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White Paper: Meeting the Soft Skills Challenge (US Version)
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Career Skills and Workplace Happiness
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Example Resources:
* Articles included in the
Mind Tools Ebook.
Time Management
Time Management Main Page
Introduction
to Time Management*
Beating Procrastination - Manage your time. Get it all
done.*
Activity Logs - Seeing how you really spend your time*
Action Plans - Small scale planning*
To Do Lists - The key to efficiency*
Personal Goal Setting - How to achieve your dreams*
Locke's Goal Setting Theory - Understanding SMART Goal Setting
Golden
Rules of Goal Setting - Five rules to set yourself up for
success
Backward Goal-Setting - Using backward planning to set
goals
New
Year's Resolutions - Planning for a year of achievement
Locus of Control - Finding out who's in charge of your destiny
Using
the Life Career Rainbow - Finding a work/life balance that
suits you
Career
Development - Discover yourself and your purpose
The
Wheel of Life - Finding balance in your life
Finding
Career Direction - Discover yourself and your purpose
Future
Proof Your Career - Developing skills for your future as
well as for today
Possibilities - Unlocking your own potential, by Bruna Martinuzzi
Schein's
Career Anchors - Understanding what inspires you in your
career
Working
for Yourself - Surviving and thriving in self-employment
Entrepreneurial
Skills - What you need to know to run your own business
Maximizing
Job Satisfaction - Getting the most from your job
Job
Enrichment - Increasing job satisfaction
What's
Your Reputation? - Building a reputation consistent with
career goals
Effective
Scheduling - Planning the best use of time*
Prioritization
- Making best use of your time and resources
Action
Priority Matrix - Making the most of your opportunities.
The
Art of Filing - Managing your documents... and your time
The
Urgent/Important Matrix - Using time effectively, not just
efficiently
Treasure
Mapping - Visualizing your goal for greater achievement
How
Good is Your Time Management? - Discover tools that
can help you
How
to Ask for a Pay Raise - Objectively evaluating your value
to your organization
"Re-interview" for Your Own Job - Getting rehired after
a company restructure
Get Ready for Promotion - Showing What you can do
Breaking the Glass Ceiling - Reaching for the top with
everyday tools
Making the Right Career Move - Choosing the role that's
best for you
Surviving a Merger - Taking
control and proving your value
Managing Your Boss - Developing an effective working
relationship
Pickle
Jar Theory - Make your schedule work. Leave time for fun!
Leverage - Achieve much more with the same effort
Managing
Interruptions - Maintain focus. Keep control of your time.
In
Flow - Maximizing productivity through improved focus
Costing
Your Time - Understand the real value of your time
Stress
Management
Stress Management Main Page
Introduction
to Stress Management*
Stress Diaries - Identify short term stress*
Job Analysis - A tool for managing work overload*
Performance Planning - Planning ahead to reduce stress*
Imagery - Mental stress management*
Physical
Relaxation Techniques*
Thought
Awareness, Rational Thinking and Positive Thinking*
Anger Management - Channeling anger effectively*
Burnout Self-Test - Checking yourself for burnout*
Building Self-Confidence – Developing the
self-confidence you*
Back
On Track - Overcoming a major setback in your career
Beating
Self-Sabotage - Recognizing and overcoming it
Benziger's Personality Types - Checking you're using your
natural talents
Using
Holland's Codes - Shaping your career to suit your work
personality
Working with Purpose - Bringing more meaning to your
career
The
Breaking Point - by Bruna Martinuzzi
The Green-Eyed Monster - Keeping envy out of the
workplace, by Bruna Martinuzzi
Bullying
In the Workplace - What is it and what can you do?
Ready
for a Real Vacation? - Preparing to make the most of your
precious time
Thinking
On Your Feet - Staying cool and confident under pressure
Getting a Good Night's Sleep - Starting each day
fresh, and full of energy
Rest,
Relaxation & Sleep
How
to Relax After a Hard Day - Leaving work at work
Murphy's Law - Expecting the unexpected
Information
Skills
Information Skills Main Page
Introduction
to Information Skills*
Mind Maps - Taking notes effectively*
SQ3R - Fully absorbing written information*
Speed
Reading*
Reading Strategies - Reading quickly by reading
intelligently*
The
Cornell Approach to Note Taking - Taking notes effectively
and efficiently
Review Techniques - Keeping information fresh in your
mind*
Learning Styles - Learn in a way that suits you*
4MAT
- Delivering instruction everyone understands
The
Conscious Competence Ladder - Making learning more satisfying
Critical Thinking - Developing the skills for successful
thinking
Communication Skills
Communication
Skills Main Page
Introduction to Communication Skills - How to get your
message*
Making
a Great First Impression*
The Johari Window - Helping people understand
one-another*
Better
Public Speaking & Presentation*
Writing Skills - Before you write it down, know this*
Effective
Email*
Active Listening - Hear what people are really saying*
Empathic
Listening - Going beyond active listening
Running
Effective Meetings*
Ice Breakers - Easing group contribution*
Win-Win Negotiation - Finding a fair compromise*
Speaking to an Audience - Communicate complex
ideas successfully*
Presentation Planning Checklist*
Delivering Great Presentations - Communicating effectively
Managing
Presentation Nerves - Coping with the fear within
Facilitation - Guiding an event through to a successful
conclusion
Giving
and Receiving Feedback - Keeping team member performance
high
360
Degree Feedback - Encourage teamwork and improve performance
AIDA:
Attention-Interest-Desire-Action - Inspiring action with
your writing
Questioning Techniques - Asking questions effectively
Creating
a Value Proposition - Clearly communicating benefits
Dealing
With Unfair Criticism - Responding rationally to unwarranted
criticism
Charts
and Graphs - Choosing the right format
Chunking
- Grouping information so it's more easily understood
The
Rhetorical Triangle - Making your writing credible, appealing
and logical
Avoiding
Logical Fallacies - What they are, and how to avoid them
Role
Playing - Preparing for difficult conversations and
situations
The
Pyramid of Purpose - Concisely communicating your strategy
The
Product Diffusion Curve - Keeping you marketing message
fresh
Powers of Persuasion - Understanding the dos and don'ts
of persuading
Dealing
with Office Politics - Navigating the minefield
Good
Manners in the Office - Realizing there's no excuse for
discourtesy
Professional
Networking - Building relationships for mutual benefit
Communicating
in a Crisis - Don't shut down communication
Communicating
Internationally
Cross
Culture Communication - Collaborative efforts a must!
Communicating
in Your Organization
Communications
Planning - Getting the right message over, in the right
way
Concept
Attainment - Reaching a shared understanding of important
ideas
Jargon
Busting - Communicating without creating barriers
Neuro-Linguistic
Programming - Achieving excellence in communication
Delivering Bad News
Memory
Improvement
Memory
Techniques Main Page
Introduction
to Memory Techniques*
Link & Story Methods - Remembering a simple list*
The Number/Rhyme Mnemonic - Remembering a simple ordered
list*
The Number/Shape Mnemonic - Remembering a simple ordered
list*
The Alphabet Mnemonic - Remembering middle length lists*
The Journey Technique - Remembering longer lists*
The Roman Room Mnemonic - Remembering grouped
information*
The Major System - Remembering very long numbers*
Using
Concept Maps as a Memory Aid*
Memory Games - Have fun, while you improve your memory!*
How
to... Learn a foreign language*
How
to... Remember information for exams*
How
to... Remember people's names*
How
to... Remember long numbers*
Acrostics
- Memory curiosities
Leadership Skills
Leadership Skills Main Page
Introduction
to Leadership Skills*
Leadership Motivation Assessment - Know your motivation
to lead*
Leadership Motivation Tools - Increasing leadership
motivation*
Information Gathering - Information is inspiration*
Winning Expert Power - Leading from the front*
Task Allocation - Pick the right team*
Leadership Styles - Use the right one for the situation*
Conflict Resolution - Resolve conflict rationally and
effectively
Mission Statements & Vision Statements - Unleashing
purpose*
Successful Delegation - How, when, why*
The Delegation Dilemma
Practical
Business Planning - Understanding the components of future
success
Adams'
Equity Theory - Balancing employee inputs and outputs
Using Maslow's Hierarchy
- Building a happier, more satisfied team
Alderfer's
ERG Theory - Understanding the priorities in people's needs
Pygmalion
Motivation - Motivating high performance with high
expectations
Herzberg's
Motivators and Hygiene Factors - Learn how to motivate your
team
Expectancy Theory - Motivate your team by linking effort
with outcome
The
Balanced Scorecard - Motivating employees to deliver your
strategy
The Triple Bottom Line - Measuring your organization's
wider impact
Performance Management and KPIs - Linking
activities to
vision and strategy
Benchmarking - Comparing your performance with the best
Performance Agreements - Increasing personal
accountability
Congruence
Model - Aligning the drivers of high performance
McKinsey 7S Framework, The - Ensuring all parts of your
org work in harmony
A Bit of Perfume
- Giving praise, by Bruna Martinuzzi
Behavioral
Assessments - How personality affects the way people do
their jobs
Belbin's
Team Roles - Understanding team roles can improve team
performance
Benne and Sheats' Group Roles - Identifying positive and
negative group roles
Cog's
Ladder - Understanding and accelerating group formation
Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing
- Helping new teams perform effectively
DILO (Day In the Life Of) - Improving team effectiveness
by analyzing daily activity
Using
the Greiner Curve - Surviving the crises that come with
growth
Blake
Mouton Managerial Grid - Balancing task and people-oriented
leadership
The
DISC Model - Understanding people's personal styles
Avoiding
Micromanagement - Helping team members excel - on their
own
Management By Wandering Around (MBWA) - Staying in touch
with your team
Management by Objectives (MBO) - Aligning people objectives
with organizational goals
Organizational
Design - Aligning organizational structure with business
goals
Team
Charters - Getting your teams off to a great start
Team
Effectiveness Assessment - How well do you and your team
work together?
Building the Trust of Your New Team - Getting real and
living the "we" in team
Team
Management Skills - The core skills needed to manage your
team
Working
in Virtual Teams - Team working that overcomes time and
space
Training
Needs Assessment - Making sure your team is properly trained
Heron's
Six Categories of Intervention - Understanding how to help
effectively
The
GROW Model - Coaching team members to improve performance
Hiring
People: Questions to Ask - Know what to ask to find the
right person
Inbox/In-Tray Assessment
- Uncovering how an employee will perform on the job
Successful
Induction - Getting new team members off to a great start!
Resolving
Team Conflict - Building stronger teams by facing your differences
Egos at Work - Managing a co-worker's superiority
complex
Re-Engaging
Team Members - Turning negative back to positive
Dealing
with Poor Performance - Is it lack of ability or low motivation?
Deal and Kennedy's Cultural Model - Understanding rites
and rituals
Hofstede's
Cultural Dimensions - Understanding values around the World
The
Cultural Web - Aligning your organization's culture with
strategy
Avoiding
Discrimination - Minimize problems by being prepared
Theory
X and Theory Y - Understanding team member motivation
Working
With Powerful People - Manage relationships for maximum
satisfaction
The
Uncertainty Factor - by Bruna Martinuzzi
Optimism
- The hidden asset, by Bruna Martinuzzi
A Leader's Mood - The dimmer switch of performance, by Bruna Martinuzzi
Humility
- The most beautiful word in the English language, by Bruna
Martinuzzi
What's
Empathy Got to Do With It? by Bruna Martinuzzi
The
Sales Funnel - Keeping control of your sales pipeline.
Managing a Budget - Setting and sticking to financial targets
Mentoring
- A mutually beneficial partnership
Mentoring: An Essential Leadership Skill
- Mentoring from a mentor's perspective
Finding
a Mentor - Getting support from the right "someone"
Cross
Cultural Leadership
Leading Equals - Motivating people effectively, without
authority
Problem
Solving
Problem Solving Main Page
Introduction
to Problem Solving Techniques*
Appreciation - Extracting maximum information from
facts*
Drill Down - Breaking problems down into manageable
parts*
Cause & Effect Diagrams - Identifying the causes of
problems*
Failure
Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) - Spotting problems early
on
TRIZ
- A powerful methodology for creative problem-solving
The Straw Man Concept - Build it up, knock it down, create
a solid final solution
Metaphorical Thinking - Using comparisons to express ideas
and solve problems
Heuristic Methods - Using rules of thumb
Flow Charts - Understanding process flows*
Swim
Lane Diagrams - Mapping and improving organizational
processes
Systems Diagrams - Understanding the way factors
interact*
SWOT - Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats*
Using
the TOWS Matrix - Developing strategic options
Cash Flow Forecasting - Testing the viability of a
project*
Risk Analysis - Managing the risks you face*
Porter's Five Forces - Understanding power in a
situation*
PEST Analysis - Understanding the big picture*
Porter's Diamond - Shaping strategy to reflect national
strengths and weaknesses
Porter's Generic Strategies - Choosing your route to competitive
advantage
Critical
Success Factors - Identifying the things that really matter
for success.
Core
Competence Analysis - Get ahead. Stay ahead.
Value Chains - Excellence in what really matters to
customers*
USP/Unique Selling Point Analysis - Crafting your
competitive edge*
Market Segmentation - Understanding different customer
needs
The
Marketing Mix and 4 Ps - Understanding how to position
your market offering
Product Life Cycle - Managing your product to maximize
success
Customer Experience Mapping - Looking through the eyes of
your customers
5
Whys - Getting quickly to the root of a problem
Root Cause Analysis - Tracing a problem to its origins
ADL Matrix - How industry position influences your strategy
The
Boston Matrix - Focusing effort to get the greatest
returns
Bowman's
Strategy Clock - Making sense of eight competitive positions
Just In Time (JIT) - Reducing inventory, minimizing
waste, and responding to your customers
Kaizen
- Gaining the full benefits of continuous improvement
Kanban
- Creating efficiency in the workplace
Zero
Defects - Getting it right first time
Total Quality Management (TQM) - Delivering quality at
every level
Hoshin Planning System - Steering everyone in the right
direction
Using
Aides Memoire - Remember everything that's important
CATWOE
- Understanding the different elements that contribute to a
problem
Decision
Making
Decision Making Main Page
Introduction
to Decision Making*
Pareto Analysis - Choosing which changes to make*
Paired Comparison - Working out relative importances*
Grid Analysis - Making a choice balancing many factors*
Decision Trees - Choosing by projecting possible
outcomes*
PMI - Weighing the pros and cons of a decision*
Force Field Analysis - Analyzing pressures for and
against change*
Six Thinking Hats - Looking at all points of view*
Cost/Benefit Analysis - Simple financial decision
making*
The
Ansoff Matrix - Understanding the different risks of
different options
Reactive
Decision Making - Making good decisions under pressure
Spiral Dynamics - Understanding how people's values affect
decision making
Scenario
Analysis - Exploring different futures
The
Ladder of Inference - Avoiding "jumping to conclusions"
Blindspot Analysis* - Avoiding common "fatal flaws" in
decision making
Multi-Voting - Choosing fairly between many options
Monte Carlo Analysis - Bringing uncertainty and risk into
forecasting
The
Kepner-Tregoe Matrix - Making unbiased, risk assessed
decisions
Impact
Analysis - Identifying the "unexpected" consequences of a
decision
Inductive Reasoning
- Drawing good generalized conclusions
Avoiding
GroupThink - Avoiding fatal flaws in group decision
making
The
Delphi Technique - Achieving well thought through
consensus among experts
Nominal
Group Technique - Prioritizing issues and projects to
achieve consensus
Stepladder Technique - Making better group decisions
Decision
Making - Are you "cautious" or "courageous"?
Decision
Model, The Vroom-Yetton-Jago - Deciding how to decide
Project
Planning
Project Management Main Page
Introduction
to Project Planning & Management Skills*
Estimating
time accurately*
Scheduling
simple projects*
Gantt Charts - Planning and scheduling more complex
projects*
Critical Path Analysis - Planning more complex projects*
A
Planning Process for Middle-Sized Projects*
Planning
Large Projects & Programs*
Stakeholder Analysis - Winning support for your projects
(I)*
Stakeholder Management - Winning support for your
projects (II)*
Influence Maps - Uncovering where the power lies in your
projects
Burke-Litwin
Change Model - Unraveling the dynamics of organizational
change
Overcoming
Cultural Barriers to Change - Moving to a high performance
culture
Change
Management - Making organization change happen effectively
Using
the Change Curve - Accelerating change, and improving project
success
Lewin's Change Management Model - Understanding the three
stages of change
Kotter's 8-Step Change Model - Implementing change
powerfully and successfully
The
RACI Matrix - Structuring accountabilities for maximum
efficiency and results
Work
Breakdown Structures - Mapping out the work within a project
Project Dashboards - Quickly communicating project progress
Project
Initiation Documents - Getting your project off to a great
start
Project
Milestone Reporting - Keeping projects on track by monitoring
check points
Plan-Do-Check-Act
(PDCA) - Implementing new ideas in a controlled way
Logframes, and the Logical Framework Approach - Planning
projects robustly
Practical Creativity
Creativity Tools Main Page
Introduction
to Creativity Techniques*
Reversal - Improving products or services
SCAMPER - Generating new products and services*
Kano
Model Analysis - Developing products that delight
Attribute Listing - Creating new products and services*
Brainstorming - Generating many radical ideas*
Reverse
Brainstorming - A different approach to brainstorming
Starbursting - Understanding new ideas by brainstorming
questions
Reframing Matrix - Generating different perspectives*
Concept Fan - Widening the search for solutions*
Random Input - Making creative leaps*
Provocation - Carrying out thought experiments*
DO IT - A simple process for creativity*
Simplex
- An integrated problem solving process*
Affinity
Diagrams - Organizing ideas into common themes
Synectics
- A useful backstop creativity process
Crawford's
Slip Writing Method - Gathering ideas from many
contributors
Practical Innovation - Managing ideas effectively
Mind Tools' Best of 2006 - Our favorite resources of
the past year
Top Tools of 2007
- Members' most popular tools of the
year
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