A good start never lets you down!

A turn in life that demands going back to my younger self and asking the question- Where do you want to see yourself 5 years down?

This is making me also think - What if I had done things differently?

But, I cannot find any answer, as I didn't know how a life different from the one I have lived so far would have been as much worth it.  

My first job was as a Direct Dialogue Recruiter, for one of the big names in environmental activism, Greenpeace. My job was to stand on a busy street, approach passersby, talk to them about impending environmental concerns and pitch for a financial contribution. Being a Master in Political Science, this was a job, I was passionate about, as I was applying my learning on the ground. I was able to apply the theories of behavioural sciences to understand my prospective donors. Such was my zeal and passion for the cause, I was soon deemed to be a group leader and sent to Hyderabad and Kolkata for a new office set-up and to build a team.

All of 24 years of age, and so much was put on me that I felt overwhelmed at times. Thanks to my mentors, who helped me get over every difficulty. By then, my mentors had already noticed my skill at managing people and situations well. Perhaps the reason why I was offered to become the office coordinator for the new Kolkata office of Greenpeace India. It was a huge responsibility. From the streets to the office, the transition was immense, leaving aside the responsibilities. Office admin, team building, being 2nd in command in the office, donor relations, and overall finances of the office comprised my JD. My leadership skills were honed at this stage and I felt totally at ease being in charge of the 25 people teams.

While a work experience of 18 years has equipped me with the eloquence of words and action, and of maturity to see things from different perspectives, the first 2 years at Greenpeace laid a strong foundation of basic leadership and management skills for me. And I was mighty fortunate to be groomed by the best teachers I have ever met in my life. This goes to all of them whom I owe the world to. In absence of a better expression in English, I can only THANK each and every one of my mentors at Greenpeace. 

Memories came alive as I looked back to that life. Here are few of them.

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