February 2, 2012 by Linda.

NOTE:  We have opened our comments functionality.  Comments about our items are welcome.  You can comment by clicking on “No Comments” below and item.  You will see a new page where you can register and make your comment.  Your comment should be available for view within two business days.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

February 2, 2012 by Linda.

I believe we can build a culture in our organizations that promotes healthy debate and inquiry, which in turn fosters a culture of learning agility.  We can lead this effort by intentionally asking questions of co-workers that facilitate real conversations - that is, conversations where there’s true dialogue.  Here are my favorite questions that invite this type of two-way conversation:

• I’ve always wondered why we…..
• Our success lies in…..
• Everyone knows _____ but is afraid to talk about it.
• Our customers would be happier if….
• I’d like to see more __________ around here.

Try these questions on for size whenever you have the opportunity.  If you have your listening ears on, you’re sure to learn something new.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

January 30, 2012 by Linda.

One of the elements of learning agility is the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances.  In today’s workplace, change is a constant, and it’s coming at us at warp speed.  So, how do we prepare ourselves to make changes quickly and effectively when it’s required of us at work?!  I believe we need to attack the real problem - fear.

Reluctance to change is based primarily on fear - fear of losing our routine, fear of inabililty to cope with new demands, or fear of looking inept.  To minimize reluctance to change, we have to minimize our fear by building our self-confidence.

 Here’s an example of how I built my confidence and moved past my fear of using technology as a marketing tool.  In the first few years of my consulting practice, I sought out opportunities to speak at conferences and client meetings.  Because I enjoy being with people and am comfortable with public speaking, this was a natural way of marketing for me…and I like to travel.  Sounds like a win-win, right?

In the past two years, my web master and my colleagues encouraged me to use Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter to stay visible and market my consulting business.  I resisted at first, and kept hearing stories about how other consultants were getting visibility and projects through technology.  I asked myself the hard question - “why am I so reluctant to try at least one element of technology, such as LinkedIn?”  After some soul searching, my answer to this was straightforward - I didn’t want to give up travelling for speaking engagements and I didn’t want to take time to set up and learn to use LinkedIn or Blogs.  What if I did it all wrong and came across as dumb?

I decided to build my self-confidence with education.  My local computer retail store has lessons on every type of software imaginable, so I began taking lessons.  I studied tutorials on Blogging and setting up Facebook and Linked In.  I asked for feedback from friends and colleagues who would be honest, yet kind, about my initial efforts.  I let my web master give me advice, and I listen.

Last week, my confidence had grown to the point where I read a local article on Google+ and it seemed like a good tool to use.  I read up on Google+ and set up my page on my own, then let my web master know I had taken this step.  He is very proud.

It’s a relationship thing:  the more you build your confidence through education, the less fear you have of change.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

January 25, 2012 by Linda.

Do you want to be more impressive to future employers or get a promotion at your current company?  One way to get noticed is to enhance your learning agility because there’s a clear connection between this and potential performance in newly assigned tasks.  Over the next few days, I’ll write about the four types of learning agility:  mental; people; change; and results.  Each dimension of learning agility can be enhanced, and thus you can increase your potential for that next promotion!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

September 13, 2011 by Linda.

I’ve heard many of my friends and coworkers say, “I’m just not creative!”  You may have more creativity locked inside than you realize.  The key to unlocking that creative bent is to engage in some different activities to stretch those creative brain muscles.

 One suggestion is to take an art of photography class, even if you haven’t ever had an interest in pursuing either as an avocation, let alone a vocation.  This type of class will guide you towards leaning on your visual sense of proportion and color placing items in relationship to one another for the best possible effect. 

More ideas on enhancing creativity next time!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

September 13, 2011 by Linda.

If you’re an introverted, reserved person, I have an idea that will help you to enhance the interpersonal dimension of EQ:  take a course on negotiation or conflict resolution!  Courses of this type require students to consider others’ needs and wants in order to offer solutions to problems they have in common.  Successful conflict resolution requires all parties involved to think creatively to find ways to improve a process or address a problem.  This helps develop the skill to articulate your own needs effectively, as well.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

September 13, 2011 by Linda.

If you select the right organization AND the right committee to join and get actively involved in, this can actually help you develop your interpersonal skills.  To get the most from committee membership, go to as many of the social hour portion of the meetings as you can and walk from group to group to introduce yourself.  Find two of three people you enjoy being with and ask what committee they’re on….join and get involved with that committee.  It’s likely to be work you enjoy and promote your interpersonal abilities at the same time.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

September 13, 2011 by Linda.

I’ve heard lots of complaints from forty-somethings about not having as good a memory as in the past.  There are ways to improve one’s memory!  Let me just share a couple of them:

 When we meet someone for the first time, we can say their name out loud and form a mental image of the name associated with something that sticks with us.  For example, if you meet someone named Harry Bush, say his name and plant a mental image in your mind of a hairy bush.  If you’re reading about a new idea or subject on your computer, make it harder - yes harder - to read by changing the font style to a smaller style or something like Andy that isn’t as familiar.  This will actually help you remember the topic!  One more suggestion, and it seems unrelated to memory:  walk more.  My research indicates that physical activity stimulates and helps build brain muscle, which in turn helps strengthen memory!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

May 9, 2011 by Linda.

I’ve heard so many of my friends say that they’re just not creative.  I thought that about myself until I took photography lessons several years ago.  I now have a heightened sense of proportion and color, as well as the best way to place items in the lens in relationship to one another to get the maximum effect.  Besides just being fun, I definitely have improved my artistic sensibilities!

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

April 20, 2011 by Linda.

A career coach can help you understand your true wants and desires; specifically, in terms of the direction you want to take in your career.  A coach can ask you the tough questions that require reflection, such as, “What do I really want out of life?” and “What makes me happy?”  The coach won’t answer these questions for you, yet will guide you towards finding the answers and being truthful with yourself first and foremost.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »