Bangalore Skyline

“This is India,” our guide said to us, and indeed it is as different from New Delhi as I could imagine. The streets are wide; there are actually traffic signals and signs that say “Obey Traffic Rules” (which, of course, is relative). It is evident from the cars and billboards advertising international shops that this is a wealthy city.

Bangalore, The Silicon Valley of India

The Silicon Valley of India is laced with trees—Jacarandas, Acacias, Ficus—colonial-vintage buildings, and broad parkways feeding into congested roads where traffic snakes by. Entire clusters of glass high rise buildings form mini software cities, representing every major developer I’ve heard of and dozens that I’ve not. Driving through those areas, you feel you’re in familiar surroundings with coffee shops, global brands and men in crisply ironed shirts on motor bikes heading to work.

This is the India we hear about.

Charlene

Everyone seems to be working. You get the feeling that no one is lounging around and there is an energy, evidence of the abundant opportunity in this city. It seems to me that the work ethic is grounded in Hinduism, by that I mean the work ethic feels like “this is what we do; this is what we need to do; and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to do it.” I sense that from everyone, no matter how I come in contact with them. Really a different sensibility that’s very strong and committed to doing a good job, no matter what that job is. And a very deep-seated politeness.

I was so struck today by a remark a delegate voiced in one of our training sessions. We were talking about time zones and how complicated it is to arrange conference calls between the US and India because of the time difference. Some people said it was hard to work until 7pm and then get home (after braving the traffic) and have a call with colleagues in the US at 8pm. One fellow raised his hand and said, “It’s very difficult when you stay awake til midnight and then most of the team on the other end doesn’t even dial in.”

I know that time zone differences are among the most challenging aspects of virtual teams, and the idea has always been to “be fair” and rotate the pain. But it became so strongly personal as I listened to this manager, thinking of him staying awake until midnight only to have many of his colleagues on the other end not show up. Can you imagine how enormously frustrating and demoralizing that would be? What would that do to his morale?

Charlene