Introduction

Soft skills are defined as the personal attributes that enable us to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.

Ok… I know what you’re possibly thinking, but dwell on this for a moment…

73% of all terminations are due to the associate’s lack of soft skills. Yep, we hire individuals based on their technical skills and experience, and we then fire them because they don’t know how interact with others! We can address this dichotomy by perpetually developing our soft skills.

The following program is intended to do just that, provide you with the framework to develop your soft skills. However, just like any other course the lessons learned in this program need to be applied in real-world applications and consistently practiced. Therefore, this program has been divided into the following manner:

Part 1 – is a series of self-study e-Lessons & practical real-world exercises for all participants

Part 2 – is a series of self-study e-Lessons & practical real-world exercises for managers only

Part 3 – is a branch workshop for all participants that will leverage all the lessons learned in parts one and two.

NOTE:

Prior to completing any of the following e-Lessons, please print and refer to the course transcript (bottom of page) to supplement your notes.

Part 1 – Online e-Lessons

1.    Communication Basics 10.1

Please complete the e-Lesson Communication Basics 10.1 where you will learn how to:

• Create a professional presence

• Read and apply appropriate body language

• Utilize appropriate verbal skills

Upon completion of this module please discuss with your supervisors the lessons learned and what you will adopt to enhance your professional presence.

2.    Communication Basics 11.1

Please complete the e-Lesson Communication Basics 11.1 where you will learn how to:

• Develop effective writing skills

• Apply proper email etiquette

Upon completion of this module, utilize the lessons learned in this course to draft a professional mail message to your supervisor that outlines a progress report as it relates to your current workload.

3.    Communication Basics 12.1

Please complete the e-Lesson Communication Basics 12.1 where you will learn how to develop a professional PowerPoint presentation that will keep your audience engaged.

Upon completion of this module, draft and submit via email a PowerPoint presentation to your supervisor – the topic of which is to be assigned by your manager.

4.    Communication Basics 13.1 – Interpersonal Skills

Please complete the e-Lesson Communication Basics 13.1 – Interpersonal Skills where you will learn how to:

• Create and deliver a message that isn’t misinterpreted

• Solicit feedback

• Apply active listening skills

Upon completion of this module have a discussion with your supervisor utilizing the lessons learned in this module to discuss your current proficiencies and professional goals.

5.    Critical Thinking 10.1

Please complete the e-Lesson Critical Thinking 10.1 where you will learn how to implement the T.E.S.T. Critical Thinking Model to address and solve any issue or problem.

Upon completion of this module, apply the T.E.S.T. Critical Thinking Model to resolve a current issue on the job and discuss the solution with your supervisor.

6.    Critical Conversations & DISC 10.1

Please complete the e-Lesson Critical Conversations and DISC 10.1 where you will learn how to:

• Identify and understanding your most dominate personality type

• Communicate more effectively with other personality types

• Influence high stake conversations with a better understanding your personality type and those who you're communicating with

Upon completion of this module, Training & Development will send you logon information to complete the actual DISC Personality Assessment. The results of the assessment will be discussed with you during the branch workshop (refer to page 5, part 3.) In the interim, ask yourself:

1. What is your perceived (most dominate) personality type?

2. What is your most challenging internal and external customers’ personality type?

3. With a better understanding of your personality type and that of you internal and external customer, how could you improve future interactions with them?  

7.    Exercise – Develop a Professional Presentation

Leveraging all the lessons you’ve learned throughout this program, create/draft a professional presentation the topic (or product) of which will be assigned by your supervisor. You will deliver this presentation in a workshop at a future date.

Please note, you have the option to use props and or a PowerPoint presentation however, they’re not mandatory unless specified by your supervisor.

Part 2 – For Managers Only

In addition to items 1-6 above, managers will also complete the following two lessons.

8.    Manager Responsibilities & Leadership Styles

Please complete the e-Lesson Situational Leadership Styles 10.1 where you will learn when and how to apply various types of leadership styles.

Upon conclusion of this module, you will:

1. Identify the maturity level as it relates to each of your direct reports

2. Define your direct reports immediate professional goals

3. Define the situational leadership style you’ll need to apply to each one of your direct reports

Items 1-3 above will be discussed in a workshop at a future date.

9.    Time Management

Please complete the e-Lesson Time Management 10.1 where you will learn how to control the timing and content of everything you do.

Upon completion of this module describe and document how you’ll reduce or eliminate subordinate-imposed time and increase your discretionary time.

Your comments and suggestions will be discussed in a branch workshop - the time and date has yet to be determined.

Part 3 – Branch Workshop

You’ll be notified by your manager when and where to attend the branch workshop.