Time Management Quotes

  

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How to Learn More

Download our free whitepaper on "Startling Statistics About How We Use Our Time".  This will provide you with additional information to help you with your time management skills.

Share your thoughts with us below:

Team Building Quotes - Team Synergy

  

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We work in a variety of teams.  Some of them seem more effective than others, and some team members seem to contribute more too.  Teamwork is a critical function for organizational success, but when it's productive it is also a key contributor to personal fulfillment.  Below please find some quotes that provide insight into what makes teams most effective.

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision; the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives.  It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." - Andrew Carnegie

"The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual." - Vince Lombardi

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success.  You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." - Babe Ruth

"Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success." - Henry Ford

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." - Michael Jordan

"The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never says 'I'.  And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say 'I.'  They don't think 'I.'  They think 'we'; they think 'team.'  They understand their job is to make the team function.  They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but 'we' gets the credit....  This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done." - Peter Drucker

"A group becomes a team when each member is sure enough of himself and his contribution to praise the skill of the others." - Norman S. Hidle

"It's easy to get good players.  Getting them to play together, that's the hard part." - Casey Stengel

"A major reason capable people fail to advance is that they don't work well with their colleagues." - Lee Iacocca

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Key Take Away
You can be a much more effective team member when you develop your communicaqtion skills and learn how to strengthen interpersonal relationships.  Not only will your own skills improve, your entire team will benefit as a result.

The Understanding Behavioral Styles for Teams Value Bundle contains a DiSC profile to help you learn about your own style.  It also includes an eLearning course to show you how to identify other's styles and learn ways to communicate most effectively with each unique individual on your team.

What are some of YOUR favorite quotes about teamwork?  Please feel free to share them with us below.

Leadership Quotes: Effective Leadership

  

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A lot has been written about effective leadership.  You probably can recognize it when you experience it.  You definitely can recognize it when you don't.

Below please find some quotes that just seem to capture effective leadership in a nutshell.  Feel free to share this list with others.

• "Leadership is intentional influence." - Michael McKinney
  
  
• "You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too." - Sam Rayburn
  
  
• "People ask the difference between a leader and a boss.  The leader leads, and the boss drives." - Theodore Roosevelt
  
  
• "The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been." - Henry Kissinger
  
  
• "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
  
  
• "Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand." - General Colin Powell
  
  
• "Men make history and not the other way around.  In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still.  Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better." - Harry Truman
  
  
• "Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall." - Stephen R. Covey
  
  
• "Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself.  When you become a leader, success is all about growing others." - Jack Welch
  
  
• "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." - Ralph Nader
  
  
• "Never tell people how to do things.  Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." - General George Patton

Learn More
Our free whitepaper entitled "3 Essential Skills that Every Manager Needs to Know to Increase Their Team's Performance" provides additional information and resources for effective leadership.

What is YOUR favorite quote about effective leadership?  Please share your thoughts with us below:

Management Development Training Webinar

  

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Management Development in Today's Economy

Join us for a FREE Webinar on December 13

Online Management Training: Why It's Important Today

  

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In today's economy, when organizations are struggling to positively differentiate themselves, an organization's managers are the key individuals who inspire the workforce to perform at its highest.  To help maangers gain the skills they need, it's important to recognize the reality of today's world in which they they operate.  Workloads haven't decreased with advancing technology.  They have increased.  Most managers are struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing demands they must face.

For learning to be effective today, it needs to recognize those needs and accomodate them.  Online training is uniquely adapted for this.  It can be provided in shorter segments, and distributed over time as opposed to the multiple-day management training sessions of the past.

Two Types of Online Training
There are two types of training for managers that can be delivered in an online format:

1. Live Online Training:  This is delivered by an instructor in an online format.  Participants are able to interact verbally with the facilitator and each other.  When designed well, it is extremely interactive.
   
   
2. e Learning:  This is self-paced and available 24/7 to the participant.  This allows them maximum flexibility for accessing their course when it best fits their schedule.

Benefits of Online Training for Managers:
There are many benefits to providing training for managers in an online format, among them:

• Enhances Learner Retention.  The most effective learning design is structured as a process, instead of a one-time event.  Live online training and e Learning courseware can easily be delivered in segments and distributed over time.  This allows the learner to create an Action Plan at the end of each segment and be held accountable for implementing the learning before the next session.  Also, live online training and e Learning can easily be used together to create a blend of learning resources uniquely designed to target a manager's specific needs.
  
  
• Fits Into a Manager's Busy Schedule.  Most live online training sessions are no longer than 90 minutes in length.  An e Learning course can be stopped and started as needed.  This requires less time at one sitting and allows the manager to better meet their daily demands.
  
  
• Cost Effective.  There are no travel costs or accomodations needed when providing live online training or e Learning courseware.  This allows any budget allocated for management development to be spent on direct learning, as opposed to travel-related costs.
  
  
• Encourages Participation from Everyone:  In a traditional face-to-face classroom, only one person can verbally answer a question at a time.  But in a live online classroom, everyone can type their responses in text chat when asked a question.  This encourages participation from everyone and many people are actually more comfortable responding this way.  An interactive e Learning program can also engage the learner to participate when asked questions inside the course.
  
  
• Can Easily Reinforce.  Reinforcement is an extremely important element for any effective learning design.  When participants create an Action Plan or are provided an assignment for completion at the end of the class, a live online reinforcment course can be held in 30-60 days.  This allows learners to report their progress, encourages accountabilty and protects your company's investment in learning.

Summary
There are many reasons why providing online management training makes sense in today's world.  The biggest benefit of all is that it can be designed to be even more effective than traditional face-to-face courseware when used as a process, with opportunities to apply the concepts between sessions.  As a result, management skills greatly improve with reduced time away from work and in a more cost effective manner.

You can see a list of live online classes and e Learning courses designed specifically for managers at the link below:

What benefits have you found from online learning for managers?  Please share your thoughts below:

Dealing with Stress

  

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Sometimes its helpful to take a break from a busy day with an inspirational quote or two.  One of the biggest challenges it seems most of us are facing these days is the mounting levels of stress we must learn to manage each day.  The following quotes add some pause for reflection when dealing with the stress that's so prevalent in today's world:

• "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."  -  Marcus Aurelius
  
  
• "In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive."  - Lee Iacocca
  
  
• "If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension.  And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to tell you."  - George Burns
  
  
• "It makes no sense to worry about things you have no control over because there's nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do not control?  The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized."  -  Wayne Dyer
  
  
• "For fast-acting relief, try slowing down." - Lily Tomlin
  
  
• "Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one."  - Hans Selye
  
  
• "Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life."  - Marilu Henner

Summary
The less worry and stress you experience in your life, the happier and more productive you will feel.  Take the steps now to reduce stress.  The results will be well worth it.

How to Reduce Stress
Research shows that people who develop and use relationship coping resources manage their stress far more effectively than people who rely only on personal coping resources.  Our live virtual Stress Management Class provides you with a self-assessment profile to measure the level of stress in your life and the level of your relationship coping skills.  Then tips and techniques are provided to enhance the coping skills of communication, problem solving, connection and flexibility.  It's easy to participate in this live virtual class.  All you need is access to the internet and a telephone line.

What are some of your favorite quotes about stress management?  Please share them with us below.

The DISC Test: How It Can Improve Your Interpersonal Skills

  

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Understanding more about your own behavioral style tendencies and those of other people can greatly enhance your interpersonal skills.  One effective way to learn more about yourself is by measuring your behavioral style strengths with a DISC profile.  It is called "the DISC" because of the first letter of each of the 4 styles as follows:

• Dominance (D):  This behavioral style is recognized as being direct, decisive and strong-willed.  Their key focus is to get results.
  
  
• Influence (I):  This style is recognized as being optimistic and outgoing.  They like sharing ideas, using humor and participating in teams.
  
  
• Steadiness (S):  This style is known for being cooperative and patient.  They are excellent listeners, very dependable and thrive on being able to help or support others.
  
  
• Conscientious (C):  This behavioral style is focused on accuracy and quality.  They like employing systematic approaches and will pay close attention to details.

About the DiSC® Classic Profile
With over 30 years of proven reliability and over 40 million users, DiSC® Classic remains the most trusted learning instrument in the industry.  It is used worldwide to help improve communication, ease frustration and conflict, and develop effective managers and teams.

How It Can Be Used
The DISC profile can be used in a variety of settings.  When you learn how to adapt your style to other people, it can greatly enhance your interpersonal skills in a variety of situations, as follows:

• Helping team members understand and communicate with each other more effectively.
  
  
• Helping managers adapt their management approach for improved interactions with their staff. 
  
  
• Helping salespeople create and maintain relationship-based sales opportunities. 
  
  
• Helping customer service professionals manage difficult situations

How to Learn to Improve your Skills with DiSC
It is important to not just understand your own style, but be able to recognize the styles of other people in order to best adapt your approach.  When this is done effectively, communication is enhanced and relationships improve.

Our "Interpersonal Skills" class is a live virtual program that helps develop the skills you need to adapt your behavioral style in any situation.  It includes a DiSC® Classic profile and consists of 2 live online virtual class sessions.  It's easy to participate.  All you need is access to the internet and a telephone line.  You can learn more about the program and view the class schedule below:

In what other situations do you think the DISC Profile could be used?  Please share your thoughts with us below:

3 Skills Managers Need Now

  

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Let's face it:  The business climate looks very different today than it did even a few years ago.  Organizations are looking for every way possible to give them a competitive edge in today's tough economy.  The significant role a manager plays to engage their staff and increase team performance has never been more critical.  Research has consistently shown that the relationship each employee has with their immediate manager or supervisor is the most important ingredient for helping them feel loyal to the organization and determined to give their best every day.

There are 3 critical skills that every manager or supervisor needs to engage and develop their staff.  They are:

1. Understand Individual Differences and Motivations.
   Each individual has unique desires and approaches to work.  It's important that managers learn how to recognize behavioral styles and learn to adapt their approach to be most effective with each individual they lead.
   
   
2. Hire the Right Person to Begin With.
   Everyone pays a heavy price when a bad hire is made.  To make the best hiring decision possible, managers and everyone involved in the interviewing process need to use Behavioral Interviewing techniques consistently.
   
   
3. Coach and Develop Staff on a Regular and Ongoing Basis.
   It's never easy to talk with an employee when a performance problem exists.  But that's the time when good coaching is needed the most.  Managers need to understand the fundamental 7 steps involved in conducting an effective performance discussion.  When this type of effective coaching exists, not only does the employee's performance improve but their motivation and desire to succeed become even stronger.

Summary
The skill level of managers has never been more important than it is today.  Make sure these 3 critical steps become habits every manager in your organization uses on a regular and ongoing basis.

How to Learn More
Our free whitepaper entitled "Step Up to the Challenge: 3 Essential Management Skills to Increase Team Performance" provides additional information and resources for each of the steps listed above.

What additional skills have you found that managers need in today's work environment?  Please share your thoughts with us below:

5 Deadly Sins of Bad Meetings

  

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Do you feel frustrated because your meetings are a waste of time?  Does it ever feel that nothing gets accomplished and you are spinning your wheels?  There are 5 symptoms of bad meetings that can really impact your team.  They are:

• No clear purpose or objective.  You can recognize this symptom when the purpose of the meeting hasn't been stated upfront and your team just starts the meeting without identifying what your objective is.  Without a goal in mind for what you want your meeting to accomplish, you are much less likely to accomplish what you need.
  
  
• Lack of an agenda.  When an agenda doesn't exist, or isn't followed, there's no way to know where your meeting is going or what it is going to address.
  
  
• Lack of control leading to chaos.  This occurs when the meeting leader is not able to keep the meeting on track.  As a result, meeting participants can ramble on and lose focus.  This can waste too much time.
  
  
• No decisions are reached.  If you don't push for closure, people can debate something for way too long.  Remember that not making a decision IS a decision.
  
  
• No actions items and accountability identified.  One of the biggest mistakes many teams make is not reviewing the actions that need to be taken next.  It is important to clarify who is to do what and by when.  This should be done at the end of every meeting.

Summary
Make sure your meetings don't include any of these deadly sins.  If they do, your meetings will waste alot of time, not accomplish very much and the participants will dread them.  If you are a meeting leader, everything you learn to help you run a meeting is a step in the right direction.

How to Improve Your Meetings
Our live online Meeting Management class will provide your team with the knowledge and skills they need to improve your meetings.  As a live online class, it's easy to participate.  All you need is access to the internet and a telephone line.

What other deadly sins have you seen in meetings?  Please share your thoughts below:

Behavioral Interviewing Online Class

  

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When you need to hire new employees, it is critical to select the right candidate.  The skill of the interviewer dramatically impacts your organization's ability to attract the most qualified candidate for a job position.  By selecting the right candidate, you can increase the likelihood of higher job satisfaction and reduce turnover rates.

Behavioral interviewing is one of the best ways to learn about someone's past behavior.  To be sure that an individual has the capabilities needed to perform a job, you need some degree of proof that they have demonstrated these capabilities in the past.

A behavioral interview is a series of open-ended questions that help you obtain a good picture of a person's capabilities by directing them to focus on past situations where a specific competency would have been tested.  A behavioral question requires the candidate to paint a vivid, detailed picture of his or her performance in that situation.  Each question presses the candidate to recall, in detail, what he or she did in specific situations.

A behavioral interview allows you to gather evidence for critical skills and behaviors.  It assists in ensuring that the candidate possesses these skills and will demonstrate them in situations that require them in the future.

Probes are additional open-ended questions that can provide more information about:

• The Situation
• The Behavior (that the Candidate Performed)
• The Outcome

Key Take Away
Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior.  To select the right candidate for a position, make sure to ask behavioral interviewing questions that allow the candidate to describe how they have demonstrated the needed skills in the past.

How to Learn Behavioral Interviewing Skills
Our Live Online Behavioral Interviewing Course is a comprehensive training program to become a more effective interviewer.  It requires no travel or lengthy time away from the job.  Blending live online instruction sessions with an eLearning course, this program combines maximum learning and instructional flexibility with minimum schedule impact.

One element of this online class is an eLearning course about Behavioral Interviewing.  Our blog subscribers receive discount pricing which can be found when you preview the course below:

What benefits have you found by conducting behavioral interviews?  Please share your experiences with us below: