Personal Learning Networks

No man is an island.  And no man (or woman for that fact) knows all that there is to know about the world.  So how do intelligent people keep in touch with what is happening in the world in regards to evolving innovation, trends and happenings?

Teachers/educationalists have a framework called a Personal Learning Network (PLN).  Basically what happens is a learner (in this case - you) plug in to a bunch of media sources and then start engaging and learning from others.  What a PLN does is provide a structure for the learner to understand how each media source fits in to the overall learning pattern.

While the PLN idea is usually used by educators it is relevant for anyone and everyone who wants to learn and continue to expand their learning and their worldview in the modern world.

This presentation here explains how it works -

Creating an Online Personal Learning Network

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Advertising and the Causal Game

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Supporting Others in Their Quest

Helping others to achieve both the thinkable and the unthinkable in their careers or their lives is an important facet within the role of the manager.  Having other people move up through the organisational ranks and start fulfilling their potential is a very rewarding experience.

What happened recently was I spotted a learning/professional development  opportunity.  As soon as I saw what was entailed and the relevancy of the content I instantly thought of a fellow employee whom I thought would enjoy the conference as well.

So there were a few key opportunities that I saw and pounced on that enabled my colleague to get the most out of the time we had while attending.  Here are those times -

• In the car.  When you are travelling you have a captive audience.  It's not like they can go anywhere.  Before we left I thought of things to talk about such as career development and goals, as well as a number of commendations and recommendations.  In the car - there isn't much time to  think about anything else.
• During the breaks - those we know.  Others from our larger organisation were also in attendance yet the person I travelled with didn't register that he knew those people.  So what I did was have an offline conversation and actually set the two on a path towards each other that was mutually beneficial.  The outcome was that both sides have decided to co-operate more on specific projects and to continue the development long after the conference has finished.
• During the breaks - those we don't.  I am a people person.  I have no problem with talking to others.  So one thing I always attempt to do while at conferences is meet others whom I can commend and recommend to my work colleagues.  I look for SME's (subject matter experts) and set them up with people I know who need help in those areas.  So I effectively do is become like the Yellow Pages and provide links between people with a need and those who can provide a solution.

Every minute of the day gives us opportunities.  What we do with each minute is our choice.  We can choose to embrace the time we have or watch it sail by.  I prefer to invest my time.  Invest in myself and my development as well as the development for others.

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The Value of a Great Conference

Every so often employers give their employees the chance to attend conferences as professional development options.  Now, not all conferences are created equal.  Conferences are what you make of them.  Some are brilliant while others can be pretty poor.  It all comes down to you.

1. Keynote speakers.  These are the people that conference organisers invite along to fill the role of superstar.  Look for speakers that are proven and have a track record. 
2. Network, network, network.  Be bold and talk to people.  Approach them before they approach you.  Look for common ground and similar interests.  Ask their opinion on matters.  You never know who you might be sitting next to.
3. Plan ahead.  Think in advance about what you want to get out of the conference.  Write down some objectives and goals for learning.  Then structure your time so that you achieve those goals and can take home something useful.  Read the overviews and biographies of presenters, think of questions beforehand that you can ask.  Just plan.

Conferences can be fun and exciting.  Couple that with the chance to learn and implement new ideas - there you have the perfect professional development opportunity.

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Choose Flexibility

Being flexible in your skills and talents is a vital key towards being employable long term.  I have heard it said that a person should complete an undergraduate degree in one specific area and then in post-graduate study work on skills and understandings that will make you flexible.

So why flexibility?

1. Flexibility keeps you supple.  Being supple means that you can bend with the strains and stresses of life as well as at work.
2. Flexibility makes you strong.  As your skills develop so does your strength.  You become more able to withstand the rigours of life and business.
3. Flexibility gives you speed.  Speed is the ability to adapt and change as quick as you can when you are required to.

Flexibility will stand you in good stead as far as your career is concerned.  If you are supple, have speed and are strong then you will go well and go long.

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Success

Success does not come as a result of luck very often.  Rather success is the culmination of hard work, dedication. perseverance and good luck.  Good luck is the final 3% of the equation - not the other 97%.

There is nothing wrong with winning or being successful. In fact it is what each of us should aspire to reach.  And should we be fortunate enough to reach those peaks we should also practice being humble in victory.

“Striving for success without hard work is like trying to harvest where you haven't planted”  David Bly.

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Team Culture

Some times the behaviors and words that you use as the manager/boss can be mirrored and magnified by those who report to you.  Recognising these behaviors and managing them can lead to positive benefits if dealt with well or negatively if you allow the behaviors to continue.  It pays to be careful with your words and watch what you say both in public and in private.

Here are some areas I recommend you watch out for and reflect on within your team-

• What others say.  What are team members saying?  Are they being constructive or destructive?  If you don't like what they are saying is it possible they are copying you?
• What others do.  Reflect on your team members behaviors.  How do they cope with stress?
• How others react.  If a particular situation didn't work for a team member - what happened next?  Did they go off and sulk?  Did they kick the rubbish tin?  Or do they give people the silent treatment?

Each of these types of behavior and reaction if left unchecked can create animosity amongst people and can possibly lead to a destructive working environment.  So how do you try and fix these things?

1. Confront negative behaviors.  If someone is annoyed or angry as a once off, the best strategy may be to let it go.  If the person has an ongoing issue with their behavior then you, as a manager, need to confront that person and explain to them the effects that their behavior is having on the rest of the team.
2. Coach people to change.  Put on your 'Dr Phil' hat and coach the person towards positive behaviors and methods for reaction.  This is a less confrontational method for getting people to change.  Coaching them requires that you - name the behavior, assess what causes it and develop methods for dealing with it in a more positive and constructive way in the future.
3. Model the behaviors you expect to see in others.  You are the role model and the leader.  Behave like one.  If you lead others will follow.

"“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.”

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Book Review - The Time Trap

Any book that manages to make a fourth edition is well worth reading.  The book must have - readability, credibility and be practical.  'The Time Trap' by Alec Mackenzie fills all of those criteria.

Common sense and practical tips abound.  There are a myriad of time management strategies for both new and old players.  There are tips on project management, delegating and assignment assessment amongst others.

This is a no frills book that gets to the point and does not include language that is flowery or superfluous. (not like this sentence at all).  I particularly enjoyed the no-nonsense approach to time management that is explained.

There are no silver bullets or magic formulas in this book.  Rather the author lays out everyday tips and practices that can aid people in all manner of different industries.

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone I know.  Easy to read, packed full of sound advice and common sense.  This book would make for 'the perfect Christmas present'.  =)

Stay Human

As a manager your primary role is to manage people.  Yes - there are numbers, budgets and time lines that provide constraints and parameters.

Your job is to manage people!

Real people with real lives with real problems outside of work.  Ask them about their real lives.

Peoples working lives are only a small part of who they are as a human being.

It doesn't hurt to ask someone how their kids are doing, how their evening was or what events they might have coming up.

Expressing your human side to others could be the difference between your reports responding well or not responding at all.

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CEO Interview - Eric Ryan of method

Branding, compay culture, trend leading and other neat lessons from the guys who are out there doing the stuff and doing it well.

Here is the preview video clip from the interview.  To view the entire clip you will need to sign up to 'Meettheboss.tv".  Which is a good thing!



Enough said.

(via MeetTheBoss.TV)