I was an experienced trainer when the competency-based training model was introduced in Australia. When I first heard the term ‘competency-based’, I thought, “Why would anyone want to be competent when they could strive for excellence?” Today, I believe this reaction reflected a mindset which has underpinned my success as a consultant. It also explains why I enjoy working in learning and development. I’m always thrilled to meet people who share my passion for excellence and self-improvement.
It’s a frustrating situation. During a high-stakes negotiation, your counterpart shoots down every idea you put on the table. They respond to every suggestion you make with a resounding ‘no’. They definitely don’t seem to know how to disagree without being disagreeable. Oh dear. This behaviour can really bog down a negotiation and create a stalemate.
Speed reading allows you to increase your pace of reading, without reducing your comprehension. When you speed read, you stop reading every word on the page. Instead, you switch to scanning documents for key points.
1. List keywords before you start
To generate relevant search results, you need to be specific about the keywords you use. For example, searching for ‘learning’ will generate lots of hits. But most of them will be irrelevant if you’re writing an article on teaching adults. You’ll get better results entering specific keywords, such as ‘adult learning’ or ‘experiential learning.’
1. Plan before you write
A good plan will save you hours of writing time. Use headings and dot points to create a skeleton for your article. In your planning document, list the key sections you want to include in your article. Then use dot points to list the points you’ll make in each section. For example:
This is a way of thinking about a problem without getting ‘stuck’ in it. By focussing your attention on solutions – rather than why a problem happened – this approach boosts your creativity. Here are three ways to get started in solution based mode.
This is an example of an ethical dilemma. It is a situation in one set of values conflicts with another. For example, achieving a profit might conflict with refusing to participate in bribery or corruption. Making decisions in such situations can be tough. Some common sources of ethical dilemmas in today’s workplaces include:
What do successful people do in order to build success? They keep their goals simple and memorable. Then they build a blueprint for action. The following plan shows how to nail down your goals.
Ever made a New Year’s resolution you failed to action? It was probably a goal based on feelings of not being good enough. No wonder it wasn’t inspiring. The key to success is working from strengths, rather than trying to eliminate ‘faults.’
This year is the time for a new approach to goal setting. As well as focussing on what you want to change, keep in mind the things you want to retain. What do you enjoy doing? What gives you a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment? Resolve to keep doing these things – perhaps even do them more often. Here are three things you can do to accelerate success.
The answer is that they have low self-esteem. So don’t let their negativity get you down. These people only hold power over you because you’re uncomfortable about confronting them. Perhaps you’re not 100 per cent sure the remark was a dig. Or maybe you’re torn between wanting to burst into tears or telling them exactly what you think of them.
People who make biting remarks crave an audience. They rely on you listening passively. Don’t do it. Instead, respond assertively. When you challenge them, difficult people lose their hold over you immediately. Here’s how to do this calmly and resourcefully.
Fortnightly tips and videos to inspire Difference Makers and Future Shapers as their efforts change the world.