There are four major skill sets that can create a valuable foundation for any career path. To date, they are typically treated as “add-ons” to a major development training, such as leadership or sales, or minor development that result in a “nice to have” four hour information seminar.
By creating a paradigm shift in our focus and understanding that if we developed these areas in each individual, we would create an outstanding baseline in all sectors of the business. These applied skills can be applied in any position, providing a quantum leap in effectiveness of our employees, and add clarity to advancement decision making.
These four Foundation Development processes are:
- Time Management
- Stress Management
- Effective Communication
- Goal Getting
Time Management
The fact is that there are 7 days in a week, 24 hours in a day and 60 minutes in an hour. This will not change no matter how much we think we could use an extra hour or two “to get things done.” It becomes vital that we manage that time efficiently so that we can accomplish what needs to be done, instead of focusing on the latest crisis. Another measure of Time Management is handling information flow, that flow that seems never to stop or slow down.
An individual who practices effective Time Management has the availability to take care of any issues before they erupt. Crisis Management becomes less of an issue in a strong Time Management environment.
Stress Management
Most people are exposed to stressful situations on any given day. That can’t be changed. What can be changed is how each individual chooses to deal with that stress. Unfortunately, an individual stressed often will “spread the wealth” creating a toxic environment and complications in their wake.
By developing people’s ability to handle their stress in any given situation, tasks and situations can be handled with a clearer head, a more positive work environment can be obtained and career and personal life can be focused on more successfully.
Effective Communication
Do we know how to talk to one another? The answer is resoundingly no. The time needed to backtrack and clarify misunderstandings, perceived insults or just information not given is monumental in today’s world. We give instructions or messages whether in person or by email that are often so abrupt, that recipients are not clear on how to move forward, either freezing them in place, forcing them to spend exhaustive time in searching for clarity or just forging ahead with what they think they understand and this leads to difficulties in accomplishing the goal or failure to accomplish the goal.
Effective Communication does not necessarily mean more communication. An effective communicator ensures that the recipients are clear on what is being transmitted to them. By providing clear understanding of thoughts and recognized path forward, each member of the team can act with confidence in the correct direction to achieving the organization’s goals.
Goal Getting
This is not goal setting. We all set goals. We do it every New Years for example. An individual that achieves those goals on a consistent basis is a goal getter. Goal Getters don’t offer excuses; they look at exactly what needs to be done and how to overcome possible obstacles to achieving those goals, whether for their personal life, careers, or the organization’s goals.
These four developmental processes typically inter-relate. If you feel you don’t have enough hours in the day to accomplish your tasks, chances are the stress quotient rises. There’s a good chance you aren’t accomplishing the goals you set out to do, adding more stress and chances are pretty good that your communication skills have headed south. By developing healthy consistent work habits resolving these four challenges, you create that rock solid establishment for any career direction you may go.
As mentioned, these four developmental processes are found in any reputable developmental programs today. If you look at management or sales processes, you’ll see modules that deal with some if not all of these four topics.
But why wait?
Any individual in any walk of life could use these Foundational Developments. Whether you’re a stay at home dad, just starting out, or already well into your career, developing Time and Stress Management, Effective Communication, and Goal Getting skills provides a superb range of skills that will support any position, anywhere, any time.
Don’t wait for your organization to offer some training that might have these modules. You now know where you need to focus your time and effort. Building a strong foundation is a great goal to achieve.
If you are responsible for your organization’s training and development, think of having an entire organization loaded with people strongly grounded in the four mentioned areas. Any builder knows that once you create an incredibly robust foundation, the only question is, “How high do we want to go?” A great position for any company to be in.
Whether it’s a personal question or one for your organization, just how high DO you want to go?
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