Individual Assignment

Reflected Best Self Exercise

Submitted to: Prof. Raina Chhajer

By: Anshul Yadav

Roll No. – 2019PGP064
Section - B

Strengths-Based Perspectives
When we talk about the strengths-based perspective, it is an approach that brings forth the
strengths and resources of the people. This type of process sees people as resourceful and tough
in unfavourable situations. This holistic approach identifies any hindrance that is hampering
an individual’s growth. In a strengths-based system, the primary emphasis is on the positive
traits and qualities and to appreciate those attributes rather than telling about the problems. At
the same time, it does not mean that you are ignoring challenges or weaving struggles into
strengths. This approach is a self-discovery of your unnoticed strengths.

The usual status quo these days is the feedback mechanism which is majorly characterised by
your weaknesses and areas of improvement. The positive aspects or your strengths are totally
ignored hampering both your physical and mental health. This failure to acknowledge inhibits
the room for growth as you are limited to working only on your weaknesses. We are in no way
denying the fact that you should ignore areas of weakness, we are trying to tell you that you
should focus on areas of strengths too, which will help open new areas of improvement.

Methodology Adopted
Identify Respondents and Ask for Feedback

The exercise began by identifying the respondents that will offer a true and accurate picture of
my encounter with them. This is vital for this exercise because it will help me knowing myself
better. After identifying the right people, the next step was to reach out to them for collecting
feedback. The various mediums that were used are:
1. E-Mail
2. Text Messages
3. Phone Call

The people I have chosen for this exercise formed a diverse group, but at the same time, it was
a balanced representation from my school friends, college friends, family, school teachers etc.
This balance will ensure that there is no data bias or inclination towards any particular strength.
Consistency is the key.

Recognise Patterns

After having received the responses from the respondents, the next step was about identifying
the common theme from them. After having read all the inputs 2-3 times, I tried to put them
under common themes. For this, a table was made to have all the things structured at one place
 along with observations of my own. This is an essential step since here you will come across
stories which you might not have paid attention to. This analysis of the feedbacks serves to
integrate things better and form a holistic picture of yourself.

Composing the Self-Portrait

The portrait writing process is another crucial step wherein I summarised and synthesised
information. It was composed using themes from the feedback and observations in the previous
procedure. The fundamental objective is to connect the broader themes which earlier might
have felt disconnected or unrelated.
Redesign your Job/ Introspection

After having identified the strengths and composing a self-portrait, the next step is to introspect.
I have tried to analyse what my self-portrait reveals about my career path. I have identified
what things I’m good at. I just need to leverage my strengths to perform better. Just
introspection and merely awareness will not help, there has to be proper analysis of the self-
portrait and how I can leverage the strengths identified.

Aggregated Story Reflection

Common Themes

Common Examples Given Possible Interpretation

Theme
1. I remember the instance when there was an
assignment submission due next morning
and even though I completed it a night prior,
Diligent and I kept working and improving it till the time
Solution it was my best work.
seeker and 2. I was stuck with a problem wherein we had
Strong will to find a new venue for my sister’s marriage
because of the sudden restrictions on
account of the unprecedented rise in COVID
cases imposed by the Government of Delhi.
1. I’m forgiving and accepting of the mistakes
my friends make, in their moments of anger.
I can easily initiate conversation even if it is
the other person who is at fault.
2. The incident is where my friend was not
going through a good time due to certain
Kindness &
difficulties at her family. I was there for her
Generosity
every day trying to make her feel better
about her life and decisions.
3. Despite suffering a back injury myself, I was
kind enough to help a friend sail through the
Pre-Boards. His performance in these exams
was a deciding factor for his stay in school.
I have always been sincere with
the work I’m assigned. Apart
from that, I always look out for
innovative ways and approach to
come up with a solution. I have
experienced what it takes to be
in a situation where things are
uncertain. This never give-up
attitude is what keeps me going.
I’m always satisfied with
extending a helping a hand
whenever and wherever needed.
People can approach me for
whatever difficulty they are
facing and I try to come up with
a solution to the best of my
abilities and capabilities.
I have always believed in
extending my support above and
beyond my strengths, again &
again.
 1. I recall the times when we were working for I have always been someone
a case competition where the entire team was who works for the betterment of
stressed on how to complete the given the team even if it requires
submission. I was the one who stepped up taking some extra pain on my
and tried to identify the barriers which part.
helped us work in a more systematic manner.
2. I remember a fond instance of selflessness When the efforts are put in the
on the cricket field. I wasn't at my best that right direction and with right
day and was mistiming the ball more often intent, even impossible is
Good Team than not. Amidst all this there was slight achievable. Therefore, I
Player miscommunication while running between deliberately put in extra effort to
the wickets and I had to sacrifice my wicket, be a good team player.
so that the other player could play on and
take the team through.
3. “I was a part of Anshul's team in the REP
program. I witnessed how much of a team
player Anshul is and how he is willing to
make sacrifices for the whole team. This
really helped the whole team a lot during the
program.”
1. With my sister’s marriage at hand, I was also I will never refrain from doing
able to manage the classes and quizzes. This tasks which will be at very short
was only possible because of good time notice because I’m able to
management skills. properly manage my time.
2. With proper time management skills I have
Good Time been able to help my friends during exams These time management skills
Management too. I have always managed to finish my come in handy when you have to
Skills syllabus beforehand and then in the work with strict deadlines and
remaining time I have always tried to help. short notices.
3. We were stuck with multiple group projects
and assignments. Being a part of different
groups, I had to manage my time pretty well
so that I could complete all of them.
1. A big jolt to our ship came when One has to be optimistic, even
demonetisation hit the country, and we were during the tougher times. These
severely impacted by it. We had lost all are the bare minimum
hopes but the way I handled and motivated requirements of a great leader.
the team and then single-handedly put up a I’m resilient enough to face the
successful fest, living up to the expectations difficult situations at hand in my
of my fellow mates. personal and professional life.
Leadership
2. In a class party, an untoward incident I can motivate people to work.
Skills
happened due to which the whole class was
reprimanded. As the class representative I
handled the incident deftly. Keeping the
class prerogatives as well as the institution
moral bearings in mind, I bridged the gap
and steered in arriving at an amicable
solution.
 3. Being a Class representative, I have always
listened to all the candidates' issues and tried
to get them solved on a priority basis.

Self Portrait
When I’m at my best, I’m a believer in myself. I’m someone who is resilient enough to face
challenges head on in life. I have set standards for myself and work untiringly towards them
till I achieve them. I have always been a guiding and a helping light for others. Even with a
very limited acquaintance, I can always lend a helping hand and go out of the way. I’m both a
leader and a team-player, who efficiently plays both the roles well. The leader in me always
wants to uplift the people around me too. I have showcased this quality when all of my team
was totally shattered by the decision of demonetisation. The things were completely at a
standstill and everyone was very demotivated. It became vital for me to cheer everyone so that
we can find a way out of the situation. I am strong believer of bridging the gap between the
two stakeholders so that an amicable way can be worked out. This is something what I am
really strong at.

I’m at my best because of my ability to 'not give up'. May it be professionally or personally.
May it be on people, or on things. I have been able to balance it all. I don’t get flustered and to
be able to go on key to my success. I put in efforts at all places, work hard and have that passion
to excel.

I’m at my best when I’m confronted with challenges. I work better when the deadlines are tight
and the results are important. This is possible because I’m highly focused and have set my own
goalposts in life. This sincerity towards my goal helps me come up with innovative and breath-
taking ideas. I have the ability see and articulate new possibilities along with the hunger to
learn, it will give an advantage over the co-worker/peers in a competitive work environment.
This is not just about enthusiasm and curiosity, but pioneering new and innovative ideas.

The uncertainty of the future will demand high levels of judgment and critical thinking which
will not be reliant on rules but on tacit knowledge and intuition. I have aptly designed myself
to face this uncertainty. I’m at my best when I try to gain more in-depth insights and hone my
skills as this helps me deal with all aspects of the complex and competitive world of business
today.

I’m at my best when I’m able to build and nurture relations. It takes efforts to sustain relations
and I do that well. Even if there’s nothing for me to gain I just feel very fulfilling to help.
Learnings from the Assignment
All in all, it was a great exercise where I got an opportunity to connect with people which was
long due. These people helped me unravel my strengths in a way that I could never notice.

One of the major takeaways from this assignment has been that all of these strengths were with
me since the beginning, but I never saw or paid much attention to. I was totally unaware of the
fact that these small incidents have made a significant impact in the lives of people. I can just
cherish these moments. It is rightly said that never take things for granted.

I had never thought that there will be such diverse stories that will be coming my way. After
having received these, I’m sure that there are more strengths with me which I cannot imagine.

All of us can recall some extraordinary moments in our life; however, it is these simple
moments which, when brought to light, have moulded our life for better. My interactions with
friends, families and teachers have brought these moments/situations wherein I have been
faithful to my deepest self and realised my potential fully. All of these different perspectives
offer a unique and crucial understanding of the ways where you can make valuable positive
contributions.

Future Course of Action

I will continue with this exercise and try to get more people on-board so that I do not miss out
on any kind of positive feedback and I keep on updating my Ideal Self-Portrait. Also, I will
frequently visit this exercise again so that I’m constantly reminded of my own strengths.
Discovering more & more strengths will help me gain a competitive edge both in my personal
and professional life.
Exhibit (Total Responses Received – 13)
Attaching 2 Email Proofs

1. Gursimran Gambhir (Working at Deloitte)

 2. Atif (IIM Indore)

Word Doc of all the responses

Gursimran

Situation 1:
Your nature of offering help and taking out time, no matter how occupied/busy you are will
definitely take you a long way in building and nurturing relations. It takes efforts to sustain
relations and you do that well. The particular instance which makes me say this is when you
helped me with working out financials for my recent internship. There was nothing for you to
gain but just lend a helping hand while you yourself were flooded with assignments.

Situation 2:
This is an overall observation and perhaps not a specific one. You have the ability to 'not give
up'. May it be professionally or personally. May it be on people, or on things. To be able to
balance it all is commendable and you have the ability to do it.
Understandably, we often get flustered but to be able to go on is the key. You put in efforts at
all places, work hard and have the drive to excel.

Situation 3:
Back in college, even with limited acquaintance, you were ready to lend a helping hand and go
out of the way, quite literally. You are forgiving and accepting of the mistakes your friends
make, in their moments of anger. I remember how you tend to initiate conversation even if it
is the other person who has wronged you. I'm not sure if it is good to do that always but it
definitely takes a big heart to do that.

Shreya

You are a really helpful person as you make sure that you're there for us whenever we need
you. You never shy away from helping not just your friends, but anyone in college who needs
your help even if it means sacrificing your studies. I had scored really bad in one subject and
you helped me study although you had an exam in a few days. You are selfless and I am really
lucky to have you as my friend here.

You are also very responsible when it comes to the duties assigned to you. You are a great
Class representative as you listen to all the candidates' issues and try to get them solved on a
priority basis. Apart from that, as a group member, you have always worked really hard and
have also taken up extra work so that the projects could be completed within time.

Shivangi

You have the capacity to identify problems and prioritise solutions at hand. I recall the times
we had worked during case competition where the entire team was stressed on how to complete
the given submission. You were the one person who stepped up and tried to identify the barriers
which helped us work in a more systemic manner. I have always admired the way you think
about problems from an out of the box point of view

You have the ability to be compassionate and caring even in the most difficult situations. I
recall the incident where I was not going through a good time due to certain difficulties with
my family. You were there for me every day trying to make me feel better about my life and
decisions. You acted as a support system that one needs in life outside their family. You have
made me strive harder in my personal, academic and professional sphere

Janakjeet

You strive for perfection. I have seen you go the extra mile to make all your work as perfect as
you can, be it assignment submissions or even understanding concepts. I remember the instance
when there was an assignment submission due the next morning and even though your
assignment was completed a night prior, you kept working and improving upon it till you felt
that it was your best work rather than just getting done with it.

Secondly, another standout trait is that you are an extremely helpful person who helps not just
his friends but anyone who come to you for help. I have learned almost half my 1st year of
MBA subjects from you and you did not mind teaching us even if it was at 2 or 3 am the night
before the exam. And this is something you did not just for me, but also for anyone who came
to you for help. This helpful nature is rare.

Rounak

Study Sessions
Since the beginning of term 1, I have seen Anshul help anyone and everyone who has asked
for help. It’s not just his friends that he helps one night before the exam but anyone who
approaches him. When I heard that he was ready to compromise his sleep to teach a couple of
our batchmates, I started respecting him a lot more

Maintaining Bonds
Anshul makes it a point to stay in touch with everyone he knows. Even during the lock-down
he made sure that he voice/video called his friends, organized group calls and game sessions
where everyone got together. He is great at forming bonds and maintaining them. Not everyone
has such a quality.

Honesty
One thing that speaks a lot about Anshul as a person is his honesty. He wouldn’t lie to anyone
even if he knows that the consequences would not be pleasant. He would rather hurt the person
with the truth than make the mistake of lying. I say this because Anshul has been gutsy enough
to share things with me that he might not be comfortable with.

Divanshu

1. You are one of the most hardworking persons I have come across in my life. You never shy
away from your responsibilities, be it academic responsibility, be it club/committee or be it any
other thing. You have always show me that if someone is willing to put in the best of their
efforts, they will be able to achieve what they want.

2. Being always there for your friends. I have seen you always being there for your friends
even if it means to lose something on your own part. You will never thing twice before saying
a yes to your friends. This is one of your purest traits

3. Time management skills is another thing I wish I could as efficiently as you. You make sure
you get out time for everything in life - acads, sports, committee's work and your sisters’
marriage and you manage all this so smoothly and at such an ease that it is very commendable

Atif

As a leader you have shown great acumen and have truly established yourself. I distinctly
remember an incident which happened in the first year of our PGP programme. In a class party
an untoward incident happened due to which the whole class was reprimanded. As our class
representative you handled the incident deftly. Keeping the class prerogatives as well as the
institution moral bearings in mind, you bridged the gap and steered us in arriving at an amicable
solution. It is often seen that in matters where our kin is involved the separation of what is right
and what is to be done is often a dilemma. On such occasions only a true leader can show the
path. I have learned much from you and the sheer thought and hard work you put in the things
you do is an inspiration for many. I wish one day the world is able to benefit from the talent
and benevolence you are blessed with.

Hemak

Story 1
I remember the time when you helped Akash Dahiya when failed in his 12th pre-boards. And
if he had failed boards paper his parents would have send him back to his hometown. But as a
responsible friend you took the initiative, even though you were suffering from back injury and
made sure that he scores good marks in his boards. You took his tests and practiced with him
irrespective of how much you yourself had prepared for the boards. And gave assurance to him
and his family that they won’t face disappointment. And you stood up to what you promised.

Story 2
I still remember the day when you were asked by the principal to prepare for a group
presentation with students from different class and stream. It was so difficult for you in the
starting but you showed your leadership skills and communicated with all the members. You
motivated everyone and helped when and wherever it was required. Also, you taught the value
of QQD- *quick quality decision*, which made the presentation outstanding and unique. Also,
you were the kind of leader who took all the criticism on your shoulder and gave all the credits
for great work to the team members

Saurabh

I remember the time when I had scored really poorly and asked you on how you wrote and
your paper attempting pattern. Without hesitating for even a second, you video called me and
started to explain to me your strategy. I was amazed to see that you make helping others
succeed a priority in your life. You listen to me patiently, and offer honest, objective feedback.
You put yourself in my shoes and clearly communicated ideas to help me move forward.

One of your finest traits is handling pressure situations with a sense of calm and ease. Being
nominated as the VP of the Commerce Society of SRCC and the fact that almost 800 students
placed their trust in you and believed that you are capable for this post was definitely too much
expectations to fulfill but you did not succumb to that pressure at all. I can remember when
demonetization had hit and our sponsorship was affected - we had lost all hopes but the way
you handled and motivated the team …. And then single handedly put up a successful fest,
living up to the expectations of your fellow mates is something we will always be proud of.

I think of the of time when I got stuck in Gurgaon due to some riots , all borders sealed and I
had no means to reach home, I really admire how you showed concern and empathy you offered
me a place to reside , calmed me down and took me out to eat so that my mind could get
diverted really shows that you are someone who puts others first.

Tanay

I remember a fond instance of selflessness on the cricket field. Anshul wasn't at his best that
day and was mistiming the ball more often than not.
Amidst all this there was slight miscommunication while running between the wickets and he
sacrificed his wicket, so that I could play on and take the team through.

Tanusha

Anshul is very hardworking, perseverant and patient. He is logical and takes all decision after
doing all necessary calculations. I know Anshul being the class representative of section E. His
work was appreciated by all and was very kind to everyone. This is the quality I look up to in
him.

Madhav
Three instances:
1) Team Player- I was a part of Anshul's team in the REP program. I witnessed how much of
a team player Anshul is and how he is willing to take sacrifices for the whole team. This really
helped the whole team a lot during the program.
2) Hard working- Anshul is also extremely hardworking. I have seen him prepare for exams
thoroughly and at the same time helps others during the process as well.
3) Leader- I have seen Anshul in numerous instances where he took the lead to bring the
students concerns to the attention of the administration and has succeeded multiple times. This
shows his commitment as a leader to help his fellow mates and also smartness in handling
different authorities.

Dishank

I rarely come across real talents like Anshul, I had the pleasure of doing my schooling with
him. I will be forever grateful for having a friend like him in my life. From struggling in school
assignments to discussing about career objectives, he never left my side and always wanted to
bring the best out of me. His never giving up attitude and hardworking nature has always been
an inspiration for everyone around him.