Four Personal Effectiveness Training Skills
Four Personal effectiveness training skills
In order to get the best from yourself and others what are the skills and knowledge you need to develop?
There are many skills relating to personal effectiveness.
But we will focus on four essential skills.
Four essential personal effectiveness skills.
There are four major skills sets:
- The ability to set and achieve specific goals.
- The ability to communicate with accurate language.
- The ability to handle conflict rationally, not emotionally.
- The ability to create a positive mental attitude, especially during tough times.
Four more ways to fail
There are four corresponding potential points of failure.
- Instead being driven by your goals, you are driven by the environment.
- Instead of using accurate language, you use ambiguous language which leads to misunderstandings and avoidable errors.
- Instead of handling conflict situations rationally, you become emotional: either you become angry, upset or you evade the conflict and run away.
- During tough times, instead of becoming stronger and more determined, you become more depressed, dispirited and defeated.
Let us look at each of the positive skills in turn.
1. The ability to set and achieve specific goals
What is the difference between a legitimate goal and a delusional fantasy?
Discussion of the differences between a wish and a goal.
Goals need to be:
- Specific.
- Numerically defined.
- Have all their major terms clearly expressed.
- Goals need to be tracked.
- Goals need to be planned for.
- Goals require an increase in skills and knowledge.
- The obstacles to your goals need to be identified and countermeasures put in place.
- Goals need to have deadlines.
2. The ability to communicate with accurate language
Communication is the transfer of information and emotion.
- How to transfer information without error.
- Talk about what you want, rather than what you don't want.
- Talk about what you can do, rather than what you cannot do.
- Talk about what you support, not what you oppose.
- Learn to listen for conclusions and reasons.
- Listen for their conclusions, (i.e. what they believe to be true, good or right).
- Listen for their reasons, (i.e. why they believe it to be true, good or right).
3. The ability to handle conflict rationally, not emotionally
Because each of us has our own ideas, conflict is inevitable.
Conflict is inevitable and must be managed rationally.
Emotionalised conflict means; getting angry, upset or tearful when in conflict situations.
How to be rational. When in conflict situations:
- Use only objective, not subjective, language.
- State objectively what is wrong.
- State objectively what would be a corrective action.
- Ask for commitment.
- Distinguish between reasons and excuses.
- Give concessions to reasons.
- Don't give concessions to excuses.
- Be more aware of your voice tones and body language.
- Verbally appreciate any change towards your ideal solution.
4. The ability to create a positive mental attitude, especially during tough times.
During tough times it is important to become stronger, not weaker.
When faced by a series of setbacks or defeats, many people do become weaker, despondent or depressed.
When faced by a series of setbacks or defeats, it is important to become more determined more focused and more positive that you can still win. This is mental toughness. This is a positive mental attitude.
A positive mental attitude can be cultivated.
A positive mental attitude can be developed purposefully.
- Control your mind.
- Control your conversation.
- Control what you expose yourself to.
- Control the focus of your mind and direct it towards visions of a better future.
- Control the focus of their conversation and keep it off visions of a fearful future.
Develop the Four essential personal effectiveness skills.
- Develop The ability to set and achieve specific goals.
- Develop The ability to communicate with accurate language.
- Develop The ability to handle conflict rationally, not emotionally.
- Develop The ability to create a positive mental attitude, especially during tough times.
FREE Training Needs Analysis!
In order to get the best from your training, you need to discover your relative strengths and weaknesses. Take our FREE training needs analysis questionnaire now and get a report in less than five minutes!
Definition: personal effectiveness
Personal effectiveness is a work skill. It means you can set clear goals and reach them, use exact words to pass on facts, deal with conflict with a calm head, and keep a hopeful mind when times are hard. When these four parts are in place, you turn ideas into right action and strong results.
Show CG4D Definition
- Sets clear, measurable goals and reaches them
- Uses exact language to share information without error
- Handles conflict with calm reason, not emotion
- Maintains a hopeful, determined mind during hard times
Article Summary
Personal effectiveness grows when you set clear goals, speak with exact words, face conflict with calm reason and keep a positive attitude in hard times; master these four skills and you lift both your work and life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
In goal setting, how does a real goal differ from a wish?
Why should every goal be numerically defined?
What steps create clear language in daily communication?
How do I handle workplace conflict with reason, not emotion?
What is mental toughness and how does it support a positive attitude?
How can I stay positive when facing repeated setbacks at work?
Which four personal skills form the core of personal effectiveness training?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report says firms that raised people-skill training saw staff output grow by 22% in one year. The 2023 CIPD Good Work study finds workers with clear, set goals are 2.5 times more likely to feel high job joy than those without clear goals.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Personal Effectiveness
-
How to Improve Your Personal Initiative
Learn how to boost personal initiative with five simple actions that build confidence, cut procrastination and move you from thought to action right now.
Read Article > -
How can I improve my performance?
Follow our six-step personal development plan to improve performance, set ambitious goals, learn from mistakes and evolve your habits for lasting success.
Read Article > -
Take Pride in Yourself
Learn how healthy pride and a positive self-image let you build self-esteem, overcome fear and use the self-fulfilling prophecy to drive lasting personal growth
Read Article > -
How Can I Improve My Performance at Work?
Learn how to improve performance at work with a positive attitude, sharp skills, care for others and friendly action. Add more value and watch your career rise.
Read Article > -
What does it take to Develop Personal Effectiveness?
Learn how self discipline, daily habits and a positive mind lift personal effectiveness. Follow quick steps to avoid delay, set high standards and progress.
Read Article >
Looking for Personal Development Training?
If you're looking to develop your Personal Effectiveness Skills, you may find this Personal Development Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 3 days, London - Central, places available