Stoa Digest #73: To simpler times...
If not for simplicity and ease, what are we chasing?
This week’s editorial is by Akshay Agarwal from Cohort 8.
If this was your last meal, what would you want it to be?
Akshay: "What would you want to eat if this was your last meal?"
You: Uh...
Akshay (Looking at you as if it were a normal question to ask when meeting someone new)
You: "I suppose... There was a bhajiya stall near the IndiaBulls building in Parel when I was in Mumbai. It was incredible. I've never experienced anything like that in my life."
Akshay: "Really?"
You: "Yeah, man. It was raining heavily and we just stood there under that small stall, drinking cutting chai and eating Bhaji. That is one good memory I have from my time in Mumbai."
Akshay: "One good memory? What about others?"
You:.....
For some, their favorite meal could be their mother's bhindi sabzi or the Dal Makhni from the recently closed restaurant. That is irrelevant in this situation.
Questions like these give a window into who people are, how they think, and what makes them, them. To be honest, at the onset, the question may not have enough substance to it. The insight, however, lies not in the question or the answer, but in your innate curiosity. So just let your curiosity flow when you are wondering how to drive a particular conversation forward. Real relationships are built when there is comfort with the ambiguity of getting to know someone without expecting the answer you want.
Being a founder of a startup for the past three years, I've realized that one should be establishing relationships every day. A lot of people that I talk to, feel that they are not able to build relationships with new people effectively. Yes, it may seem daunting at first, but it is an acquired skill that takes time and patience.
There may not be anything useful that one may derive. But that shouldn’t be an expectation either. Having a certain outcome in mind is equal to limiting the relationship to only that thing and thus, missing out on an opportunity to experience the connection in its entirety.
Here are quick reminders to rewire our approach toward making connections in the following ways-
1. Never underestimate
Everyone, including you, has something to offer.
2. Be genuine
This may appear insignificant, but it will get you a long way. It’s very easy to see through the masks we wear. So, say what you truly feel and remain silent when you don't have anything to say.
3. Take nothing personally
Most of the time whatever is said, it’s not about you. It’s usually about the situation or the task at hand. For e.g. You did shoddy work doesn’t mean you are shoddy.
So, take it easy. Take it lightly.🤙🏻
🐝Community Buzz 🐝
Here’s something super exciting for y’all!
Stoa X The Product Folks are bringing a mega sporting event in Bangalore. It is a fight between startups to win trophies and cash across 3 sports - cricket, football and badminton.
Happening on the 10th of December at Coolulu TurfPark, Koramangala.
There are limited spots to be grabbed so we will be filtering teams and sending out invites selectively so as to include maximum startups in the league. If your startup is game for this, registrations are open till 30 November 2022.
Link to register: https://www.startupsportsleague.com/
Manasi Thaken from Cohort 4 is back with her super interesting blog where she talks about life and world through her personal account and lens: Curious By Soul.
Check it out, fellas!
See ya folks!