It began quite casually. One lazy morning, in the office building where my coworking space is located, I noticed that they had installed a brand-new Table Tennis table in the lobby. A few people were already knocking the ball around, but I didn’t know any of them, so I just watched them play for a bit.

The last time I had played TT was in my college days. Back then, it was one of the rare avenues of entertainment (and letting off steam) in the Hostel. Those were the days when a “quick game” could stretch well into the night, interrupted by loud debates over edge balls and the occasional heroic dive that no one really needed to attempt. Like many small pleasures of student life, TT was also forgotten after college ended – career pursuits, commutes and calendars had quickly replaced them all.

More than three decades later, I found myself trying to return a serve that felt quicker than I remembered…

Back to Present Day: What started off as an occasional diversion, has now become an almost-daily ritual squeezed into the workday. Somewhere between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm, a few of us huddle up to snatch a game or two (ok sometimes, a dozen!) every day. Though most of us were strangers at first, we are now a regular bunch – our freshly-minted WhatsApp group being proof of the bond we share. What makes it even more interesting is that we all work in different companies inside the same commercial building. In a sense, this solitary TT table has inadvertently helped foster a small community within the premises.

Frankly, at this stage in Life, that part has been quite a pleasant surprise. As a consultant and solopreneur, my days are no longer surrounded by colleagues, in the way they once were. Clients come and go, projects end, and the camaraderie of a traditional office setting is now just a distant memory. So, discovering a small group to share a spontaneous mid-day game with, has been unexpectedly energizing!

The other thing the game has revealed to me is the diverse nature of People: There are players who only care about winning – every point is serious business for them, a lucky net bounce is much celebrated, and no risks must be taken that can lose a point. Then there are those who simply cannot stand the idea of losing – one bad rally and you can see their irritation building up. Some also treat the game as a mix of fun and learning, experimenting often, even at the cost of precious points. Week on week, though, you can see their game clearly evolve. That’s been me so far: Over time, the rallies have become longer, and my game has improved quite significantly!

There are also the “pros” who prefer to play only with others at their own level. When a weaker player joins the game, you can see the enthusiasm dipping noticeably. Frankly, even though it is rewarding to level-up, I prefer to stay away from such games (folks?) as that environment does not bring me joy.

What I have found even more surprising is how different the game feels when you do the exact opposite. When a newer or weaker player joins my side in a doubles’ game, I try to encourage their game and offer some pointers that can help them improve. Within minutes, their confidence rises, the rallies grow longer, the table stops feeling intimidating and the game improves for both of us!

Such experiences speak to instincts that show up far beyond sports. Typically, people choose one of two approaches: Protect their home advantage, or Expand beyond their comfort zone. Protecting the advantage feels instinctive and efficient, especially if you are already good at something. However, for me, the more interesting engagement is the one that ventures beyond their comfort zone. When that happens, players pull each other upward, creating the space for someone else – and themselves – to grow.

Over these past months, my TT sessions have reminded me of many important lessons I had forgotten… Improvement is rarely linear, encouragement travels much faster than criticism and ego is a fragile thing.

At the end of the day, a good rally is not just about reflexes or spins, but about a rhythm and cadence between the players, to keep the game alive a little longer. It is one that goes back and forth twelve or fifteen times, finally ending with both players grinning across the table, acknowledging that that was a “Good Game!”