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If you need to make an impact in your meetings, you’re going to need some tactics. Our Facilitation and Meeting Skills and Effective Communication courses discuss some ideas to help you do just that. Statistics reveal that 11 million meetings take place every year. 91% of staff admit to daydreaming, 95% admit to missing […]
Emotional Intelligence enables teams to reach their full potential. What is it? Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to an individual’s ability to recognise their emotions and understand how these emotions impact on others. An emotionally intelligent team relates to the ability of a group to manage and harness emotions for positive outcomes. However, an emotionally intelligent […]
With an increased focus on self-responsibility, most organizations expect their employees to make decisions. Consequently, decisiveness is a key competence for those in leadership positions and beyond. Decisiveness is different to decision making. Decision making is the ability to make quick, confident, and effective decisions. Decisiveness is the willingness to make the decision. High quality […]
What are you looking for and how will you know when you have found it? In part 1 we looked at understanding what you are looking for in terms of Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Attitude. In part 2, we will talk about how to find what you are looking for and how to know you […]
When you are interviewing, you want to assess Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Attitude. But what exactly do we mean by this? What are you looking for? How will you know when you have found it? So often we receive a shopping list with little detail. We are subsequently expected to find someone with everything. No […]
Feedback is essential for everyone. Without meaningful, constructive, and actionable feedback, staff will have no real idea about their performance. They will not feel valued, and their development will be hindered. Why it matters Feedback is one of the best things you can provide for your staff. It improves performance and enables staff retention. Put […]
A motivated team will perform better than an unmotivated team. Understanding how to motivate your staff can seem like a daunting task. We cannot expect everyone to be motivated and engaged in the same way we are. With that said, as a manager, you must remember that everyone is watching you. Your influence is important. […]
A team won’t always begin fully formed, functional and able to work effectively as a unit. Managers need to understand that there are phases to building a team and how to manage each phase. Team Effectiveness There are several factors which influence a team’s effectiveness. Understanding the stages teams go through is a valuable insight […]
“Soft skills”, “People skills”, “Essential skills” however you want to badge them, these are skills that organisations are seeking from their people, in whatever field they work. In a report by the World Economic Forum it was stated that many soft skills are seen as rising in importance and relevance in today’s business world. […]
Delegation is a necessary and vital tool for Managers if you want your team to be productive. But letting go and allowing your team members to take on tasks and projects can be scary. Common Challenges Do any of the following statements sound familiar to you? It takes too long to explain It’s easier […]
This is the last in the series Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Adaptability. We have previously talked about Communication, Leadership, Organisational Skills and Critical Thinking. Today we will look into the benefits of being Adaptable. Changing your approach Adaptability as a skill refers to the ability of a person to change their actions, […]
Welcome to the fourth in our series Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Critical Thinking. We have already looked at Communication, Leadership and Organisational Skills. What is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking sounds negative, as if you are constantly criticising everything. This is not the case. Critical thinking is the ability to reason and to […]
Managers have to deal with difficult situations from time to time. Your team will be looking to you to resolve issues so they can continue to be productive. In our Introduction to Management course we share practical, tangible tools and strategies to help you manage these situations. Be observant Keep track of difficult situations that […]
This is the third in our series: Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Organisation. We have previously talked about Communication and Leadership. Today we will explore the need for strong Organisational Skills. Most of us do not have the luxury of being able to dedicate all our time to manage a project. Organisational skills […]
Prior to any negotiations, it is important to be properly prepared. This means you need to collect sufficient information about what is motivating both you and the other party. Motivations Motivations are what drives someone to act a certain way. There is a distinct relationship between objectives and motivations when purchasing something. Objectives are the […]
In our last blog we talked about Communication. Today we are going to look at the next topic in our series Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Leadership. The difference between Managing and Leading Simply put, Management is about tasks while Leadership is about people. Project Managers need to be able to wear both […]
Do you start work early? Do you work during your lunch break or at weekends? Stay later than you’re paid to? Of course we all do this from time to time. to others this can seem like you must be rushed off your feet – but is the truth that you are just struggling to […]
Projects come in all shapes and sizes. You might be managing a long term implementation or organising an event alongside your everyday work. Either way, communication is vital for the project’s success. In this blog, we will look at the first of five vital skills for project managers – communication. A third of projects fail […]
Questions help us to gather information, clarify facts, and communicate with others. They are a key element of effective communication. In this blog, you will see how you can improve results by making changes to how you ask questions. Management and Communication In our “Introduction to Management” course, we look at the importance of a […]
Quality minute taking is a skill which contributes significantly to the efficiency of meetings. It clarifies action points and supports wider productivity within your organisation. In this blog, learn what the key components of minute taking are, and how developing the skill can impact on your organisation’s profitability. Why should we have minutes? Minutes […]
You can improve your profitability by ensuring clear and concise communication. Business writing is present at every level of any organisation and assumes many forms. In this blog, learn 5 key tips for business writing, as well as a checklist of considerations. Business Writing – what is it? Business writing is any type of writing […]
In this piece, Professional Development Trainer Karen tells us how to make sure Presentations hit the mark. From preparation to delivery, there are six crucial elements to consider. Karen shares them with us here. In conversation with Karen from our learning solutions delivery team Karen, we were talking about the welcome growing levels of face-to-face […]
Successful businesses know the value of Emotional Intelligence (E.I). Here we share with you what the four key components of E.I are. Followed by three key wins that can drive productivity and engagement with your people. E.I can be learnt and developed by most people. By working on E.I, businesses can improve communication and gain […]
The drive for organisations to be more productive is a never-ending challenge, and here we will show you why soft skills are vital in making any organisation more efficient. Having technical skills are no doubt important but equally what employers need are the interpersonal and people abilities too. Soft skills are the people and interpersonal […]
“Soft skills”… does that term sound like an easy or less important skill to develop? Also the word “Soft” may sound a little weak, well these skills are certainly not weak, but without them you and your organisation’s effectiveness will certainly be weakened. Here we look at five key areas where soft skills can have […]
(In conversation with Karen from our learning solutions delivery team) Karen, we were talking about the welcome growing levels of face to face training we are experiencing (something we here at STL have maintained and supported throughout the last 2 years). We got onto considering that there are going to be a good number of […]
Are you overwhelmed by priorities? Well, focusing on the essential priorities can make the difference between feeling continually stretched to actually feeling more relaxed and successful! Prioritisation is a time management skill fundamental to the success of both effective managers and professionals. For many of us the plain truth is, that although we tell others […]
How to succeed at the Networking Game Networking in-person conversations, much like the networks themselves, are not self-sustaining, they require real commitment and drive in order to connect and establish the foundations of a relationship. Once you initiate and make eye contact you need some tricks to establish trust, build rapport and make great first […]
5 Key ways to support your people As an experienced manager or even if you are new to management, interpersonal skills are the intricate subtleties that influence and impact relationships. Here we look at how you can maintain efficient and productive relationships where your team can enjoy achievement and recognition. Relational skills are at the […]
When a Director once gave a talk on the importance of developing relationships, I was left thinking I had to buy someone a gift. Maybe it isn’t too far from the truth. When developing skills that can influence a relationship, having a giving attitude is what can help make them spectacular. Find out here how […]
The Right Language for Resolving Conflict In English speaking workplaces, it is important to voice complaints and frustrations by using the right language. When you are dealing with problems, the right approach and level of directness can ensure you don’t cause offence. This article looks at essential language along with 4 tips to resolve conflict […]
Why won’t you answer? So many time’s we send emails praying to get a quick response. Far too often that one reply necessary to move forward on our work doesn’t materialise. So, what are the secrets to getting that quick response? In this article we will try and shift the power back into your corner. […]
Sometimes we walk into the centre of a negotiation and feel out-of-place. We introduce ourselves and search for something familiar to make the experience less tense. Maybe we whisper secrets to seek reassurance from our colleagues, anything to try and gain a foothold. The consensus of opinion is that we are trying to work out […]
Kouzes’ 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership James Kouzes’ leadership model has been rigorously researched and tested for its effectiveness. He finds that leaders who exhibit certain skills perform better. Let us have a look at leadership development and the 5 practices of exemplary leadership. Model the Way Effective leaders must first know what their personal values are […]
If You Fail To Plan, You Plan To Fail! How to plan a presentation The success or failure of a presentation is determined long before you walk into the venue and try to engage the audience. Let’s consider how you can plan your presentation effectively, making it as relevant, concise and targeted for your audience […]
clinching those important sales deals Struggling to meet your monthly sales targets? Learning from the experts may be just what you need! STL offers a Successful Selling course to a wide range of organisations, from IT and Banking to Sporting Facilities and TV Stations. To increase any company’s profitability, a key ingredient is learning the […]
Motivating a team is often an acquired skill, especially when working remotely. A recent article by Forbes makes interesting reading on how you can motivate your team for better results. One model of motivation comes from the work of Torrington and Hall. Here they combine many of the more recent motivational theories to create a […]
Automation, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (machine learning) have increased rapidly of late. Technology makes many decisions on our behalf on a daily basis. Despite this, problem solving and decision making are still some of the most sought-after human skills. Professionals in the workplace need these skills to maximise efficiency, productivity, and both team and […]
What is stealing your time? A time robber is the nemesis of the effective time manager. We need to identify them, acknowledge their existence, and work out what we’re going to do about them. Time robbers come in different shapes and sizes – some are self-imposed, some are manager imposed, others can be company imposed. […]
The nature of nerves Several years ago, a survey was conducted to identify the top 10 public fears. What came in at number one? Public speaking! Apparently, the scariest thing we can do in our lives is stand in front of people and speak. What is the secret to successful presentations? Why the fear factor? […]
In this post we’ll look at the essentials for any Train the Trainer course or programme. What should be included, how and why… Why bother with a Train the Trainer? Many people think that anybody can be a Trainer, it’s just a matter of getting up there and doing it. Of course, that’s not the […]
How to take Bias out of Strategic Decision Making As a leader, it is critical to make decisions. But how do you limit biases when looking for solutions? In this article, we will explore techniques to tackle bias and improve strategic decision making. What research tells us… In 2010 Dan Lovallo and Olivier Sibony, advisors […]
How to Build Rapport When you are trying to develop rapport with others, make the Oxford Dictionary definition your mantra: “a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well”. What does it take to accelerate “close and harmonious” communication with those you want […]
Together Everyone Achieves More! 4 Stages of Team Development What’s a team? How about ‘a group of people working together to achieve a common goal or objective’? And if you like the definition, do you have a team? If the answer is no, then how do you get one? Questions, questions! Let’s look at some […]
Nearly 70% of people experience Impostor Syndrome. And it is particularly common among women and people from minority populations – so how can we overcome it? What is imposter syndrome? “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts” Bertrand Russell […]
Let’s talk about ways to resolve conflict, real techniques that you can use in your professional life. Typically, we look at the problem of conflict being a result of miscommunication. Maybe there wasn’t a clear understanding of what is important to the other person, and this can include respect, time frames, seniority, budget constraints – […]
How To Accept The Things We Cannot Change The ability to manage our own stress levels is a wonderful thing, but we need to approach it with realistic aims. It is extremely helpful to acknowledge straight away that some sources of stress in our lives are unavoidable – for example, economic downturns or the loss […]
This blog post will share advice on not only how to CAPTURE your audience’s attention, but how to KEEP your audience engaged throughout your presentation. This is especially important in the current culture we’re living in, where audiences have so many distractions, often even multi-tasking during our presentation. Read on for some great techniques to […]
Despite the increased use of virtual reality and artificial intelligence in creative thinking, problem solving and decision making are still some of the most in-demand skills needed by professionals in the workplace to maximise efficiency, productivity and both team and individual performance. This article will explore 4 tips to help you solve problems quicker and […]
Writing Emails for Clarity and Relationships Are emails still something we use much? In the increasingly sophisticated world of digitisation, social media platforms, instant messaging tools and advanced devices are giving us more and more options for business writing skills. In fact, email usage at work is on the rise. The convenience of sending messages […]