 |
| In
go ....O D company |
Outdoor Development (OD) programmes are being increasingly
recognised in the corporate world for getting the best out of human potential. Such OD
programmes are based on action learning and have a real-world focus with natural skills
orientation. At the heart of action learning, is the ability to extract the desire to know
more about what an individual can do, what is preventing this, and what resources are
required to get it done (overcome the obstacles). Such an approach requires teamwork
— the focus is on the individual (Learner) himself; the Instructor merely acts as a
Facilitator.
Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) has organised a
series of OD programmes, both in the Himalayas and in Jamshedpur spanning a period of over
four months. Several Corporate Houses have been sending their Supervisory and Managerial
personnel for undertaking such developmental programmes.
In one OD programme (concluded in January 2003), a total of
302 individuals (men and women) from Tata Steel, Tata Sponge Iron, Telco Construction,
Tinplate, Tata Chemicals, Tata Motors, CII Jharkhand Chapter, Usha Martin Industries and
Tata Rayerson participated. The participants responded positively to the OD programme. Ms.
Kiran Nandedkar of Telcon said “I am confident now I can do anything. It was a mental
set-up (determination) which helped me reach the Darawa Top. I learned how to be a good
team member and how to motivate others”. A Graduate Trainee from Telco, Mr. Rupam
Bhattacharjee explained “After attending this programme, I can feel the difference it
has made on my personality, my interaction with others and my attitude. My productivity
has gone up. My friends have noticed the positive changes in me.” Mr. Om Prakash
Singh of Tata Steel, West Bokaro, observed “Nature is the best teacher; we learned
the art of living and to continue improvement and learning.”
Ms. Bachendri Pal has designed these programmes. In her
opinion, the physical tasks undertaken in unfamiliar settings in these OD programmes
provide the means of “learning by doing”. The experiences gathered stand on
their own and help corporate activities undertaken later by the participants.
|