Venkata Kalluri_BLP010_Self Leadership_May 2012

The take away from today’s “Self Leadership” class is essentially in terms of my realization about my SELF. This is the first time I felt that I did introspection about my inner self. It did question me regarding what is the important attribute I look into for leading myself. My focus on the strengths makes me optimistic, unleashes high energy levels and it will pace up the activities which I get involved in my daily chores. Beginning with this reflection, I did dig more into myself.

SELF is illustrated by a six layer structure which is a blend of various values namely Compassion, Diversity, Ethics, Mindfulness and Sustainability. Our body, mind, instinct, ego are mere objects and our Soul, “I” is the subject. It also said how leaders should be. A leader will be able to help in processing the data into information but a community leader may help in processing the same data into a meaningful message. A wiser teacher can help in processing the same piece of data into “knowledge”. One needs to rise in love to become a good leader. An inspiration set by higher purpose helps in getting strange things done by helping one to transcend the limitations. A teacher can help in raising this vision which is more valuable.

It is said that the “Eyes are the windows of the Soul” and the activity of communicating through eyes did help me in understanding how intense the expressions are when communicated with eyes. A language may not be needed explicitly to communicate one’s feelings when such a communication is effective. In the same way, communication through visuals is also very effective. It helps one in depicting the incidents in a simple and clear format. The communication with touch is other important tool. It will give a sense of more gratification and fills us with assurance. It will enable us to identify with others in a much more empathetic way. Flow of energy will be high as it boosts up our motivation.

Attentive Listening is the attribute which produces strong leaders. Listening profoundly will impact speakers and this act of choosing to listen gives us permission to impact many more learning’s on oneself. Listening with mindfulness is a gift and this will solve complex problems. This was referred to by a metaphor, “An altar in one’s Life may alter their Lives”. Rather than merely listening, listen to the implied meaning and this will make one a great listener. This will differentiate hearing from listening. Listening compensates one’s strengths and will give more space in associating ourselves with a greater purpose. I also understood that in order to be a good leader, one should listen as if one’s life depends on it

Learning happens to us in many ways and this may be possible by listening to others, speaking to others or by taking feedback from others. These different ways of learning are dependent on the type of personality. These learning’s coupled with one’s strengths will make one a good leader. Also a note was made that a decision maker may not be able to take up the role of an adviser and vice versa. Knowing one’s strengths will make one to embark on the journey in which one can emerge successfully as a leader.