The Barriers and the Enablers | Sumita Mohapatro Pani | TEDxIMS

Summary

Sumita Mahapatra Pani, a recognized leader in the pharmaceutical industry, shares her inspiring journey in a TEDx talk. She highlights the power of dreams and action, emphasizing how barriers like 'I can't,' 'don't,' and 'won't' can be overcome by shifting mindsets. Through personal experiences, she reveals how to dream big by going the extra mile, rising above challenges, and building meaningful connections. Her message encourages perseverance, ambition, and self-belief, aiming to inspire others to pursue their dreams and achieve success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Life moments lead us to reflect on how we arrived at certain points, like speaking at TEDx.
• 💪 Sumita Mahapatro Pani is a dreamer and achiever, with 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• 🏆 She has received prestigious awards, including recognition among the top 100 women leaders in Asia.
• 💭 The power of dreaming, believing, acting, and achieving drives her professional journey.
• 🚫 Barrier 1: 'I can't' should be reframed as 'I can't yet', encouraging a mindset shift towards growth.
• 🙅‍♀️ Barrier 2: 'Don't' is often imposed by others. Overcoming external limitations requires questioning and persistence.
• 🧠 Barrier 3: 'I won't' reflects a fixed mindset. Shifting to 'I would' opens the path to new possibilities.
• ✨ Enabler 1: Going the 'extra mile' is key to success, requiring dedication, hard work, and perseverance.
• 🌟 Enabler 2: 'Rise' – during challenging times, perseverance and self-belief are crucial for overcoming obstacles.
• 🤝 Enabler 3: 'Connect' – meaningful personal and professional connections are essential for growth, support, and opportunities.

Q & A

What does Sumita Mahapatro Pani identify as the source of her success in her career?

Sumita Mahapatro Pani attributes her success to the power of dreaming and taking action. She believes in setting higher standards for herself, going the extra mile, and continuously striving to become the best version of herself.

What is the significance of the phrase 'You are today where your thoughts have brought you' in Sumita’s journey?

This phrase reflects the idea that one's current circumstances are a result of past thoughts and actions. For Sumita, this mindset has shaped her journey from a sales representative to a top industry leader, showing that thoughts and persistence influence future outcomes.

What are the three barrier words Sumita mentions, and how does she suggest overcoming them?

The three barrier words are 'I can't', 'don't', and 'won't'. She suggests overcoming them by changing 'I can't' to 'I can't yet', questioning the external 'don't', and shifting the mindset from 'I won't' to 'I would'.

How does Sumita redefine the phrase 'I can't'?

Sumita redefines 'I can't' as an incomplete sentence. She adds 'yet', implying that one may not have the skills or capability now but can develop them in the future with effort and training.

What does Sumita mean by the word 'don't' being external?

She explains that 'don't' comes from external sources—others imposing limits, such as telling her not to be ambitious or not to prioritize her career. Sumita advocates for questioning these external 'don'ts' to carve one's own path.

How does Sumita view the word 'won't', and what shift does she recommend?

Sumita views 'won't' as a mindset that blocks progress. She recommends shifting from 'I won't' to 'I would', which opens up possibilities and helps move beyond self-imposed limitations.

What are the three enabler words mentioned in the speech, and how do they support success?

The three enabler words are 'extra mile', 'rise', and 'connect'. These words emphasize the importance of going beyond expectations, persevering through challenges, and building meaningful professional connections for success.

Why does Sumita emphasize the importance of going the 'extra mile'?

Sumita believes going the extra mile sets achievers apart. It involves exceeding expectations, working hard, and continuously improving. She shares personal examples of how putting in extra effort led to her success.

What personal experience does Sumita share to illustrate the word 'rise'?

Sumita shares a story of being tasked with turning around a struggling business. Despite frustrations and personal sacrifices, she persevered through challenges and eventually succeeded, highlighting the importance of rising to the occasion.

How does Sumita relate 'connection' to both personal and professional success?

Sumita emphasizes that human beings are wired to connect, and in professional life, building connections with mentors, collaborators, and supporters is essential. These connections provide guidance, new opportunities, and clarity during decision-making.