Providing the best instruction to my American Government & Politics classes has become a little more challenging this semester.  With the upcoming election now just a week away…the questions and discussion about each candidate at every level of government…has become more direct and intense for all the right reasons.

As you can guess we talk about:

• Political party differences
• Personal positions on issues
• Priorities for our country/state
• Information shared by candidates and their methods of communication…

and yes multiple points-of-view are openly expressed.  Regardless of their beliefs and attitudes…the single, most, important position I require each student to understand, accept and utilize is:

RESPECT:  Common Sense Professionalism

Why is this the most critical lesson to be learned??

Well I let them know that in politics…or on the job…or on personal life issues, the individual that follows a RESPECT:  Common Sense Professionalism code of conduct… will most often be the more successful person.  And regardless of your role as a leader, co-worker, colleague, friend, neighbor, student, teacher, political candidate and/or life partner; if you appropriately show a professional level of common sense respect to everyone you interact with…the right kind of respect will be returned.

The best part of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message:  RESPECT:  Common Sense Professionalism is that YOU own its potential.  YOU control YOUR potential to offer the best form of professional respect.  So use that control/potential wisely everyday…EVERYDAY!  The positive, progressive, professional returns will be unlimited.

Communication designs and methods are probably one of the largest change areas we are experiencing everyday.  I know I would not be able to list all the options that are out there right now…because I would forget a bunch…but just realizing the modern day expanse of the communication industry…is just overwhelming!

So to try to offer understandable, usable communication skills improvement considerations in our limited TRIPLE III TIME message-space…lets discuss what I call: Mini-Info PIT STOPS!

First let’s think about preparing to effectively communicateout a sizeable number of information items.  Consider the following:

1. Build your important concepts into a series of bullet points.  You may have to draft them a couple times but simple, direct, interpretation-free would be the best structure.
2. Use visuals to make a statement on an issue.  Try it before you question this suggestion.
3. Condense your timeframes.  Think about limiting time/focus on a certain issue to15 minutes.  If you allow more time…people will regularly “take it”.

Now let’s “turn the tables” and think about actions tomaximize your receipt of valuable information.  Consider the following:

1. Practice critical listening.  Screening in communication highlights is a critical professional development skill…everyday!
2. Try to “taste” items being communicated to better determine their understandability.
3. Don’t go back for information “seconds”.  It’s ok to be “concept-full” with small portions.

Bottomline:  Sometimes people almost progressively “choke” on receiving too much information too fast.  Creating a communication style which supports Mini-Info PIT STOPS will allow both the communication giver and receiver the time to better digest the message(s) being offered.

Over the last at least 10 years, I have watched the meaning and quality of effective communication fade.  You know where I am going with this TRIPLE III TIME message…and the “old-timer” position I am taking concerning “In-Person or Convenience” communication impacts!  But before you stop reading and apply that old-school label to me…let me offer a few “reverse-the-trend” thoughts.

First, think about the “real” feelings gained when meeting/conversing with someone In-Person!  I believe the completeness of every discussion and an extended feel for a “what next” partnership should reverse every concern about miles traveled or extra time required to make an In-Person event happen.  

Next think about video and/or text message limitations.  Do people subconsciously limit their thoughts…problems…ideas…points or concepts needing discussion? Even In-Person telephone calls seem to invite more in-depth conversation opportunities than words or pictures on a screen!

Lastly (at least for this week’s message), think about the engrained importance of simply “seeing who you are talking to…and them seeing who they are talking at”!  Facial expressions…genuine laughter…quizative looks…direct negativity and absolute support are all critical components of meaningful/quality communication everyday…EVERYDAY!

Bottomline:  Every person has the power to determine “In-Person or Convenience” messaging.  And I understand that every situation and communication options are different.  However the critical point to this TRIPLE III TIME topic is to encourage everyone to not allow convenience to be the principle deciding factor in your method of personally and professionally communicating.  Taking a stance against the growing trend of In-Person communication avoidance…can be positive, progressive and fun too!

After a long sabbatical from the opportunity to “present” at a major professional conference, recently I traveled to another state to share and pitch a new progressive workforce concept.  Was I nervous…YES!  But at the same time very excited and prepared to facilitate a workshop on a topic that I felt had the potential to transform the historic “job-prep” scenario…into an organized, modernized, all-jobs impactor action!

Well as a small group formed in my presentation room, I quickly realized that I had attendees from at least ten (10) different states.  And when I announced that I would NOT be using a power-point, did NOT have a series of hand-outs and I primarily wanted to Maximize Engagement with everyone…I received a fun, enthusiastic round of applause!!

This week’s TRIPLE III TIME topic:  Maximize Engagement isn’t really about my workforce development idea nor my workshop experiences, rather this message is all about the high need and value of professional, personal engagement with everyone you interact with…every time you can.

By working to Maximize Engagement not only do you heighten people’s understanding of your thoughts and important points…but equally you obtain relevant feedback that may improve the concept you are working on.  Additionally, because we all need to regularly “exercise” our listening skills, the potential to hear more diverse discussion regarding progress challenges and/or discoveries connected to an innovation you may be proposing…are always more welcomed when Maximize Engagement is the priority.

With today’s increased technological shifts away from in-person meetings, the capacity to Maximize Engagement among colleagues and co-workers has become somewhat diluted.  As a result, it is totally a PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY to reapply this professional development opportunity in every situation you can.

One of the standard components of every “job search” workshop is a strong segment on interviewing.  Having a great resume, a good work history, extra education and a number of quality references can all be very important…but in the end how you “perform” during an interview most often holds the success attainment key to that next job.

But wait, how about if we turn the table.  For professional development’s sake…did you ever wonder what kind of “interviewing preparation” steps are taken by those who are conducting the interviews?

The goal of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message:  Interviewing With Authenticity is to focus on the critical role taken by every job interviewer with regard to personnel selection and organizational growth.

In many circumstances today interviews are conducted with a team of organizational leaders…right?  And almost standardly there is one person who makes sure each interviewer has a list of questions to ask…in what order…and by who.  Does that sound familiar?

So when you think of that scenario…isn’t it everyone’s wish to have the person being interviewed to shine…be confident…and be authentic…right?  But what about the interviewers…does the process described sound “shiny” and in any way push the interview team to look/feel in any way authentic??

I believe that it is extremely necessary for all organizations to assess their employee interview processes and to specifically prioritize the “personality” you wish to convey and effectively begin with Interviewing With Authenticity!

Yes I know there are certain legal questions you must avoid…but consider does your interview team and process reflect your agency culture…commitment to growth…future purpose…and a united foundation.  Or does your interview method portray a maintenance organization with historic practices I don’t even want to list.

Although Interviewing With Authenticity should be easy….my challenge in preparing this TRIPLE III TIME message reveals it is not.  So start by taking a hard look at your interview processes and make progressive personality and AUTHENTICITY upgrades as appropriate.  I guarantee your next interview will be FUN!

Is it the year 2024…or are we still in a time of older use of out-of-date terms like:  Hard Skills and Soft Skills?  Maybe it is just me…but I feel confused when I hear people in different employment sectors tell me how important “Soft Skills” have now become and that “Hard Skills” knowledge has been placed on the back burner.  Or maybe its when I show my often old-fashioned state of mind and I ask consultant customers to explain and list the Hard Skills versus Soft Skills so I can be more aware of this transitional occurrence!!

Today I believe that in the workplace… there is no longer an either/or position regarding Hard/Soft Skills.  Time, occupational blending and cross-training has dissolved much of the traditional separation of Hard and Soft Skill traits.  How… because sometimes you need to be tough-minded… but also caring in working with customers/employees.  Additionally, isn’t it critical in the public or private sector that everyone understand performance and the fiscal bottom line?  Yes… but stressing the importance of team-building, idea-generation and emotional intelligence is also high-value when building professional GROWTH SKILLS.

Am I making my point??  Let’s continue.

When a conversation comes around to a discussion of Hard and Soft Skill development in my consultant job areas… I try to steer the conversation to a new list of professional GROWTH SKILLS which I refer to as a set of 5-C’s:

• Communication
• Conflict
• Collaboration
• Competition
• Compromise

Think about it!  Each of the 5-C’s GROWTH SKILLS components absolutely require experience, knowledge, and expertise derived from historic Hard and Soft Skills definitions and applications.  However, the challenge TODAY is to effectively blend them within today’s 5-C’s GROWTH SKILLS line-up.

Now… “Can’t We Just Say:  GROWTH SKILLS?”

It is early January and my two American Government & Politics community college classes have started.  And hopefully as you will recall…I start each class with a mini-professional development priority subject to be a focal point throughout the semester.  This semester the target priority area is seeking out and utilizing:  “Listening BOOSTERS!”

Ok…Ok…I can see everyone looking around at each other prepping for a Marv-style definition of “Listening BOOSTERS!”

Well my definition of a “Listening BOOSTER!” is a person…activity…topic or situation that causes you to boost your attentiveness and thereby listen more intently to what is being discussed.  Today I believe that everyone has become listening-numbed in so many ways and in so many situations that we all end up with only half-understandingness (yes that may qualify as a new word!) on the topic at hand.  The result(s) is/are less accurate production/services, less passion about not doing just the minimum at your job and/or less caring about what cool future activities may come your way!

So what can we do to employ different “Listening BOOSTERS!” that will cause all of us to be better listeners?!

First, take a little time and ask yourself what causes you to be a better listener?  Is it:

(And isn’t it interesting to realize that these same causes also can make you a poorer listener?)

Next…attempt to slow down topic discussions and try consider asking quality questions during each conversation.  Also regularly ask yourself why a certain topic is VERY interesting/a priority to others…even though it may not be currently to you.  And third always listen for selective professional development “take-aways” that may help you in the future.

Bottomline:  Most professional discussions are really “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities and will NOT be repeated.  Applying purposeful “Listening BOOSTERS!…during every future opportunity will help all parts of your tomorrows!

Yes, I realize this is the Friday before Christmas and I should be sharing thoughts that are cheerful and smiley!  Right??  But sincerely the historic purposes of every TRIPLE III TIME message has been to offer progressive ideas and approaches to life and workplace challenges.  

Hence, with this long-term priority in mind, I believe even more today…we need to address:  Keeping the Extra “D” (Drama) Out of Quality Discussion!

We have all heard the statements:  “Wow this workplace is full of drama!  Or I don’t even try to bring up tough issues…because he or she goes dramatic!  Or I was just trying to explain the opposite viewpoint…and drama took over!”  But has anyone in your network circle lately or ever devoted special time to sit down and positively create a meaningful but firm TOP 10 approaches on how to assist in Keeping the Extra “D” (Drama) Out of Quality Discussion!?  Well, here’s my Christmas time attempt:

1. Be prepared to LISTEN much more…and talk less.
2. Respect that NO ONE is more right or more wrong during the discussion.
3. Apply extra FOCUS on where the drama-driving information is coming from.
4. Fairly assess how much of the real issue…REALLY matters.
5. Place an OVER-REACTION filter on the discussion to prevent out-of-proportion blow-ups.
6. Don’t be surprised by INCORRECT timeframes for resolution of the issue.
7. Attempt to retain SIMPLICITY by handling issues one at a time.
8. Avoid bringing up the past…it is always OLD NEWS.
9. Remember how others deal with an issue is RARELYthe right solution for your challenge.
10. 10. Show appreciation by allowing someone to STEP OUT of the drama…and take a positive breath.

In some ways this almost feels like the “short list” for Keeping the Extra “D” (Drama) Out of Quality Discussion!  However, my hope is that it is a unique TRIPLE III TIME gift to everyone as a way of staying happy and content during these often-stressful holiday times.