The objective of this blog

To promote, discuss and share soft skills training and development ideas. So to start us off I have posted a few personal development ideas and tips. These will be updated on a regular basis. if you have a question, a comment, an idea or anything at all you would like to discuss regarding personal development - Fire Away!
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Solutions

When appropriate. Next time someone asks you what they should do about a situation, don’t answer immediately, ask them for their thoughts on the subject and what solutions they consider appropriate. If they haven’t thought about this, consider asking them to do so and come back to you with a few ideas. Encourage people to be solutions providers, not problem researchers and congratulate them on their thoughts and ideas. Work with people  in helping them to improve their problem solving skills and together refine solutions that do not quite fit.

Communication

If there is someone in your team you haven't spoken to today, go over and say a few words to them. People like to be noticed and it is amazing what one or two words of communication can have on an individual's motivation and self esteem!

Goal setting and objectives

Create a set of departmental/team goals for the year. Involve the team in the creation of these and at one to one meetings ask individual how they intend to support and contribute towards the department/team goals and objectives. Ask what goals and objectives each individual has and work with them in helping them to achieve these, where you can. Post the department/team goals on the wall and tick them off as they are achieved. Review these goals regularly with individuals and the team as a whole. Congratulate success.

Language and words

Think about the words and phrases that you use with people, and say to yourself. Do you use words like it may, possibly we could, there is a slight chance, we could, if this happens them, OR  do you say, we can, we will, we must, it will, this means that, when? 

The words you use in every day communication with yourself and others creates the stage and backcloth from which either positive or negative expectations and emotions are created. Some words are very powerful and illicit positive action, some don't, some will motivate you and some will not. Rarely do we think about the words that we use however these words create our environment and it is a good idea to review your vocabulary and replace any negative words with ones that are more positive and action orientated.

Motivation

Do you know what motivates your team members and have you asked them? Motivation is a very unique and powerful force that causes both action and inaction. We have developed a motivation skills training pack for managers and team leaders that examines motivation in detail, looks at different motivational types, includes a motivational questionnaire and examines techniques and strategies for increasing motivation within individuals and teams.

You are what you say

Not only are you what you eat. but also you are what you say. Use words like, maybe, perhaps, I might be able to and other such words and you are more likely to come across to others and yourself as a hesitant individual. Change your words and you might well come across and behave differently. As long as it's all natural.