Our storyteller, Komal Srivastava, sits down with Soumya from Growth & Excellence at Glow Worm to talk about the world and work of OD.
In Chapter 1, Soumya explored the different roles she holds at Glow Worm Company and why organizations must adopt an OD lens. In Chapter 2, readers gained insight into how she navigates different organizational systems.
What Makes Glow Worm’s Consulting Approach Unique?
As you have explored your role here, what do you find unique or exciting about how we approach consulting at Glow Worm?
Soumya highlights several distinctive aspects:
Interdisciplinary Integration
The organization integrates perspectives from sociology, psychology, design, arts, learning principles, technology, and management philosophies. She describes how she applies diverse knowledge daily — morning insights from emotional intelligence articles inform afternoon discussions about AI’s impact.
Collaborative Culture
She characterizes the collaboration style as “collaborative divergence,” explaining:
“Even though we may think differently, there’s space for the breadth and depth of ideas. We build on each other’s ideas, and that’s what leads to transformative solutions.”
She emphasizes that transformative work requires inspiration, which colleagues provide daily.
Non-linear Thinking
Over three years, she’s explored numerous approaches to similar tasks, valuing this flexibility.
Human-Centric Approach
The organization deeply understands clients’ history, context, and work preferences. Presentations are customized rather than replicated, even within single organizations.
Clarity Without Oversimplification
They communicate important ideas simply while maintaining intellectual rigor, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
Design Thinking
Genuine enthusiasm for new ideas characterizes the culture. She notes:
“Our purpose statement, ‘we all deserve a world where we can learn, grow and smile’, is profoundly meaningful.”
Simultaneous Learning and Performance
Employees learn while working, receiving diverse feedback from team members.
Psychological Safety
“The best part is that we’re encouraged to ask questions freely, and there’s no such thing as a ‘dumb’ question here.”
She humorously illustrates this openness.
Holistic View of People
“You are seen as a whole person, not just a resource or the sum of your work output.”
She explains that removing personal experience from professional contributions diminishes authenticity.
Existential Experience
“Glow Worm is a place where we are doing, yes, but also being. I genuinely feel like I’m alive every single day at work.”
Legacy Vision
If someone were to unearth Glow Worm a hundred years from now, what do you think they’d find?
Soumya envisions discovery of artifacts telling stories of struggles, triumphs, relationships, and impact — evidence of daily efforts to improve.
She imagines finding:
- Products and innovations documenting organizational evolution
- Recordings of “non-meetings” filled with laughter and joy
- Share and Learn presentations remaining relevant and timeless
“I think anyone who finds us will leave with an impression of — ‘Oh my God! These folks were really, really happy!’ They will leave holding on to a sense of wonder and a curiosity to learn more and more!”
Closing
The article concludes with gratitude for Soumya’s three-part contributions to the conversation about OD and Glow Worm Company.
