Create a Community: Charlie Murphy in India

Are you looking for a way to bring a group of people together and help them create a community?

In May this year PYE co-founder Charlie Murphy travelled to Gurgaon in India to run a workshop for a new intake of students at the School of Inspired Leadership (SOIL), a business school that aims to build competent, compassionate and inspiring leaders. Courses at SOIL focus on encouraging students to recognize their purpose and realize their full potential and Charlie was on hand to help the new recruits come together and create a community.

As part of our celebration of social art in India, we caught up with some of the attendees to find out more about them and to ask them what they learned from the creative workshop.

Tell us about yourself

Sapan: I am from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh where I studied up until now. Prior to coming to SOIL to study Business Leadership I worked for 3 years in Sales, Marketing and Business Development.

Guarav: I am 26 years of age and I was born and brought up in New Delhi. My background is in IT. I am currently pursuing an MBA in marketing at SOIL.

Alok: I was born and brought up in Surat, Gujarat. I’m a civil engineer by profession but I also have a great passion for public speaking and making films. I am studying Human Resource Leadership at SOIL.

Mahima: Originally I am from Meerut. I completed a B Tech in manufacturing technology and now I am studying at SOIL. I’m proud to be part of such an institute.

Did you enjoy the workshop?

Sapan: It was the perfect icebreaker. I found the workshop very innovative and I was amazed by the amount of positive energy in the room. We took creative risks that we would never have had the courage to do and we stepped out of our comfort zone in front of all of our new colleagues and fellow students, helping us to really create a community. Charlie Murphy is a huge source of inspiration. It’s always easier to learn from someone that you truly admire.

Gaurav: Initially, I found the workshop quite a strange experience. I was wondering when we would get started on the real MBA stuff, but then I started to realize that actually, this was really important. I was a little embarrassed at first, but when Charlie was willing to act silly and participate I suddenly let go of all my inhibitions and participated wholeheartedly.

Alok: This workship made me realise that I have been very ignorant about myself and who I really am. In two days Charlie taught me that I have to get rid of my inner critic. He brought alive the 12 year old child inside me. I thought I had lost him a long time ago. I quickly realized that beyond the games and activities, Charlie had a hidden agenda. He was making us realize how wonderful each and every person around us really is when they open their hearts and show who they really are.

Mahima: When I think of Charlie I think about how life is not just restricted to work and study. There is so much more to life than that. He reminded me to live my life to the fullest. The workshop was very fun but I also learned a lot and really got to know the peole around me. I was encouraged to take risks that I would never usually take in my normal life – fun filled tasks that were beautifully articulated.

What did you learn?

Sapan: I learned so much from this workshop. Not least that we should always have an amicable relationship with our creative spirit and we should never let it be overshadowed. I also learned to appreciate others in all situations and to truly work as a team.

Guarav: The greatest takeaway from the workshop was that creativity is always within you. For a few moments I was transported back in time, happily coloring like a child. It didn’t matter who was watching or how good the drawing was, all that mattered was that I was enjoying it. I wouldn’t say I am more creative now, but I would say I have less inhibitions. I don’t stop myself from doing new things and I am not embarrassed while doing them.

Alok: More than anything I learned how to love myself and I learnt how important it is to love others for what they are. I learned that I spend a lot of time worrying about what people think of me, while in fact, they are busy worrying about the same thing. Most importantly, I learned that I can be anything I wish to be.

Mahima: You should never criticize yourself for not being good enough. I also learned that approaching tasks creatively and encouraging your team mates is a lot more productive than creating high pressure, competitive situations.

How will this experience affect your work going forward?

Sapan: I understand myself better now. I have got to know my strengths and weaknesses. This will help me to develop my work going forward. I now understand that everyone is creative and I should shed my inhibitions whenever I am trying something new.

Guarav: The workshop taught me to approach life differently. Sometimes, in our every day lives, we are so busy worrying that we forget the simple pleasures. From now on I will be more enthusiastic in my approach to new tasks. I haven’t participated in many group tasks since leaving school but this workshop showed me what I was missing. To make up for lost time I plan to organize and participate in events at SOIL.

Alok: Through this workshop I have got to know myself better. Through this knowledge I can identify what I am good at and what I might need to improve upon. Since this workshop I have created a bucket list of things to focus on in life.

Mahima: I have already seen the effects of this workshop on my everyday life. I am now more confident and aware of my strengths and weaknesses.