Building Your Competitive Advantage
With Awesome Soft Skills Training





 

New Trends In Education

Jan

There is some great info in this article: 8 Important Education Trends in Generation Z

But… I really wish some demographer or guru would come up with a better name than Generation Z. “Digital Natives” works, but it overlaps part of the Millennial Generation (Gen Y).




 

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #42: The Coffee Bean

Jan

If people experience the exact same thing, why do they have different versions of reality?

I’ll show you.

Initially, a coffee bean is green. Once harvested and roasted, it turns brown.

Next, someone grinds up some beans, puts the coffee grounds in a filter, runs hot water over them, and voila!—countless variations of coffee—cappucino, frappacino, black, or whatever—a perfect cup of coffee for whomever is drinking it.

Can anyone re-create the original coffee bean?

Of course not! Communication and reality work the same way.

You process reality through filters like your beliefs, values, and moods. You distort, delete, and generalize information to create the perfect cup of reality for you. Think about that.

Exceptional communicators learn to understand the filters that people use.

Million-Dollar Question:
When it comes to communication, can you take a coffee bean and make the perfect cup of coffee for you AND for others?


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Think about a time when you and someone experience the same thing, but both of you felt differently about what happened? Describe the situation. What factors—such as personality, experience, culture, emotions, etc.—caused you to see things differently?

2. Have you ever said something to someone that he or she took the wrong way? What happened? What factors caused the misunderstanding? What, if anything, will you do differently in the future?

3. What are 3 questions you can ask someone to make sure that you understand exactly what he or she is saying? Do you actually use these questions when you are communicating with people? If yes, provide an example.  If not, how will you remember to use them in the future?




 

How Much Does College Cost?

Jan

Do you want to know how much college cost? Here’s a cool calculator I found that will tell you the cost of any college in the U.S.

College costs – Calculator – CNNMoney




 

[VIDEO] How To Start Your Talk Or Speech

Jan

This is a video from my former site for professional speakers, but there are great tips in here for anybody that has to give a speech, talk, or presentation of any type.




 

Al Duncan – Saint Leo University – MLK Day 2012 Keynote – Testimonials

Jan

Testimonials from university staff and students after Al Duncan’s MLK DAY 2012 keynote address at Saint Leo University. “Exceptional Service To Others: The Price Of Greatness”




 

National Mentoring Month 2012

Jan

Remember…January is National Mentoring Month so, step up and deliver exceptional service by being a mentor. This year’s national theme is “Invest in the future. Mentor a child.”

And…

Be sure to sure to say “thank you” to your mentor.

_________________

Presidential Proclamation — National Mentoring Month, 2012




 

The Leading Soft Skills Training Program for STEM Students. Check out S3TEM.com


The 5 Soft Skills Clusters


Click here for a list of soft skills definitions, and behavioral indicators.