Rohan Budhiraja_MLP007_Self Leadership_Sep'11

"It is not enough to have great qualities; We should also have the management of them."

— La Rochefoucauld

This quote makes it quite evident that this blog is about self leadership. Managing one's qualities is as important, or even more important than merely possessing them.

The discussion started with a brief talk on habits and perception of others in a community that often bothers a person more than anything else in his life.The discussion moved forward and Anil Sir explained the Immunity map that was framed by Robert Kegan. The immunity map consists of 4 stages in identifying and finally defying the factors that stop a person to attain a level of excellence. This is a 4 step process that should take place in the following order: 

• The first stage in the immunity map involves a person identifying what he wants to achieve in life and what his purpose is. 
• The second stage of the immunity map is to identify the things that stop you from achieving your goals. This is critical since the achievement of your ultimate goal requires overcoming the hurdles.
• The third stage is where a person should understand the reasons behind the behaviour/things that prevent him from achieving his goal,mentioned in stage 2.
• The fourth and final stage involves a person removing any assumptions he might be making that prevent him from achieving his goal.

The immunity X-ray we did at the end of the session actually helped us face our inner fears and the assumptions we often make unknowingly that prevent us from changing.The article by Jonathan Reams helped us build on what was taught during the Self Leadership class. It helped us understand why Kegan says that the immunity system can be changed at any age and contrary to the old belief our mental development keeps happening at all ages. Through the account of field reports by Jonathan Reams, it is clear that the Immunity X-Ray and following the 4 column approach helps an individual in knowing himself better and beginning the process of transformation.

Through this class, I realized that more often than not, the main factor that prevents a person from realizing his dream, is none other than HIMSELF. If we can manage and control ourselves, only the sky is the limit.