Interpersonal Skills Pre-Screened for Industrial Hiring

March 9, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

"But I don't NEED to communicate well in person. I want to work with machines [or electronics or robots or on an assembly line]."

“Social” of Social Media = Interpersonal

February 25, 2010 by Sylvia · 1 Comment 

A Nielsen Wire study notes statistics on the rise of social media use in recent years.

READ STUDY RESULTS. (Nice graphs, too, for us visual information processors.)

The "social media phenomenon" can no longer be considered a "new thing". Google, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and other sites have been around long enough for an entire generation of people to know nothing except these tools! And that generation is a growing part of the workplace.

Peak Performance in Tough Times

February 13, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

This is a mini-lesson by one of my National Speakers Association-DC Area colleagues, Dr. Wolfe Rinke, CSP. It's about how to inspire peak performance even though "times are tough".

Sylvia's note: Aren't times ALWAYS tough for someone? Don't let tough times keep you from being excellent.

WATCH THE VIDEO / MINI-LESSON

Image – Dress for Success (Good Guideline Resources)

February 8, 2010 by Sylvia · 1 Comment 

  I found these sites while doing some research on how to dress to present a professional image on camera, for a workshop I'm presenting on video profiles for job interviews. I like these sites for the photos / examples they provide to correspond with the typical advice on business attire. It's one thing to say "wear a suit". It's another to actually visualize what "suits" look like.

Choose to Dance: Dedication to My Mom, @ 95 Years Young

February 6, 2010 by Sylvia · 2 Comments 

  My mother is my inspiration for establishing supportive relationships and getting out to find joy in living.

While she is now unable to dance (at 95 years old, though still going strong in her own way) she once embraced the meaning of the words to the song recorded by Lee Ann Womack…"I Hope You Dance".

When YOU face a decision as to whether to sit down and give up or get out and get moving…I hope YOU choose the later (metaphor = dance!)

Learn, Follow, or Get Out of The Way (From Emerging Leaders – Millennials)

February 5, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

  As an alternative to "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way", here is an excellent point of view on how we Baby Boomers (that's me!) must consider – NOW – how we do business with our emerging leaders born after 1985.

READ Art Petty's Article

http://artpetty.com/2010/01/31/leadership-caffeine-its-time-to-get-serious-about-learning-from-your-twenty-somethings/comment-page-1/#comment-15157

Quilts: Slave Communications Along the Underground Railroad

February 3, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

As a student of communications methods of varying types, I am fascinated by the variety of ways in which we communicate with each other. One of the messaging systems of the past controversially includes quilt codes used by and for slaves as they escaped to freedom. Quilt patterns were used to communicate safe-passage messages and other information along Underground Railroad routes. More information about this form of communication is in this article (The Crisis Forum LINK) and in the book, Hidden in Plain View: The Secret Story of Quilts and The Underground Railroad, by Jacqueline Tobin and Raymond G. Dobard.

Workplace “Pet Peeves”

January 30, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

     Part of success language is getting along with people in your workplace (or other location where you work or volunteer with people). A question was posed in one of the e-groups to which I belong and the following list is a compilation of the responses to the question, "What bugs you in your workplace?" The learning point from this is to avoid doing or being the things on this list.


 Workplace Pet Peeves

Who Says? College Grads & Skills For Success

January 30, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

  Who says that…

The top 5 personal qualities/skills employers seek are:

  1. Communication skills (verbal and written)
  2. Strong work ethic
  3. Teamwork skills (works well with others)
  4. Initiative
  5. Analytical skills

Students' top criteria for choosing an employer are:

  1. Opportunity for advancement
  2. Job security
  3. Quality of employer's benefit package
  4. Friendly co-workers
  5. Location of the job

The top 10 employer benefits important to graduates are:

When You Have to Pick Up Where Others Leave Off

January 30, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

Meetings and Conventions Magazine (MCMag.com) gives the following tips for picking up where others leave off after layoffs and reorganizations:

  • Clarify expectations when you inherit responsibilities from a former colleague. Have your boss provide you with a detailed job description for the work you pick up.
  • Share accountability by bringing your boss into the loop. Do this frequently. Ask for constructive feedback while making them aware of issues that arise. Frequent communications also helps to keep you both jointly responsible for those issues.

What Is “Success Language”? Overview

January 30, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

This is a Lunchtime Seminar interview with Sylvia Henderson (featured guest) and Sandra Ruiz, substituting as host for Greg Williams ("The Master Negotiator" and Founder of the "Lunch and Learn" Internet broadcasts). In this interview (approx. 28 minutes) Sylvia explains her "Success Language" program and talks about her book "Why You Talk So White? Eliminate the Behaviors that Sabotage Your Success".

We’ve Got To Stop Meeting Like This

January 30, 2010 by Sylvia · Leave a Comment 

     When I started my own business and became an independent writer, speaker, and business consultant, I thought my days of boring, unproductive meetings were over. "Never again!", I said to myself as I sat in my last few meetings before my "corporate re-organization" resulted in my becoming independent. Was I wrong! Only now, I usually have little control over the meetings I attend as I attend them as a potential speaker or contractor, there to make a good impression on my hoped-for future client. I cannot – outright, anyway – tell a client how to run his or her meeting without serious jeopardy to their considering me for my fee and services.

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