Work Readiness Program Willingness To Learn

Objectives List three reasons why employers value an employee whose attitude expresses a willingness to learn. List three reasons why employers value an employee whose attitude expresses a willingness to learn. Describe the importance of communication skills to job success. Describe the importance of communication skills to job success. Describe the five competency areas of emotional intelligence. Describe the five competency areas of emotional intelligence.

Willingness to Learn Is the “glue” that holds together all the other work readiness traits. Is the “glue” that holds together all the other work readiness traits. Attitude Attitude Adaptability Adaptability Problem Solving Problem Solving

Why Learning is Important in the Work Place Companies have to be in a constant state of growth to survive. Companies have to be in a constant state of growth to survive. It is our nature to want to learn It is our nature to want to learn We are most valuable to our employer if he/she perceives us to be eager to learn We are most valuable to our employer if he/she perceives us to be eager to learn

Learning: What It’s All About

Communication is for… Social – Communication is vital to social interaction. Social – Communication is vital to social interaction. Informational – Communication is how we impart information to others. Informational – Communication is how we impart information to others. Expressive – We express our thoughts and feelings using communication. Expressive – We express our thoughts and feelings using communication. Persuasive – We persuade others by communicating with them. Persuasive – We persuade others by communicating with them.

Listening Fosters respect Fosters respect Promotes cooperation Promotes cooperation Reduces stress Reduces stress Stimulates team solidarity Stimulates team solidarity Brings out real issues Brings out real issues

Listening Improves accuracy Improves accuracy Promotes better understanding Promotes better understanding Facilitates self-discovery Facilitates self-discovery Leads to better decision-making Leads to better decision-making

Tips to Become a Better Listener Become aware of your own listening habits Become aware of your own listening habits Share responsibility for 2-way communication Share responsibility for 2-way communication Be physically attentive Be physically attentive Concentrate on what the speaker is saying Concentrate on what the speaker is saying Listen for the total meaning, including feelings Listen for the total meaning, including feelings

More Listening Tips Observe nonverbal signs Observe nonverbal signs Adopt an acceptable attitude toward the speaker Adopt an acceptable attitude toward the speaker Express empathetic understanding Express empathetic understanding Listen to yourself Listen to yourself Take appropriate actions Take appropriate actions

Listening “Don’ts” Don’t mistake not talking for listening Don’t mistake not talking for listening Don’t interrupt needlessly Don’t interrupt needlessly Don’t pass judgment too quickly Don’t pass judgment too quickly Don’t argue simply to prove you are right or for ego sake Don’t argue simply to prove you are right or for ego sake

More Listening Don’ts Don’t ever tell a speaker “I know exactly how you feel” Don’t ever tell a speaker “I know exactly how you feel” Don’t overreact to emotional words Don’t overreact to emotional words Don’t give advice unless it is requested Don’t give advice unless it is requested Don’t use listening as a way of hiding yourself Don’t use listening as a way of hiding yourself

Nonverbal Communication Eye contact Eye contact Facial expressions Facial expressions Gestures Gestures Posture and body orientation Posture and body orientation Proximity Proximity Para-linguistics Para-linguistics Humor Humor

Proximity/Personal Space Intimate distance – 18” for friends & family Intimate distance – 18” for friends & family Personal distance – 1.5’ to 4’ normal conversation without touching Personal distance – 1.5’ to 4’ normal conversation without touching Social distance – 4’ to 12’ informal and business transactions Social distance – 4’ to 12’ informal and business transactions Public distance – 12’+ casual greetings and acknowledgement Public distance – 12’+ casual greetings and acknowledgement

Paralinguistics Tone Tone Pitch Pitch Rhythm Rhythm Loudness Loudness Inflection Inflection

Communicating in the Workplace

Communication Roadblocks Interruptions Interruptions Trigger words Trigger words Jargon Jargon Indifferent responses Indifferent responses Note taking Note taking Limited attention span Limited attention span T

Emotional Intelligence Learned behavior Learned behavior Necessary for people to work together toward an organization’s goals Necessary for people to work together toward an organization’s goals Primarily maturity and character. Mature people can recognize and control their emotions. Primarily maturity and character. Mature people can recognize and control their emotions. Key to leadership and higher-skilled employment positions. Key to leadership and higher-skilled employment positions.

EI Elements Self-Awareness Self-Awareness Self-Regulation/Self- Management Self-Regulation/Self- Management Social Awareness (Empathy) Social Awareness (Empathy) Social Skills Social Skills

Self-Awareness Recognition of our emotional state is the foundation of all emotional intelligence skills. Recognition of our emotional state is the foundation of all emotional intelligence skills. “Tune in” to your emotions; they can provide valuable insights about your responses to stressful situations. “Tune in” to your emotions; they can provide valuable insights about your responses to stressful situations. Recognize the importance of your emotions even in technical fields. Recognize the importance of your emotions even in technical fields.

Self-Regulation Accept responsibility for choosing your own emotional responses. Accept responsibility for choosing your own emotional responses. Learn to “reframe” stressful situations into ones that are challenging. Learn to “reframe” stressful situations into ones that are challenging. Be aware of and learn to manage your own emotional “triggers.” Be aware of and learn to manage your own emotional “triggers.”

Social Awareness Empathy means recognizing and responding appropriately to the emotions of others. Empathy means recognizing and responding appropriately to the emotions of others. By expressing empathy, you also create empathy in others. By expressing empathy, you also create empathy in others. Realize that emotions impact such measurable goals as productivity and safety. Realize that emotions impact such measurable goals as productivity and safety.

Social Skills Use all of you emotional competencies to influence and persuade others. Use all of you emotional competencies to influence and persuade others. Strive to build consensus and support for team goals. Strive to build consensus and support for team goals. Motivate and inspire yourself and others to achieve goals. Motivate and inspire yourself and others to achieve goals.