Stories Make the World Go Around
As a corporate trainer, whenever I’m facilitating a storytelling workshop, I like to begin by asking the participants
Syngrity is a research and evidence based learning and development organisation. We are an interdisciplinary team with expertise in human resources, psychology, psychometric assessments, behavioral education, communication and experiential learning. We partner with employers, policy-makers and educators, advancing 21st-century relevant higher-order cognitive and experiential skills.
Syngrity had the privilege of collaborating with Dhruva Consultants in the UAE for a workshop for their Senior Leadership Team. The focus of the workshop was on the intersections and alignments between ‘Self’, ‘Others’ and ‘Business’, and culminated with participants crafting their personal leadership brand statements. Our approach involved the use of different methodologies such as our signature communication piece – Style of Language, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) tools and frameworks, and Moving Canvases. We also had the privilege of having long-time Syngrity collaborator – Yasser Bilgrami – join us and introduce participants to Internal Alchemy, our unique stress-alleviating program designed to realign elements of the body. A heartfelt thank you to Dhruva Consultants for entrusting us with this important learning journey, and to all the participants for their active engagement.
Syngrity partnered with Dhruva Advisors to conduct a reflection-based leadership workshop for their Senior Leaders in Mumbai. The objective was to explore the intersection between the personal and leadership brand of the participants and the larger organisational values. We addressed this using a combination of methodologies and interventions, starting with our signature communication piece – Style of Language – to cultivate presence through voice and body, followed by Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) frameworks that helped unpack the Self and our relationships with Others, and Moving Canvases, our art-based intervention that explores organisational values and behaviours. A big shoutout to Dhruva Advisors for giving us the opportunity to facilitate this important learning journey, and to all the participants for their presence and engagement. Thank you to Priyanka and Vikram for your positivity and captivating facilitation style.
Syngrity partnered with a leading global consultancy firm to conduct our signature theatre-based playshop – Theatre of the Self 2.0 – for a gathering of their senior leaders. Theatre of the Self 2.0 is an intervention based on improv and forum theatre methods. The workshop focuses on enabling participants to build on each other’s ideas and collectively solve problems through laughter, empathy and honest reflections. At its core, Theatre of the Self 2.0 is about empowering individuals to create an ecosystem of allyship through personal and professional transformations. Kudos to our wonderful client and participants for promoting a workplace culture where senior leaders embrace spontaneity and transformation. We are honored to have been part of your learning journey!
Syngrity ventured into interior Maharashtra, to conduct a transformative workshop for @Laxmi Organics Industries in Mahad.Our methodology? The power and outreach of Theatre! We staged ‘Zara Aikaa’ (Please Listen), a Marathi Street play, spotlighting Gender Diversity and Inclusion. Centered around the theme of Acceptance, Respect, and Boundary (Sweekar, Sanman, Seema), the play spotlighted and showcased Laxmi Organics’ commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. Led by our master facilitator and performance director, Monica Mahendru, each show ended with a debrief, sparking reflection on the importance of inclusive workplaces. Covering over 500 employees through 9 performances, over a span of 3 days, the workshop was hugely successful in its endeavor to remind the audience of the importance of an inclusive environment in the workplace. Big shoutout to Laxmi Organics and their team for the hospitality and support extended to us and, more importantly, for walking the talk when it comes to enhancing workplace culture.
Team Syngrity descended from a neighbourhood galaxy into the headquarters of Laxmi Organic Industries Ltd to perform a play around the theme of Gender, Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace. The Premise of the Play? An extraterrestrial visitor lands on earth on a mission to secure a job here. Eager to learn the ropes, our Alien attends a grooming school, only to encounter complex dynamics that women navigate in the professional realm. The play ended with a detailed debrief by our master facilitator and performance director Monica Mahendru sparking reflection on unconscious biases in the workplace and the need for building a gender-inclusive culture. The key takeaways of the performance were the 3Ss – Sweekar, Sanman, Seema (Acceptance, Respect, and Boundaries) in the workplace and truly showcased Laxmi Organics’ commitment to gender diversity and inclusion. Big shoutout to Laxmi Organics and their team for the hospitality and support extended to us and, more importantly, for walking the talk when it comes to enhancing D&I in the workplace.
The Syngrity Team facilitated the Digitas Senior Leadership offsite in the city of lakes, Udaipur. Our facilitators delved into Emotional Intelligence, Empathy and Self-Awareness with the mission of crafting not just better leaders but better individuals. The highlight of the evening was Confronting Fear: The Awe-Inspiring Fire Walk led by our master facilitator Vikram Badhwar. We also conducted our signature theatre-based intervention – Theatre of the Self 2.0. This immersive experience enabled participants to reflect on their roles, delve into empathy, and embrace the essence of senior leadership. A big thank you to the fantastic team at Digitas India for choosing Syngrity for your leadership journey! Here’s to igniting the flames of change and walking confidently into a future of empowered leadership.
Syngrity joined hands with Guardian India for an immersive gathering, delving into crucial aspects of leadership, team dynamics, and collaboration. Through our unique Percussion Workout and Moving Canvases interventions, we dismantled traditional teamwork, fostering creativity and reinforcing the strength of the collective tribe! These dynamic workshops were a profound exploration of leadership principles, enriching the team with valuable insights and enhancing collective capabilities. Syngrity takes pride in contributing to Guardian India’s journey towards leadership excellence and effective collaboration.
Syngrity joined forces with VMart for a deep-dive into collaboration, creativity and communication via our improv-theatre based intervention – Theatre of the self. Together, we crafted a space where participants could deconstruct and reflect on how collaboration and teaming could be enhanced through a series of reflection -based theatre games and the creation of an organizational culture charter. A big shout out to VMART for their enthusiasm, active participation, and unwavering commitment to fostering stronger and more cohesive leadership teams.
We had the pleasure of attending both Theatre of the Self 1.0 and 2.0 workshops facilitated by Blessin Varkey, Malati Vasudeva and Vikram Badhwar during our leadership offsites in 2022 and 2023. These sessions were… read more
Improv has always been both a stretch and growth zone activity for me. While it has provided many insights over the years, many-a-times the pressure to be funny, witty, creative etc. makes me nervous, and… read more
We engaged with Syngrity for a workshop that addressed several critical areas relevant to our evolving organizational needs. From the onset, the methodology employed by Vikram and his team was both engaging and insightful. They… read more
PRCAI engaged with Syngrity for a ‘Theatre of the Self ‘workshop and invited Human Resources leaders from several PR consultancies. Vikram Badhwar and Blessin Varkey did a phenomenal job in creatively leveraging the art of… read more
The learning tools adapted by Vikram, are superlative. The drum circle, he delivered for us had a great balance of fun and learning. His integrated music approach to sharing key organisational messages was delivered brilliantly… read more
The team at Syngrity and the man at the forefront – Vikram Badhwar – are a revelation to all who experience their energy! Syngrity conducted a team building workshop which was Experiential Learning in its… read more
Vikram is a highly energetic and passionate individual. He puts his heart and soul in going what he does. Seen him using music for bringing huge teams together and also for coaching one on one.… read more
We hired Vikram to deal with certain attitudinal and interpersonal relationship challenges. Each challenge was addressed and dealt with is a very unique and creative workshop and the end result was a very high level… read more
Vikram is one of a kind trainer who mesmerises participants – he is extremely reachable, committed, knowledgeable and as a behavioural skills trainer on aspects like self discovery using sound and body movements, I recommend… read more
I have met Vikram over the years and have always been impressed with the depth of his expertise. He would bring in thoroughness to his proposals which were fantastic. As a facilitator, he is charismatic… read more
Vikram – it was a pleasure to spend time with you. It felt like being with a warm personal friend. Your breadth of interests and understanding of human beings at a rare eclectic level brings… read more
Today’s age learning is all about adopting innovative methods while delivering an impactful message; and that’s precisely what I have experienced in multiple sessions conducted by Vikram. His unique ability in linking musical concepts with… read more
Vikram is an energetic individual with a passion to deliver experiential learning programs. Vikram conducted team collaboration exercises for my India and Philippines team recently and we found the whole experience very unique, engaging and… read more
Vikram and the Syngrity team are an excellent choice for off-site team-building activities. His high energy, unusual style, and passion are infectious and really charges up the team to fire at “Max Q” potential. Very… read more
As a corporate trainer, whenever I’m facilitating a storytelling workshop, I like to begin by asking the participants
I had the privilege of attending the AEE (Association for Experiential Education) – APAC conference
Technical skills are always sought after in any profession.
In today’s fast-paced world, our modern lifestyle often conflicts with
Leadership in the workplace is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor.
Anger is a signal worth listening to. Anger can motivate one to say no to the ways in which
This blog is not about winning or losing, success and failure, leadership or otherwise. This blog is quite simply
On New Year’s eve, I threw a big bash at my place. The house was buzzing with guests
In early 2016, a close friend and former colleague approached me to incorporate theatrical elements into a nationwide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) training program
Your vocal cords are like two small flaps in the larynx or voice box that flutter, closing and opening and closing again, allowing for the breath to vibrate and be made into sound.
In an ever-evolving landscape of personal and professional development, the quest for unlocking human potential and accelerating growth is a constant pursuit. From educational institutions
Syngrity started in 2002 as an afterthought to my experiences at GE Capital International Services where I worked from 2000 to 2002.. GE, or GECIS, as it was called in India
Percussion Workout is a highly motivational processed experience using the energy of music and rhythm to bring together teams. It is one of the easiest ways of understanding the
Last month’s blog covered a range of technological solutions towards monitoring and improving organisational D&I metrics and benchmarks. In this month’s blog, we’re going
In part 3 of my blog, I re-assessed the ‘business case for D&I’ and whether a ‘human-centered approach’ would be more appropriate for creating diverse and
Returning employees to work during the pandemic Is an unchartered territory. To navigate through this will require flexibility &
In part 2 of my blog series, I unpacked the role unconscious biases play in how they could derail diversity and inclusion goals, if left unmanaged.
Last month’s blog was about going back to the basics and trying to understand what terms like diversity, equity and inclusion mean
There is an abundance of resources and materials available online about DE&I in the workplace as a result of the fact that many corporations are pursuing DE&I goals.
There has been a lot of song and dance about methods of giving and receiving feedback. For the longest time,
India has been living in quarantine since 22nd March 2020. But the outbreak of this pandemic is not new;
For time immemorial, there has been this deep desire to be superhuman; have para normal abilities, mostly uncultivated.
In our journey of understanding the Anxiety Disorder, we have discussed Anxiety and it’s several symptoms in detail.
Are you extremely afraid of being judged by others? Are you very self-conscious in everyday social situations?
Taking forward from the discussion on the previous blog on Anxiety, this blog talks about the second symptom
Technology is defined as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
What makes a situation stressful? Why is a particular situation stressful for person A and not so for person B? The answer to this question is perception.
After going through my first blog, many people have asked me a question, “All this information is great but can all this be avoided?”
In my college days I was either stressing about my assignments, submissions and exams, if not then
Walking the streets of Kassel, in the heart of Germany, I feel it has a particular charm. I come here for research several times a year
Improvisation trains us to generate positive emotions through the experience of not-knowing and action engagement.
It’s easier said that done. In such a competitive world, where each of us are striving to make it big
Tanja Matheis, our researcher on the Warrior‘s Path team, documents the implementation of Syngrity’s exciting new experiential intervention.
I attended a talk recently where L&D heads of various organisations came together to discuss the Future of Leadership Development.
Sleep is a short death. Death is a long sleep. When I read these lines which had mysteriously appeared on the picture of a deceased relative, they seemed to ring a bell.
A few years back, as a relationship was changing course, on being asked my plans, I said, “I want to raft the top ten rivers of the world”
As a creative solutions provider, for over 17 years, Syngrity has worked with organisations across industries in providing avant grade
Tanja Matheis, our researcher on the Warrior‘s Path team, documents the implementation of Syngrity’s exciting new experiential intervention.
Passion is a very powerful feeling. It is geared to be the driving force for all human beings. It is such a strong feeling that you could almost define passion
For 16 years, Syngrity has been partnering with organisations to address leadership, communication and behaviour; using experiential methodologies
I am happy, I am sad, I am angry, I am jealous, I am this and I am that. It almost sounds like your identity is lost and you are no more than what you claim you are.
Customer Service training has been changing continuously since the BPO emerged in 1995. It started off by having western thoughts
Social Media is about voyeurism. Wanting to see what is happening in another person’s life. And I am beginning to find it a bit odd!
I travelled for the Jodhpur RIFF to listen to 3 days of a music journey of collaborations between Rajasthani folk and various international bands.
More and more, people are becoming more conscious about how they speak and present themselves. In my work, we come across a lot of queries where senior
One of the lessons that were emphasized again and again, whilst I studied the Alexander Technique and martial arts was how to stand
In today’s multicultural an dynamic environment which gives the “never before” opportunity to people to grow at an unfathomable pace,
The last few years have been very exciting; with all the travel and adventure and experiences.
As a part of my work, we end up working with senior management in the space of executive and leadership presence. I would skip my reservations in the usage of this verbiage
There are three kind of breathing that you need to be aware of:
Fools Breath, Seers Breath, Warriors Breath
Awareness is one of the continuous tasks that a warrior commits to. Awareness is to be conscious of a situation or a fact.
The ‘musafir’ (traveller) is always on the move: across physical and metaphysical realms. The journey is what makes it worth while for the musafir.
The warrior is always looking for the point between two breaths and between two heart beats. The moment of stillness is there.
Malati is an HR professional with a global perspective, and has over 25 years of industry experience. She is experienced in leading global teams with a focus on strategic business priorities to drive business outcomes. She is a keen student of Psychology and is a psychometric practitioner, facilitator and accredited executive coach. Malati has worked with Sun Pharmaceuticals, PMS India, and DXC Technology in various HR roles such as HR Business Partner, Learning & Talent Management, Performance Management, Employee Engagement, CSR, and Diversity & Inclusion. In her last role, Malati was the Global Learning Lead for DXC Technology.
LOCATION: Noida
Based in Delhi, Vikram Badhwar is an experiential educator, executive coach, keynote speaker, actor, and communications expert. He has been using experiential methods of education since the nascent stages of experiential methodology in India. He started Syngrity in 2002 and has ever since, built space in the industry as a Creative Solutions Provider. He has worked across disciplines and industry for the last two decades, using business, experiential, positive, and clinical psychology and holistic methodologies in the space of organizational development, executive coaching, and building sustainable models of transformation at a personal, team, and organizational level.
LOCATION: New Delhi
Priyanka runs an award-winning experiential learning and coaching company, called WINGS Team since 2011. She focuses on engaging with clients on developmental themes for their teams using Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) tools that lead to transformational journeys for the organization and their employees. As an NLP coach and facilitator, Priyanka has enjoyed helping craft developmental journeys with organizations and individuals such as HCL, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, Tata Coffee, Epsilon, JBM, Pony Needles, Delhi Duty Free, Everest, DLF Foundation, Thapar Engineering College., to name a few.
LOCATION: Lucknow
Sumal is an accomplished & high performing business leader with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries and verticals (Conglomerate + Manufacturing Plant + Consulting + Start-ups + Service Industry). Sumal is recognized for being a valued business driver and change agent in diverse environments, backed by a proven track record in managing a variety of Management & HR essentials, designing Strategy, building Organisational Capability to drive strategy, establishing Policies and Practices, and Leading OD and Change management initiatives linking HR to business results. He has held leadership positions at the K K Birla Group and TVS.
LOCATION: Gurgaon
MARIANA MENEZES
Instructional Designer
Mariana is a Cambridge-certified and TEFL international educator dedicated to each child’s social and academic growth and development. With a BA and B.Ed in Language and Literature, certificate in Playwriting, and Spec. in Psychopedagogy, Mariana is capable of motivating learners to develop higher-order thinking skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, independent research, cooperation, and argument presentation. Additionally, she is a highly qualified native Portuguese speaker teaching across all age groups, including embassies’ bureaucrats aspiring to new diplomatic posts in Brazil.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meneamari/
MONICA MAHENDRU
Theatre
Monica, a former HR practitioner and tech recruiter, shifted her focus to the performing arts to pursue her passion for acting. With over a decade of experience in theatre, she has diversified her skills to include coaching and facilitating workshops for global organisations. Monica harnesses the power of theatre to engage audiences and drive impactful behavioral changes.
VIKRAM BADHWAR
Outbound & Communication
Vikram Badhwar, based in Delhi, is an experienced educator, executive coach, keynote speaker, actor, and communications expert. Since 2002, he has been a pioneer in experiential education in India through his organisation – Syngrity. With over two decades of experience, Vikram specialises in organisational development, executive coaching, and sustainable transformation models using business, experiential and positive psychology approaches.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syngrity/
Building Blocks
Team-Building & Time Management
The Building Blocks intervention is a teaming and leadership-skill based activity. The goal of the exercise is to build a model as close to a provided diagram, within a given time frame, with exciting twists and obstacles designed to encourage teams to strategise, negotiate and problem-solve under the guidance of team leaders.
Talks & Film Screenings
Discussion about thematic areas of the program
Talks given by expert resource persons, alongside film screenings on thematic areas, followed by discussions and Q & As will enable inspired learning, knowledge-sharing and ideation around the various thematic areas to stimulate creativity and innovation.
Innovation Mindset Index Assessment
Style of Problem-solving & Mindset
The Innovation Mindset Index Assessment, developed by Mercer Talent Enterprise, is the first and only psychometric tool focused on assessing an individual’s strengths related to innovation. Based on the research in positive psychology, the assessment measures factors such as resilience, grit, courage, ambiguity, agility, etc. to map an individual across five key orientations to determine their approach to innovation.
Personal Reflection
Journaling & Silent Hour
Personal Reflection entails practices such as Silent Hour and Journaling which serve as structured methods to facilitate introspection around key learnings and takeaways of the day. Silence, in particular, becomes a conduit for engaging with one’s inner thoughts. There will also be facilitator-guided reflections, alongside peer-sharing, which will provide a platform for participants to share personal discoveries, experiences, and ideas in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Outbound
Hikes, Rafting & Nature walks
Outbound learning serves as a vital bridge between cognitive learning and real-world application, preparing individuals for the challenges encountered beyond academic settings. By immersing in engaging experiences that stimulate both the mind and body, outbounds facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge and insights. They promote the development of a healthy attitude and positive values while imparting practical life skills through increased awareness, appreciation, and actionable learning.
Design Thinking
Innovation & Brainstorm
Design Thinking guides individuals through a systematic series of activities and processes tailored to deeply understand needs and transform challenges into innovative solutions. Design Thinking also fosters effective team communication by encouraging collaboration and establishing a shared vocabulary. This comprehensive approach strengthens teams on various fronts, enabling individuals to tackle complex problems with confidence and unity.
Style of Language
Communication, Storytelling & Presentations
The style of Language is designed to improve spoken communication skills, including communication, storytelling, and presentation abilities. Participants gain empowerment to enhance public speaking and oratory skills, expressing ideas with clarity and confidence. By mastering language nuances and delivery techniques, effectiveness in conveying messages to diverse audiences is improved.
Theatre of the Self
Empathy & Inclusion
Theatre of the Self uses the principles of improv theatre to provide insightful reflections on the self and group dynamics. Through a series of engaging exercises, participants explore empathy, trust-building, self-awareness, collaboration, and the ability to shift mindsets in a creative and dynamic setting. This playshop creates a safe and enjoyable environment for experiential, self-directed learning, nurturing personal growth and deeper insights into interpersonal relationships.
PRITESH MARU
Design Thinking
Pritesh Maru is a versatile artist and designer, specialising in Spatial and Exhibition Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. With experience as an Art Director and Visual Designer for various media projects, including the National Award-winning film “Dhh”, he has established a reputation for his expertise in miniature sets, stop motion films, and promos. He has also worked as a design consultant for institutions like the National Science Centre and the Election Commission of India. Presently, he heads Vanm Design Labs, a multidisciplinary design studio in Noida.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritesh-maru-23b987229/
BLESSIN VARKEY
Design Thinking
Blessin is a technologist, social innovator and design thinking coach. He works in the space of emerging technologies including human-computer interaction research and generative AI, and has been a social innovator and accessibility advocate for persons with Intellectual and developmental disabilities, persons with Parkinsons, and other vulnerable groups. Blessin is also a prolific theater practitioner having directed plays and improv shows in the space of learning and development for corporates and not-for-profit organisations.
LAEEQ ALI
Innovation
Laeeq, Co-founder & Director of Origami Creative Concepts, Bloombox Brand Engineers, and Cultinno, is a seasoned marketer and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in branding, advertising, marketing, and communications. He’s also the co-author of ‘Your Time is Now,’ a book on personal development. Laeeq is deeply involved in promoting innovation through Cultinno and also holds leadership positions in organisations like The Ad Club Bangalore and CII Karnataka.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laeeqali/
ANUJ KOTHARI
Innovation
Anuj, Co-Founder of Cultinno.in and Chief Executive at Adinath Enterprise, is a seasoned entrepreneur in pharmaceutical warehousing & logistics. He’s a fellow of Ananta Aspen Centre’s Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Anuj has led initiatives for Young Indians (YI), represented India at the G20 YEA, and mentors in programs like Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Women Entrepreneurs. He also serves on councils like CIPET’s Governing Council.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anujkothari/
DR. RAHUL MIRCHANDANI
Innovation
Dr. Rahul Mirchandani is the Executive Director of Aries Agro Limited, a top Indian multinational specialising in plant and animal nutrition products. He brings over a decade of experience in marketing, finance, and strategy. He is a leading advocate for youth empowerment and inclusive growth, receiving prestigious awards such as the Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Shakti Award 2010. Rahul is a Fellow of the Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship and Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rahul-mirchandani-67a2355/