LEARNER PROFILE ITL3: KRISHNA PENUMARTHY

“Krishna, you attending this course has been an asset to the company.”

Krishna enrolled in the ITL3 programme with a focus on developing more multicultural communication skills, to support his management background.

The course reinforced that Krishna had the skills and showed him how to present them in the correct way. Before he enrolled, he said, ‘If I had feelings, I’d speak out. This course taught me I can’t just speak out. This team leadership course helps me to present what I feel in a pleasant way, not with a quarrel. Since I came to the course, I can convey myself much more diplomatically.

Before I attended this course, I would complain to my work colleagues and not to the correct person. I learnt I have to raise an issue with the correct person, so the procedures can be adjusted because we are a multinational company. I learnt to gather evidence and present a clear rationale to the person in charge rather than just complain to other workers. Now, the boss is introducing a procedure I suggested to other shifts.

When I joined the company in 2005, I had problems with many people. I didn’t understand their ways of working. I’d think hey this guy is lazy, now I try to understand his culture and way of working.

Now, we look at our shift, these are our goals, we have to finish these tasks. So, the boss is happy, the shift leader’s happy and our shift finishes better than the others because of our teamwork.

Still I have some bad habits but still I’m learning. It’s practising. And from my bosses’ point of view, he said, “Krishna, you attending this course has been an asset to the company.” ‘

“Before I used to think about a promotion, but after I came to this course, I just think about how to improve the company; profits and quality, and when the moment arises, show people the issues and solutions. That way opportunities will come.”