Date: February 29th, 2012
Being human, most of our decisions are based on our emotions. As much as we like to think that we are logical, analytical, adults – every person bases almost every choice on how they feel. Bill Stinnett, Ph.D. (L.E.T. Master Trainer) discusses how the seemingly difficult task of handling emotions can be managed through proper leadership training, such as L.E.T. The best leadership training will use both left-brained logical thinking and right-brained intuitive feeling to improve communication skills. ...Read more
Date: February 28th, 2012
Blog Post by Scott Seroka ...Read more
Date: February 27th, 2012
Ever notice that anger seems to be the first emotion that bursts out of us when we’re upset, troubled, frustrated with someone? Bill Stinnett, Ph.D. (L.E.T. Master Trainer) discusses the “Feelings Iceberg” – a concept about how anger is often the only emotion that displays as result of built up, underlying frustration, sadness, or anxiety. This is why anger is labeled as a “secondary emotion”. In leadership training this concept is important to keep in mind because it helps you understand another’s point of view better if you know that underneath the anger there are most likely many other negative emotions that are the root of the problem. ...Read more
Date: February 23rd, 2012
Blog Post by Scott Seroka ...Read more
Date: February 22nd, 2012
In leadership training such as L.E.T. (Leader Effectiveness Training), you learn there are 12 communication roadblocks (created by Dr. Thomas Gordon in the 60’s when he launched P.E.T.) – one of the most used ones is “questioning”. When someone comes to you with a problem, chances are one of your first responses is a question, followed by a series of more questions and then finishing off with some advice (another communication roadblock). Does this sound familiar? The problem with asking questions when the other person owns the problem is that it steers the conversation in the direction that YOU want it – not them. Asking questions also implies that the other isn’t capable of solving their own problem. A more effective response instead of asking questions would be Active Listening – where you feedback what you heard the person say to not only make sure you understand their problem correctly but also for them to hear their problem out loud. ...Read more
Date: February 14th, 2012
Blog Post by Scott Seroka
Bad bosses are everywhere and come in many forms. They are masters at getting the bare minimum out of their employees, have a knack for keeping turnover nice and high, and they all believe their management style (cough) works. ...Read more
Webster’s dictionary lists the definition of a team as “a number of persons associated together in work or activity.” Sometimes the word “team” in the workplace conjures up images of a faceless mass of people with no room for individuality or expression. Bill Stinnett, Ph.D. (L.E.T. Master Trainer) explains that one of the functions of a team is for everyone to understand the needs of the other individuals that make up the whole. Communication skills that are taught in leadership training, such as Active Listening, can’t happen without more than one person – so without a team how can anyone listen to your needs? In the end, a group of individuals that work together as a team are more productive and satisfied than a group of individuals that work as individuals. ...Read more
Leadership training can be seen as an opportunity, but sometimes can be perceived as somewhat daunting. For some, being “sent“ to leadership training means they must be lacking skills, or their communications skills aren’t good enough, or they are doing poorly at their job. Bill Stinnett, Ph.D. (L.E.T. Master Trainer) explains that in any training, and especially Leader Effectiveness Training, the purpose is simply to provide a new set of skills that can be used to further success within the workplace. It’s like going to the hardware store and buying a new set of socket wrenches – it doesn’t mean your old rusty, worn wrenches will be taken away from you – but once you get your hands on the new tools and you see how you get the job done faster and easier – why go back to the old ones? ...Read more
Whenever the topic of training comes up with an organization, a discussion of how much it will cost inevitably follows. Bill Stinnett, Ph.D. (L.E.T. Master Trainer) gives a new perspective on how not training employees with problem solving and effective communication skills ends up costing a company more money. The key is thinking of the longevity of an organization – there is a cost incurred now for leadership training, but over the course of a few years (or less) that investment will pay off and then some, by creating a more productive work environment with higher employee retention. ...Read more
