I often use quotes in my workbooks, training and presentations, to add to the content as well as to reinforce that others have had some of the same thoughts we’re discussing–and often those thoughts were expressed thousands of years ago. There is nothing new under the sun. That quote is from Ecclesiastes 1:9 in the Old Testament of the Bible.
I wanted the rotating quote you see on this site, because it allows me to use the adages, maxims, aphorisms and wise sayings I’ve collected over the years. One of these days I’m going to publish them as a collection of favorites. What I want to avoid is using only one-liners that while quotable, do not always reflect the richness of thought that a longer text can express. There are plenty of witticisms and formulaic motivational quotes floating around in books, magazines, email and the internet–and I enjoy many of them. But, sometimes I need more encouragement, amusement or wisdom than I can get in one or two sentences. For example, the books authored by King Solomon have given us many one-liners, such as, “…there is nothing new under the sun.” But his thoughts around that, while not likely to be quoted, reflect the frustration and even despair that many of us have felt at some point in our personal and professional lives. This is from the New International Version of the Bible:
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, ”Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
There is always a temptation to pare lengthy writing down to one or two memorable phrases. However, you have likely resented someone taking something you’ve said and using one sentence of it to represent all that you meant. When you read a quote that sparks your interest, do some research to find out the context of the quote: The number rule for quoting is to know the context. (The second number one rule is to attribute your quote correctly.) Try to get the book or article and read the material before and after the one or two sentences you liked. If you found one line to be informational, inspirational or insightful, you may find even more to enjoy in an entire paragraph, page or chapter.
Do you have a favorite quote? Is there a paragraph, phrase or chapter that you read repeatedly? Share it with others, including me and those who are reading this online journal. You know how to contact me!
January 28th, 2008
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TLR |
Life and Work, Personal and Professional Development |
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My son-in-law, Casey McCorison is a great photographer, as you can tell by seeing the photos on this site. I wish you could see his photos enlarged, framed and displayed as he and Shannon have done for their home. You can see them decorating your own home by purchasing them on his website! You may also want to find a photo that reminds you of someone and have it made into a clever gift. Both the photos and gifts are offered through Shutterfly, with whom Casey has partnered.
I’ve given many gifts that were perfect for the friend receiving them by finding an image that fits the friend’s traits, hobbies, pets, or a concept about our friendship, and using Casey’s website to order a mug, magnet, mousepad, calendar, notes, desk accessories–and sometimes even a plain photo!
I often suggest that the supervisors, managers and others in my classes take a camera to work and grab a few photos: Before or after staff meetings, in the coffee room, at lunch, at special events, and any other time a camera and flash won’t be disturbing or inappropriate. If someone says he or she doesn’t want to be photographed, honor that request. Maybe you can set up another time when they’re better prepared. Or, consider telling everyone that you’re going to take photos the next day and promise you won’t take a photo if someone really doesn’t want to participate. That way people can come to work better prepared about what they’re wearing and how they look.
Many people feel they must protest about having their picture taken, so you may need to ask twice. After that, you should only ask again if it appears they’re hanging around hoping you will. Photographing someone who has asked you not to do it is not only rude, it could result in a complaint about your behavior. However, you’ll probably find most people will grimace at you but smile at the camera. The key is to take it when they’re ready, no matter how you feel about posed photos. You can’t blame people for hating candid shots where they are immortalized while talking, eating or sitting in a way that makes them cringe everytime they see it! When you send people a file of their photo by email, thank them for being a good sport. That may make it easier next time!
Taking and distributing photos is a good way to develop a reputation for being helpful and fun–and it will lighten up the work environment as well. You can also use the photos for gifts, as part of training or in PowerPoint presentations (done in a professional way, not to make fun of people or to use the photos inappropriately), and in memory books for those who transfer or retire.
You may never have the skill with a camera Casey has, or his eye for color and composition, or the patience he has to sit and wait for the perfect photo. But you can have the willingness to share yourself and your time that he does. Take a camera to work tomorrow! And, send me a photo or two, to let me see your workplace and your work group. You know how to contact me!
January 27th, 2008
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Life and Work, Personal and Professional Development, Technology, Blogs, A/V etc. |
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Yesterday I taught a class for government and business managers and supervisors on Interviewing For Success. We focused on how to maximize the limited time available for interviewing job applicants, candidates for promotion, or employees who are seeking new opportunities within an organization. The class is structured around key elements for developing a legal and effective process that also makes the work of the interviewers easier. One of the points I emphasize is that the concepts can be applied to both interviewing and being interviewed.
If you are interviewed for a job or a promotion or if you want to change assignments, you may have thirty minutes to an hour–maybe less–to convince the interviewers that you will do and be what the organization needs: The complete picture of good work for that job, in both performance and demeanor (competencies and traits.) You can’t do that if you answer a question with the bare basics, then sit and wait for the next question; you can only do it by aiming each response toward your target of convincing the interviewers you possess the competencies and traits required and desired for the job. Answering two unspoken questions will help you hit that target over and over.
- Can you prove it? (”You say you have this skill, you say you would handle a hypothetical situation this way, you say you are this kind of person, you say this, this and this. What have you done in the past to help us believe what you say?”)
- So what? (”You say you have done this and that, you say you have these credentials, you say this is your philosophy, you say you have these abilities. How will that help us?)
If you want a reminder of how vital the answers to those two unspoken questions are, listen to political speeches. From the opening words to the farewell they are full of “Here’s what I’ve done and here’s what I’ll do for you if you elect me.” When a candidate for office is asked a question, the answer almost always includes, “When I was a governor/senator/etc. I did this…….” And, you can bet the answer will also include, “If elected I will…………….” If you want to be a successful job applicant or candidate for promotion, you should do the same thing–though in a less bombastic way!
Remember the title of this post: Interviewing And Being Interviewed: It’s All About Competencies And Traits. When you interview someone, or if you are being interviewed, keep the focus on the knowledge, skills, attitudes, work product and behaviors that are needed and wanted, and what the candidate–or you–is saying or doing that can be linked to those. That’s the key to a successful interview from either side of the table!
January 25th, 2008
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TLR |
Personal and Professional Development |
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I Like To Read!
I have hundreds of very useful books on supervision, management, leadership, career development, training and similar material in my home office, and many in boxes in my storage area so I can find them if I need them. I’ve skimmed through all of them and some of them I have read dozens of times.
I also have a good number of books and compilations that could be considered great literature–novels, history, philosophy, poems and plays. In addition, I have many cookbooks as well as books of sermons, biblical commentary, devotionals and several Bibles.
I also read page after page of internet material, PDF and e-books, a few magazines, and general research material. I read a lot!
My favorite fun reading: However, in case you’re picturing me with a cup of hot tea, perusing a weighty tome or otherwise being intellectual, let me shatter that image by boldly stating that the books I read most often have titles like, “Destiny and Desire”, “One Night Of Passion” and, “The Thief of Love.”
When I was little I read fairy tales, and essentially I still do! I really enjoy reading a well-written romance novel set before the twentieth century. I am not as fond of Jane Austen as some are, but my favorite author is Georgette Heyer who wrote in the Austen style. In those books the hero and heroine don’t kiss until the last page.
In the mid-1970s Rosemary Rogers started writing romance novels with much sexier scenes than in the past and I said then that romances would one day be thinly veiled erotica. Actually it has become explicitly graphic erotica. I skim through those and if they’re too graphic I won’t read them. I’ve done everything that is described in them, but I don’t want to read about someone else doing it!
I have to work to read for studying, but I make the effort. Here is the reading problem I work to avoid–which is why I chose this topic for a post: If I don’t specifically set up a time to study I use my reading time in reading for enjoyment or personal reflection, rather than to learn.
So, I make a strong effort to schedule time every week–not every day!–to read a book, article or research item, as though it is part of a class and I will be tested. I read a section, re-read it, make notes if I need to, decide if I agree with it, think about how I could apply it in my life or work or in training, and just generally study it.
Hopefully that will not only keep my brain exercised, it will ensure that I don’t fall into the trap that many trainers seem to be caught in: Teaching the same thing repeatedly and depending upon intuitive thinking to develop material, rather than solid study and research.
Keep reading! Reading is a great skill we should never take for granted. Sometime, think about what it would like if you couldn’t read–or like many people if you could only read enough to barely get by. How sad that would be! I hope you enjoy reading, and that your reading involves both fun and intellectually stimulating material.
If you need a romance novel, I’m just finishing one called, “Timeless Love” about a modern woman who travels back to pre-Civil War days and falls in love with a wealthy and incredibly handsome man who she helps in his abolitionist work, before they escape a mob by coming back to modern times where he apparently is able to start a new life without worrying about not having a social security number or anything like that. Hey! It could happen!
January 22nd, 2008
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TLR |
Life and Work, Personal and Professional Development |
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A Free 24 Page PDF: The Role of Greeters and Ushers in Church Security
This PDF has traveled all over the world and been sent to over 1,450 people–many of whom have made dozens of copies to distribute to other churches. I have heard back from hundreds of pastors, security team leaders and others, and have enjoyed every message. I wish there was not a need for such material. But, I’m glad to be able to provide at least one piece of a security package.
I have also been asked to do presentations in several settings, and have done that on occasion, when circumstances made it possible. My underlying message is that planning is almost as valuable as the plan. There are some very good things that come from looking at safety and security systematically. It is never wasted time and effort. And, when done correctly, it is an energizing project for the entire church family.
Thank you for the contacts and your follow-up messages!
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Church leaders, no matter what the size or location of the church, have a responsibility to develop plans and processes that help ensure the safety and security of members, visitors and church property. This is made more challenging by the fact that church buildings and congregations may be targeted for violence, threats or disruption. In addition, church buildings have the same risks as other buildings about safety and security problems related to natural disasters, fires, mechanical and electrical failures and safety hazards.
One of the key components of a church security program is observant and responsive greeters, ushers and deacons. These front-line roles are often the first people to see or hear problems, and often have access to all parts of the building before, during and after the service. But sadly, many greeters and ushers receive little or no training related to the role they can play in observing, getting help quickly and providing leadership in an emergency. Even if you have a security team, greeters and ushers are often the ones who first observe a problem situation and must react appropriately.
Church Security Concerns: The Role of Greeters and Ushers is a free, 24 page PDF document, which can be copied for use in church security training.
•It provides a well-balanced, realistic approach that can help the meeters and greeters of churches feel more confident and be more effective in situations of concern as well as in emergencies.
•This document has been useful for pastors, church security teams and greeter/usher teams, as well as being a great resource for distribution by law enforcement organizations.
Topics:
The role of greeters and ushers in the area of church security (with or without a formal security team).
Awareness and response
Potential security concerns and options for action
A security self-evaluation checklist
This security information is a great addition to your church manual and should be part of the orientation training for all greeters, ushers, deacons and church leadership. Contact me for your FREE PDF copy of, Church Security Concerns: The Role of Greeters and Ushers.
January 21st, 2008
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TLR |
*Free Church Security PDF, Safety and Security Planning |
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Police Assessment Centers and Promotional Testing — When should you start preparing? That is a question I am asked repeatedly. Let me share some thoughts about that, and you decide.
I’m getting things together for the class I present entitled: Professional Development Through Assessment Center Preparation. It’s for law enforcement officers who are preparing for Assessment Centers for promotion to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain.
An Assessment Center is a process employing multiple processes (called exercises) and multiple assessors (usually 3 to a panel) to produce judgments regarding the degree to which a participant displays selected competencies–Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSAs)–needed for a position.
The average Assessment Center has 3-5 exercises, which might include a
- Role-Play
- In-Basket Management exercise
- Structured Interview
- Written Exercise
- Oral Presentation
- Critical Incident exercise
- Staffing exercise or similar activities
The panel observes each candidate while he or she presents or participates in the exercises, or the panel reads the work of a candidate, and assigns ratings about how many behaviors are displayed in the competency areas being tested. Among the competency areas are often: Oral and Written Communication, Job Knowledge, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Awareness And Skills, Leadership Traits, Role-Readiness, and other key competency areas.
The concept is very logical and is designed to identify candidates who have a high potential for success in a rank, rather than relying solely on a one hour Oral Board or similar process.
(I think this is when I’m supposed to mention that I have a book on the subject of Assessment Center preparation, which has been used by candidates and those developing ACs, and found to be helpful in many ways. Don’t hesitate to buy it!
All of that brings me to the title of this post and the question I’m often asked: When should I start preparing for an Assessment Center? I usually say, “Now!” What I’m thinking is, “The day you started at the Academy is about right.” Preparing for an Assessment Center involves first preparing for the rank or position, and that is a career-long process, no matter what the rank or position.
The same thing is true of any promotional situation, in any profession. A promotional interview or assessment requires a foundation of effective experiences and those take time to accumulate. It’s true that verbal skills are helpful, but that’s not the only skill required for success.
Building a solid career is done through:
Effective work
Volunteering to participate in work that helps expand knowledge and skills
Being a good organizational citizen
Reading, researching, communicating and reflecting.
Thinking past the basics and expanding your views of yourself and the organization.
You can’t do all of that in the two weeks before a promotional process!
If you intend to apply for promotion you will need to draw from every experience you have had in your career. In the time you have before you are interviewed or assessed, make lists that reflect your experiences and what you gained from them that could be applied to the new position. Look for chances to expand your thinking and develop your knowledge, skills and effective attitudes.
It’s not too late to do better than you might have done otherwise. But remember, it’s never too soon to prepare yourself for increased responsbility–whether or not that involves a promotion.
Police Assessment Centers and Promotional Testing — When should you start preparing? Last year or the year before would have been good, but at least start today!
January 19th, 2008
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TLR |
Personal and Professional Development |
2 comments
I often use quotes in my workbooks, training and presentations, to add to the content as well as to reinforce that others have had some of the same thoughts we’re discussing–and often those thoughts were expressed thousands of years ago. There is nothing new under the sun. That quote is from Ecclesiastes 1:9 in the Old Testament of the Bible.
