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Career Development Tips

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

 People skills

According to Merriam-Webster the definition

of "people skills" is the ability to work with or

talk to other people in an effective and friendly way.


Conflict resolution can be defined as the formal or

informal process in which two or more parties

find a peaceful solution to a dispute or disagreement.


Here are five steps to use when you have a conflict

1. Identify and understand what the conflict is.

This is the most important step.​


2. Find a safe and private place to talk.

Get a mediator if you think it's necessary.

Actively listen.


3. Identify needs of both parties.

Focus on what is right not who is right.


4. Find possible solutions to the conflict that

both parties can agree on. Brainstorm, work

together to resolve the conflict.


5. Decide on the best solution

(Both parties may need to compromise)

then start to implement it.     

DELEGATING

According to Merriam-Webster

the definition of "people skills" is the ability

to work with or talk to other people in an

effective and friendly way.


This week we will discuss delegating.

Delegating is best described as transferring

authority, responsibility, accountability and/or

tasks from one person to another.

Delegating some work can be beneficial to

those in the workplace.


1. It gives the delegator time to work on higher

level or time restricted tasks.


2. It can improve productivity and efficiency.


3. Others have the ability to learn or

develop new skills.


4. It builds trust and open communication

amongst team members.


Here are some tips on delegating.


First, know when to delegate.

Is this a task that someone else can do?

Is there someone else who has the necessary

information or expertise to complete the task?

Can you complete the task alone in

the allotted time frames.


Second, know who to give the task to.

Does this person have the experience and

knowledge to complete the task effectively?

Consider the current workload of the individual.

Also consider their preferred work style.


Lastly, clearly communicate the desired

outcome, and specifically identify any boundaries.

Make sure the number of responsibilities is

aligned with the amount of authority.


Provide a sufficient amount of support, don't

allow the person to shift the responsibility

back to you. Maintain control and agree on a

schedule to check the project's process.




People Skills

According to Merriam-Webster the 

definition of "people skills" is the ability 

to work with or talk to other people in an 

effective and friendly way.



This week we will discuss assertiveness.

Assertiveness is described as being confident 

or bold without aggression.

Assertiveness is not about being aggressive 

or forceful. It's more about being polite but firm, 

standing up for yourself and saying no 

to unreasonable requests.


Be polite but firm

Be clear. Make eye contact. Ask for what you 

want openly and in a straightforward manner. 

Do not directly or indirectly demean the other person.

 Be respectful.


Stand up for yourself

Believe in yourself in your position. Be confident. 

Stay calm, do not respond out of anger. 

Limit apologies.


Learn to say no

Unreasonable requests from colleagues and 

superiors can cause stress and prevent you from 

performing at your best. Set boundaries.

 If it is hard for you to say no, remember you 

cannot please everyone and that is okay. 

If you feel guilty, offer an alternative as a way 

of relieving that feeling.


Being assertive at work can boost your self-esteem. 

You can earn respect from your colleagues

 and superiors. As well as prevent people from 

bullying or taking advantage of you.

 


PEOPLE SKILLS

According to Merriam-Webster the definition of "people skills"

is the ability to work with or talk to other people in

an effective and friendly way. This week we will discuss teamwork.


Teamwork is composed of many "soft" skills

or abilities that lets you work effectively with

an organized group.


Teamwork skills are crucial to employers, as

teams are a basic organizational unit within

many companies.


At every level in your career and in every

industry, you will eventually have to

work with others.


Teamwork happens when people work

together and use their individual skills to

achieve common goals.


Using this skill can help build great work

relationships, create connections and potentially

open the door to new opportunities.


Here are more abilities or soft skills needed to

effectively work well within a team.


Tolerance

Having the ability to endure or accept

something/someone unpleasant or disliked.


Reliability

Being trustworthy. Being able to

perform well consistently.


Planning skills

Having the ability to think ahead of the curve.

Not letting any unforeseen issues affect

the project negatively.


Decision making

Being able to make decisions that are best

for the whole team or project.


Conflict resolution 

Having the ability to find peaceful

solutions to a dispute.


Persuasion

Having strong communication skills with the

purpose of influencing someone.


Working on all the "teamwork skills" will

improve the moral and productivity at the workplace.

We all need help at times, why not work well with

the people you work with.



People Skills 

This week we will discuss teamwork.

Teamwork skills are composed of many

"soft" skills or abilities that lets you

work effectively with an organized group.


Teamwork skills are crucial to employers,

as teams are a basic organizational unit

within many companies.


You will eventually have to work with

others in every industry and at

every level in your career.


Teamwork happens when people work

together and use their individual skills

to achieve common goals.


Using the skill can help build great work

relationships, create connections and possibly

new opportunities.


Here are a few abilities or soft skills needed

to effectively work well within a team.


1. Communication

The ability to get your point across and

understand what other people want to tell you.


2. Active listening

Focusing intently on one person as they

share their thoughts, feelings or ideas.


3. Empathy

Having the ability to understand and

share the feelings of another.


4. Honesty

Being transparent and developing a trusting

relationship with others.


5. Respectfulness

Showing respect doesn't mean you have to

like someone or agree with them.


6. Reliability

Show your team you can be counted on.

Ex... Stick to deadlines, communicate problems,

and deliver all of your tasks.  


NETWORKING

In pursuit of advancing your career, it's important to 

develop networking skills.

​

Making connections in the workplace, at community 

engagements, job fairs and even social media 

platforms are key steps to start building relationships.


When taking steps to move forward along your career path,

 look at every situation as an opportunity to 

market yourself.  A chance to put your best foot forward.


You are your greatest salesperson.

Speak to others about who you are, tell them of your 

experiences, share with them your goals. In networking you 

open yourself up to being seen and heard.


One simple method of networking is to create personal or 

professional business cards. This will allow you to 

leave your contact information with everyone you 

meet. You can market your professionalism 

without having a lengthy conversation.  



RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Relationship building is the process of 

developing social connections.


It is the ability to identify and initiate working 

relationships and to develop and maintain them in 

a way that is mutually beneficial to both parties.


Building relationships is a fundamental business 

skill that is the basis for reputation, 

influencing, closing deals and sustaining 

commercial relationships.


No matter the profession, relationships

can help further business goals and

advance careers.


When building a relationship, it will generally 

encompass a mixture of different soft

 skills that can all contribute to the way 

you interact with others.


In general, it is built on solid personal 

strengths, especially good character

which includes honesty, trustworthiness, 

self-discipline and self-control...

just to name a few.


Always remember a good relationship

is the key to getting things done and is essential when 

your success is dependent on others.



​​PERSUASI​O​​N

​Accor​ding to Merriam-​Webster the

definition of "PEOPLE SKILLS" is the ability to​ work 

with or talk to other people in an effective and friendly way.


* Persuasion can be described as the act of causing someone

to believe something or do something because of reasoning.


* Persuasion can be used to recruit team members,

​​​increase productivity and sell products in the workplace.


* Persuasion involves communication, emotional intelligence, 

active listening, logic and reasoning, interpersonal

skills and negotiation.


Communication

Involves being able to express yourself clearly and effectively.


Emotional intelligence

Is the ability to identify, understand and manage your own 

emotions as well as others.


Active listening

Involves listening while observing verbal and nonverbal cues

and messages and providing appropriate feedback.


Logic and reasoning​

Logical thinking is the ability to use reasoning in a way that

allows an individual to come to a practical solution.


Interpersonal skills

Also known as "social skills" is what we use to communicate 

and interact with each other.


Negotiation

Involves a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement

that both parties find acceptable.


Developing these skills can better relationships with

others and help with your persuasion skills.




cdpersuasion
cdpersuasion

HIGHER EDUCATION FOR CAREER GROWTH​:

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL​

For many of us, going back to school seems very time consuming

and for the most part it can be. However, going back to

school can also open doors that would otherwise be shut.


It can increase your knowledge of new technology or programs

being used in the workplace. It can provide the opportunity

to make new connections in various employment industries.

It can even sharpen skills that you may already possess.


Going back to school is a path that many take to advance

in their career, to stay viable in their current position or just

to gain knowledge in an ever-changing job market.


Higher education has become more flexible and accessible

whether going full-time or part-time, going

to class during the day or night or even taking classes

online in the comfort of your own home. You have the

flexibility to set a schedule that best fits your needs.


With all the benefits of going back to school, the available

options of schools and classes to choose from and the flexibility

of scheduling why not give it a try. At best, take a moment

to check out your options and take the first step to growing

and developing your career.


THE BEST INVESTMENT IS YOU!


TYPES OF NEGOTIATIONS

Distributive Negotiation

A type or process that normally entails a single issue to 

be negotiated...such as price.


Integrative Negotiation 

 A negotiation strategy in which parties collaborate to find 

a "win-win" solution to their dispute.


Multiparty Negotiation

Occurs when two or more parties get together to resolve an issue.


Team Negotiation

When two or more with shared interests and priorities 

negotiate with two or more on the other side who share their 

own interests and priorities.


 Positional bargaining

Occurs when people negotiate according to their positions or 

statements of what they want to get out of the situation. 


types-of-negotiations
types-of-negotiations

PEOPLE SKILLS

According to Merriam-Webster the

definition of "PEOPLE SKILLS" is the ability to work 

with or talk to other people in an effective and friendly way.


This week we will discuss negotiation.

Negotiation is a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.


Here are some key tips to remember when 

negotiating at the workplace.


*Research

Come prepared. Gather enough 

information to have an understanding of what a 

good deal looks like.


*Active/effective listening

Being able to understand what is being said and 

effectively conveying what you are saying.


*Flexibility

Know that things may not go your way. 

Be willing to change course quickly and move on when necessary.


*Persuasion

Try to convince the other party to take appropriate actions.


Remember the best negotiated agreement is where both parties win! 



DRESS FOR SUCCESS

 To dress for success simply means, to dress nicely in the 

hope of inviting success in a particular area.


Before you can begin to dress for the part, you first 

need to answer a few questions.


*How do you see yourself?

*What job or career are you looking for?

*What image are you looking to present?


When you look in the mirror, what do you see? 

Do you see a leader, a follower, a team player? 

Or someone who likes to stay in the background? 


Any option is fine, it all depends on what 

you want for your life.

 

So don't worry, there are no wrong answers.


Just remember, when you dress for success, you are 

dressing for the position YOU want.

    

While dressing for the position, you may become more confident in 

your abilities. You may learn to speak with authority over what you know. 


You may even walk with conviction knowing that no matter your 

skill set, you are more than qualified for the job. 


LOOK THE PART, SPEAK THE PART, WALK THE PART!


DRESS FOR WHO YOU WANT TO BE.  


People Skills

  According to Merriam-Webster the

definition of "PEOPLE SKILLS" is the ability to work 

with or talk to other people in an effective and friendly way.


We will discuss active/effective listening.

When you are a great listener, you can

minimize conflict, improve relationships 

and make decisions easily.


Here are a few ways to improve your listening skills.


1. Pay attention

*Really listen to what your speaker is saying.

*Don't use this time to think of your response.

*Avoid being distracted with things and people.


2. Use your body language to show that you are interested.

*Nodding, smiling and verbal comments.


3. Try not to judge.

*You may not agree with the speaker but hear them out.

*Correcting/interfering can cause disconnect and

tension within the conversation.


4. Feedback.

*Rephrase/repeat what was said to get clarity.

*Ask questions about certain points, so you 

understand what the speaker was trying to convey.


5. Respond appropriately.

*Be open and honest with your response.

*State your opinions respectfully. 

Stay on topic.


"Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak,

and should not get angry easily."

James 1:19​


ADAPTABILITY

Adaptability is the ability to adjust quickly and easily to 

changing factors, conditions, or environments.


Being adaptable is valuable in the workplace. People who adapt 

to change well often thrive in ​any environment.


Being adaptable and open to change may not be easy.


Here are some tips to help you develop and

improve your adaptability.


*FLEXIBILITY

Being able to bend easily without breaking and the 

willingness to change or compromise.


*VERSATILITY

                          Being able to adapt to many different functions or activities.


*OPEN-MINDED

                   Consider going beyond the feelings of knowing, to experience 

           the freedom of growth by expanding your reach. 

                          


Learn to acknowledge and accept change.


"REMEMBER CHANGE IS ENVITABLE.

GROWTH IS OPTIONAL."

JOHN C MAXWELL 


TIME MANAGEMENT

Feel like you have more things to do than  

there is time in the day?


Well, now is the right moment to start prioritizing your time….


➢ Start by making a list of all the things you need to take care of.

everything that comes to your mind.


➢ Next, create groups and begin to combine things that are 

common or have similar points.


➢ In each group, list items based on importance.



➢ Look over each group and set a timeline of completion.


➢ Now that you have set timelines, place the 

groups in order of importance/priority.


➢ Plug the most important items into your day as they fit.


➢ Remember some things may overlap, so be sure to review your list often.



Set ​Goals

First, start by​ creating a list of short and long-term 

goals for your career development.


​A short-term goal is in the "near future".....

(​today, tomorrow, next month or even by the 

end of the year).


Here are some examples of short-term goals to

accomplish f​or career development.


​​* Keep your desk or workspace organized

This can help you keep track of assignments and

avoid misplacing documents.


* Arrive to work early

This allows you to get on assignments and 

maybe complete some projects.

 

This time c​an also be used to reduce stress 

and help with time management.


*Communicate better with co-workers

This helps maintain a healthy work relationship.

It reduces misunderstandings while increasing work productivity. 



Now, on too long-term goals

A long-term goal is in the "distant future"

(Several years from now)​.

It takes time and planning....


Here are some examples of long-term

goals to consider.


* Improve leadership skills

This can help build confidence and 

allow career growth. It can make day to day 

operations run smoother.


*Gain management experience

This allows for increase in pay. 

It can also help you to become an effective leader, 

problem solver and a help to others.


*Learn a new skill or new technology

This can help you stay valuable with your company/

business and build confidence.


You must work hard and take the necessary steps

to improve your growth in the workplace...


IT'S ALL IN YOUR HANDS!



 Decision-Making

Decision-making is the process of identifying and

selecting alternatives.


Here are a few steps to take to improve 

your decision-making skills:


*Identify the situation, challenge or opportunity.


* Note potential solutions or actions that can be taken.


* List the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

 

-Discuss the pros and cons to see which option fits best.

* Choose the decision you want to proceed with 

and measure the results.


With each decision you make, 

think of the short- and long-term impact.


"BELIEVE IN YOURSELF" 

​As cliché as this may sound, believing in yourself is very 

important for career development. 

 Believing in yourself can be described as having faith 

in your abilities, trusting yourself 

and overcoming self-doubt.

Let’s take this a little further….

 Faith in your abilities

*Be realistic about your talents.

*Be confident with the skills that you have.

*Don’t be afraid to learn more/grow your skills.

Trust yourself 

 *Start with things you know you are good with.

*Take responsibility for your actions, the end results.

*Don't hesitate to learn more and improve your abilities. 

*This will help to build your confidence.

Overcome self-doubt

*Think positively.

*Most times you are your harshest critic.

*Be kind to yourself.

*Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

-Everyone does

You can do this!

*Remember, " I can do all things 

through Christ who strengthens me."

 

Philippians 4:13*

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