Comfort Zone is often seen as one of the pitfalls of the work world, keeping employees stuck in their roles and familiar surroundings, closing the door to self-development. This can have detrimental effects on the organization in the long run.
Currently, many organizations are striving to create a culture where employees can learn, grow, and constantly try new things. One such organization is Arise by INFINITAS, which supports the full learning and growth of employees. This vision is set by the management and the organization, aiming for the growth of employees not only benefiting the organization but also the country by delivering highly skilled technology professionals to society.
The most important step is the first step of overcoming fear. Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” The story of Team Starlight from Arise by INFINITAS exemplifies this as they participated and excelled in the Google GenAI Hackathon APAC Edition 2024, amongst 28,000 competing teams.
The work that Team Starlight presented was an app called Starlight, an AI Vlog Trip Planner utilizing Generative AI technology to streamline trip planning for users who wish to replicate travel plans seen on YouTube influencers’ videos. This app can summarize important information and locations featured in the videos into customizable or savable travel plans.
Team Starlight had to step out of their Comfort Zone by learning all about Generative AI, including cloud systems, architecture, APIs, unfamiliar AI models, preparing to test new technologies, developing a new app within a limited time frame, and working together in a competitive and high-pressure environment to tackle uncertainties in presentation to win accolades. All of this was not a coincidence but a result of overcoming fear that allowed Team Starlight to grow.
“If you don’t start, it’s 0, but if you take action, you have a chance to win. It may not be 100%, but it’s not 0 either.”
The bravery and self-challenge of Team Starlight proved that when a team dares to step out of the Comfort Zone and is committed to self-improvement, the resulting success is immense.
The 3 crucial steps for team leaders in building the foundation for the team to overcome fear:
1. Build Foundation: Start by developing technical skills, soft skills, and changing the mindset of team members. Encourage experimenting, playing, and sharing knowledge within the team.
2. Grab Opportunity: Look ahead, identify strengths and weaknesses of self and the team, prepare to face challenges and opportunities, be open to feedback, and focus on continual self-improvement.
3. Provide Full Support: Skills or mindset alone may not push employees out of the Comfort Zone unless they receive full support from the organization. Mentorship, guidance, task management, and reducing team workload are essential to allow team members to focus on competition fully.
In conclusion, developing oneself and the team is not easy, but with effort, courage, and support from relevant stakeholders, everyone can overcome obstacles and achieve success.
“Learning from experiences and creating new opportunities is what leads to our growth and readiness to face future challenges.”
TLDR: Overcoming fear and self-challenge are essential for personal and team growth, exemplified by Team Starlight from Arise by INFINITAS at the Google GenAI Hackathon APAC Edition 2024.
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