This man comes dressed casually, with a charismatic smile and calm eyes, and tops that joyous entrance by cracking witty rib-tickling joyful one liners! From leading an iconic design company and biking on his Harley to helping people by being a life coach and now setting up his own retreat, this man has had one of the most fascinating journeys. He is currently setting up Dhyaana, which is an immersive mindfulness space and social initiative. Presenting to you an interview of former Managing Director at IDEO, Founder Director at Insight Instore, and Life Coach & Mindfulness Guide, Mr. Gopi Krishnaswamy.
Experience being Managing Director at IDEO
In one word, humble! To be surrounded by some of the smartest and most creative people on the planet was a truly rewarding experience. The leadership in such a place is best exemplified by the quote- “There go my people. I must follow them for I am their leader!”
The designers at IDEO are incredibly passionate about their work and their craft. As a leader there, I would most often just listen well, be empathetic, and maybe help them see things from other perspectives. For me leadership is more about having a high EQ to deal with things that the team should not have to, so that they can simply do what they are best at. In this case, designing and innovating!
IDEO is often ranked among the top most innovative companies in the world. But what makes it even more interesting is the list of all the companies that are IDEO’s clients! IDEO designed the first-ever mouse for Apple. David Kelly and his team famously put together a prototype made of a roll-on ball attached to an optical scope for Steve Jobs, to get an idea of what they had in mind! Steve Jobs was smart enough to see the genius behind the ‘crude’ prototype and the rest as they say, is history.
Executive to Zen
In life, one has to be able to deal with many difficult things successfully before attaining Nirvana. Bangalore traffic is one of them, and the journeys I have undertaken from Indira Nagar to Whitefield is an important factor in my turning to Zen!
On a slightly different note, I have always enjoyed making a difference to people’s lives. And as I gathered more grey hair, I thought I could put the experience to good use by being a life coach. I also really don’t think too much, so Zen—which means no-mind—seemed to come more naturally to me than the PowerPoint presentations!
We could see Gopi winking with a joyful smile
The Buzz on Mindfulness
We are all born mindful. Watch a baby or a kid doing something and you will see that they are incredibly aware of the present moment. And then we start multi-tasking, become negative, judge others, pick up ailments, turn old and ultimately die. We seem to live but are never truly alive. Mindfulness is a way of life that allows you to live each moment fully. Mindfulness transforms the quality of our lives right from our work to our health, well-being and relationships. And the most important reason – it gets us better salary increments every year! Paisa vasool in more ways than one – don’t take my word for it – try it!
Bad Left Arm & the Harley Trips
I don’t think I have achieved things in spite of the inconvenience of my bad left arm, but because of it. I have always believed that in trying what initially seems impossible, maybe failing a few times, and then finding a way to do it—you open up an aspect of your personality that was probably waiting to be opened up. And if you can make that a way of life, you add life to your years and not just years to your life!
Time for Dhyaana
Dhyaana means ‘awareness’. It is the origin of the word Zen and is at the core of the practice of mindfulness. Dhyaana is a ‘school of life’ and the upcoming retreat will be a place surrounded by nature where people can come, stay, and practice mindful and holistic living with like-minded people. It is shaping up in Thally. Dhyaana is also aiming to teach yoga and mindfulness to a large number of poor rural children in the Thally region.
Quicky bytes
One Quote which Motivates You: “My favorite day of the week – today” – Winnie the Pooh
Secret to be Mindful: Practice!
Harley or Car: “Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul” – Robert Pirsig. I enjoy moving both :-))