LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Taking On The Trainer Role
How would you react if tomorrow your boss announced that YOU would be preparing and delivering specialty training to a select staff/customer group next week? Would you be ready and confident… or scared and confused?
Well this months Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast focuses totally on offering grounded progressive concepts as you are Taking On The Trainer Role! However, my message is unfortunately very short and only recommends a few strategic trainer planning ideas. But as you listen, I know YOU will expand on each idea and be ready to deliver a GREAT training!
TRIPLE III TIME: U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101
Over time I have discussed the multiple motivations that drive the selection of topics for my weekly TRIPLE III TIME blogs and American Society for Public Administration quarterly articles. Sometimes the ideas come from a long-standing concern or concept. Others are generated by professional interactions or family principles.
This week I hope you enjoy the special discussions that led to drafting this week’s “combination” message. You should always enjoy giving credit where credit is due… so be sure to take note of the critical thinking and problem-solving efforts of some quality young adults!
TRIPLE III TIME: The Importance of KEY WORDS!
This week we are going to talk about “The Importance of KEY WORDS!” that describe you, that you use as a means of making a priority point, or that possibly drive you to take professional action on a particular issue. I believe everyone establishes a unique form of communication through the use of KEY WORDS while on the job.
What do I mean? Well let me provide two personal examples. First anyone who has ever worked with me knows very well what I mean when I USE the word “cause”. They understand that I am referring to the mission of helping people, helping businesses and/or the community to be better. Likewise, when I HEAR the phrase: “We have never done or tried to do this before”…colleagues know my innovation instincts kick into high gear and drive me to take on a new professional challenge!
The goal of this week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is to encourage everyone to pay professional attention to The Importance of KEY WORDS! that describe/define YOU! Think about the KEY WORDS that communicate who you are…what you stand for…that people use to describe you…and label you in your world-of-work. Are they positive and progressive or passive and uncertain? I even ask candidates that I interview for jobs or project assignments: Give me three KEY WORDS that define/describe you.
Give some quality time to understanding The Importance of KEY WORDS! in communicating your status as a person and worker. Let me know your results.
TRIPLE III TIME: Mr. L & Dr. B
Over the years our TRIPLE III TIME messages have mentioned and discussed the importance and long term value of mentors and life advisors. I believe we should all have at least a couple individuals that are regularly available and professionally comfortable to reach out to…no matter the issue.
Mr. L & Dr. B have been my 40 year (plus) mentors and life advisors. They always provide common idea-sharing support and wisdom…but at any given moment have the capacities to specialize in a professional or personal area of concern. As a result they both have contributed in different ways to my innovative style and professional approach with useful information and “furture-ish” guidance.
But there’s the III question: When do YOU fill that special mentor/advisor role for someone? Let me offer an example.
Recently a friend and colleague called just to share concerns about a tough education related issue. We talked for some time but unfortunately I was not able to offer him a real solid solution for his problem. However, the conversation ended with this statement: “I know we didn’t find a good answer to my issue but just hearing your quiet, listening voice has helped me a lot.”
The moral of this TRIPLE III TIME message is to always…ALWAYS give someone the best information, help and support you can. The example I mentioned caused me to reflect on others who have looked to me for mentoring and life advice…and I found it happens much more often that I realized. Maybe its my age and graying hair…but it is a special honor just to be consulted. So because you will not instantly recognize your “mentoring-moments”…be genuine and positively thoughtful every time.
Thanks again Mr. L & Dr. B.
TRIPLE III TIME: 5-M’s of Implementation Essentials
One of the most critical responsibilities in running a business, organization, school and/or governmental entity is going through the process of implementing a new program, project or service. Helpfully in most cases there are pre-determined administrative planning guidelines and tasks to complete that will hopefully move you toward successful implementation. But what about assembling the right people? Who should be at the implementation table to ensure the strongest new initiative is prepped and ready?
This week’s TRIPLE III TIME message is dedicated to describing the 5-M’s of Implementation Essentials with regard to personnel necessary for GREAT new initiative start-up and operation. The 5-M’s stand for: Movement (Innovation)-Money (Finances)-Marketing (Customers)-Management (Staff)-Maintenance (Accountability). I believe it is vital to have strong leaders from within your group that specialized in each of these areas to help design and facilitate the best implementation plan possible!
During my career I was very lucky to have representatives from the 5-M’s of Implementation Essentials involved and committed to “across the board” effectiveness, efficiency, unity and performance everyday…EVERYDAY. Did we always agree on everything…NO! But the ever present drive to find and deliver a product that was better than anything currently available…was always a solid motivator.
Bottomline: When it is time to build the right implementation plan and process for ANY new endeavor, be sure to gather dedicated personnel from the areas of Movement (Innovation)-Money (Finances)-Marketing (Customers)-Management (Staff)-Maintenance (Accountability)…and I know you will be very pleased with the future you build together.
LEARNING MOMENTS Podcast: Infused Leadership
The importance of EVERYONE assuming the role of leader in their place of work no matter their job… has been part of many LEARNING MOMENTS discussions. This month’s topic: Infused Leadership, is a special initiative action to be adopted by organizational leaders to build the leadership capabilities of every worker.
Infused Leadership can best be explained through the use of real-life examples. So I hope as you listen deeply to the three examples shared in this month’s Inspiring Innovations LEARNING MOMENTS podcast, you will be ready to introduce Infused Leadership activities into your workplace too.
TRIPLE III TIME: Prepping For The “Pick Me!” Moment
Whether you are seated at a formal meeting, a motivational workshop, a team building session or just with a small number of co-workers are you ready for the “Pick Me!” moment? Everyone knows what I am talking about. That moment when the meeting leader calls on you to speak on an issue being discussed! Some people don’t look up, some go for long bathroom breaks or even try to convince everyone that they have an urgent call to take in an effort to avoid being picked to share their thoughts.
Prepping For The “Pick Me!” Moment is one of the most important skill sets to attain during your professional career. It is just common sense to understand that people appreciate and respect those that are not only prepared to respond solidly to a question/issue but also display a working knowledge on the proposed topic.
What does this mean in real life?
I believe that because Prepping For The “Pick Me!” Moment is a critical professional priority…everyone should give appropriate attention to the following TRIPLE III TIME suggestions:
- Be “armed and dangerous” with high quality information to share on the topic.
- Offer thoughts and suggestions by volunteering to participate instead of having to be picked for comment.
- Allow for questions at any point during your “Pick Me!” Moments.
- Appropriately add substance to the input of other attendees.
- Be an example of professional compromise on any challenging issue.
- Avoid “Pick Me!” Moment rambling.
- Take short but specific notes as a “standard operating procedure” during “Pick Me!” Moment discussions.
- Don’t limit your prep based only on YOUR views…but from others too.
- Prep for conflicting opinions…always.
- Finally always set a high level “Pick Me!” communication example.
OK…yes I used my TOP 10 TRIPLE III TIME message delivery format. Give them all some thought. You never know when the next “Pick Me!” Moment will arrive!
TRIPLE III TIME: Avoid “ASSUMING” Potholes
How many times at work or at home do you “assume” that you are getting accurate information on an issue or believe that a person acts a certain way because that’s the way you have heard he or she has always been? Do you always assume the worst in most cases? Do you believe a story about someone because it fits your assuming belief patterns? Or are you afraid to question or check the reality of a story or information…because maybe you will find that you are wrong in your assumptions?
Unfortunately, I believe that too often everyone, everyday experiences a number of unprofessional or personally hurtful incidences which cause them to fall into assuming potholes! And although the pothole may not be maliciously intended or just the result of unplanned negative words…the result is an assuming pothole for someone just the same.
So this week my TRIPLE III TIME message is to AVOID ASSUMING POTHOLES. By this I mean to not only try to become a “non-assumer”…but to also avoid being the initiator of assuming potholes! I understand that in life and in the world-of-work, assumptions sometimes have to be made. But before you take action with regard to an assumption, keep these points in mind:
- Opportunities are often lost due to poor assumptions
- People recognize and appreciate non-assumers
- Don’t assume but instead give people the “benefit of a doubt”
- Understand that you learn more when you approach a person or situation assumption free
- Trust suffers with poor assuming… both with others and trusting yourself
- Appreciate the questions that come from genuine non-assumers
- Remember that smart people are smarter because they don’t assume
There are a lot of thoughts involved in this AVOID ASSUMING POTHOLES message. Be sure to give it appropriate and adequate attention.
TRIPLE III TIME: “Subtle Leadership”
This year my Dad would have been 91. And I will openly admit that there are many times each week that I think about what he might say or believe about “the state of everything”. I contend that his comments would be brief and to the point…but in the most unique way…each statement would qualify as: “Subtle Leadership”.
So in my fun TRIPLE III TIME way…here are my DAD’s TOP 10 “Subtle Leadership” 2021 reflections:
- Mask or no mask…there’s work to do so get out there and do it.
- Only take stuff with you that you know you will need…the rest will get too heavy to carry.
- Make a note about what you need to get done…otherwise you will forget.
- If you say you already know everything…why am I telling you something you need to know.
- People get scared sometimes…and that’s ok.
- Do you listen or sing a few of the songs we used to play…and then smile.
- If people tell you they have not tried farming a certain way before…try it and be the first.
- Make time for feeding young and older calves and cows…you need them all.
- It’s OK to go out and work a field later at night…it gives you special time to think.
- Remembering only negative stuff can take up a lot of space in your brain.
Yes I can almost hear him say each of these TOP 10 “Subtle Leadership” points. Read them a couple times and think about how they may help you too.
TRIPLE III TIME: Learning About “Emotional Intelligence”
Psychologist and author Deborah Rozman at one time made this important point: “If you don’t manage your emotions, your emotions will manage you.” And I have to be honest I really don’t remember where or when I read Ms. Rozman’s statement, but it wasn’t until recently as I strategized with a colleague consultant did the term Emotional Intelligence become a priority professional development issue for me.
Emotional Intelligence is defined as: “the ability to understand, manage and express one’s emotions in healthy ways.” Think about that definition and then apply it to yourself. When you feel good about yourself and where you are going in life, your emotions help with appropriate energy and enthusiasm. On the flip side when we are down-in-the-dumps and seem to be going nowhere, fear, anger, frustration, sadness and worry take a tremendous toll on our health both physical and mentally. I believe Learning About Emotional Intelligence is something everyone should undertake. What do I mean? I mean allow personal and professional time to better understand your emotions and the emotions of those you live and work with. Consider ways to…I will use the term harness…your emotions to possibly reduce stress, anger and move more quickly to positiveness. No one enjoys being caught in life’s ups and downs roller coaster ride. I believe these are the most critical times when understanding the impacts of Emotional Intelligence can lead to a quicker, positive life or work situation.
The goal of this TRIPLE III TIME message: Learning about “Emotional Intelligence” is just to create a greater awareness and understanding of this topic as a professional development tool. Thanks to JK for sharing it’s basics with me and I encourage all III readers to do a little research and reading about it.
Inspiring Innovations, Inc. 