Kia ora. My name is Harsh Vijh. I work in the Organisational Development area and am currently serving an energy services company based out of Taupo. Our world is full of organisations of all kinds – public, private, government, NGOs, start-ups, etc. Healthy and productive organisations are crucial for every country and economy. Like people, even organisations need to be systematically developed. I partner with leaders and managers within my organisation to help develop it for the future.
In my job, I get to focus on what’s possible in the future for people, teams, and the whole organisation. I get to work on potential.
It is a means for me to connect to the future of New Zealand. Their exploratory questions not only help students learn more about my work but also help me examine my own work.
It is crucial for people to be exposed to role models beyond their immediate family and community. It helps broaden their perspectives about the world they live in. Hence, I decided to volunteer my time. I sincerely hope that my own son who goes to a New Zealand primary school gets to attend an Inspiring the Future event where he gets exposed to a wide variety of role models from different professions.
Kids find the creative and fun-filled exploratory design of the Inspiring the Future programme very engaging.
On learning that I relocated from India to New Zealand, two students asked me two very innocent but practical questions that exemplify the spirit of the Inspiring the Future programme.
Q1: How come you speak the English language so well? My response: India has the highest number of English-speaking people in the whole world given its focus on developing skills in this global language. This has enabled reputed global organisations to operate massive operations from India and Indian talent making its mark in organisations globally.
Q2: Why did you choose to come and work all the way to tiny little New Zealand? My response: New Zealand is blessed with pristine nature almost everywhere you look. The quality of work-life balance that I can enjoy in this country is unparalleled. And that, there are thousands more like me who have made New Zealand their second home from different parts of the world for the exact same reason.
Through these two questions the students learnt that there is a massive world outside their own little world and that their own little world is very special in its own way.
Satisfied that I had the opportunity to do something truly meaningful for my community.
Everyone’s work makes a real impact in the world. You never know how your story might inspire some kid out there. So, I encourage you to sign up for the Inspiring the Future event and share your story with the children who will create the future of New Zealand.