Fluent Essays

Select 2 articles from files below. First, identify 3 things you learned from the article. Second, write a paragraph (at least 7 quality sentences) describing how those learnings impacted you and how they might change the way you behave/think in the future. _traits_that_can_harm_a_leader.pdf _things_successful_people_won_t_do.pdf _golden_lessons_from_steve_jobs.pdf _tips_for_new_college_grads_on_workplace_etiquette.pdf _truths_about_success_we_forget_too_easily.pdf Unformatted Attachment Preview Pratik Bang Founder, Chairman & CEO at Techwire Solutions Inc 7 Traits That Can Harm A Leader Feb 18, 2015 In today’s world achieving success has become a top priority for every individual. Success can be considered in terms of achieving a goal, obtaining education, or gaining recognition. Therefore, it can be fair to assume that the definition of success varies for each individual on a one to one basis. In the business sector, the term success is considered as the most imperative factor for a business to survive in the market place. Though success is not limited to generating profits but it also involves recognition and benefit to the community. Key elements such as strategic planning and market analysis are examples through which a business attempts on reaching goals. Among the key elements the most important is the presences of a strong leader who possesses confidence, vision, and passion to direct the corporation or small business into a new direction. As a result nowadays, due to the increase in competition in the market and unstable economy the demand for strong leaders have increased. But, what would happen if a corporation or small business is driven by a weak leader? Can the consequences of his/her action affect the entire team? Without doubt the answer is yes, a leader that is not confident, determined, and committed toward his duties can be considered as a major red flag for a business. Therefore, the next question arises, how can you determine whether you or your boss is possibly the accountable for stagnation in business? Here are seven basic traits that if present can harm a leader. Keep in mind this is a broad list. 1) Lack of Communication: The most important factor that is considered crucial to be present in a leader is excellent communication skills. A leader who is unable to express his/her idea across to the team is considered a poor leader. For instance: - unable to thoroughly describe critical information regarding a project. - Failure to pass on information about an important modification in the professional code of conduct. - Lack of interest to receive feedback from employees. - Lack of interest to associate with employees on a regular bases. It’s important to always keep in mind while running a business, that it is not all about generating profits and increasing numbers in the bank account. It is about utilizing the opportunity to obtain a general understanding about the employees, consider in which manner their careers can be advanced as well. It’s about motivating your team in adverse time not running away from them. 2) Overconfidence: Yes, being confident is considered another important trait for becoming a leader but overconfidence can also fail a leader. Strong leaders are aware of their weak points and they commit on sharpening those weak skills, it’s not overlooked. Additionally, strong leaders are always keen to obtain information about ways through which the working environment or a project can be improved upon. Basically feedback is appreciated from employees; having a rigid attitude is not acceptable. 3) Lack of Vision: A leader that does not have a vision will undoubtedly fail. A vision sets a goal or direction for the team and creates a path through which the vision can be accomplished. Vision is considered as a medium through which employees receive motivation and energy. It’s the responsibility of the leader to create a vision of the future that inspires others to gather together and make such perceptions come true. Lack of vision can spread negativity and result in poor performance from the part of employees. 4) Lack of Empathy: If a leader fails to place himself or herself in the shoes of another individual such as an employee, in order to understand the situation from a different perspective is an indication of a poor leader. As a leader it’s important to truly listen to people, take an interest in getting to know your team and support your team when in need. In other words, the best leaders care for their team and value their perspective. 5) Not Flexible: In every aspect of our life we are taught to adapt to change no matter how uncomfortable and nerve recking it can be. A strong leader accepts this fact and applies it in his/her workplace. In other words, strong leaders don’t panic or lose their focus when experiencing a sudden change. Strong leaders analyze the situation and work on finding solutions and mold themselves according to the circumstances. For instances, there is always plan B through Z, if plan A doesnt work. 6) Lack of Discipline: Being focused and committed towards your work is the key for achieving success. Leaders who are not focused and disciplined are at risk of failing themselves and those that depend on them. In the business sector, taking decisions is considered to be a part of everyday activity but behind such decisions requires detail analysis and discipline from the individual making the decision. Therefore, it signifies that such an individual needs to have solid concentration and fast decision making skills because making a wrong decision can be disastrous for the business. For instance, due to lack of preparation the leader is unable to provide sufficient information regarding a project or fails to disclose the requirements. 7) Refuse to Take Responsibility: Strong leader take responsibility for their actions; they refuse to blame others. Strong leaders possess the characteristics of being confident and accountable. Additionally, strong leaders don’t claim credit for success regarding the work performed by their team; they appreciate and give credit to their team. Poor leaders refuse to take responsibility for their actions and their team. That is, such leaders refuse to take responsibility for losses but in the matter of success all the credit is taken. Somehow self-centered. In conclusion, it is advisable to glance through this list and question yourself whether any of these traits apply to you. After browsing through these points if you come across a trait that applies to you, don’t panic. Take a moment to recall your actions and consider how such mistakes can be corrected or improved upon. This reminds me of a saying by Bill Owens and I quote, “ True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well”. 9 Things Successful People Wont Do Managing your emotions is as much about what you wont do as it is about what you will do. BY TRAVIS BRADBERRY My last post, How Successful People Stay Calm, really struck a nerve. The trick is that managing your emotions is as much about what you wont do as it is about what you will do. TalentSmart has tested more than a million people and found that the upper echelons of top performance are filled with people who are high in emotional intelligence (90 percent of top performers, to be exact). So, I went back to the data to uncover the kinds of things that emotionally intelligent people are careful to avoid to keep themselves calm, content, and in control. They consciously avoid these behaviors because they are tempting and easy to fall into if one isnt careful. While the list that follows isnt exhaustive, it presents nine key things that you can avoid to increase your emotional intelligence and performance. 1. They wont let anyone limit their joy. When your sense of pleasure and satisfaction derive from comparing yourself with others, you are no longer master of your own happiness. When emotionally intelligent people feel good about something theyve done, they wont let anyones opinions or accomplishments take that away from them. While its impossible to turn off your reactions to what others think of you, you dont have to compare yourself with others, and you can always take peoples opinions with a grain of salt. That way, no matter what other people are thinking or doing, your self-worth comes from within. Regardless of what people think of you at any particular moment, one thing is certain--youre never as good or bad as they say you are. 2. They wont forget. Emotionally intelligent people are quick to forgive, but that doesnt mean that they forget. Forgiveness requires letting go of whats happened so that you can move on. It doesnt mean youll give a wrongdoer another chance. Emotionally intelligent people are unwilling to be bogged down unnecessarily by others mistakes, so they let them go quickly and are assertive in protecting themselves from future harm. 3. They wont die in the fight. Emotionally intelligent people know how important it is to live to fight another day. In conflict, unchecked emotion makes you dig your heels in and fight the kind of battle that can leave you severely damaged. When you read and respond to your emotions, youre able to choose your battles wisely so that you stand your ground only when the time is right. 4. They wont prioritize perfection. Emotionally intelligent people wont set perfection as their target because they know it doesnt exist. Human beings, by our very nature, are fallible. When perfection is your goal, youre always left with a nagging sense of failure, and you end up spending your time lamenting what you have failed to accomplish and what you should have done differently instead of enjoying what you have been able to achieve. 5. They wont live in the past. Failure can erode your self-confidence and make it hard to believe youll achieve a better outcome in the future. Most of the time, failure results from taking risks and trying to achieve something that isnt easy. Emotionally intelligent people know that success lies in their ability to excel in the face of failure, and they cant do this when theyre living in the past. Anything worth achieving is going to require you to take some risks, and you cant allow failure to stop you from believing in your ability to succeed. When you live in the past, that is exactly what happens, and your past becomes your present, preventing you from moving forward. 6. They wont dwell on problems. Where you focus your attention determines your emotional state. When you fixate on the problems that you face, you create and prolong negative emotions and stress, which hinders performance. When you focus on actions to better yourself and your circumstances, you create a sense of personal efficacy that produces positive emotions and improves performance. Emotionally intelligent people wont dwell on problems because they know theyre most effective when they focus on solutions. 7. They wont hang around negative people. Complainers are bad news because they wallow in their problems and fail to focus on solutions. They want people to join their pity party so that they can feel better about themselves. People often feel pressure to listen to complainers because they dont want to be seen as callous or rude, but theres a fine line between lending a sympathetic ear and getting sucked into a negative emotional spiral. You can avoid getting drawn in only by setting limits and distancing yourself when necessary. Think of it this way: if a person is smoking, do you sit there all afternoon inhaling the second-hand smoke? More likely, youll distance yourself, and you should do the same with complainers. A great way to set limits is to ask complainers how they intend to fix a problem. They will then either quiet down or redirect the conversation in a productive direction. 8. They wont hold grudges. The negative emotions that come with holding onto a grudge are actually a stress response. Just thinking about an unpleasant event sends your body into fight-or-flight mode. When a threat is imminent, this reaction is essential to your survival, but when a threat is ancient history, holding onto that stress wreaks havoc on your body and can have devastating health consequences over time. In fact, researchers at Emory University have shown that holding onto stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease. Holding onto a grudge means youre holding onto stress, and emotionally intelligent people know to avoid this at all costs. Learning to let go of a grudge not only will make you feel better now but can also improve your health. 9. They wont say yes unless they really want to. Research conducted at the University of California in San Francisco shows that the more difficulty you have saying no, the more likely you are to experience stress, burnout, and even depression. Saying no is indeed a major challenge for most people.No is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield. When its time to say no, emotionally intelligent people avoid phrases like I dont think I can and Im not certain. Saying no to a new commitment honors your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulfill them. PUBLISHED ON: FEB 17, 2015 10 Golden Lessons from Steve Jobs Sep 13 2014 I think we’re having fun. I think our customers really like our products. And we’re always trying to do better. - Steve Jobs His accomplishments and character helped define a generation and change the world. He is cofounder of the fairytale company we now know as Apple Computers. And he is the visionary of the personal computers world that led the entire computer hardware and software industry to restructure itself. This man with boundless energy and charisma is also a master of hype, hyperbole and the catchy phrase. And even when he’s trying to talk normally, brilliant verbiage comes tumbling out. Here’s a selection of some of the most insanely great things he said, golden lessons to help you succeed in life, Jobs-style: 1. Steve Jobs said: Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Innovation has no limits. The only limit is your imagination. It’s time for you to begin thinking out of the box. If you are involved in a growing industry, think of ways to become more efficient; more customer friendly; and easier to do business with. If you are involved in a shrinking industry – get out of it quick and change before you become obsolete; out of work; or out of business. And remember that procrastination is not an option here. Start innovating now! 2. Steve Jobs said: Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.” There is no shortcut to excellence. You will have to make the commitment to make excellence your priority. Use your talents, abilities, and skills in the best way possible and get ahead of others by giving that little extra. Live by a higher standard and pay attention to the details that really do make the difference. Excellence is not difficult – simply decide right now to give it your best shot – and you will be amazed with what life gives you back. 3. Steve Jobs said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.” I’ve got it down to four words: “Do what you love.” Seek out an occupation that gives you a sense of meaning, direction and satisfaction in life. Having a sense of purpose and striving towards goals gives life meaning, direction and satisfaction. It not only contributes to health and longevity, but also makes you feel better in difficult times. Do you jump out of bed on Monday mornings and look forward to the work week? If the answer is ‘no’ keep looking, you’ll know when you find it. 4. Steve Jobs said: “You know, we don’t grow most of the food we eat. We wear clothes other people make. We speak a language that other people developed. We use a mathematics that other people evolved… I mean, we’re constantly taking things. It’s a wonderful, ecstatic feeling to create something that puts it back in the pool of human experience and knowledge.” Live in a way that is ethically responsible. Try to make a difference in this world and contribute to the higher good. You’ll find it gives more meaning to your life and it’s a great antidote to boredom. There is always so much to be done. And talk to others about what you are doing. Don’t preach or be self-righteous, or fanatical about it, that just puts people off, but at the same time, don’t be shy about setting an example, and use opportunities that arise to let others know what you are doing. 5. Steve Jobs said: “There’s a phrase in Buddhism, ‘Beginner’s mind.’ It’s wonderful to have a beginner’s mind.” It is the kind of mind that can see things as they are, which step by step and in a flash can realize the original nature of everything. Beginner’s mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgments and prejudices. Think of beginner’s mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement. 6. Steve Jobs said: “We think basically you watch television to turn your brain off, and you work on your computer when you want to turn your brain on.” Reams of academic studies over the decades have amply confirmed television’s pernicious mental and moral influences. And most TV watchers know that their habit is mind-numbing and wasteful, but still spend most of their time in front of that box. So turn your TV off and save some brain cells. But be cautious, you can turn your brain off by using a computer also. Try and have an intelligent conversation with someone who plays first person shooters for 8 hours a day. Or auto race games, or role-playing games. 7. Steve Jobs said: “I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year…. It’s very character-building.” Don’t equate making mistakes with being a mistake. There is no such thing as a successful person who has not failed or made mistakes, there are successful people who made mistakes and changed their lives or performance in response to them, and so got it right the next time. They viewed mistakes as warnings rather than signs of hopeless inadequacy. Never making a mistake means never living life to the full. 8. Steve Jobs said: “I would trade all of my technology for an afternoon with Socrates.” Over the last decade, numerous books featuring lessons from historical figures have appeared on the shelves of bookstores around the world. And Socrates stands with Leonardo da Vinci, Nicholas Copernicus, Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein as a beacon of inspiration for independent thinkers. But he came first. Cicero said of Socrates that, “He called philosophy down from the skies and into the lives of men.” So use Socrates’ principles in your life, your work, your learning, and your relationships. It’s not about Socrates, it’s really about you, and how you can bring more truth, beauty and goodness into your life everyday. 9. Steve Jobs said: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?” Did you know that you have big things to accomplish in life? And did you know that those big things are getting rather dusty while you pour yourself another cup of coffee, and decide to mull things over rather than do them? We were all born with a gift to give in life, one which informs all of our desires, interests, passions and curiosities. This gift is, in fact, our purpose. And you don’t need permission to decide your own purpose. No boss, teacher, parent, priest or other authority can decide this for you. Just find that unique purpose. 10. Steve Jobs said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you t ... Purchase answer to see full attachment