Growth implies perpetual progress and evolution and when perceived from this perspective growth signifies movement and transformation. 

We the ardent members of ICF Chennai Charter Chapter believe in the deepest fibers of our core values-based practice that growth is potentially far-reaching and phenomenal and therefore ought to be relentlessly pursued, whatever be the challenges that have surfaced and would potentially emerge. It is in this context the high dream Vision of ICF Chennai Chapter was conceived, resting on the 4 Pillars of ‘GROW’ viz. Coaching, Chapter, Coaches and Community. 

‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is a Sanskrit phrase found in Hindu texts such as the Maha Upanishad, which means ‘The World Is One Family’ denoting all living beings on Planet Earth are a family. 

Creatively visualizing that the ‘World is One Family’, powerfully enables one to transport into experiencing the universe as a whole and thereby establishes deep connects between the daily occurrences in one’s life and the impact on the larger world and vice versa. It compelsone to imagine that the entire world is traveling in one boat. 

Whatever happens in the various nooks and corners of the world have direct or indirect impact on other parts of the globe. In a more simplified way of understanding this means that all the actions and inactions of every single individual has consequential subtle or direct ramifications on others around and therefore the world at large. This becomes more relevant and tangible in various settings like families, organizations, villages, towns, neighborhoods and countries. 

What possibly energizes or complicates the scenarios that evolve and flow, are the levels of awareness or the ignorance respectively exhibited by human beings!

The good news is that all of us and all around us are increasingly capable of choosing to co-create a world that breathes more and more harmony, positivity, prosperity, generosity, kindness, empathy, compassion, authenticity, peace, success, fulfillment and the like.  

The world beyond borders of countries encompasses societal needs, businesses governance, supportive academics and political will with specific and diverse routes to development and advancement. Yet it is simultaneously true, the world has been witnessing volatile and non-linear changes in the recent years, compelling institutions and organizations besieged with demands like never before.  

With the influx of rapidly evolving technology moving towards AI and its machinations, there is increasing evidence of more chaos and discontinuous changes in the offing and in the distant future. While there are umpteen tangible and intangible gains, the humane element of human beings stands to be eroded. 

There are already a host of classic examples of this erosion taking place, wherein the Emotional Intelligence which is deeply embedded within human beings are fast diminishing including self-esteem, confidence, abilities to navigate emotions, equanimity, resilience, pursuit of noble goals, exercising optimism, powering intrinsic motivation. Further beyondthese integral elements, valuing relationships that matter are speedily crumbling. One cannot really fathom or predict as to how such worthy values and skills would take a beating if nothing is done about it, as gross insensitivity would breed more of that!

In these real-time circumstances there stems a need to revisit the fundamental principles and ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. While this to me presents a goldmine of opportunities for the contemporaries of this wonderful Planet Earth to contribute, we members of the robust ICF Chennai Charter Chapter hold a strong sense of anticipatory excitement to make small and meaningful changes which would eventually make a huge difference to the community. 

Like one drop at a time and akin to every single drop makes the ocean, the Coaching fraternity of this Chapter earnestly believes that by offering and executing one Coaching conversation at a time, influencing one Client [or Coachee] at a time which would transform and touch the lives of those whom we interface, can set ripples to impact the community around us in small and big ways, with an underlying and feisty motto to make a difference. 

It is in this direction that the close-knit group of affable and mindful set of ever-growing number of coaches in ICF Chennai Charter Chapter have collectively set foot to heal, inspire, motivate and develop members of the larger community resting on the core values, ethics and research-based competences ingrained by International Coaching Federation. 

We profoundly trust that we have made solid beginning in the recent years going by the rave reviews received from diverse folks drawn across the globe and would like to invite and summon more life-giving universal energies and forces to consolidate and reinforce the strong convictions to practice empathy, compassion, authenticity, trust, support for benefitting the world around, while growing alongside those who gain from the offerings. 

The Corporate Engagements and Partnerships undertaken by ICF Chennai Chapter in alignment with Vision, Values and Mission of ICF Global would be relentlessly pursued as higher order and quality noble goals. 

Beginning with the big picture in mind of GROWing the Community, we reckon that it would GROW Coaching, Coaches and Chapter – the proof of the pudding is already there, beckoning us for more…

We invite you to drop in and experience our offerings and you would never be disappointed!

You can connect with UDAY – Click Here

Being reminded of what I am doing well is such a powerful motivation…

The importance of focusing a client’s energy and attention on “what’s working well…” is something I lost sight of momentarily. I have recently been reflecting on how to get back to coaching after taking a break. The experience of feeling a bit rusty even with just a few weeks of not being in the coaching chair, is a powerful reminder that like any other good habit, coaching too needs to be a regular part of my life. What I did well was to go back to my study material and spend time getting back in touch with the basics.

As I felt my way back into the coaching zone, slowly regaining my foothold and starting to feel confident again, a gap in my practice got illuminated – enabling a client to see what is already in place and working well. I had lost sight of this really important part of what makes coaching such a powerful way to support growth. But thanks to this video that I watched by Peter J Reding on The ICF Core Competencies, Marker No 3 – Establishes and Maintains Agreements, it’s now firmly back in place and in use. Interestingly this awareness came to me when brushing up on marker 3, but it put me back in touch with Marker 7 – Evokes Awareness.

So much of life is about finding problem/s and then fixing them. It is like when you see an ink blot on a white sheet of paper, the mind is so focussed on that blotch, that we tend to lose sight of all the beautiful white space that surrounds it. One of the reasons that coaching is such an effective way to support a person to find their most resourceful self, is that it puts them back in touch with “what is working well” in their life about the situation they are seeking support to navigate.

For instance, if I were being coached and I had chosen to work with the topic of healthy eating habits here is what a conversation would sound like. “On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you place yourself Nikhil” (a pun on the scale is unintended but makes me smile).

“I would be at about a 5.” “Okay, what’s in the 5? What are you doing well that makes you give yourself that score?” “Hmm… let me see. Well to start with I am committed to this path and paying attention to healthy eating… I have also really reduced my sugar intake and am now having just two meals in a day” “ok what else…”. 

When I travel I am more disciplined than I used to be… and I have reduced my alcohol intake to the occasional beer with a friend…” “Okay anything else in the 5”? “No that’s about it… what I really need to focus on is portion control…” “and now that I think more about it, I am not as disciplined about my daily exercise routine anymore, I must get back to my 10,000 step routine and maybe a few days on the tennis court”

Being reminded of what I am doing well is such a powerful motivation to keep doing more of what’s working. Adding new actions or habits is also a part of what coaching catalyses but building confidence and being a mirror to progress is an equally important part of the progress. That is why core competency number 7.6 reminds me as a coach that it is best practice when a coach “Notices what is working to enhance client progress”.

If you are like me and had taken a break from coaching this is me reminding you to unpack the 5. Don’t lose sight of this ever-so-empowering part of what you offer your clients – help them see what’s working in their life before they jump into action to fix what’s not. Or to put it another way, give your clients a chance to give themselves a high 5.

If you are not a coach and happened to find your way to this article, I still hope you will pause to reflect and identify “What’s in your 5?” and then pat yourself on the back, celebrate your achievements, and focus on what is working well. Where your attention goes, there your energy flows. Remember to focus some of your energy on something that is working well and it will serve you well.

You can connect with Nikhil – Click Here

Like the birds flying through the dark gray skies in anticipation of a storm on the horizon, I sit alone reflecting on what life has come to be post the lockdown; with a few that’s leftbefore one turns another page, with nothing but experiences or a lesson that came about as an outcome of choices made, hoping that I’ve gotten better and are a better fit for the times ahead.

A topic that has intrigued me most, is one’s experiences and what we make of them, limited by habits, self-critical, self- loathing and self-blame often leading to disappointments instead of being mindful that failures or falling short of expectations is always a possibility; and taking responsibility for what was within one’s control and finding solace that one got to try, and got to fail, and got to learn.

One got to get better. For one to embrace and acknowledge that every situation has multiple variables at play that are beyond one’s control, be it a wrong, a failure, a bad relationship, a conversation gone wrong, a project that failed, a commitment one could not keep.

Make peace with imperfections and shortcomings; let go of that rigid stance on the outcome, to fit a social narrative or standing. A profound reminder that one should hold on to, is that no one cares, or even if they do, it cannot be for long, because everyone is busy fighting their own demons and shortcomings.

So be kind to yourself; they say “regret is like holding on to burning charcoal; the longer you hold it; the more it burns you from inside”. 

So, choose to let go and move on with your learning. Surely what we shine light on finds a mental impression to last, learn from and realize; let’s consider not negating but making better mental impressions that empower us.

We’ve all at some point of time been told to watch what we speak, be careful of our thoughts,simply because we manifest and facilitate a creation that fits. Life sure is no coincidence; it’s a sequence of incidents that could strike a chord in this conversation; like the constant sighting of a car of your choice and color when you are considering buying one. You surelytend to see more of what you shine your light upon.

Be assured that your intention created your reality and the experiences with it, so when things go wrong and there is nothing one could have done better, exit with a learning. And, exit quickly, knowing you are better equipped if it were to come around again.

Don’t let it linger and cause more damage than necessary, but instead shift focus onto your wins; shed some light on them, a little longer than needed; celebrate the wins no matter how small, for the mind does not discriminate between a big or small win.

So, when your day comes to an end, you are left with two choices; either reflect on all that went wrong, to wake up feeling anxious and anticipating more trouble, or instead reflect on your wins or at least all that you got to do and all that you celebrated through the day, thus waking up to a day full of continued celebrations and wins. 

Surrender to the fact that life isn’t fair and there is a need to tilt the odds in your favorintentionally, to make things better for yourself and find contentment in the incremental progress that you achieve by repeatedly practicing positive habits.

Closing with a quote by Zig Ziglar:

“Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.”

Your life experience is a personal choice made each day; celebrate when you can and you shall find more in life to celebrate!

You can connect with Ajith – Click Here