As the right side brain functioning deals with the subconscious mind, it is therefore not always easily visible to determine and hence the questioning of the coach has to be deeper and more intuitive. To elaborate more vividly on the difference between the left side and right side brain functioning, please find below, a descriptive table of the same:
|
LEFT SIDE BRAIN |
RIGHT SIDE BRIAN |
| Rational, logical, deals with data & numbers | Emotional, sentimental, deals with the senses – creative |
| Task Oriented | Relationship Oriented |
| Judgemental | Playful, childlike |
| Convergent thinking | Divergent thinking |
| Analysis: parts break down | Synthesis: whole makes connections |
| Avoid risks | Intuitive |
| Serious | Has fun, curious |
| Punishing | Likes surprises |
| Fearful dreams | Imaginative |
| Past / future | In touch with ‘here and now’ |
| Active | Receptive |
| Masculine by nature | Feminine by nature |
In East Asian philosophies, this is also referred to as the Yin and Yang dimensions. Yin being the Right Side Brain, with the nature of ‘water” and Yang being the Left Side Brain, with the nature of “fire”. However, in this philosophy, there is a small part in the Yin dimension which is Yang by nature and there is a small part in the Yang dimension which is Yin by nature. In today’s lifestyles and cultures, one finds that the Yang or Left Side Brain seems more developed and therefore even women that are Yin by nature, have developed the Yang part of themselves a great deal. Sometimes they are seen behaving in a more pronounced Yang behavior rather than a Yin behavior. And of course it is seen that men are even more left brain oriented in their behavior. If there is any inner or outer disharmony that this creates, which is often the case, as coaches, one may need to create awareness about this.
The foundation of all emotional intelligence is primarily based on – “self awareness”. Self awareness is the cornerstone, that supports all of the other emotional intelligence competencies
So what is “Self Awareness” ?
Self awareness therefore facilitates the “threshold” from which wisdom in action is made possible. And this is also where the fundamental significance of Coaching and the Harmony Quotient lies.
Emotional Intelligence deals with 5 competencies. These are –
Intrapersonal – The Ability to Manage Self ie.
1) Self Awareness – Knowing one’s emotions
2) Self Regulation – Managing one’s emotions
3) Self Motivation – Motivating Oneself
Interpersonal – The Ability to Manage Others ie.
4) Empathy – Managing other’s emotions
5) Effective Relationships – Handling Relationships
Our “Harmony Quotient” determines if we are, first and foremost, in harmony with ourselves ie Our Intrapersonal Harmony. Therefore to be optimally effective in coaching, the powerful questioning that the coaching process uses needs to address the following questions.
A) For Self Awareness of one’s Emotions :
- Are we aware of our own emotions? Do we recognize our emotions?
- Do we acknowledge and accept our emotions? Are we in “harmony” with our emotions or do we divorce/deny them, with thoughts like “I cannot be emotional in my work space. This is not home etc.” Do we engage with escapist activity to drown out our emotions?
- Are we able to discern the impact of our emotions on our life and harmonize them / fine tune them?
- Are we able to see the impact of not addressing our emotions, on our life and the disharmony it brings?
- Are we able to see the whole body and being impact of not addressing our emotions in the long term, on our life and the disharmony and stress it brings? Marshall Goldsmith mentions that changing behavior is often tough, but instead if one can just stop the negative behavior, that would be easier to accomplish. If you cannot be nice, can you “stop being the jerk’ ? So maybe more attention and awareness needs to be created around what we should “stop doing” to create more harmony for starters.