I was eager and delighted: My experience as SYL 2019-2020

I was eager and delighted when I was informed of the nomination for SAI Young Leader Initiative by IDI, INTOSAI Development Initiative.

I was eager and delighted when I was informed of the nomination for SAI Young Leader Initiative by IDI,INTOSAI Development Initiative. My happiness was boundless when SAI Young Leader of 2018-2019 from SAI India gave me feedback about the programme, the exposure she had and how the Programme bettered her personality moulding out a wonderful leader of her. After much brainstorming with my colleagues and friends, I decided on my SYL Proposal topic on SDGs.My proposal is preparation of an ‘Audit Guideline for review of efforts towards SDG 14-Life on Water.’ My proposal was shortlisted out of applications from 69 countries and I was to attend an online interview. Following the interview I was informed that I am, one among the 25 SYL 2019-2020s shortlisted for the current year. I was curiously looking forward for the first SYL interaction.
SAI Young Leader First Interaction of 2019-20 was held in Cape Town, The Tavern of the Seas from 13.05.2019 to 24.05.2019.We, a group of 23 from 19 countries all around the world gathered under one roof with huge expectations and ardour.Ms.Archana Shirsat,The Director General,IDI welcomed us following which, Ms.Jade Quarell, the Course Coordinator did enlighten us on the objectives of the interaction. The interaction began with a short introduction by Mr.Eugene de Han,SAI Young Leader 2017-18 wherein he shared his Change strategy and experience of his transformation journey to a ‘Young Leader’. During the week we discovered core values of our community and attended to the workshop on EI skills. Various sessions by Ms.Archana Shirsat and Ms.Jade on change management and stakeholder management guided us to act on our strategy Proposal.
The workshop on EI skills by Mr. Michael Henderson was an eye opener to most of us. We discovered ourselves; our weaknesses and strengths as leaders, and the way forward. Discovery of learning styles suiting our personalities will help us in our long career at respective SAIs. He explained us ADKAR model, the importance of involving stake holders to bring out change and also, made us realise that management approaches should be different to different set of people in the organisation. During the workshop we were to give feedback on each SYL, on their overall personality. This was a turning point when we realised how we portrayed ourselves to colleagues around. We could also identify areas of improvement. Also, during the week, based on guidance from the faculty, we streamlined our strategy projects according to the expectations from IDI. We developed indicators and milestones for our strategy project under the close guidance of Ms.Jade and Ms.Archana.I should mention Ms.Chithra Subramaniam who was co coordinating and organising the sessions. She was energetic all through the day, ever ready to extend help to each of the SYL.
The weekend was time for knowing each other within the community. We, from different countries, different ethnicities and cultures mingled and bonded each other to form a community and unveiled the charm of diversity like of a rainbow. The trips we arranged to explore the Mother City and around further helped us to ensure that these moments are everlasting in the dells of our memory-The sky and the water was vivid blue, clear and welcoming. We chilled together in the windy seashores of Cape, ’alas’ed at Penguins strolling to the blue waters, rambled along the Fynbos strips up, above the Table Top Mountain and down, the meandering vista of Cape of Good Hope.
During the second week of the programme, we had interaction with a panel of representatives from various SAIs. The leadership story by Ms.Pamel Ellis Monroe was very much motivating. After attending to her session in pin drop silence, most of us felt empowered, strong and galvanising. The week provided us good opportunity to interact with various regional associations of SAIs such as OLACEFs , PASAI and AFRO SAI. Mr Osvaldo Rudloff from OLACEF, shared his experience on working with SDG 5-Gender Equality which had very interesting aspects.SYL coaches from respective SAIs joined us in the second week and we were given a considerable time to discuss our Change Strategy plan with the coach community. This had helped us in understanding the shortcomings and scope for improvements.
We could attend a session with INTOSAI Regional Co ordination Platform. It was enthralling to listen to voices from various SAIs, their appreciation and expectations from the leadership programme. This further reminded us of the dedication to be provided in the coming days (Yes, Commitment is one of the core values of our community.)The interaction and knowledge sharing with coaches from various SAIs helped us in designing the Integrated Plan for the Change Strategy.
Story telling by Ms. Tytti Yli Viikari,AG of Finland comes to my mind when I conclude the experience sharing. Power of storytelling while presenting a matter to the audience was conveyed to us by her. I strongly believe that, during the forthcoming interaction, all of us we will have a story, a story of success-of how we completed our Change Strategy, to which the IDI can listen to, with pride and happiness. Last, of course least to be mentioned though, from my personal side, I shall treasure the reminiscence of kind gesture IDI offered to me, the Red Velvet yummy birthday cake on 13.05.2019 eve followed by birthday wishes in 19 different languages all over the world, still ringing in my head.
Stefi
Deputy Director, SAI India