LEARNABILITY 23 December
It's official - we are now in winter... or summer, depending on your hemisphere.
But whatever the weather, if you are interested in personal development, you're in the right place.
Here are 5 nuggets.
Which one has the most value for you?
ENTREPRENEURS
?? 6 Magic Words
Here’s a useful idea I learnt from the wonderful Chantal Cornelius last month during her visit to Barcelona.
I'm sure you remember the story of Ali Baba and the famous magic words “Open Sesame”?
If you are in the world of startups and small businesses, the magic words "Who should I be talking to?" has similar results.
This one little question can quickly open the way to conversations with potential clients or potential supporters who can become champions of your idea.
"Who should I be talking to?" could also help you find a mentor who's been there, and done it already — who can give you important advice and help you grow.
Chatting with the right people, like investors or people who know a lot about what you're into, can help turn your ideas into a real business.?
So, when could you start using these 6 little magic words, and where could they lead you?
HR
?? A Penguin is not a Peacock
I was once criticised by a colleague for making my tea in the ‘wrong’ way.
Without going into detail, he has his way, I have mine. They are different, but that doesn’t mean that either of them is wrong.
When we meet someone who does things differently, speaks differently, dresses differently, or thinks differently, we are quick to judge them as wrong, or inferior, or even dangerous. I learned recently how differently the youth of today think compared to us ‘senior’ folk. I used to be dismissive and looked down on the 'innocent' and 'inexperienced' generation. But after watching the 4-Voices event in Belfast this month (more about this later), I’m starting to think it’s us oldies that need to wake up to a new reality. Diversity can be a valuable asset when handled correctly.
So who are you judging negatively, just because they are different?
Give people the benefit of doubt and value their differences. The results might surprise you.
Thank you to Clair Aghassipour and David Rigby for inspiring this tip.
PARENTS, TEACHERS & OTHER LEADERS
?? The Ratio Doesn't Matter
I was talking to Andrew Strutt whose daughter is studying engineering. She had just had her latest assignment evaluated. Not only did she pass, she got a high grade. Furthermore, she was the ONLY student in her group of 20 students who passed - honestly.
You would feel that after her evaluation, she'd feel great - inspired to carry on her great work.
But no.
Her teacher spent their time together, telling her all about the 'silly' mistakes she made and the things she got wrong. Not a word about 'You've done brilliantly' or 'I'm so proud of you'.
She left the evaluation feeling her hard work had been overlooked and undervalued.
Some say feedback should be 2 to 1 - 2 positives to one negative.
Others say it should be 3 to 1 or 5 to 1.
To be honest, I don't care. The ratio doesn't matter. If someone has done good, it doesn't matter how 'trivial', just giving recognition and a little praise can work wonders - every time.
领英推荐
So ask yourself how often do you praise compared to criticise?
Is there room for improvement?
How could you find out?
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
?? No One Falls to the Top of the Mountain
If you are anything like me, you know that no one falls to the top of the mountain. Regardless of what you want to achieve, getting there involves setting goals - both SMART and COMFA - and then planning to reach them.
My next Open Online Learning Club is in January - an ideal time to look at the challenges we want to set for ourselves for 2024 and increase our chances of achieving them.
Attendance is free, register here now.
TEACHERS, PARENTS & TEENAGERS
?? Latest Episode of The Learnability Show
“TEDx for teenagers meets the Eurovision Song Contest meets the European Youth Parliament meets the BBC” is how Cormac Walsh, DTM describes 4-Voices - a movement which has grown from an acorn of an idea to taking over Stormont - the Northern Ireland Parliament in just 3 short years.
Subjects covered:
What I'm Doing At The Moment
Unsurprisingly, like most people, I'm wrapping things up for Christmas in one way or another. Courses and Learning Club programs come to an end. Invoices get sent and accounts are closed for the year.
Pilot Programs: In the New Year, I'm offering short pilot programs of my personal development accelerators to allow organisations to experience the benefits for Learning Clubs directly.
New Learning Clubs: I'll also be starting my 1Q groups with new participants, new goals, and new ideas.
12 Days of Christmas Posts: If you are involved in development or HR, keep an eye out for my '12 Days of Christmas posts' - 12 things to think about for helping people get up that learning curve faster.
Open Online Learning Clubs: As you might have read above, I'll be continuing with my once-a-month online sessions to give curious people the opportunity to pop in, say hello, and experience for themselves how things work.
Writing New Show: One thing that will keep my creative juices flowing over the holidays is writing the script for my theatre company's adaptation of Pinocchio - with no insects in sight!
PSAS AGM: In January, as past president, I'll be chairing the AGM of the Professional Speakers Association of Spain, where I hope to use my power to make sure things are as entertaining as possible by ruthlessly cutting away as much bureaucracy as I can get away with.
Arabic & guitar: I'm still marching on with language and music. Not sure what festive songs I'll be learning. I'm looking forwards to finding out!
?? If you're interested in setting up a Learning Club accelerator in your organisation, contact me here on LinkedIn.
?? If you are organising an event and would like your attendees to triple the value they get from it, invite me to lead with my LEARNABILITY keynote.
?? If you are interested in selling me your services on website design, marketing or lead generation, please don't. I already have people who are doing it and I'm very happy with them, so stop spamming me... pretty please.
In the meantime, have a great month, and keep learning ??
DIRECTOR and Founder of IDIOMAS ADVANTAGE. English Accent and Presentation Skills Coach. Author, Speaker.
11 个月I recognise the guy in the snow. I hope he learned his lesson about sitting on damp grass.
Communications Trainer | Educational Consultant | Speaker
11 个月Thank you Ian Gibbs I really had a lot of fun on your podcast and I learnt a lot about patience and resilience!!
Speaker, Trainer, Coach in Interculturality, Diversity DEIB Inclusion, Communications, Leadership. Providing: experts in Psychological Safety, Cognitive Profiling, Wellness, Spirit, Systems Thinking, Spiral Dynamics
11 个月Thanks for the plug and glad that inspire you. the young generation prefer teabag in microwave