Gerald D'Cunha

L ast evening my friend and co-trainer, Anupam and I were on our way home after the daily training session. We have been holding these training sessions for the degree-college students in a suburban college. The management is very keen that these young kids should possess in them some fine soft-skills so that they succeed when they move from the campus to the corporate. My subject has, always, been ‘Self-confidence and Communication Skills’. It’s something I needed the most when I was these students' age… and, I know how significant it is and, importently, I know how I went about building up my own self-confidence and honing my own communication skills. So, it’s something I impart straight from my soul, and I have been sensing the instant connect of hearts. "One of the ways of building up your self-confidence is by becoming aware of your talents, skills, strengths and weaknesses,” I keep reminding the young kids, “It’s one of the legs of the stool cal...

I spent my entire day today with the students of a Mumbai college. I was there to help them in the area of ‘Self-confidence and Communication skills’. This subject is so close to my heart… that, I do not have to make any effort to prepare, plan or execute whatever I want to convey. And, I know why it is so… When I was their age, I struggled with my low self-confidence… “You guys are way better than how I was at your age,” I keep reminding them, “If I have done it, you, too, can.” But, there is always a rejoinder I add to this positive message: “There is a massive difference between ‘I can’ and ‘I will’… You have to commit… You have to go all the way and do it!” God doesn’t make repeat production. If He makes someone fair as snow and someone black as coal while he makes someone dusky as a Cadbury… When this young one, Mary, was on stage, I pointed to her specialness – her complexion… “There is no one in this room as unique as you… In your duskiness lies t...

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it… It just blooms.” - Unknown I spent the entire day, today, with B.Sc (IT) students of a Mumbai college. They are all set to walk into their final year, in a few weeks from now. So, the college authorities are aware of the fact that these young-ones would need to be groomed so that they get good placement. I was there, today, to help them in their self-confidence and communication skills. At their age, I was worse, as far as my self-confidence and communication skills were concerned. So, if I could do something about my problem, they, certainly, can do something about theirs… As I, always, say: “If I can, you, too, can.” But, after a pause, I add this: “I said, ‘You can’… not ‘You will’!” Yes, I, always, hammer this truth into young-ones' skulls: “Till you do not make ‘I can’ into ‘I will’, your problem will remain your problem.” Guys like me go there and share o...