Chris Stout asked:


College is mental gymnastics at its finest. University campuses are alive with ideas, some scientifically provable, others entirely arguable. When you exist in this sphere of swirling minds you can’t help but feel energized by the exchanges you encounter. People all around you have something to say. Positions and postures come in all sorts of varieties. Questions are answered by questions that prompt more questions.

In this intense minefield of knowledge and half-knowledge, you need to have your wits about you. You need to be confident in your critical thinking abilities, and you have to be passionately willing and able to improve them.

Here are five ways to exercise your brain and stay academically athletic.

1. Discuss ideas outside of the classroom with intelligent people who enjoy a good debate.

College is a place for spirited arguments. When else are you going to have the opportunity to drink and discuss philosophy, economics, metaphysics, religion, politics and history on a nightly basis? Molten minds are forming all around you, and as the cerebral rocks cool, everyone wants to share. Get in on the debate, put in your two cents, no, better yet say a nickel’s worth. College is an open forum for any an all topics. Take advantage of it while you can.

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2. Take classes that intrigue you.

Nothing spurs analysis like interest. If you want to trick your brain into thinking that it’s in hobby mode, not study mode, and then you better be passionate about your subject matter. There must be something that you find fascinating. Whatever it is, enable that curiosity. Tap into genuine interest, and school work will start to feel instantly rewarding. By following your personal preferences, you’ll be able to delve more deeply into the material you study.

3. Take notes like your life depended on it.

Seriously. When you try to create a written historical record of your lecture, in real-time, the results are amazing. You focus more one what’s going on in the moment. You associate the information you process with audio and visual imprints. You have a concise record of everything you were exposed to, and you can review this material quickly and completely. Don’t forget to take notes as you read, and write all over your books!

Do your homework like you’re supposed to and come to class prepared. Subject-specific critical thinking is all about recalling information. The more ways you imprint, the more you retain. Make sure you like your classes, because you’re going to be asked to digest mass quantities of whatever material you’ve signed up to absorb. Talk about what you’ve learned with friends and classmates, but don’t get in fights over the periodic table. Respect everyone else’s opinion, but express your own. Realize that no matter what, there’s always more to learn

Jonathan Senior asked:

Being a new manager In the UK at least, people tend to be promoted on the basis of technical knowledge rather than management skill.

Quite often you hear from ex soccer players who have gone from playing to managing say that it is a big change going from “one of the lads” to telling someone they aren’t in the team for the cup final.

So how can a new manager get started with a management career without alienating previous colleagues and friends?

1. Remember the relationship has changed forever and there is no going back. People will look to YOU to bail them out of problems.

2. Don’t go mad celebrating. Some colleagues may have failed miserably at the interview or even worse, may not have been given an interview.

3. Think about how you talk to these people and how they reply. Depending on the nature of your workplace, shouting over the office may no longer be acceptable. You might have a desk or even move offices completely. Never under estimate the power a desk or office move!

4.Think about how and where you socialise with people who still do your old job. Getting drunk every Saturday night is probably not all that clever if you want respect on Monday morning (but that depends on the jo you do…)

5. Try to sport when they are testing you. Like it or not, people you used to sit alongside will try to test you out. Will you let everyone go home early the day before the holidays start? Who will cover the office if you do?

6. Work out a plan to deal with being “tested”. Your new staff will “test” you – work out (even subconsciously) how far they can push you. You must work out how to cope with this or they will take control from day 1. You could pick several issues which you will not move on. These could include, office cover after 5pm or maximum number of tea breaks. Don’t tell anyone what these are though and they won’t work you out as quick.

7. Make sure your subject matter knowledge is up to date. “If you don’t know something, know where to look” You will get tested on this also.

8. Praise in public, criticise in private. This is basic and you will need to be on your guard not to be drawn into a public debate or discussion on a controversial subject or one you are not confident discussing.

9. Don’t take everything on yourself This is easier said that done (especially if the ). Pause a while- (if the vacancy HAS been there some time, another couple of days won’t make much difference. If you work out what needs to be done BEFORE jumping in, YOU are likely to remain sane and healthy rather than buckling under the pressure with a few weeks.

Being a new manager is exciting, daunting but very rewarding. To summarise,the key thing is managing the changing relationship between yourself and your former colleagues.

Matt Somers asked:

eld of endeavour we need knowledge, skills and an appropriate state of mind to perform well. Coaching is no different. In previous articles I have written about skills and state of mind. In this article I will consider the knowledge base that good coaches need, both in terms of subject matter expertise and knowledge of coaching itself.

Subject Matter Expertise

There is still some debate around whether coaches need a detailed knowledge of the matter in hand or underlying subject in order to be able to coach another person effectively.

Some argue that it is impossible to coach without subject matter expertise, as without it we can’t show another person what to do or give our advice or guidance. However it’s clear that telling people what to do is fraught with danger; do I understand how I get results myself? Can I find a way to express that to another person? Will they be able to remember what they’ve been told? We’ve also come to recognize that, these days, knowledge is out of date within a few months and it is highly risky to approach any situation with out of date knowledge. Far better then to coach in a way that allows other people to develop their own solutions and to do so in a way that encourages them to become self-reliant in the future.

That being said, as far as being a manager coaching in a work situation is concerned, in reality we probably will have some background in the situations being discussed, but we should resist the temptation to jump in with our own quick fix solutions.

Knowledge of coaching itself

This is a far more important area of knowledge for effective coaching and breaks down into four main areas:

1 What coaching is

We need to understand – and may often need to explain – that coaching is NOT about telling people what to do and how to do it. In fact, coaching is an interventions designed to raise awareness, generate responsibility and build trust.

2 How managers can incorporate coaching in their own style

We all have our own style of communication with some of us preferring a more directive approach and others a less directive one. Managers who coach need to develop an understanding and knowledge of incorporating the principles of coaching into their own natural style.

3 The principles of awareness, responsibility and trust

Before I can change and improve anything I must first become aware of how it is now. Ultimately it is I who must take responsibility for making improvements and changes. I must trust myself to try new things and I must trust my coach to help me do them. The best coaching managers are those that understand and apply these principles.

4 The impact of questioning and active listening

Questions evoke awareness, responsibility and trust infinitely better than instructions or advice, but even the best coaching questions are meaningless without effective listening.

Abhishek Agarwal asked:

It is common to speak about our strengths and our weakness at interviews. The chances of you grabbing the job increases when you recognize your strengths. But over confidence on this subject can at times fade your opportunity. Attending interviews with a mindset that you know everything will only make you walk out of the interview.

Skill Identification:

Skill identification is very important. Skill identification is the key for a job. You have to do express your abilities. You have to expertise to your best. Many people boast about themselves. They boast about their abilities and skills. But never be shy in discussing about your skills. It is your responsibility to explain your talents to your employer. In fact, telling about your abilities is like trading yourself with the employer. This is the exact way of getting a job. Avoid underestimating yourself and being tough or rude during interviews. Be ready with answers to questions thrown to you like the one which asks you to differentiate yourself from the rest, questions etc… Prepare your resume in a way that it should highlight your talents and skills. This enables the employer to note it easily.

Types:

Hard skills and Soft skills are the two types of skills. Things you like to do come under hard skills. The things may be of your interest like some knowledge about the operations of various machines, typing skills, knowledge on computer programming, ability to use different sets of tools, certificates on special crafts, etc… The skills that are abstruse come under Soft skills. Personal qualities are an example of a soft skill. A personal quality includes qualities such as the role of a good player, self ability to work, decisive nature and the behavior in an organized manner.

Steps:

Listing out previous work experiences:

Preparing a list on your previous work experience is very important before attending an interview. The list should contain the name of companies you had worked for and the lessons or things learnt from them. The list may be difficult to prepare and at times be longer. But make sure that you do not miss out even a small activity where you had been a member of some organization.

List your hobbies:

Listing out hobbies is also advisable. It may appear unimportant to you, but it is not. In fact, your hobbies can reflect some of your abilities to the employer. In other words, your personality is much reflected. For instance, say you had represented for your school’s debate team. This tells the employer about your good analytical skills. If you are a champion in chess then it would indicate your employer about your ability in arriving at critical decisions. Note the things you do frequently along with your daily routine. You may be person who is perfect in doing things. You may also be an extrovert or a gregarious person. Though these seem to be ordinary, they add some value to you in your interview.

Career Decision:

Career decision is the next phase you got to work on after you had listed your skills and abilities. Match your skills with the job you are searching for by selecting the good and the best from the list. Analyze whether your skills match the job you seek. Sometimes you have to omit some skills from the list, but never be bothered. Keep in mind that your skills add value to you.

Stick to your resume:

Be true about your skills. You must be a proficient in it. For instance, if you are an organized and efficient person then you have to prove it by utilizing the interview time to its best by filling your thoughts in an effective manner.

Thus it is essential to know about your skill before applying a job. Do your levek best and good luck!