Dr. Aneeta Madhok, is Managing Director of Open Spaces Consulting in Mumbai, India. A global professional, Organizational Psychologist, People Person, and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Aneeta has coached and counselled people from all walks of life for over fifteen years. Two years ago, she started a two-way love affair with her own and her client’s health. As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, she builds a client-coach relationship that enables, empowers and supports clients in their journey towards leading vibrant, energetic lives. She enables clients to address physical, emotional, interpersonal, social and spiritual aspects of their lives and move further along the path to a happy and healthy life and lifestyle. She has received international certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (USA), International Coach Federation (PCC Level) and the gold standard in the HR profession (SHRM-SCP).
Q1. Tell us something about your journey so far?
I have been working with enabling well-being in the human context for over 40 years now. In the capacity of an HR professional, a manager, a teacher, a psychologist, a counsellor and a coach, my journey has taken me through Corporate sector, Academia, and now, now Coaching-counselling as an unbounded consultant. In these three innings of my professional life, the common factor has been the increasing opportunity to work with fellow human beings, and in being of service to them, also discovering myself and fulfilling my life purpose. The coaching conversations whether formal, informal, whether intelligent or emotional, whether long or short ones, have each touched the lives of individuals from many walks of life, old and young. From my resume, you can extract all the positions held so far, but the stories of my role holding and acting in contribution to my stakeholders are many and multi-faceted in every role that I discharged. The focus was always on the bottom line and value addition beyond the obvious. People remember, and even if they don’t, it is work done in faith. It is always the simple and subtle insights that have major implications. The small shifts in direction while in a coaching conversation, in finding ways to wrap oneself around one’s emotions and passions, in creating learning opportunities and fostering a growth mind-set, are the beginnings of major journeys for those whose lives were touched. There were times when even I did not know until years later, that someone had been greatly influenced by something I said or did, and I am amazed at the power of people to transform and evolve.
In later life, I discovered that emotional and spiritual well-being is not possible in a sick body. So many chronic health issues arise psychosomatically, and are a direct result of lifestyle and food choices as well. Things like Type 2 Diabetes, cardio-vascular disease and many others are a clear manifestation of the mind-body link. Just as we take responsibility for our own mental health, we also need to take responsibility for our physical health. For this reason, experiencing my own health transformation which also transformed my outlook in life and grounded me in myself and my body, I took to adding health and nutrition coaching to my life coaching practice. This current innings in my life has an intense potential to live my purpose of enabling physical and emotional well-being with an enhanced energy and vigour.
It is always the simple and subtle that has major implications. The small shifts in direction while in a coaching conversation, in finding ways to wrap oneself around one’s emotions and passions, are the beginnings of major journeys for those whose lives were touched. There were times when even I did not know until years later, that someone had been greatly influenced by something I said or did, and I am amazed at the power of people to transform and evolve.
Q2. Tell us something about your experience in XLRI. How has that experience helped in shaping you as a professional?
At XLRI, I was a diligent student in times when diligence was nerdy and geeky. To the dismay of many, I still remember my lessons and teachers, no matter how quickly it all became obsolete. But the best part was the network of friends and alumni that I got plugged into.
Often times I too ask myself the question as to what is the real value addition of XLRI in my career, beyond the ‘brand value’ of a big business school? I do believe that XLRI of the 1980s taught me the values of true leadership both in my self and also in viewing others. A discernment beyond the obvious charisma of leaders, and one that goes deeper than skin-deep. That was the point of view that distinguished some from the rest. Sometimes it worked in favour of my progression, and sometimes it did not.
Q3. Tell us something about your daily work routine. How do you manage your stress levels in workplace which every professional faces these days?
From 9 am to 9pm I am a professional at work. Whether in office or out of office. The switch turns off after that.
As time goes along, the switch turns off much more easily.
Meditation helps. Having a loosely held routine helps. Staying focused is still an issue as I feel I wish I had more time at the end of the day.
Q4. What or who has been the biggest influence in your career so far? How do you balance your personal and professional career?
Gurus have been many, and I have been influenced by many to be more like them. An equal number of gurus have taught me how not to be also. Living with a sense of purpose does not need any balance.
Q5. How has the lockdown impacted you as a professional and as the Managing Director of a firm?
Got more used to technology and able to reach bigger audiences that are geographically spread out.
Q6. What would be your advice to young professionals and MBA students?
1.Deserve before you desire
2.If life gives you lemons, make lemonade and add your own zest
3.Don’t crib about where you find yourself and continue to stay there in protest, go find a place where you will not crib and live life without cribs and bickering.
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