How to be assertive
September 25, 2011
Assertiveness is not about getting your way at the expense of others. Assertiveness is about standing up for your rights without violating the rights of others, and without feeling bad about doing so. Where do you start? Here are the three basic and essential steps… 1. Listen and show understanding 2. Say what you mean, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Things charismatic people believe
September 18, 2011
There are different ‘ingredients’ to charisma but underpinning them all are the beliefs you adhere to as you live your life. Your mind-set, which is made up of your beliefs and assumptions, makes you who you are. So what do charismatic people tend to believe that contributes to their charisma? Here’s one… “Holding a clear [...]
Read the rest of this entry »The doorway to understanding
September 11, 2011
Do you listen in order to understand? Or do you simply listen in order to reply? Do you even realise how you listen? Think back to a recent conversation. How were you listening? Did you interrupt or wait impatiently for your chance to speak? How much of your attention was on the person speaking? Do [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Four powerful coaching questions
September 4, 2011
You will have heard by now how important coaching is as a management skill. Truly excellent managers are good coaches. Here is a very simple and easy four question coaching model you can use. 1. What’s now? (brings out the current situation) 2. What’s possible? (or, what is the best possible outcome in an ideal [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Thinking about stakeholders
August 28, 2011
Who are your stakeholders? Anything you do has stakeholders. Stakeholders are people who are affected by what you do, and therefore have an interest in it. They have an interest in what you do, how well you do it, when you do it, and if you care about them while you do it. So who [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Do you already know the cure?
August 21, 2011
Everyone seems to be searching for the magic information that will make a big difference in their lives. The truth is…you already know. For all of us, what’s missing is not any new information, but the determination and discipline to do the most important things we already know. We keep chasing new information like magpies [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Dealing with decision paralysis
August 14, 2011
Sometimes we prevaricate over the smallest decisions without knowing why. We feel paralysed and the struggle with ourselves saps energy and distracts us from more important things. In the end, decision paralysis comes down to the fear of consequences; this produces anxiety, which in turn fuels the fear. It is a downward spiral for many [...]
Read the rest of this entry »How to use brainstorming effectively
August 7, 2011
When an idea is small and new, it is fragile and weak. Like any new-born, its future is uncertain. It may grow to be a colossus, or fade away before its first steps. For an idea to achieve anything in its life, it needs to be protected and nurtured when young and vulnerable. Give ideas [...]
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