Meet Annu Pramod……Coach and Trainer

Annu Pramod is a trainer and coach. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Diploma in Human Resources. She is a part of the John Maxwell Team, the world’s No.1 leadership expert. She is certified to teach, coach and speak on leadership modules developed by Dr John C Maxwell. She is also a member of the Worldwide Association of Female Professionals. She is certified to teach on the UN 2030 Agenda or SDGs. Annu handles the UAE operations of PeoplePro Enterprise for Social Impact, which is an organisation that aims to empower students, teachers as well as parents with leadership and life skills, helping create a community of leaders and influencers who can contribute to the development of the society around them.

Life is too short not to enjoy it. Nowadays, so many people are making BIG changes in their lives and doing what they love instead of venturing into the corporate world.  Life coaching is a great option for people who need a little help making a change in their life but it’s also a wonderful job for those lucky people who have a gift for listening and understanding.  Annu Promod is one amazing lady and I am so very pleased to share some of her wisdom with you today in the hopes that she’ll inspire you to make a little leap today. 

For Annu being a coach is about supporting people to make meaningful change in their lives. Change that inspires people to follow their dream career path, improve their health and wellbeing, release their fears and embrace their creativity, spirituality and highest self, improve their self-confidence and self-love, and become the person they most want to be. And she is here to help you create that work firstly for yourself. Her capacity to guide people to their best life is limitless. Annu has a range of skills that will help you identify who you are, what’s important to you, where you want to go and how to get there. She works on a direct instinctive heart and soul level with people and helps you to become master of your life and destiny. She doesn’t tell you what to do. She helps people to uncover Their self belief, take action and achieve their goals. 

Tell us something about your life.

I  come from a very close-knit family, dad, mom and an older sister. I was always the rebel, the black sheep, the one who questioned, who embarrassed the family by not conforming to norms. My parents were sometimes at their wits’ end trying to handle me. I wasn’t great in studies. My head was always in the clouds. Extra curricular activities interested me more. Its only when I entered university that I realized why studies were important. I hold a post graduate degree in MSW, because my passion was and is to empower the oppressed sections in society, be it children, women or older persons. Even though I was the odd one out, I can humbly say now that God raised me up from what I was to what I am now and my family is proud of me! I have 2 school going boys and we live in Dubai now.

When where why and how did you begin your professional life. Tell us all about your journey.

Even while studying, I would involve myself in volunteering. After post graduation, I joined a NGO in Bangalore. I learnt so much there, however I realized that it was a very unstructured sector when it came to systems and processes. I decided to arm myself with knowledge on how to run an organisation well and so joined a MNC, in the HR department. 5 years later, at the peak of my career, heading the HR team of an organisation I had helped grow exponentially, marriage and kids came along. It put a brake on my rising career aspirations. I did manage to start an NGO of my own with a couple of my friends, called Saadhya, with the aim of empowering women.

Then Dubai beckoned and life changed! Getting into the education sector, watching children blossom into leaders under our guidance was the best thing that could happen.

What is the secret of your success and what does success mean to you?

Success is relative. For some success would mean finance or fame. To me success would be the transformation of a diffident child into a courageous and bold leader or a woman who was depressed and couldn’t go on further in life, uplifted and thriving in life through my intervention. The list could go on but success to me would be transformed lives. I am not looking at numbers, but if that child who never comes forward for anything, is coached and moulded to become confident, that would be a great success!

Any striking incident in your life that had a deep impact on you or changed the course of your life?

The suicide of a friend’s daughter when she realized that she hadn’t met her parents’ expectations of marks in Grade 10, shook me up completely. I had to handhold the family back to normalcy. The family realized too late that marks don’t matter. What matters is that the child does what she is best at. That’s when I decided to upskill myself to handle these situations and get John Maxwell certified, Emotional Intelligence, Coaching, Mapping Career Paths, Teaching SDGs and Climate Change and so much more.

Describe yourself as a person.
I value relationships the most. I believe that at the end of your life, what you will have in your kitty is just lives you have touched. I always try and preserve relationships. I have a very strong faith in Jesus Christ and everything I do is governed by the love of Christ.
What are the challenges you face?

The biggest challenge I face in my work is trying to convince educators that life and leadership skills are the greatest skills you can impart to students to prepare them for the 21st century. Most educators still belong to that old school of thought that says that marks determine a child’s future. It doesn’t! Allow the child to explore all that the world has to offer. Let her choose what she wants to do. Don’t stifle her creativity by fencing her in the run of the mill jobs. Make life skills a part of the curriculum and you will see less depression and suicides.

How do you balance work and family?
Work life balance is the biggest challenge a woman can face. As mentioned earlier I worked in a MNC in Bangalore. One of my projects were called Work Life Balance and I had to ensure that the employees, especially women, could be more productive if their children are taken care of. So we started a creche, a gym and child care. I learnt at an early age to plan my schedules to accommodate all my work. I wouldn’t say I have perfected it but I do give my children a lot of attention by sticking to my schedules. I do most of my work when the kids are in school.
What are your future plans?

My desire is to touch and transform as many lives as possible. Its my passion to see students being built into bold leaders who will not only take charge of their lives, but also influence others to do good. Its not just students but what I would really want in complete overhaul in the education system itself.

What’s your USP?

I have a leadership program for everyone – students, teachers, parents or employee. PeoplePro is a one stop shop. Hence, I can cater to the needs of most individuals, corporates or schools. What sets me apart from others is the personal connection that I strive to make. For me it isn’t a business, its my passion!

Anything else that you want to tell the readers…

To anyone reading this article, I just want to say that however busy we may be, do spare time to be with your spouse, parents, children or even that co-worker who looked upset. Sometimes, people are on the brink of falling apart and just one hug from you might pull them back. Learn to look beyond our own lives and make time for others. It will not only help others, it helps you grow to be a better person. Lets make this world smile again!