SEPTEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK5The Building Blocks of ExcellenceAmidst various stress factors, on-the-job demands, and distractions, it is challenging for executives to remain focused on the responsibilities at hand. As a certified coach who keeps the Gallup Strengths philosophy at the core, the foremost task of Ananth includes assisting the executives in commanding their attention to the current reality. By creating trust and safety, he strives to establish an inclusive environment that upholds open and transparent communication between the coach and the leader. Using psychometric tools like Hogan Assessments he is able to help the leader build self-awareness and internalize, how his behavior is perceived by his peers, subordinates, and stakeholders. Driven by "SMART" goals and "GROW" models, he endeavors to establish positive connections with the learners and engage with them by assessing their needs at a deeper level through various open-ended questions, 360-degree feedback, and manager and customer feedback. This helps him understand leaders and empowers them to evaluate their mechanisms to be responsible for their actions. "Having mastered the art of going with the flow over the years, I coach the `being' of the leader. Today, I am no longer afraid of silence, and I patiently wait for the coachee to use the time for reflection, which has helped a lot of my executives create and implement the most optimal solution," shares Ananth. His methodologies prompt healthy discussions to make the leaders set the right goals and be accountable. "I also encourage a tripartite meeting midway through the journey to capture the needle change and look at any new goals the organization wants the leader to take on," he adds. Reflecting consistent productivity improvement, his approach has pushed leaders to stretch goals beyond their present capabilities. His coaching framework is aimed not only at enhancing leadership skills but also at restoring work-life balance to drive higher productivity. The Keys to Successful LeadershipJumping on the new trend bandwagon, more enterprises are increasingly investing in digital coaching, thereby upping the ante for the coaches to keep up-to-date and deliver quality knowledge in online and offline modes alike. Ananth perceives it as well and is qualified with well-known psychometric certifications, including Hogan, Gallup Strength Performance, DiSC, CB5 (Big 5), and, most importantly, digital coaching, post-COVID. Firmly valuing continuous learning, he considers the coaching sessions as a learning platform to better understand the industry and prepare for future sessions. Apart from his value-added coaching, he is also acknowledged for his pro-bono coaching sessions, which have enabled many aspiring entry-level learners to start climbing the corporate ladder faster. According to Ananth, a leader needs to have a clear and futuristic vision. A Leader needs to be passionate about continuous learning and keep enhancing their skills. They need to constantly innovate whilst taking risks, be emotionally stable, and be perseverant in the achievement of their goals to be an effective leader. "Do not shy away from celebrating your achievements. This helps you to propel your way forward. I also want to emphasize ­ success is what you define and do not let the world define it. In the current evolving world, great leaders are those who can motivate and inspire their people to greater heights while remaining in the background. But they also should believe in the learning journey which will help them achieve the outcomes. They need to make these learnings into sustaining habits that become their brand as they move along," concludes Ananth. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by ICF, Ananthanarayanan is distinguished by his commitment to transforming leaders by building their self-awareness and operationalizing their actions through coaching for a successful outcome through his venture, Agrata Consulting
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