In our relentless pursuit to identify and share with our community some of the unique and compelling startup/leadership stories from the ecosystem, this week we spoke to another passionate leader Daman Dev Sood to understand more about his journey, vision and the way forward. He is an International Resilience Trainer & Consultant, Thought Leader, Keynote Speaker, Mentor, Author and Certified Trainer. Let’s learn more about his incredible journey!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Daman:
We understand that you have had an interesting journey in your life. Talk us through your background and your journey, please;
I was born in Delhi, India. My father was a government employee and had a big family to support.
He had been a freedom fighter, but never claimed any benefits offered to the freedom fighters/their families by the Government of India – his principle was ‘we fought the fight for freedom, not to gain any benefits later’. We did not appreciate this when we were kids, but I respect this decision a lot now.”
He did a lot of extra work to feed his big family and relatives, everyone from the village wanted something from the town Delhi and everyone from the village came to us for treatment in Delhi. This would include selling vegetables, running a corner shop, and being a newspaper hawker. So, I had all these experiences (doing all this myself) while I grew through my schooling.
I did not go to nursery or KG – went to first grade at the age of 6. All my schooling was at the government schools and in Hindi medium (public schools in India are the private schools of the rest of the world. The public schools of the rest of the world mean Government schools in India!) It was in 6th grade when I officially studied English.
While growing through my schooling I did few other additional tasks – I served at a tea stall (including making and selling tea, washing the dishes), assisted as an electrician for cooler and ac repairs, sold at annual fairs, worked as a newspaper hawker and magazines seller.”
This part of my life is known to family members only but going in the second book that I hope will be published before this year ends.
I did not know the superheroes up to maybe getting married, but I used to daydream of having extra powers, being able to fly and helping people.
I also wished to be the prime minister of the country – to be able to serve the people and clean all corruption from society.
Professionally, I started working in 1985 with TCS where I continued for 20 years, then moving to Xansa/Steria, followed by Continuity & Resilience, and CityInnovates. I am a Freelance International Resilience Trainer & Consultant now. I have been to some executive roles like Group Head, Principal Consultant, VP, Board Member, CIO, COO, Practice Head etc.”
What made you passionate about training?
I believe learning is forever. I am a life-long learner. It is also said that the best way to learn is to teach and I believe in that. I have always liked helping others – may it be in studies or otherwise.
When I was in the seventh standard, I used to teach (English Grammar) 11th class students and college-goers. I have been training my juniors and seniors in all roles that I have played in the corporate world.
It was in 2010 that I decided to be a dedicated trainer & consultant and that was where the official journey of being a trainer started.
I like meeting people and training provides me with that opportunity.
I like sharing personal experiences and experiences from personal life – so training has become a passion. This supports my other two passions i.e. giving back to students and giving back to society. This includes guiding, coaching, and mentoring also.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
This is my profession – so earning a livelihood is the objective – honestly speaking. I am a caring person – care for all around me. If possible I would like to change the whole world for good. Values, principles, and ethics become the drivers.
One example is our Free English Classes on Sundays (into 18th year now). People have warned me not to do free – the world does not appreciate what comes free. People have advised me to make it an NGO. But, I have continued to do it free and without forming an NGO of mine.”
I do spend money from my pocket on these activities – but that’s not a challenge (I and my wife, about 17 years ago, made a self-commitment that one month’s salary should go back to society, and we have been missing the target – so can still do more). Challenge is the number of students (zero to 350), the challenge is the variety of students (1st to 12th class).
People tell me ‘Daman you have been doing a great job’. But the force behind this are ‘the students’ – come rain, wind, cold, or sunshine – they are at the Sunday English Class (as they call it) before us.
And of course, my family. Not only money, I also spend a lot of family time on my pro-bono activities – without their understanding and support I would not be able to do this in a sustained way. During last 10 years, I had been travelling a lot to the Middle East for my official job, and Sundays were spent working there – my wife continued without me. That’s the real force behind the success.”
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
I am not an avid reader – but have a library of about 100 books. I have liked all the books. The few names that come to mind immediately are ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’, ‘Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do’, ‘The magic of Thinking Big’ etc. All these have left a good impression on me and have been the source of inspiration.
Just the satisfaction that I am able to help someone or am able to bring a smile on ones’ face or am able to bring a difference in someone’s life is the source of motivation. Above all, if I am able to do little for society at large or for the betterment of the environment – I get motivated to do more.
I have got recognition (multiple national and global awards) and each award adds to my commitment to do more for the cause that I live with.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
A couple of principles like ‘take a decision and own it’. I do not mind changing my decisions, but I would like to stick with one for some time to see the outcomes because each decision is thought through.
I keep emotions out of business – and all my official work and the pro-bono work is my business. I like a reasonable and practical approach rather than an emotional approach.”
Additionally, I believe my top 10 skills help me to grow as a person:
1) An open mind to learning forever (which includes sharing as well).
2) Emotionally strong (for which physical strength matters a lot).
3) Communication (two way) – I have recently attempted practising nonviolent communication also.
4) Reasonable and practicable.
5) Care for people.
6) Being decisive (take a decision and own it).
7) Celebrating success (every little matters).
8) Taking Initiative and being Innovative (every little matters).
9) Possibility thinker (I picked this up from ‘Tough Times Never Last But Tough People Do!’ – but difficult to practice).
10) Honesty/Integrity (may mean two different words – just combining to stay within 10).
Please share with us, how do you motivate your clients?
Others get motivated when they see me ‘walking the talk’/‘practising what I preach’.
My expectation is that clients are good – so I will be good first myself.
My expectation is that clients are reasonable – so I am reasonable first myself.
There is an old saying ‘if you are doing some good, the left hand should not know what the right hand has done’ or ‘do good and forget’ – I recommend a little change in this – do good and claim. Claiming here means communicating. People may get motivated by your story only if they know your story. So, communication is the key. I do a lot. I write my story in all possible ways – Linkedin, Facebook, webinars, summits, talks, books (written one, second should be out this year).
I am good at responsiveness – a call/mail to me – response is guaranteed to the best of my capabilities. Even if it’s no or apologies, you will get my response.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
Above all, I am a human being and I also go through all emotions. Perhaps I manage my emotions better than many other people.
Nothing succeeds like success – so that motivates me also. This may be someone else’s success because of me.
My desire to do more for society and the world keeps me going.
I have devised a mantra ‘if you are feeling depressed/negative/anxious/dejected/deprived – go out and do some good to someone’ – you will get the motivation and energy for yourself.
Giving back to society is one of my passions in life. That keeps me going. Writing a diary is a good habit, I believe.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
a) The first point is to decide. Decide to take action and then take the action. We need to overcome the inertia.
b) Being good is good.
c) Being responsive is more important than being responsible.
d) You grow by sharing.
Another mantra that I have devised is ‘almost nothing is impossible, it’s great fun – just a close-up smile – and you get your work done’. This smile is infectious. This is one thing that you can give and retain!
I also believe in the power of three words – Please (one needs to be so humble), Sorry (it needs guts to say sorry), and Thank you (it can make someone’s day).
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Let us not be Hanuman – he had unlimited powers but was given a curse that he would forget his powers. There was a way out – if someone would remind him, he would recollect his powers; and his friend Jamwant was the person who reminded him. Now Hanuman was a god, we are not; we do not have friends like Jamwant with us. So, one must not forget his/her strengths. If you do not have one, then develop one now. Dedicate yourself to the cause.
Be a leader – just be good. One definition of being good is ‘having respect’ – respect for all – those who have less than you, those who have more than you, those who have a different opinion than yours, those who speak a different language, those who follow a different religion, those who are from different city/state/country, respect for another gender, respect for the environment, respect for parents and elders, respect for teachers etc. So, if you are doing this, then you are a true leader (from my forthcoming book).
No one is perfect in this world, so do not worry about being one. Attempt to be good and keep improving.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
