7 Cities. 7 Lessons. One Unexpected Journey.

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7 Cities. 7 Lessons. One Unexpected Journey.

Hi,

Over the past few weeks, I travelled across seven cities, Chennai, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Kolkata, conducting communication training sessions with AssetPlus .

On paper, it was a professional tour. In practice, it became something much larger.

Because in between hotel check-ins and training rooms, I was also listening to cities speak, through food, architecture, hospitality, kindness, and conversation.

When Places Become Teachers

In every city, I met someone who reminded me that communication is far more than language.

• A woman in Visakhapatnam carefully explaining which South Indian dishes were gluten-free, just to make sure I’d stay well.
• A cab driver in Lucknow taking a detour to show me his favorite historic spot.
• A chef in Kolkata who remembered my preferences from the day before, and recreated them without a word.
• A hotel team that packed a snack box for my onward journey.
• A flight attendant who quietly brought me juice when I looked unwell.

These weren’t grand gestures. But they were deeply human. And they revealed something vital: communication isn’t always verbal. It lives in attentiveness, thoughtfulness, and presence.

What I Relearned as a Trainer

As someone who coaches others to speak with clarity and confidence, I found myself stepping into a different role, that of a listener, a learner, a quiet observer.

Here’s what the road taught me:

• Curiosity is the first step to empathy.
• Humility opens doors credentials cannot.
• And care, especially the unspoken kind, is the most powerful form of communication.

A Few Takeaways for All of Us:

1. Let the place change you. Step out of your routine and into the unknown, growth often hides in the unfamiliar.
2. Be present. Look up. Ask questions. Pay attention. The world rewards those who notice.
3. Every city speaks, but not always in words.
4. Impact isn’t always loud. Sometimes, the most meaningful moments are also the quietest.
5. Don’t just talk. Listen. You might walk away not with applause, but with perspective.

I returned home with more than training feedback and checked-off agendas.

I came back with stories, observations, and renewed clarity on why I chose this path in the first place which was to understand people, and to help them understand each other a little better.

Love, 

Ridhi

P.S. If you’ve had a moment, in travel, at work, or in everyday life, where someone’s kindness spoke louder than words, I’d love to hear it. Reply to this newsletter and share your story. Let’s keep the conversation going.

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