra a second chance on the second Alternatively, in Infosys BPO,
afternoon of the match despite the employees comment on the
skepticism of others knowing Kachra can characters on screen and then self-
be a match-winner and Kachra proves him
-
assess themselves and derive
right. It is pertinent in any team that the strategies for updating their own
captain supports his team, backing the jight individual styles, for example, on
person at The right time for The right job. leadership. This is a technique of

22 * August2010 .humancapt]ortne.com * HuMAN Q1ItAI


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
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COVER STORY
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.
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COVER STORY

carry the same spirit, it could become a

I room action... challenge to implement this learning.
However, it ultimately boils down to one's
own willingness, sense of commitment and
take your pick! 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,
Robocop 1987: ThIs film shows a chainnan and CEO who have behaviour/attitudes of participants are
no command on the company's senior executive team. expected to change for the bettefand skill
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
Chairman of the Board 2001: ThIs movie shows a young managers should feel the need to attend.
man who becornes the chairman of the board of a large corporation. As Panda puts, the main challenge is to
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
Enron: The smartest guy in the room 2005: U some challenges like mental blocks or fixed
A boardroom action is well featured towards mind sets.of certain participants within
the end of this movie. the group like how this visual is relevant to
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
Challenges in implementing movie lessons of learning from movies will continue. In fact, if showing
Learning management lessons from movies may be movies is successful in its objective it will be used to
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
aspects like human sentiments and sensitivity need to Life Insurance is working on the concept of in-house
be considered. Matters such as regional bias and production for making a one hour movie on
language can pose as major barriers to use movies in Consultative Sales Process and this will be different
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
barriers and relating to the depiction. Although, concepts will be driven," explains Dewan.
Bollywood movies make a good medium to drive To keep pace is vital for HR and organizations to
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
becomes a hurdle. the visual medium is a good option and will continue
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
within the confines of the training hail. However, the concepts and using the latest in technology is
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.
something new, s/he would be on a collision course of In fact, great films can change the world and inspire
resistance. Countering this resistance is the challenge. people to excel. Tech Mahindra, too, will continue to
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
others around since managers and peers may not mindscape of the society CE

24 * August 2010 humancaptaIanIine.com . HUMAN cApltkt