Spring has sprung...

Spring time - a time of new beginnings, brighter days and of course, good old spring cleans! In a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (aka VUCA), perhaps March provides us the opportunity to spring clean our thinking - reflect on what's working, adjust the lens, and focus on what is going to make a difference.

Did you know, the human brain can process?11 million bits?of information every second. But our conscious minds can handle only 40 to 50 bits of information a second. That's literally a lot to take in!

With the volume of communication, consumption and activity that we are all exposed to, it could feel overwhelming and stifling at times. So to help you kick start your own spring clean, here are some key focus areas for learning and professional development; helping you to feel fresh, invigorated and to stay ahead of the curve in this ever changing world:

1. "Digital Literacy" - In today's digital age, with technology enhancements happening at a rate of knots, it's important to have a strong understanding of technology and its impact on business and society - and more importantly how it can help you to work more effectively. Why not switch up five minutes of social scrolling to brush up on the latest enhancements in Microsoft Teams, Outlook, or explore Viva Insights? Or check out the Digital Literacy course on LinkedIn Learning - covering the basics of digital literacy, including how to use common software and tools, how to navigate the internet, and how to protect your digital identity.
2. "Data Analysis" - Data is becoming increasingly important in all industries. With so much around us, you could find yourself suffering from analysis paralysis. Take a look at the Data Analysis course on LinkedIn Learning to get connected with the fundamentals of data analysis, including how to collect and analyse data, how to use statistical tools and techniques, and how to present data in a clear and compelling way.
3. "Emotional Intelligence" - Emotional intelligence is a critical skill in today's workplace. With the volume of change around us, being self aware and aware of others will help you to connect and work with others more effectively. How do people feel when they leave an interaction with you? Are you connected with how you/they are feeling? Are you able to look at things from a birds eye view or a third persons perspective? Insights Discovery, a psychometric tool based on the psychology of Carl Jung, is built to help people understand themselves, understand others, and make the most of the relationships that affect them in the workplace. Could this help you and your teams to better connect?
4. "Communication Skills" - Effective communication is a key to success in any job. It sounds simple, right? But how often have we heard messages getting lost in translation, snippets of information being shared without context, misalignment on projects, a breakdown in relationships. How proactive are you with your communication or are you coming from a place of reaction? Do you start with the why or the wider context to help understanding? Do you consider the audience that you are communicating to, the impact of your messaging, and what level of information they require? Are you passively listening or actively listening? Active listening is a key component to ensure comprehension, supporting effective communication. As well as understanding how to give and receive effective feedback. Take a look at the Communication Skills course on LinkedIn learning, to pick up some simple tips to ensure you are avoiding communication breakdown (one for you Led Zeppelin fans)!
5. "Leadership" - Whether you're a manager or an individual contributor, leadership skills are essential for success. How well do you know your people? How do you get the best out of them? How do you help them through times of change? With emotional intelligence in mind, is your behaviour consistent or does it change depending on what type of day you are having? How does this impact those around you? How would your team describe you as a leader?

Reflecting on these 5 areas, how do you fair up? Keeping it simple, what could you start, stop or continue doing, today, to help you spring clean to a more effective tomorrow?