‘Two States’ and Cross Cultural Awareness!

Chetan Bhagat’s novel ‘Two States’ spread like wildfire across the country and soon enough, the sparkling, glitzy,  Technicolor Bollywood movie followed in all its grandeur.

While the world marveled over the picturesque cinematography, the adorable romance between the couple, the acting prowess of the cast and the colorful explosion of Bollywood songs and sentiments, I was focused on something rather different.

The clash between Krish Malhotra’s (Arjun Kapoor) North Indian culture and Ananya Swaminathan’s (Alia Bhatt) South Indian Tamil culture awoke a lot of sensitivity in me and I realized how we have grown very fiercely protective of our own cultures and tradition. While this may be a beautiful sentiment to harbor in an age where tradition and culture is casually neglected, it may be coming at the price of learning to respect cultures that are different from ours.

Despite a vast increase in exposure and education, the need for cultural awareness has grown monumentally today and this especially extends into the professional forum. The work environment now includes people from all walks of life, who hail from different parts of the world. This influx carries a surge of different cultures along with it. Only by imbibing a sense of cultural competence in ourselves will we be able to respect people who are different from us.

With an increase in awareness, the harmony within different, sometimes even conflicting cultural groups will automatically increase and the team synergy becomes a symphony! This is the strength of cross cultural training.

At the end of ‘Two States’ what Krish and Ananya’s families realized, was that only by wanting to learn about other cultures would they be able to understand each other better. When they stopped believing that theirs was the superior culture and looked upon the newcomers with friendliness and a willingness to learn, understand and compromise, the newcomers became fond friends and even families!

In any environment, when we are met with people who are different, the first step towards understanding them is accepting their difference as a beautiful unique identity. I was overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of the amount of beauty there is in exploring different cultures and this is what I carried with me at the end, when two complete opposite poles of traditions came together in a marriage that had the best of both worlds.

So embrace the adventures that come with meeting people from different cultures and shed your inhibitions! This little anecdote from a popular movie is one of many instances of the need for cross cultural training and cultural competence. This awareness is vital for both our professional and personal lives.

Stay tuned to our blog to see what we bring forth next!

MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, cross cultural training and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. 

Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers. 

Emotional Intelligence - You Are Your Own Master

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” – Kahlil Gibran

Recently I watched a tamizh movie starring Jyothika titled 36 Vayadhinile (At 36 years of age). This movie is a re-make of the popular Malayalam movie starring Manju Warrier titled How Old Are You and my expectations were quite high as I entered the theater. Half an hour into the movie my mind was whirring with a million thoughts and revelations.

In the first half of the movie, Vasanthi (Jyothika) is the kind of woman who is very submissive with her husband and silently bears abuses and insults from him. But more than feeling sorry for her, I only felt an indignant rage.

When Vasanthi was emotionally manipulated into abandoning the project that she had worked so hard on and moving out of the country, she initially felt she had no way out. But when she thought about it and realized that her decision was in her own hands, she very calmly and confidently put her foot down and refused to do something that she felt was not right. For the exact same situation in which she first felt trapped and betrayed, a simple change in perspective made her feel strong and secure.

Eventually in the second half of the movie Vasanthi finds herself and finds true happiness. While this may seem like a fairy-tale ending that makes us sniffle and well-up, it isn’t as easy as it may seem on the big screen.

We need to make a conscious effort to be more in tune with our emotions. What Vasanthi displayed initially was a complete lack of emotional literacy where she was not aware of her own emotions or the emotions of those around her. Her very low levels of emotional intelligence was the reason she was her own biggest obstacle.

When we apply this concept to our own lives, we realize that we need to be emotionally intelligent so we can grow holistically. If we do not respond to the words that are being said on the inside, the face we present to the world is going to remain resolutely, woefully incomplete.

So put your best foot forward and embrace your emotions. There are instances in your life when emotional intelligence training will make you evolve as a person. Look out for those moments and carpe diem- seize the day!

This little anecdote from a popular movie is one of many instances of the reason for emotional intelligence training and emotional literacy. This awareness is vital for both our professional and personal lives.

The next blog post will delve deeper into the complexities of human emotions and how we can perceive them to our advantage. 


MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, executive coaching and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers.

Communication Skills for Leaders

Every employee has a story of working with someone who was just a poor communicator. I have my own story too. The person I worked under was, by all polite standards, a mystery. 

He was not clear about his expectations, his feedback (positive or negative),  was always vague and his instructions were very arbitrary to say the least. Simply put, he had terrible communication skills. This caused problems in many areas – poor relationships with his subordinates, lack of camaraderie with his peers and animosity with his superiors. Surprisingly his job with the company somehow lasted longer than it should have. Truth eventually won the battle and he was terminated. But his departure left such a huge ‘crater’ of confusion that the entire company revamped its method, mode and policy for communication across the board. In the aftermath, the new communication policy was much clearer than before!

So what type of communication skills should a good leader have? What makes a good communicator? Leaders carry a great deal of responsibility on their shoulders - manage production output and quality service, marshaling his or her personnel and resources and all the while keeping the whole process within the satisfactory limits of the company’s watchful gaze. 

Lets look at a few aspects of good communication that a leader should keep in mind:

•  Leaders must give clarity to his or her team on vision, goals, roles & responsibilities
• They must give clear and consistent feedback  so that the required demands of performance or quality are adhered to 
• They communicate any progress or deficiency clearly to higher levels of authority so that appropriate decisions can be made in accordance with the needs.
•   Lastly, regardless of how the job plays out, they make sure to give ample motivation and inspiration to the team on a job done, inspiring better efforts for the next project

Communication Skills Training is a vital component of enhancing correspondence within the organization regardless of their size or business. Such training programs equip the people that matter with the skills that matter even more. 

MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, executive coaching and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers.

3 Traits of an Inspirational Leader

Leaders come in all styles and frames, through different eras in history and accomplish objectives differently. But they all had one thing in common – they made a difference; one that was profound enough to garner a loyal gathering that still revered them long after their passing. Today’s leaders are a different breed – entering a world teeming with technology and conveniences that leaders of the yesteryears never possessed. While modern leadership programs and Ivy league schools can equip a candidate with some rudimentary skills necessary to lead, there are certain intangible aspects to being a good leader that can never be taught. And one of those is to be an inspirational leader. 

In this blog we will examine three such aspects that executive leadership courses never teach:

Facing down challenges

At Steve Jobs’ memorial in 2011, Apple’s design guru gave a heart-warming eulogy that spoke of Steve’s remarkable tenacity and determination. He talked about the hours of work that was spent trying to accomplish that which was deemed impossible; the defeat of cynicism, the rejection of reason and being told a hundred times that something could never be done. Perseverance against the odds is a trait of executive leadership that is highly admired.

Driven by passion

The trait most appealing of inspirational leaders is their passion. Sociologists in a recent study of employees were pleasantly surprised to find out that over 80% of employees polled said they would rather work under an angry boss than a stupid one. Sometimes passionate leadership can sting and seem overwhelming. But there is something subconsciously attractive about an indomitable spirit.

Authentically wired

Leaders, by virtue of being on the front lines, face the most heat in terms of questions and criticisms. Many succumb to the pressure of people’s opinions and expectations and allow popular rhetoric to dominate their decisions. Real leaders persevere in their path regardless of the opposition. Real leaders don’t feel the pressure of needing to comply with the forces of tradition or be suppressed by the system or institution. And in the end it is those qualities of a leader that set them apart from the rest and blazes a new trail untouched by others.

For more information on Leadership Training and how it creates inspirational leaders, please refer to the following article - 3 Essentials for any Leadership Training.


MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, executive coaching and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers.

Communication Skills That Enhances Customer Service

India is a nation of incredible resources and services. With a booming economy driven by a largely growing middle class in a population of over a billion, India is cruising down the super-highway of industrial and economic growth. Having lived in India for over 15 years, I got to see this first hand. But there is also a side to this that is not as encouraging. While companies are driving the economy and people are spending more on their needs, sometimes going about those needs are not a pleasant affair. Within the realm of business communication, India has miles to go when it comes to customer service. And within the specific area of customer service, even further to go in good communication skills.

I’ve lived the last couple of years in the United States. While businesses and services are handled extremely professionally, the biggest difference when compared against India, was the incredible customer service that was offered. The old adage, ‘the customer is king’ is truly believed and practiced here. But it is the communication skills that make all the difference. When signing up for a product or service, information or instructions are given clearly so as not to be vague or ambiguous at all. If customers still have questions, web and phone services are available that make life a lot easier. If a customer decides to visit an actual store or location, he or she is treated with respect, communicated to politely and helped out to the maximum. If there happens to be a problem later, trouble-shooting or complaints are heard with sympathy, assurances are made that are taken care of as promised or until the customer is satisfied. Communication skills training are of the highest priority.

This is not necessarily the case in India. Often the customer has to deal with inadequate information further compounded by inconsistent or incompetent web or phone assistance. Customers are often treated as an unavoidable obligation and the attitude shows. Customer service is at its lowest point when having to deal with problems or complaints as the communication from the business end sometimes lacks empathy or understanding for the plight of the customer. With a growing customer base and ever increasing market economy, India would do well to take good strides in improve communication skills. If communication in customer service is cleaned up, there is no doubt that India will be one of best places for progress and growth, for other industries to contend with.

For more information on Communication Skills Training, please refer to the following article: - Ways to enhance workplace communication.


MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, executive coaching and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers.

5 Things Successful Leaders Do

Leadership is a weighty role and those who have been or are currently in it understand the burden of responsibility they carry on their shoulders. Leadership skills have multi-dimensional faculties to it and its nuances are as diverse as the personalities of leaders themselves. The really successful leaders however do certain things and do it consistently. It is this conviction and persistence that makes them good at what they do.



 Here we will look at five aspects that make successful leaders who they are:

Communicating Expectations

Good leaders are clear in their expectations of their employees. They avoid vague and arbitrary directives and balance the line well between communicating exactly what they need and ‘spoon-feeding’ the subordinate to achieve it. This makes it easy for the team to focus and stay on track because they know what criteria or parameters need to be satisfied.

Pushing for Growth

Intuitive leaders know that what is more important than getting things done through people is the people themselves becoming better at who they are. These leaders are quick to recognize hidden skills and talents and create opportunities for these to blossom. Good leaders don’t allow their team to get into a comfortable and complacent spot.

Creating Accountability

Leaders understand the need for creating an atmosphere of accountability amongst each other. They encourage every member of the team to be independent and interdependent without being co-dependent on each other. This fosters a sense of responsibility but also fosters camaraderie within the team which helps to keep each other sharp an on their toes.

Knowing the pulse of the team

Leaders understand that monitoring the progress or growth of an individual or team is crucial to knowing the health and morale of the team. Good leaders don’t shy away from identifying problematic areas but are also quick to point out compliments for good work.

Ask for feedback

Good leaders realize that every member of the team is a contributing member and may have something valuable to offer for the greater good of the team. These leaders don’t pretend to know all the answers and make sure to ask their subordinates of helpful ideas or opinions.

Leadership Training  Programs seek to create novel opportunities for their upcoming leaders-to-be, where they can hone and sharpen their skills in multi-faceted areas and be the kind of leader the organization needs them to be. 

MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, executive coaching and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. We are experts in the field of leadership training. Our training programs are customised based on the objectives, experience of the target audience and the type of industry. We have been in business since 2005 and some of our clients include Daimler, Standard Chartered Bank, Microsoft, Novartis, Cipla, Deloitte, Caterpillar and many more. Pramila Mathew, Owner and Founder of MMM, has a dual background in Business and Psychology and has significant work experience in both India and USA. Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers.

3 Fundamentals Of Professional Etiquette

People are complex and as a result, often their behaviors and tendencies can be just as complex to say the least. People inadvertently commit fallacies or behaviors that are uncalled for. Often poor business etiquette can leave a lasting and bad impression, especially if that person is the customer, prompting a sense of resentment and bitterness toward the particular business or service. Good business on the other hand can be refreshing and greatly appreciated. 

In this article we will look at three aspects of good professional etiquette:

 Articulate While one’s gestures and external behaviors can often be deceiving, the very words that come out of a person’s mouth can often speak volumes about the temperament or character of the speaker. People who don’t use polite verbiage can come across as rude and uncivil. Polite language like, “please” and “thank you” go a long ways in communicating good first impressions. Rude language and unprofessional comments on the other hand strongly display rude behavior, lack of manners and an ignorance of mutual respect and courtesy for those interacting with them.  

Appearance An individual’s personal appearance also speaks volumes about their own attitudes towards professionalism and courtesy toward others. This person’s attire is also descriptive of his or her desire to look well-groomed and also intangible qualities like attention to detail. It shows exemplary care toward hygiene, grooming, wardrobe and an overall care for one’s own professional appearance. Not only does the proper business attire evoke a sense of professionalism but it also evokes respect from those he or she interacts with, earning a healthy dose of dignity and being taken seriously. 

Punctuality Being on time speaks also says a lot about how much respect a person may (or may not) have for himself or for his fellow employees. It displays a sense of obligation to duty, a respect for oneself but primarily an appreciation and respect for other people’s time and duties as well. Consistent lateness shows a lack of respect for others who did display proper business etiquette to be there on time but who unfortunately ended up waiting at their own expense for one person’s tardiness.  

Business Etiquette Training programs are offered by companies to help equip their employees with the right tools and resources to help develop and maintain a professional demeanor but also practice minimal standards of professional communication.


MMM Training Solutions conducts soft skills training, executive coaching and leadership training programs for corporates in India and abroad. Please visit our website http://www.mmmts.com to know more about our programs and our trainers.