JOHARI WINDOW and COACHING CLASSES

 

The Johari Window, an exercise we had performed in one of the earlier classes of IDIO, is a session that is close to my heart. Before the session began, we were asked to make groups with the people we considered closest to ourselves. What I expected was merely another discussion, but what I was left with after the class was a sense of gratitude and understanding for the people I call my friends even through an online MBA. It was difficult for me to estimate that even through the course of a few months, I would be able to develop robust relationships with my peers. 

The Johari window is an understanding of the self as if through a window. We look at what we know about ourselves and what we don't' know about ourselves. Through the discussion with my friends, it was apparent that there is so much more to me that I have to learn. Through the journey of IDIO, I have gained an understanding of ideas that I never even knew existed, and for some, there was the refreshment of thought patterns and what I believed to be true. 

Coaching sessions with Mr Ravi Panicker have been similarly insightful and personal. Considering that we were provided with an amazing opportunity to be coached by professionals from ICF that has a gold standard, it has been an amazing experience. 

Our sessions began with understanding what my short term and long term goals are - for both the sessions and in life. In the first session we highlighted my fear of failure - and understanding how to deal with failure. 

There was an exciting discussion on self-awareness and self-discovery, about how one can build a personal brand by creating value. We had an insightful discussion about communicating effectively and I was suggested a book which I will highlight later. The coach, Mr Ravi also asked me to explore the kind of success stories that resonate with me as a person to learn from them. I believed through the session that there is a need to reflect deeper and learn about what I am looking for, how our understanding differs as different individuals and what my definition of being a better person is. 

Why is this important to me?

Where am I currently? 

What is the desired state?

These were some of the questions I discovered and sought to answer through the coaching sessions and even through IDIO. 

Mr. Ravi recommended a book me named Conversational Intelligence by Judith Glaser. I took time out through the weeks before our next session to learn more about effective conversations and conflict management. These were my key takeaways from the book: 

“Conversations are multidimensional, not linear. What we think, what we say, what we mean, what others hear and how we feel about it afterward are the key dimensions behind conversational intelligence.”

To boost your oxytocin level while dampening your need for fear-induced cortisol, apply the “TRUST” model to your conversations by incorporating: “Transparency, Relationship, Understanding, Shared Success, and Testing Assumptions and Telling the Truth.” Be completely open about your fears and how they block trust. “Extend the olive branch, even with people you may see as foes.” Invite other people to share what they’re thinking. Be open to their viewpoints.

Further, in the second session, Mr. Ravi taught me how to deal with conflicts and effective conflict management. I went into the session slightly emotional yet fueled by the idea of conflict and came away from the session much more level headed after understanding that it is necessary to remain objective and not hastily label or judge circumstances and conversations. A practice in mindfulness is what I believe I need to work on, and the session guided me through how I can deal with conflicts in a better way. 

Mr. Ravi also recommended as a reading and listening: Ottoscharmers 4 levels of listening. 

Overall, the experience through IDIO and the coaching sessions in addition to the guest sessions and panel discussions were extremely insightful.