The Power of perspective: Learning to see things in a new light | Cynthia Hansen | TEDxHSGSalon

TL;DR

Scanning the landscape, building light models, and scaling successful strategies are key steps for success in various contexts.

Transcript

Transcriber: Ylenia Fortugno Reviewer: Walaa Mohammed How many of you are from outside Switzerland? Oh, that’s a a lot. How many of you left your home country for the first time to come here? Quite a few. Okay. When you land in a new country for the first time, it’s overwhelming. Sights, sounds, smells. It can be too much. Have you ever felt like y... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 When entering a new environment, scanning the landscape for understanding is crucial to adapt and succeed.
• 🙂 Building light models and testing different strategies allows for the identification of effective approaches.
• ⚖️ Scaling successful strategies through templates and instructions enables their wider application and impact.
• 👨‍🔬 Scanning, building, and scaling can be applied in various contexts, including language teaching, employment programs, and internship searches.
• 💦 It is important to go beyond surface-level information and engage in meaningful conversations and experiences to understand what works for you.
• 🤗 Being open to different possibilities and not just opting for the easy choices can lead to more fulfilling and impactful careers.
• 🪛 The ability to pivot, prioritize, and adapt is essential for success and driving positive change.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is scanning the landscape important when entering a new environment?

Scanning the landscape allows individuals to understand the existing dynamics, identify successful approaches, and find ways to fit in and thrive in the new environment. It helps to avoid potential pitfalls and make informed decisions.

Q: How can one build light models to test different strategies?

Building light models involves creating small-scale tests or experiments to gauge the effectiveness of different approaches. It could include activities like creating a room-sized Twister game, singing karaoke in English, or doing art projects. These tests help to identify what works and what doesn't.

Q: What is the significance of scaling successful strategies?

Scaling successful strategies means making them replicable and applicable in different contexts. By creating templates, instructions, or curricula, successful approaches can be shared with others to maximize their impact. Scaling allows for wider dissemination and adoption of effective practices.

Q: How does scanning, building, and scaling apply to the search for internships?

Scanning involves gathering information about different internships, talking to professionals, and understanding what opportunities are available. Building light models could include informational interviews or shadowing experienced professionals in the field of interest. Scaling involves using the insights gained from these experiences to tailor and improve internship applications.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker shares their experience of landing in a new country for work and feeling overwhelmed, but they were determined to find a way to thrive.

• They emphasize the importance of scanning the landscape to understand what works and what doesn't.

• By building light models and testing different strategies, they were able to identify what was successful and scale it to create a lasting impact.