Last night, I enjoyed a fantastic cricket that was played by Chennai Super Kings against Kings XI Punjab. It was a crucial match since both the teams were trying to secure their places in the IPL semifinals. The target set by Dhoni’s team for Punjab seemed to be very easy for Punjab to win. But here’s the thing. Amidst all the stress, despair and after a loss to the Knight Riders the day before, Dhoni stayed focused and cool. He didn’t seem to buy in to the ‘No Possibility’ perspective that everybody had. The Chennai team, through an unbelievable victory, proved to the world that it is ‘Actually Possible’ even when others think it might not have been possible. The Super Kings won. Shivmani’s hands started to dance on his drums with great inspiration and happiness.
Dhoni keeps reminding me that positive leadership begins with awareness. Every time, he walks in to the presentation ceremony, he consciously acknowledges what they could have done better. That is what self awareness is all about. He seems to clearly inquire on the vital role that he needs to play as a captain during his team’s journey in the IPL. Not only that, he knows who he is and consistently demonstrates that kind of ‘being’ which is very unique to himself.
His ability to allow it to happen; let go and accept what is there; shows his willingness to experience his wins and losses, learn from them and not react to them but actually be very proactive. His ability to remain cool under pressure and to express emotions appropriately shows that he does not focus more on achievements measured by external standards, rather emphasis more on rewards that are intrinsically meaningful to him and his team. Many might say that his success is related to his sharp mind and smart thinking, but to me it is more than that. It is his willingness to connect with himself at a deeper level, experience and start noticing what is there at the moment, including and accepting what is there and the confident ability to improve working from that place. This is exactly what high level of emotional intelligence means and is very crucial for leadership.
According to the leading emotional intelligence psychologist, Dr. Daniel Goleman – the foremost and basic foundation among the building blocks for emotional intelligence competency is self awareness – knowing one’s internal states, preferences, resources and intuitions and managing one’s internal stages, impulses and resources that are foundation to success. Dhoni’s awareness about himself, his team mates, the opponents, the situation and the impact that he desires to create, is helping him and his team recognize their capabilities, allowing them to play with passion and with ease on a competitive ground under high pressure.
About the Author:
Prabha Sathyanarayanan is a professional coach trained at The Coaches Institute, San Francisco and an accredited MBTI practitioner who extensively uses the Co Active coaching model with her clients to elicit and nurture resonant expressions in her clients. Her personal mission is to bring out powerful personal leadership expressions in people and organizations that is resonant with their values. Prabha lives in Chennai and offers her private coaching sessions internationally over phone or VOIP.
Contact Prabha
http://www.egyana.com
egyana@gmail.com
