Reflective entry_Zahra : Week 11

I think that the way we have decided to do the reflection is interesting. The fact that we meet each week to talk about our assignment is a really a good approach. Thanks to this meetings we can see each other’s facial expressions which can be helpful and we can also communicate more easily and more freely.

Talking about this week’s assignment with the girls made me really emotional because I have talked about a person whom I appreciate and who has a special place in my heart. 

As a coach, I was really inspired by how the coachee talked about the amazing leader that she had worked with. I was interested in her story because it’s not every day that you meet a great leader like the one that my colleague talked about. I have sensed that my colleague was really proud because she got a chance to meet with this person and felt confident when studying with him. In fact, at first she said that it was a bit intimidating because this person has a lot of experience and it shows, but according to my colleague he wasn’t trying to act superior or impose his ideas. This leader was encouraging the group to work together and build a positive team spirit. 

This is exactly what we all love about the M.B.A program. Besides the fact that you acquire new information and extend your knowledge, you also learn how to work in a group. Actually, you get to see if you can handle difficult situations, conflicts or simply how to get your ideas implemented in the process. We also learn from each other, communicate and share our different perspectives. 

As a coachee, I have talked about my experience which is having to work with my dad. I was kind of shy to talk about it at first because I was going to talk about my father but the support that I was getting from my team members has helped me and so I told my story.  I felt that the coach was interested in what I was saying and she was also nodding her head from time to time to show that. The coach has asked some questions about the fact that I have worked with my father and she also asked me if now I see my father differently. 

As an observer, I have noticed that my teammates feel comfortable when talking about their experience (as a coachee) and when doing their role as a coach. I believe that each person of the group likes to share his thoughts and concerns. In fact, the group likes to communicate and ask different questions when needed. The group feels also more familiar with the different five key processes of a coaching conversation. We all find it interesting to listen to what the other person has to say and we like to learn more about each other. These assignments actually make us aware of our strengths and weaknesses and whether we are good communicators or not.