Archive for Techniques
The Business of IT and Human Connectedness
Posted by: |TechEdge LLC is pleased to announce that our president, Gwen Walsh, will be presenting at the upcoming event, “The Business of IT and Human Connectedness”, presented by NEO IT Think Tank. Here is the full program description:
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The Business of IT and Human Connectedness
Presented by NEO IT Think Tank
September 22, 2010
Corporate Plaza 1
6450 Rockside Woods Blvd S
Independence, OH 44131
Gwen Walsh, President and Founder of TechEdge, will be our program speaker.
Being in the Business of IT, a large chunk of our success depends on our ability to understand and positively influence our customers, executives, managers, peers, staff and business partners. Every time we engage in a conversation, pitch an idea, investigate a problem, fulfill a request, initiate or implement a change, address (or fail to address) a conflict or provide a product or service, we’re being evaluated and judged by others. The cold, harsh truth is – each interaction and corresponding judgment directly impacts how others perceive us, how they will react to us now and in the future, whether or not they will support us in the work that lies ahead and how our legacy will be shaped.
Because we’re in the Business of IT and predominantly focused on technologies, activities, tasks, pressures, deadlines, you-name-it, we oftentimes forge ahead without critically thinking through our human-to-human interactions. Before you know it, we’re working in environments where trust, collaboration, positive attitudes, high productivity and employee morale are plummeting, and silos, territorialism, personal agendas, infighting, apathy, negativism, adversarial relationships and missed deadlines and service levels are on the uptick.
We must create environments where people genuinely matter, and to do that we need to become better at HUMAN CONNECTEDNESS.
Our next Face-to-Face meeting will address Human Connectedness. We will:
- Define Human Connectedness.
- Discuss the compelling reasons for increasing Human Connectedness.
- Ask simple questions that will help us assess our own Human Connectedness effectiveness.
- Explore the principles that, when followed, create a Human Connectedness environment.
- Take away tools that can be immediately applied in your workplace to increase your Human Connectedness factor.
Special thanks to Clay Bediant, VP at Ratliff & Taylor, for sponsoring our location.
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You can RSVP to this event on LinkedIn or Facebook. We look forward to seeing you there!
Find Your Mojo!
Posted by: |Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back if You Lose It is a book that you should place at the very top of your reading list. The author, Marshall Goldsmith, has written almost 30 books dealing in his field of expertise, executive coaching. Mojo is the latest and well worth a read.
I was attracted to this book because my clients are always complimenting me on my “loving what I do and showing it” spirit. They find this state of mind to be incredibly contagious and are encouraged (and encourage each other) to strive to achieve the impossible.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for many reasons. First, Goldsmith does a great job of defining what Mojo is, and what it is not, or Nojo. Then, he completely explores the four key elements that you need to achieve great Mojo. Next, he supports his ideas with real-life stories and examples of Mojo and Nojo. Finally, he offers practical next-steps with take-away tools that can be used by the reader immediately.
I have recommended this book to all of the senior/c-level leaders that I am coaching. I have also created a presentation titled “In the Zone” surrounding the book. I have given this presentation, pro bono, to job seekers in my area in hopes that the lessons I have learned from the book will assist them in their current endeavors. (Please see our previous blog post, TechEdge Gives Back, for information about one of these presentations.) I have also tied concepts from Mojo into TechEdge’s flagship workshop, “Collaboration in Action”. Optimizing your people potential is the focus of this workshop, and the themes from the book play directly into this idea.
Please share your comments with us!
TechEdge Gives Back
Posted by: |It is no surprise that so many people are searching for work in today’s economy. TechEdge is doing its part to help these individuals put their best foot forward.
On July 6th, the presentation “In the Zone” – How to Get There & Stay There was given by Gwen Walsh, president of TechEdge, at Christ Church Episcopal in Hudson, Ohio. The Hudson Hub Times offers a description of the free program at their website (http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/4851825).
Ms. Walsh spoke about the following topics:
- Explore how to create a “loving what you do and showing it” positive spirit that will influence how others see you — including prospective employers and your network; and
- Learn about the 4 vital ingredients – Identity, Achievement, Reputation and Acceptance — and receive practical tools pivotal to becoming the “best version of you”.
The presentation was well-received and attendees offered their positive feedback:
“You really did a fine job for us this past Tuesday evening, as was indicated in our evaluation forms – everyone said you exceeded expectations! Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us.”
“Thank you for your time and your excellent presentation at the Hudson Job Search meeting on Tuesday, Your “hot topic” seemed to coincide perfectly with the “hot evening”. You brought “In the Zone” to life with real world examples and dialogue. Your positive spirit and enthusiasm for your subject matter was evident. My MOJO has been greatly enhanced by your fantastic and unselfish presentation.”
Thank you to everyone who attended and also to Hudson Job Search, the organization that invited TechEdge to present. You can find more information about Hudson Job Search at their website, http://www.hudsonjs.org/.
In other news, TechEdge LLC has joined the Greater Omaha Chamber! Please visit their website at http://omahachamber.org/ and search for us under the Business Directory.
Finally, TechEdge is mentioned on Jesse Fewell’s “Moving Beyond Management” blog. Kate Brown, one of our Consulting Parters, gave a presentation about “High Performing Teams”. Great job Kate! You can view Mr. Fewell’s blog article at http://www.jessefewell.com/2010/04/21/it-wonderland-in-omaha/.
Please share your comments with us! Also, please be sure to visit us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
