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The Full Mind Tools Career Excellence Toolkit
This page gives you quick access to the
full Mind Tools toolkit of more than 350 management, career
and thinking skills. With these skills, you can do an incredible amount to boost your career!
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fee of just US$1.
Enjoy exploring these skills, and start
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Time
Management - Stress
Management - Information
Skills
Communication Skills - Memory
Improvement - Leadership
Skills
Problem Solving - Decision Making - Project Planning
Practical Creativity - Team Tools - Strategy Tools
Career Skills
* Articles available in full only to Premium members of the Mind Tools Career Excellence Club.
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
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
Pickle Jar Theory - Make your schedule work. Leave time for fun!*
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
Are You a Positive or Negative Thinker?
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
Beating
Self-Sabotage - Recognizing and overcoming it*
The Breaking Point - by Bruna Martinuzzi
The Green-Eyed Monster - Keeping envy out of the workplace, by Bruna Martinuzzi
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 and Sleep*
Toffler's Stability Zones - Finding peace amid chaos*
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
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 and 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
Assertiveness - Working WITH people not against them*
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
Keep It Simple - Avoiding confusion and complexity*
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*
Role Playing - Preparing for difficult conversations and situations
Powers of Persuasion - Understanding the dos and don'ts of persuading*
Business Story-Telling -
Using stories to inspire
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
Mission Statements and Vision Statements - Unleashing
purpose
Successful Delegation - How, when, why
A Bit of Perfume - Giving praise, by Bruna Martinuzzi
Blake Mouton Managerial Grid - Balancing task and people-oriented leadership
Working in Virtual Teams - Team working that overcomes time and space*
Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions - Understanding values around the World
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
"I Swear by Apollo" - Being accountable to yourself in leadership
What's Empathy Got to Do With It? - by Bruna Martinuzzi
Cross Cultural Leadership*
Leading Equals - Motivating people effectively, without authority*
Crisis Planning - Preparing your response to the unexpected*
Building Tomorrow's Leaders -
Identifying and developing leaders in your organization*
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 and 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
Appreciative Inquiry - Solving problems by looking at what's going right
Heuristic Methods - Using rules of thumb
Flow Charts - Understanding process flows
Writing a Procedure - Making sure things are done without mistakes and omissions.
Systems Diagrams - Understanding the way factors interact
Swim Lane Diagrams - Mapping and improving organizational processes*
Storyboarding - Planning and checking a process as a team
5 Whys - Getting quickly to the root of a problem
Root Cause Analysis - Tracing a problem to its origins
Using Aides Memoire - Remember everything that's important*
Cash Flow Forecasting - Testing the viability of a project
Risk Analysis - Managing the risks you face
CATWOE - Understanding the different elements that contribute to a problem*
Inductive Reasoning - Drawing good generalized conclusions*
Avoiding Logical Fallacies - What they are, and how to avoid them*
Decision Making
Decision Making Main Page
Introduction
to Decision Making
Pareto Analysis - Choosing which changes to make
Paired Comparison - Working out relative importances
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) - Choosing by weighing
up many subjective factors
Grid Analysis - Making a choice balancing many factors
Decision Trees - Choosing by projecting possible outcomes
Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) - Choosing the best strategic way forward*
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
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) - Choosing by weighing up many subjective factors
Reactive Decision Making - Making good decisions under pressure*
Spiral Dynamics - Understanding how people's values affect decision making*
Critical Thinking - Developing the skills for successful thinking*
The Ladder of Inference - Avoiding "jumping to conclusions"*
Blindspot Analysis - Avoiding common "fatal flaws" in decision making*
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*
Multi-Voting - Choosing fairly between many options*
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"?*
The Vroom-Yetton-Jago Decision Model - Deciding how to decide*
Project Management
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
Risk Impact/Probability Chart - Learning to prioritize risks
A
Planning Process for Middle-Sized Projects
Planning
Large Projects & Programs
Request for Proposal Documents
-
Getting better terms with a competitive bidding process
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
Leavitt's Diamond -
An integrated approach to change*
Why Change Can Fail -
Knowing what not to do*
The RACI Matrix - Structuring accountabilities for maximum efficiency and results*
Organizational Design - Aligning organizational structure with business goals*
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
Words used in... Project and Program Management*
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*
Metaphorical Thinking - Using comparisons to express ideas and solve problems*
Crawford's Slip Writing Method - Gathering ideas from many contributors
Practical Innovation - Managing ideas effectively*
Generating New Ideas - Think differently and spark creativity
Team Tools
Team Effectiveness Assessment - How well do you and your team work together?
Team Management Skills - The core skills needed to manage your team
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
Team Charters - Getting your teams off to a great start
Building the Trust of Your New Team - Getting real and living the "we" in team*
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!*
Understanding Developmental Needs - Help your team reach peak performance
Training Needs Assessment - Making sure your team is properly trained*
Heron's Six Categories of Intervention - Understanding how to help effectively*
Succession Planning - Seamlessly transferring key knowledge, skills and abilities*
The Peter Principle - Avoiding Promoting People to a Level of Incompetence*
The GROW Model - Coaching team members to improve performance
Performance Management and KPIs - Linking activities to vision and strategy*
Management by Objectives (MBO) - Aligning people objectives with organizational goals*
Management By Wandering Around (MBWA) - Staying in touch with your team*
DILO (Day In the Life Of) - Improving team effectiveness by analyzing daily activity*
How Good are Your Motivation Skills? -
Discover key factors for building a motivated team
Herzberg's Motivators and Hygiene Factors - Learn how to motivate your team
Expectancy Theory - Motivate your team by linking effort with outcome*
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*
Theory X and Theory Y - Understanding team member motivation*
Job Enrichment - Increasing job satisfaction
Re-Engaging Team Members - Turning negative back to positive*
Dealing with Poor Performance - Is it lack of ability or low motivation?
Performance Agreements - Increasing personal accountability
Why the Rules are There -
Helping people understand and enforce rules
The Delegation Dilemma
Avoiding Micromanagement - Helping team members excel - on their own
Resolving Team Conflict - Building stronger teams by facing your differences*
Strategy Tools
PEST Analysis - Understanding the big picture*
Porter's Diamond - Shaping strategy to reflect national strengths and weaknesses*
SWOT - Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats*
Using
the TOWS Matrix - Developing strategic options
Porter's Five Forces - Understanding power in a situation*
Scenario Analysis - Exploring different futures*
Value Chains - Excellence in what really matters to customers*
The McKinsey 7S Framework - Ensuring all parts of your organization work in harmony
ADL Matrix - How industry position influences your strategy
The Boston Matrix - Focusing effort to get the greatest returns
The Ansoff Matrix - Understanding the different risks of different options
Porter's
Generic Strategies - Choosing your route to competitive
advantage
USP/Unique Selling Point Analysis - Crafting your competitive
edge
Core
Competence Analysis - Get ahead. Stay ahead.
Bowman's Strategy Clock - Making sense of eight competitive positions*
The Pyramid of Purpose - Concisely communicating your strategy*
Hoshin Planning System - Steering everyone in the right direction*
The Balanced Scorecard - Motivating employees to deliver your strategy
The Triple Bottom Line - Measuring your organization's wider impact*
Practical Business Planning - Understanding the components of future success*
The Cultural Web - Aligning your organization's culture with strategy
Deal and Kennedy's Cultural Model - Understanding rites and rituals*
Congruence Model - Aligning the drivers of high performance*
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*
The Sales Funnel - Keeping control of your sales pipeline*
The Product Diffusion Curve - Keeping you marketing message fresh
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*
Deming's 14-Point Philosophy - A recipe for total quality*
Critical Success Factors (CSFs) - Identifying the things that really matter for success
Benchmarking - Comparing your performance with the best*
Business Process Reengineering - Using radical change to improve organizational performance*
Using the Greiner Curve - Surviving the crises that come with growth
Leverage - Achieve much more with the same effort
Career Skills
Finding Career Direction - Discover yourself and your purpose
Possibilities - Unlocking your own potential, by Bruna Martinuzzi
Maximizing Job Satisfaction - Getting the most from your job*
Using Holland's Codes - Shaping your career to suit your work personality
Schein's Career Anchors - Understanding what inspires you in your career*
Your Reflected Best Self™ - Getting a deeper understanding of your strengths
Behavioral Assessments - How personality affects the way people do their jobs*
The DISC Model - Understanding people's personal styles*
FIRO-B - Understanding your interpersonal needs*
Benziger's Personality Types - Checking you're using your natural talents*
Locus of Control - Finding out who's in charge of your destiny
The Wheel of Life - Finding balance in your life
Using the Life Career Rainbow - Finding a work/life balance that suits you*
Emotional Intelligence - Developing Strong "People Skills"
What's Your Reputation? - Building a reputation consistent with career goals*
Working with Powerful People - Manage relationships for maximum satisfaction*
Managing Your Boss - Developing an effective working relationship*
Working with Purpose - Bringing more meaning to your career*
Future Proof Your Career - Developing skills for your future as well as for today
Customer Service Mindset - Getting passionate about serving others*
Managing a Budget - Setting and sticking to financial targets*
Making the Right Career Move - Choosing the role that's best for you
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"*
Professional Networking - Building relationships for mutual benefit *
Finding Your Allies -
Building strong and supportive relationships at work
How to Ask for a Pay Raise - Objectively evaluating your value to your organization*
Get Ready for Promotion - Showing what you can do
Get the Recognition You Deserve -
Learning how to get praise
Working for Yourself - Surviving and thriving in self-employment*
Entrepreneurial Skills - What you need to know to run your own business*
Dealing with Office Politics - Navigating the minefield*
Good Manners in the Office - Realizing there's no excuse for discourtesy*
Eldred's Power Strategies -
Avoiding "tall poppy syndrome"*
Egos at Work - Managing a co-worker's superiority complex
Bullying in the Workplace - What is it and what can you do?*
Avoiding Discrimination - Minimize problems by being prepared*
Surviving a Merger - Taking control and proving your value*
Surviving a Downturn -
Managing your career in an unstable economy*
Breaking the Glass Ceiling - Reaching for the top with everyday tools
"Re-interview" for Your Own Job - Getting rehired after a company restructure
I'm Back! - Returning to Work after an Extended Absence
Promotion Selection Panels -
Creating a great impression for everyone*
Back on Track - Overcoming a major setback in your career*
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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Time
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