When a manager is not assertive, then in real terms, he’s either aggressive or passive. Aggressive managers use their positions of power and authority to belittle, intimidate, and control those who report to them. As a result, their team members begin to resent them. Then their productivity begins to fall, and if the dictatorial behavior of the manager continues, it will not be long before the organization begins experiencing a high employee turnover. In other words, aggressive managers create an […]
Category Archives: Personal development
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It’s time to start being assertive
Please look over the following questions: Are you able to refuse unreasonable requests from friends or colleagues? If your meal in a restaurant is unsatisfactory, do you tell the waitress or just make the best of it? Are you likely to express your opinion if it differs from that of the people you are talking with? Are you quick to apologize even when you’re not at fault? If someone is disturbing you during a quiet time, do you ask them […]
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The leadership approach supervisors should avoid
“One size fits all” – using the same leadership style in every situation and for everyone in a team. This should be avoided because at any point in a team, individuals are at different developmental levels. Hence a supervisor should vary his or her style of leadership based on each individual’s developmental level. This approach, developed by Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard, is known as situational leadership. It rests on two fundamental concepts; an individual’s developmental level and the supervisor’s […]
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Developing yourself to success
Personal development. If you could put what drives career success into one phrase, that would be the phrase. Personal development is the conscious pursuit of self-growth by expanding self-awareness and knowledge and improving personal skills. Basically, what it takes is for you to be aware of your personal drawbacks and strive to make yourself better – in every area, be it in personal or professional life. The key component of personal development is self-awareness. If you do not know yourself, you […]
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5 tips for getting the most out of online training
One of the reasons people choose online learning style is that it’s very convenient. This advantage, however, means you have to take some extra steps to successfully learn online. You need to dedicate a significant amount of your time, consistently take the sessions, be concentrated while studying, and fully commit to your learning process, just as you would do for a regular course. It’s important to realize that online learning is not an easier way to learn, but rather a […]
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Career advancement: The inadequacy of hard skills
To get and keep a job, you typically need hard skills. For example, Dentists need to know how to fill cavities, Computer Programmers need to be able to write functional codes, and Accountants need to be certified. However, beyond the hard skills, which dentist do you go to? The one who is pleasant and takes time to answer your questions; or the one who treats you like a number in a long line of numbered mouths? Which programmer do you retain when the […]
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To become highly effective, focus on these activities
All activities can be classified by its urgency (Urgent or Not Urgent) and by its importance (Important or Not Important). Important activities have an outcome that leads to the achievement of your goals, whether these are professional or personal. Urgent activities demand immediate attention, and are often associated with the achievement of someone else’s goals. Different combinations create a matrix illustrated above with four quadrants: Quadrant 1: Activities that are important and urgent. For example: Crises Pressing problems Deadline-driven projects […]