Week 5: From Public Policy to Impact Communication: Finding Purpose, Honesty, and Boundaries in Berlin

00:00:00: Hi, and welcome back to Plus Forty-Nine.

00:00:07: The place where stories meet ideas, where cultures connect, and where voices from different corners from around the world come together to inspire us.

00:00:16: I'm Andrea, and I'm very happy to be here again.

00:00:19: Today's interview

00:00:20: is about

00:00:20: leadership, connection, and something we often underestimate, the quiet power of enabling others to shine.

00:00:27: Our guest today is Yaj Das Sharma.

00:00:31: He comes from India and has been working in Germany for a bit more than five years.

00:00:35: He's been navigating multicultural teams, different mindsets, different work cultures,

00:00:42: and different

00:00:43: expectations.

00:00:44: And yet, instead of seeing differences as obstacles, Yaj seems them as opportunities.

00:00:50: He doesn't like to think of himself as a boss or as a hero.

00:00:55: He prefers another word.

00:00:57: and enabler.

00:00:58: But

00:00:59: first things first.

00:01:02: Let's take a look

00:01:02: at what's

00:01:03: been happening in Germany, especially in Berlin, over the past weeks.

00:01:09: Despite freezing temperatures and winter chaos, one heartwarming story stood out.

00:01:16: In Neukölln, passerbyes noticed the swan traps in the icy water of the Landwehrkammerer, with temperatures dropping To minus nine degrees Celsius, the bird had frozen into place and couldn't breathe itself.

00:01:31: Two men decided to act.

00:01:32: They launched a folding canoe, carefully broke the ice with a hammer and gently pushed the exhausted swan to safety.

00:01:40: After warming its beak and comforting the animal, they handed it over to the fire brigade.

00:01:46: Who brought it to their?

00:01:48: who brought it to a rescue station.

00:01:50: A small story, but a powerful reminder of compassion and difficult times.

00:01:56: Meanwhile,

00:01:57: also in Berlin,

00:01:59: the city has been struggling.

00:02:02: The city faced multiple crises in January.

00:02:05: A major power outage left around a hundred thousand residents without electricity, heating and internet.

00:02:14: Shortly after, severe ice and snow caused widespread transport disruptions.

00:02:21: Tramps stopped running, sidewalks remained dangerously slippery, and many people were injured in falls.

00:02:29: A public transport strike on Monday added further pressure to the city.

00:02:37: Political leadership also came under criticism.

00:02:40: Major Kayo Vegna has accused... has been accused of slow reactions and unclear communication.

00:02:49: Debates over using road salt and responsibility

00:02:53: for

00:02:53: winter services highlighted long-standing structural problems between city services, property owners, and districts.

00:03:03: The strain on emergency services was enormous.

00:03:07: The Berlin Fire Department recorded more than fifty-one thousand operations in January.

00:03:14: That's the busiest month in its hundred and seventy-five year history.

00:03:20: At peak times crews were responding to more than one emergency per minute.

00:03:26: And finally... On the international stage, NATO is preparing a new mission called Arctic Sentry.

00:03:34: The Alliance plans permanent monitoring of the Arctic region in response to growing geopolitical tensions and renewed pressure from the US President Donald Trump.

00:03:46: The mission aims to strengthen security and presence in the far North.

00:03:53: Now

00:03:53: let's talk

00:03:54: about something warmer.

00:03:56: literally and emotionally.

00:03:59: Every year, on February the twenty-first, Northern Germany lights

00:04:04: up

00:04:05: with flames, tradition and community spirit.

00:04:09: The event is called Bikebrennen, and is specially celebrated in Schleswig-Holstein, on the islands of Süd, Amrum, Föhr and in Friesland.

00:04:22: At first glance, It looks simple, huge bonfires burning against the dark winter sky, but behind the flames lies centuries of history.

00:04:32: Biga Brennan originated as a ritual to chase away evil spirits, protect future corrupts, and mark the transition from winter to spring.

00:04:42: In earlier times, it was also connected to sea-faring culture, a farewell to sailors heading out for long fishing seasons.

00:04:52: Today, it remains a powerful symbol of togetherness.

00:04:58: In villages and coastal towns, people gather in the evening, often carrying tortures.

00:05:05: There are speeches known as Feuerreden, where local leaders reflect on community life, politics, and share values.

00:05:13: Humor, criticism, and tradition blend into one.

00:05:17: Then, the fire is lit.

00:05:20: The flames rise high.

00:05:22: sparks, dance in the wind, and for a moment, everyone stands still.

00:05:26: Families, friends, neighbors, visitors, all watching the same fire.

00:05:30: It's a collective experience.

00:05:34: And afterwards, people head restaurants, homes, and community halls for a traditional meal.

00:05:40: kale with sausages, potatoes and mustard, known as grünkul.

00:05:45: It's hearty, warming food perfectly

00:05:47: suited

00:05:48: for cold February nights.

00:05:50: Bickebrennen reminds us of something important in a modern world driven by technology and speed.

00:05:56: Traditions still matter.

00:06:00: They give rhythm to the year.

00:06:01: They connect with generations.

00:06:03: They create belonging.

00:06:05: For newcomers and international residents, participating in Bikebrennen can be a beautiful introduction to northern German culture.

00:06:14: It shows how deeply people value nature, history, and shared rituals.

00:06:19: More than just a bonfire, Bikebrennen is about renewal.

00:06:22: Letting go of the darkness of winter, welcoming light and hope, standing together in uncertain times.

00:06:28: And perhaps that's why it still resonates today.

00:06:32: Because in every flame, We see a reminder that community is our strongest source of warmth.

00:06:41: Hi,

00:06:41: everyone.

00:06:41: Welcome to plus forty nine.

00:06:44: I'm with Yash Das Sharma or YDS.

00:06:49: Nailed it.

00:06:52: Because it's a complicated

00:06:53: name.

00:06:54: And

00:06:55: why don't you tell us a little bit of who you are?

00:06:59: What do you do?

00:06:59: And introduce

00:07:04: yourself.

00:07:04: All right, Andrea, thank you very much for making me come to Novalis Medium House.

00:07:10: So as you all know, my name is Yash Das Sharma and I am a marketing and business development person working at Black Forest Solutions and I'll tell what they do as well.

00:07:25: I come from India, a bustling city called Kolkata on the eastern coast of India as well.

00:07:33: and I am in Berlin for the last six years.

00:07:36: And just an interesting tidbit.

00:07:40: When I started off, I never thought that I would be in marketing and business development or for that matter communications because I was a political science student and I did my masters in public policy from the Hurtyschool in Berlin.

00:07:56: However, life took me in this direction where I found my passion in communication.

00:08:02: and specifically communicating about impact.

00:08:06: That is what I care about and that is where I also work at called Black Forest, which typically deals with waste management.

00:08:17: So we are trying to make the world a bit cleaner by managing and transporting hazardous waste sometimes from point A to point B. And my job role is to communicate about that so people know more about these kind of problems in different parts of the world and of course can also participate in this movement.

00:08:41: That's in a nutshell about me.

00:08:46: That's your elevator page, I see.

00:08:49: That's my elevator page, exactly.

00:08:52: And you were a political student and you landed in communication.

00:08:58: That happens to a lot of us, happened to me also.

00:09:01: Oh, wow.

00:09:05: You studied in the politics, am I right?

00:09:11: Yes.

00:09:12: And then you came for your master's degree to Berlin and the other two governments.

00:09:17: So that is my second master's.

00:09:19: So I have another master's degree which was in international studies or international relations.

00:09:26: I actually learned a lot about Europe because that was also my area of concentration, a bit about European politics, its institutions, etc.

00:09:38: And it is also from there in my international relations, my first masters that I also came to learn more about public policy and the impact it has on societies.

00:09:51: you know, the rest is history.

00:09:53: Then I found Germany, then I found Berlin, I found Hürte School and a great opportunity to come here and show my potential.

00:10:05: And I think Berlin has been a great place for that, at least for me.

00:10:12: I mean, other people might have different experiences, but for me, it definitely gave me a space.

00:10:18: where I could really show my potential.

00:10:21: Secondly, firstly, find out what I am passionate about.

00:10:25: So I'm really grateful for that.

00:10:28: Oh, that's really amazing.

00:10:31: And how did that happen?

00:10:33: How

00:10:34: did Berlin welcome you in that matter?

00:10:37: How did you realize that this is the place where you can... fulfill your potential where you can communicate and you find your passion for communication.

00:10:50: How did that happen?

00:10:52: Well, the first day was pretty like a cult shock to me because Berlin can be very eccentric.

00:10:59: As you know, it's very different.

00:11:01: So I mean, I was taken aback on the first day, but as I met many people here, and the type of people that live here what I understood is everyone is so.

00:11:15: they have the freedom and they have the will to do something in their lives.

00:11:20: and I mean my circle was always since we were in public policy.

00:11:24: we always wanted to create impact or do something in our work that ultimately leads to a greater contribution to the society.

00:11:34: and Berlin specifically offered so many opportunities so many networking opportunities to be.

00:11:41: in fact, I mean, in my first two, three months, I visited or I took part in so many networking events or I went to that I probably never did in India, not to that extent.

00:11:55: And that just exploded my network.

00:12:00: I met crazy people doing so many different things.

00:12:05: and that is the beauty about this place where all of these kind of people can come together and the city also as in my experience now offers so many opportunities for startups to you know explore those ideas going forward and I think everything was like I wouldn't say luck but like hard work meeting the right opportunity.

00:12:32: And I was really grateful and lucky to first of all have a job in this kind of a market.

00:12:39: If you know, a lot of my friends are still looking for jobs or out of them.

00:12:44: But I'm really lucky and I'm grateful that I'm working here.

00:12:48: And Berlin has always been a big supporter of me very, very, very interestingly.

00:13:00: Okay.

00:13:00: Yeah.

00:13:02: I understand.

00:13:06: What do you think that?

00:13:10: how do you think that this many cultures that you have met and this and all this kind of different people come together and work together?

00:13:21: Did you did you or do you perceive it like

00:13:27: it's an enrichment

00:13:28: for the city and it's an enrichment for the business and the way you communicate and the way you communicate impact to the outer world.

00:13:39: How has been your process in that

00:13:41: matter?

00:13:45: That's a very interesting question.

00:13:48: I think most of the people that I've met and that is probably a part of the culture of Germany, I believe, is brutal honesty.

00:14:00: And what I mean by that is being very direct, right?

00:14:04: I mean, the culture is like that here.

00:14:07: So somehow that seeps into us as individuals, for me as a migrant or an expat coming to Germany.

00:14:16: That is one of the first things that I learned is that having direct feedback or criticism for that matter.

00:14:26: really plays a part into shaping your opinions and the opinion that is shaped then is very honest and that is how I think I also met many people who shared that drive and they were very honest and in my communication of things I try to maintain that it's not saying that always criticisms are good but constructive criticisms is I think the key and that is what has made me communicate in an honest way.

00:15:01: One thing that of course I have learned is sometimes and I can make a comparison to India and probably the way people communicate here, of course, the geography is different and the consumption patterns are different.

00:15:17: You have a tendency that people can communicate in two, three different layers.

00:15:24: In terms of marketing, it might not necessarily be the truth, but with the play of words, they can go around it.

00:15:32: But coming back here, the consumption is very different.

00:15:36: The target audience or the group of people are very different.

00:15:40: So you have to be very honest in your communication.

00:15:43: Otherwise, you would face absolute failure.

00:15:50: No one will buy your... ideas or no one will buy into it and they would all be understanding that you're kind of fake and there is nothing, there's no substance.

00:16:00: So I would say I would link that idea of constructive criticism to honesty and communication through honesty is something that was absolutely great.

00:16:16: Okay.

00:16:18: Was it hard for you to adapt?

00:16:20: to this new form of communication?

00:16:24: Yeah, of course.

00:16:25: Was it hard?

00:16:27: I mean, initially, I thought the Germans don't praise people enough what they never do.

00:16:36: But what I found out is it's not more about making you feel good, but making you do the right thing.

00:16:45: However, there are different levels to it.

00:16:47: Of course, I don't like I am not supporting or I also do not support micromanagement.

00:16:53: So that kind of criticism is, of course, there.

00:16:57: But what really took me aback is, of course, the level of bluntness that people do have in at least professional work or even in certain kind of normal relationships, just even friends.

00:17:13: They are onto your face.

00:17:15: You'll be wondering, wow.

00:17:16: this person can be rude but wait that does make sense.

00:17:22: so it took.

00:17:23: it took a while.

00:17:23: it took at least I would say a good five months six months for me to adjust to to this culture because of course in India people can like praise you etc.

00:17:38: without even just you know as a thing just that they like to do.

00:17:42: like more people are I would say What do they call it?

00:17:47: People pleasing attitude, right?

00:17:50: Which is more prevalent here because you want to get the job done as fast as you can, etc, etc.

00:17:57: But it is much different in Germany, but I do not want to like say that it is a bad thing or a good thing.

00:18:02: It's just a difference, you know.

00:18:05: It's just a different.

00:18:07: I completely follow because in Mexico, I think Mexico and India have a similar type of communication.

00:18:18: It's just a cultural shock to come to Germany and then all of a sudden it's this direct communication.

00:18:27: Yeah, adapting to it.

00:18:28: Five to six months, it was a really fast adaptation from your side.

00:18:32: Yeah, I was, I mean, I think what accelerated that was COVID, I think for a lot of people.

00:18:44: So I came in, and it was COVID.

00:18:48: So social interactions were zero.

00:18:51: And of course, for a lot of people, it was a very bad time.

00:18:55: But I would like to state it here that it actually changed my career because there was a lot of student job opportunities that came up online work.

00:19:04: And since I was looking for those student part-time jobs, I got those jobs.

00:19:10: And that allowed me to communicate with founders or work-related colleagues where I had to do initiative with teams, et cetera.

00:19:24: you know, that really accelerated it a lot with COVID coming in.

00:19:30: So it was quite fun.

00:19:34: Tell me, where do you see the... Well, where's the biggest difference between yourself and your German peers or your other people from other places?

00:19:52: And how... is the mixture to make more impact?

00:19:58: And how, where do you see there are benefits and opportunities to grow?

00:20:07: Exactly.

00:20:07: And that is a very good question.

00:20:08: I think it relates also to the one that I was saying before about people pleasing, right?

00:20:14: As an Indian myself, when I got more assimilated into the job market after I graduated and I started working.

00:20:23: I found out that I was working a lot more compared to a lot more in the sense I was more involved.

00:20:34: The difference between work and personal life would get blurred, right?

00:20:39: For me at least, because I was putting in a lot many effort or a lot many initiative, whereas maybe my bosses at that time was just thinking that, okay, He has a one-year contract.

00:20:54: If he's working more good for him, but we really do not have a future here.

00:21:01: So that is a big difference where I see that drawing up boundaries is important.

00:21:08: Like my colleagues or those who worked in the companies were able to draw or German specifically, would bring up their boundaries much faster.

00:21:19: For example, if someone asks you to do this kind of task in like two days, which is impossible.

00:21:29: Rather than saying no and saying this cannot be done in two days, this could probably be done in four days.

00:21:36: I would say yes, I can do it in two days and put extra pressure on myself.

00:21:40: That has an advantage and that has a disadvantage.

00:21:43: The advantage is I can get exploited.

00:21:47: And they're not so as and I'm not saying just because I'm from from India but like even people from subcontinent we all have this feature in us to give more kind of sometimes and that can be taken advantage of but again now to create impact.

00:22:08: and if it's in a good way and if led by the good leadership led by inclusive leaders who understands your potential, that can create magic because then you understand each other's boundaries.

00:22:24: You go the extra mile when it is required and not when it is not required.

00:22:30: And that's it.

00:22:31: You know, you create stuff that is unforgettable and it really reflects in your performance, et cetera.

00:22:38: So that is probably my understanding.

00:22:45: Can only underline what you're saying because I know that feeling of I have to do more but I can

00:22:53: do more.

00:22:54: I can stay another

00:22:55: hour

00:22:55: or maybe two hours exactly.

00:22:58: It's like Why would you be staying one or more hours?

00:23:03: It's like it's Friday.

00:23:05: go home take a beer and chill

00:23:08: exactly

00:23:08: But we have to go forward.

00:23:14: And a balance between those two mentalities are definitely

00:23:18: a good thing.

00:23:20: Absolutely.

00:23:25: I understand your position right now as you are in a leadership position.

00:23:35: And

00:23:36: how was it to lead in Germany?

00:23:41: I am really glad that my bosses like even they are like.

00:23:46: one of them is of course half German but he's also half Indonesian so there is like a migratory background to them and one of course is Brazilian and my other boss who is a German but kind of travels around the world right.

00:24:03: so what I have found in this space is and has a leader is that my management has given me a lot of initiative and that initiative helps me be my own like of course as I spoke about the boundaries right they bring up those boundaries and actually have the freedom to do stuff that I believe in and that initiative or that you know.

00:24:31: freedom or leeway that management gives is absolutely crucial at least for me in my management position or a leadership position here because it also shows trust and I have gotten that trust here and that trust makes me take more initiatives, make plans, be more individual, at least not have management as a bottleneck but as an enabler.

00:25:00: For me, that has been the best that I have been able to take more chances, more risks.

00:25:06: And it is only to be found out if those risks can pay off.

00:25:11: So far, it is partially working.

00:25:14: And I hope that by the end of the year, these risks can pay off.

00:25:19: I mean, it's a risk, right?

00:25:20: It can definitely fail, but failure is a learning.

00:25:24: And yeah, that's what I think it's touched so far.

00:25:28: good.

00:25:30: Failure is learning.

00:25:33: Another thing that I can only underline.

00:25:38: Okay, so let me just to wrap it up.

00:25:42: What would you say the YDS from seven years ago about that was preparing his journey to Germany?

00:25:58: Could you repeat the question?

00:25:58: I mean, you want to know what I was before or no,

00:26:03: what would you say?

00:26:05: What would you say?

00:26:05: What would you tell me?

00:26:08: The YDS from today, what would tell the YDS

00:26:12: from

00:26:14: before?

00:26:15: I would say you would get sixty rejection emails, eighty rejection emails, hundred rejection emails, but never give up.

00:26:28: because that one acceptance email that you get will give you enough energy to work the next five to six years and you just build up on it.

00:26:38: So the moral of the story, never give up.

00:26:45: That's amazing.

00:26:47: And before we wrap it up, absolutely, the one part that you have always wanted to ask a German, not your opportunity to ask a German.

00:27:01: Okay, perfect.

00:27:03: Okay, I mean, this has been something like, I think the idea of punctuality, right?

00:27:15: I also love it.

00:27:17: It has made me a better person.

00:27:21: I want to just understand like, Germans think punctuality is it like a moral virtue or is it more about being on time is a moral virtue or is it more about control and predictability?

00:27:40: or this moral virtue is more about respect.

00:27:45: I want to know from them why this text strong understanding of being punctual.

00:27:52: I know it's great.

00:27:54: Of course, we don't get it in India so much.

00:27:59: I have become more punctual because of it, but I just want to know, is it about respect or is it about more control and predictability?

00:28:10: Okay, that's a good question.

00:28:14: I think somebody already or we had it already in the podcast like a month before.

00:28:21: And I cannot understand, I cannot answer you with certainty.

00:28:26: But I think there is definitely a part of a, there is a moral aspect to it, but it's not morality in the sense of we are better than you,

00:28:43: but

00:28:45: we have to respect each other's

00:28:46: time.

00:28:46: Exactly.

00:28:50: That is amazing.

00:28:51: I mean, hopefully some of your viewers can reply to this and see what is that, if it is really fun to lead and know that.

00:29:02: We will definitely post it and let's see what people say.

00:29:06: Amazing.

00:29:07: Thank you so much.

00:29:08: Thank

00:29:09: you.

00:29:09: Thank you so much for your time.

00:29:11: It was a lot of fun and have a great time in India.

00:29:16: Thank you very much.

00:29:19: when you're back in Berlin.

00:29:20: Absolutely.

00:29:21: It was a great, it was great talking to you.

00:29:23: Send my regards to Sigrid as well.

00:29:25: And it was absolutely a pleasure.

00:29:28: Thank you very much.

00:29:31: Bye bye.

00:29:37: Thank you very much.

00:29:39: And that's it for this week's episode of Plus Forty-Nine.

00:29:43: If you'd like a simple, friendly update on what's happening in Germany every morning, subscribe to our Morning Espresso at Plus Forty-Nine.de.

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00:30:01: Sorry ideas or tips.

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00:30:08: I'm Andrea.

00:30:09: Enjoy the chaos or try to not fall and break something.

00:30:18: Stay curious, and I'll see you next week on plus forty nine.