To lead is to understand who I am…

My greatest take away throughout the entire course was deeper and greater understanding of myself, with the many self-assessment and group development tools, introduced during Hyper Island Way Week. I was very intrigued by both Johari’s Window and Susan Wheelan’s Integrated Model of Group Development (IMGD). It almost doesn’t matter what project one undertakes, its the group dynamics that would either make or break the deal.

My Johari’s Window

I did a little social experiment and got some of my friends to describe me using Johari’s Window. Self awareness and reflection is the first step to good management skill. And here’s what came back. More than half of my friends think that I’m confident. Please feel free to add on to the list if you know me personally.

http://kevan.org/johari?view=zonna

Just a little LOVE

Anyone who knows me on a personal level would know that I absolutely love my job! I would tell my boss that every single chance I get too. Just as a gentle reminder. One can never be too thankful and I strongly believe in being appreciative as well. Although it’s my third year with Holmes and Marchant, I still thank my bosses for my awesome job and for every ‘invitation’ to our company trip, which he would insist that it’s not an invitation.

After attending HIWW, it occurred to me that my clients who made my job enjoyable, probably doesn’t know how much I enjoy working with them. So I decided to give each and every client ‘Just a little LOVE’. Playing with the LUX tagline of ‘Just a little LUX’. With this, I hope to create a rippling effect and to build on existing relationship we already have.

I kickstarted this with my boss because I work remotely from my agency and the interaction we have is quite minimum. But nevertheless, he was very supportive of my decision to pursue my studies. I told him that I love his trust and faith in me and that I will not let him down. He came back with a positive message, probably slightly taken aback as well, affirming his trust in me and that I inspired him too, for having the drive and wanting to do this for my family. Which was quite unexpected and uplifting for me.

Next, I sent out little LOVE notes to those around me, much to their surprises. I guess love is not something openly shared in a work environment. In doing that, I’ve made their day. I see most of them keeping my little LOVE notes. One of my clients posted his on Instagram. I got 5 appreciative hugs. And it opened doors to conversations from a client who just joined. I wrote him a note telling him that I would love to get to know him better. And immediately we connected and I got to know he went to a Hyper Island Lab in Sao Paolo before and loved it. He even had the same HI notebook I use! He’s very interested in the courses at HI and would love to attend the masters class in Singapore. So I invited him to come along with me the next time.

With this project, I’ve gradually expanded my Arena and gotten to know the clients whom I’ve worked with on a more personal level. A little act of LOVE goes a long way.

Susan Wheelan’s Integrated Model of Group Development

Managing the 4 different stages of IMGD is crucial for any group to achieve optimal results. Failing to do so may cause great consequences not only to the projects handled but also strain relationships. And I’m speaking from experience. Throughout my 18 years of working experience, I’ve never encountered going into Stage 2 of IMGD and never recovering from it before. I just glad that it was all done and dusted.

I reflected upon my learnings subsequently and acquired a distinction in my reflective Leadership IRA. One of my proudest achievements during the HI journey, as it was done and submitted while my dad was hospitalised previously for a back injury.

Strength Deployment Inventory

SDI is another great self-assessment tool HI introduced to us. It helps me to understand myself on a deeper level. What are the things I value? How I handle conflict? And what are the different stages of conflict sequence?

Through this, I begin to understand why I handle things a certain way. How to recongise SDI and conflict sequence in others? What I can do to better manage unfavourable situations by borrowing or masking strength?

I thought I know myself quite well but I’ve never seen this side of me before. The brand new Hyper-ed Z!

Z