Building Your Competitive Advantage
With Awesome Soft Skills Training


Inside The Mind Of Celeste Francine Jackson

Nov

“Tolerance leads to cooperation; cooperation leads to unity, and unity leads to progress.”

–Celeste F. Jackson

A couple of years ago I was having a great time conducting a seminar on personalities and thinking styles. During this interactive seminar I used a few of the students as examples. Out of those students, one young lady in particular stood out and the end of the seminar we started talking.

In order to find out if I was really on my game, she challenged me to identify her thinking style. (That’s what I love about Millenials—they are open to new ideas and very skeptical at the same time so you better be on point when dealing with them.)

She gave me a big smile to signal her approval as I identified the correct thinking quadrant for her and then she told me her name: Celeste Jackson.



 

Duncan Nugget® #23: Productivity

Oct

People always ask me a question:

“Al, where do you find the time?”

They want to know how I am able to have over 100 speaking engagements per year, write dozens of articles, maintain two blogs and two websites, run two businesses (currently starting a third), serve on two boards, chair a steering committee, volunteer for over hundred hours per year, mentor dozens of students one on one, and have time for my family. The answer is simple:

I don’t try to find time; I make time.

For example:

By spending 1 less hour per day surfing the web or watching TV, you will have an extra 28-31hrs. every month to work on achieving your goals. That’s 336-372 hours per year!


Suggested Reading:
A State of Mind Called Time



 

Duncan Nugget® #97: Conflict Resolution

Oct

When it comes to conflict and disagreement, what’s more important to you: Proving that you are right and justified or resolving the conflict?

 

“The relentless pursuit of self-justification
makes conflict resolution
extremely elusive.”

Al “The Inspiration” Duncan





 

Inside the Mind of Dr. Sherle Boone

Oct

“You can live a good life and still be committed to the well-being of other people.”

–Dr. Sherle Boone
It has been said that “You judge a man by the company he keeps.” It’s equally true that you judge a man by the impact he makes on the lives of others. The positive impact of Dr. Sherle Boone, activist scholar and founder of The W.E.B. DuBois Scholars Institute, will be felt for many generations to come.

Since 1988, Dr. Boone and the faculty at the institute have served 1200 African-American and Latino high school students from predominantly urban districts. The institute is held during the summer at Princeton University and over its twenty-year history, has a staggering 98% college graduation rate. In fact, for the past four years, 100% of the alumni have graduated from college. Compare that to a 51% national average for students completing college.



 

Duncan Nugget® #31: Productivity

Oct


“Plan tomorrow’s actions today.”
– Al Duncan

Before you go to sleep every night plan (in writing) the ACTIONS you will take tomorrow. This increases your focus and productivity because it keeps you from thinking about what you’re supposed to be doing and actually doing what you’re supposed to be doing.



 

Identity Theft Tip 3

Oct



What do you do with all of those unwanted credit card offers?
Shred, burn, or destroy all unwanted documents with your personal info on them. Especially credit card offers that you do not accept. Cancel ALL unused credit cards. To stop receiving all offers (including the good ones) call 1-888-5-Opt-Out.

Suggested Reading:
4 Keys for Smart Credit Card Use



 

Duncan Nugget® #17: Fulfillment

Oct

One of the keys to greatness is finding a way to do something you love to do, not just something that’s “safe” to do. Many people have experienced a high level of achievement but are stuck in professions they hate.

What kind of sense does that make?

None.

“High achievement without fulfillment
is a broken way of life.”
-Al “The Inspiration” Duncan


Suggested Reading:
A Poverty of Ambition



 

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The 5 Soft Skills Clusters


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