Consulting

Graduate Management Program on Emotional Mastery 1024 904 David Attricki

Graduate Management Program on Emotional Mastery

 

Good Morning, Everyone.

It’s a true pleasure to be here. Today, we’re diving into what I believe to be the game-changer for both personal and professional success: Emotional Mastery. Over my 30 years in HR and leadership, I’ve come to realize that technical skills and knowledge will only get you so far. Emotional Mastery—understanding, managing, and using emotions constructively—will take you to the next level.

Why Has It Taken So Long for Leaders to Embrace Emotional Mastery?

Historically, hard skills were prioritized. We focused on IQ, credentials, and expertise, dismissing emotions as secondary or even irrelevant. However, recent data is undeniable: leaders with high emotional intelligence consistently outperform others. As the world of work grows more complex, emotional skills have become essential for effective leadership, team collaboration, and resilience.

For this session, I am thinking of an old Chinese proverb often quoted in education:

“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”

This proverb is perfect for justifying the use of video clips, as it highlights the power of visual learning to make a lasting impact.:

“In the spirit of the proverb, ‘I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand,’ these video clips are here to deepen our understanding and help us remember the principles of Emotional Mastery more vividly. By seeing real-life examples, we’re not just hearing about Emotional Mastery—we’re experiencing it, and that’s how true learning happens.”

What Emotional Mastery Is and Isn’t

To help us all be on the same page, let’s clarify what Emotional Mastery entails and what it does not.

  • Emotional Mastery Is about self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and building positive relationships. It’s having control over your responses, even in stressful situations.
  • Emotional Mastery Isn’t about suppressing emotions or pretending to be calm when you’re not. It’s not about ignoring feedback or pushing through without addressing your own or others’ emotional needs.

The Four Pillars of Emotional Mastery

Let’s break down the four key pillars of Emotional Mastery and discuss practical steps for each.

Self-Awareness

  • Definition: Understanding your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and how they impact others.
  • Example of Self-Awareness: Let’s say you’re in a meeting, and you feel defensive when a colleague critiques your idea. A self-aware response would involve acknowledging your initial reaction, examining why you feel that way, and responding constructively.
  • How to Build It:
    • Journaling: Write down moments that triggered strong emotions. Reflect on what caused them.
    • Ask for Feedback: Get input from trusted colleagues or mentors on how your behaviors affect others.
    • Mindfulness Exercises: Practicing mindfulness helps you become more attuned to your thoughts and feelings.

Self-Management

  • Definition: The ability to regulate emotions and maintain control, even in challenging situations.
  • Example of Self-Management: In a high-stakes project that suddenly derails, rather than reacting with frustration or blame, self-management involves pausing, assessing, and communicating calmly.
  • How to Build It:
    • Pause and Breathe: Train yourself to take deep breaths before reacting. This reduces impulsive responses.
    • Reframe Negative Thoughts: When stressed, consciously replace negative thoughts with constructive alternatives. For instance, think “This is an opportunity to learn” instead of “This is a disaster.”
    • Set Small Goals for Reaction Control: Start by committing to calm responses in smaller, less stressful situations and build from there.

Social Awareness

  • Definition: The ability to understand and empathize with the emotions of others.
  • Example of Social Awareness: Imagine a colleague is unusually quiet during a meeting. Rather than ignoring it or pressing them for answers, social awareness would lead you to check in with them afterward, allowing space for them to share.
  • How to Build It:
    • Practice Active Listening: During conversations, focus entirely on the speaker, avoid interrupting, and reflect back what they’re saying to show understanding.
    • Observe Non-Verbal Cues: Pay attention to body language and tone. Sometimes, people’s words don’t match their emotions.
    • Show Genuine Curiosity: Ask open-ended questions and show interest in the perspectives of others.

Relationship Management

  • Definition: Using emotional insights to build and maintain positive relationships, foster trust, and resolve conflicts.
  • Example of Relationship Management: Suppose there’s a disagreement between team members. Rather than letting it fester, relationship management means mediating the conversation to help them find common ground and maintain respect.
  • How to Build It:
    • Conflict Resolution Practice: Regularly engage in low-stakes conflict resolution exercises. Practice acknowledging both sides and finding solutions.
    • Recognize Achievements: Publicly recognize the contributions of your team members. This builds loyalty and trust.
    • Model Open Communication: Foster a work culture where everyone feels safe to express ideas and concerns.

Practical Checklist: Building Emotional Mastery

  1. Self-Reflection: Spend at least five minutes a day reflecting on how your emotions affected your actions and decisions.
  2. Seek Constructive Feedback: Regularly ask a mentor or trusted colleague for feedback on your emotional responses.
  3. Practice Empathy: Make it a habit to consider others’ perspectives before responding, especially during disagreements.
  4. Set “Cool-Down” Triggers: Create reminders for yourself to pause, breathe, or step away briefly before reacting in high-stress situations.
  5. Engage in Empathy-Building Exercises: Try perspective-taking exercises, like imagining yourself in others’ shoes during meetings or difficult conversations.
  6. Invest in Relationship-Building: Regularly check in with your team members and colleagues—not just about work but also about how they’re doing personally.

Emotional Mastery: Your Catalyst for Career Growth

Emotional Mastery is the linchpin of sustainable success. It’s not about suppressing emotions but harnessing them in ways that benefit you and those around you. In the workplace, this skill elevates you from being just competent to being truly exceptional.

1. Self-Awareness: The Foundation of Emotional Mastery

Explanation: Self-awareness is about understanding who you are and how you impact others. This quality sets the foundation for all other aspects of Emotional Mastery because, as leaders, we shape the emotional climate around us.

Video Clip #1: Hidden Figures – Scene with the Judge (“Be the First”)

Show this clip after explaining Self-Awareness.

Context for the Clip: In this scene, Dorothy Vaughan persuades the judge to allow her to attend a segregated school by emphasizing her intent to be the “first” to break barriers. Her self-awareness and confidence in her capabilities empower her to make a compelling case.

Takeaway: Self-awareness often means understanding what makes you unique and using it to influence others positively. Dorothy’s ability to articulate her vision with confidence mirrors the importance of knowing your value and the impact you bring to others. This is the foundation upon which Emotional Mastery is built—by knowing yourself, you gain the power to inspire and influence effectively.

2. Self-Management: Mastering Your Responses

Explanation: Self-management is the ability to regulate your emotions under pressure. This skill enables leaders to stay calm, focused, and resilient, even in high-stakes situations.

Video Clip #2: Hidden Figures – Bathroom Speech Scene

Show this clip after explaining Self-Management.

Context for the Clip: In this powerful scene, Katherine Johnson expresses her frustration with the unfair treatment she endures daily. Her emotional release, although raw, is a reminder of the mental strength she displays despite adversity.

Takeaway: Self-management isn’t about suppressing emotions; it’s about responding constructively even when emotions run high. Katherine’s speech underscores how sometimes, self-management requires resilience amid challenges. Her ability to keep pushing forward, despite frustrations, demonstrates the strength it takes to remain composed and focused.

3. Social Awareness: Seeing Beyond Yourself

Explanation: Social awareness is about understanding the emotions and perspectives of others. As leaders, it’s essential to connect on a deeper level with those around us, recognizing their individual experiences and motivations.

Video Clip #3: The Devil Wears Prada

Show this clip after explaining Social Awareness.

Context for the Clip: In this scene, Andy learns to navigate her boss Miranda’s highly demanding expectations. Initially oblivious to the complexities of her work environment, Andy gradually gains social awareness, understanding the nuances and pressures that drive Miranda’s behavior.

Takeaway: Social awareness involves seeing beyond your perspective to empathize with others’ motivations and challenges. Just as Andy learns to read the unspoken demands of her role, leaders must cultivate an awareness of team dynamics, using empathy to build stronger connections and to support those they lead.

4. Relationship Management: Building Influence and Trust

Explanation: Relationship management is the ability to build strong, trust-filled relationships. It’s about leading with empathy and creating a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued.

Video Clip #4: Erin Brockovich

Show this clip after explaining Relationship Management.

Context for the Clip: Erin Brockovich’s commitment to the community she’s helping is inspiring. Her sincere, empathetic approach establishes deep trust and respect with the families she advocates for.

Takeaway: Erin’s ability to connect on a human level is a powerful example of relationship management. True leaders don’t just give directions; they inspire loyalty by genuinely caring about the people they lead. Erin’s approach highlights how influential we can be when we build relationships based on trust and respect.

Emotional Mastery as a Catalyst for Career Growth

To all the ambitious women here today, know that Emotional Mastery isn’t merely a “nice-to-have.” It’s your toolkit for resilience, your competitive advantage, and your compass in navigating the complexities of leadership.

Final Action Points

As we conclude, here are four actionable steps to carry forward:

  1. Know Yourself Deeply – Cultivate self-awareness as your foundation.
  2. Control Your Reactions – Practice self-management to stay steady in storms.
  3. Empathize with Others – Use social awareness to understand and support others.
  4. Nurture Relationships – Lead by building genuine connections, not just by position.

Closing Remark:

Emotional Mastery is a journey, one that will transform not just your career but your entire approach to leadership. Embrace it fully, and you’ll find that your impact as a leader will extend far beyond any role or title.

 

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION 1024 576 David Attricki

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Introduction

Communication is the essence of life. It is necessary. Communication is part and parcel of our daily interactions with people. Without that mankind would be better off living in isolation. Without communication treaties and relationships would not have been made between countries, people, communities and ethnicities. Ideas would be difficult to generate because without the existence of communication, how would you tell your ideas to others. Desires and feelings would be hard to express.

What is Communication?

Communication can be defined as how we give and receive information and convey our ideas and opinions with people around us. Communication is a two-way street; It involves both how we send and receive messages.

One important point to note is that communication varies. For instance, communicating ideas in the world of work is different from communicating in an academic setting. In a classroom setting, the teacher usually leads the group discussions, and the students respond or ask questions when directed to do so. In the work environment, your supervisors may ask you for your opinion.

Communication can be categorized into several aspects these are:

  • Verbal communication
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Aural
  • Written and visual communication
  • Verbal communication: it is defined as the use of sounds and words to express yourself this is in contrast in using hand gestures to communicate.
  • Non-verbal communication: this is defined as the use of facial expressions, hand gestures, body positions in communicating this is done in absence of words and sounds. This could be linked to body language.
  • Aural communication: this involves the transmission of information through the auditory sensory system. (The system of speaking and hearing). It usually encompasses both verbal communication and paralinguistic communication to convey meaning.
  • Written and visual communication: it is the process of conveying messages through the use of words. To further explain, any message that is exchanged between two or more people through the use of written words is defined as a written communication.

The importance of effective communication

To an employer, good communication skills are essential, employers rank good communication skills at the top of the list of potential employees. Ideas and message are relayed across to each other without the occurrence of miscommunication.

When can communication be described as “effective”?

Effective communication is about more than just exchanging communication. It is about understanding the emotions and intentions behind the information. It is also about being able to clearly convey the message.

When is Communication ineffective?

Ineffective communication can be defined as the attempt to communicate something to others but it is perceived differently than what you intended. All too often, when we try to communicate with others, something goes astray. We say one thing and the other person hears something else and misunderstanding, frustration and conflict ensue. Effects of this can cause problems in home, school and the work environment

What is stopping you from communicating effectively?

Stress and out of control emotion:

When you are stressed or emotionally overwhelmed, you are more likely to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy knee-jerk patterns of behaviour. To avoid conflict and misunderstandings, you can learn how to quickly calm down before continuing a conversation.

Lack of focus:

You can’t communicate effectively when you are multitasking. If you are checking your email or planning what you are going to say next or daydreaming. You are likely not going to understand what the person is saying to you. You need to avoid distractions and be focused.

Inconsistent body language:

Nonverbal communication should reinforce what is being said and not contradict it. If you say one thing, but your body language says something else, your listener will feel that you are being dishonest. An example is saying yes whilst you are shaking your head no.

Tips in mastering the art of effective communication

  • Engaged listening: always listen carefully to what others have to say. Effective communication is more of less talking and more listening. We listen for many different reasons: to understand instructions, to empathize with another individual, or to judge whether a plan is good or not.
  • Ask questions: for communication to be effective, if one has difficulty in understanding what the other person has said. The best solution is to ask questions.
  • Avoid interrupting other people especially when they are speaking. Respect them by letting them finish saying what they are saying.
  • Nonverbal communication: e.g. maintaining eye contact to the person you are speaking to.
  • Asserting yourself in a respectful way: being assertive means expressing thoughts and feelings and needs in an open and honest way, while standing up for yourself and respecting others.
  • Communicate clearly: for communication to be effective, make sure everything you say is understood. Be confident in saying what you need to say but be tactful. It is significant to avoid giving vague and ambiguous messages.

Conclusion

With communication, ideas and opinions would be understood amongst ourselves. Misunderstandings and confusion would then cease to become an issue in the work environment, the home and our society as a whole.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CEO SERIES ENTREPRENEURSHIP – PRESENTATION BY DR. MRS. HAGAN AT TESANO BAPTIST CHURCH ON 20th August 2019. 1024 683 David Attricki

CEO SERIES ENTREPRENEURSHIP – PRESENTATION BY DR. MRS. HAGAN AT TESANO BAPTIST CHURCH ON 20th August 2019.

THE DIFFERENT HATS WE WEAR

  • Work – Career woman
  • Home – Mother, Wife, Care giver
  • Church – Chorister, Usher, Bible groups
  • Schools – PTA Member.
  • Activities: Parties, Weddings, Funerals
  • Homework, BOARD MEETINGS ETC

SO HOW DO WE BALANCE?

  • Balance means differently to different people – you must know what balance means to YOU
  • How do we use the all-important resource – time?
  • Listing goes a long way
  • Be selective
  • Find time for yourself
  • It is not about you?

ONE IMPORTANT RESOURCE – TIME

  • How well do you use this? People attend 4 functions, change…Funerals? 24hours? Anyway, to get round this?
  • How punctual are you? Remember Benjamin Franklin
  • You are not a superwoman…Ask for help! You can do everything but not ALL at the same time
  • Learn to say NO!

WHERE DO WE START FROM?

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

FOR THE 21ST CENTURY CHRISTIAN

What is happening in the 21st Century?

  • Technological Advancement
  • Man building a scientific laboratory in space—ISS-International space station orbiting the Earth 16 times daily for the past 15years at unimaginable speed of 27,600km\h in space. Voyager 1 travelling for the past   36 years (1977) to intercellular (out of our solar system into star galaxy system) and covering over 6 billion km in space is dumfounding.
  • Mars rovers sending incredible pictures to the earth and
  • Man planning to colonize another planet sounds weird

 

WONDER OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook, twitter, Instagram, newsletters, sandbox, WhatsApp, blackberry networks, YouTube, and limitless Apps! All these just on your phone

HOW ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES?

  • Computer Advancements – from remotest part of Paga, uncountable sermons can be accessed online, downloaded, watched on YouTube, podcast, mp4, Mp3 audio etc.  What an amazing century!
  • Quick and easy Travel to places all over the world
  • Skype -Video calling from across the world

LIMITLESS OPPORTUNITIES … BUT

  • As a 21st century Christian, the path to heaven remains the same!
  • The focal point and driving force of a Christian’s personal development should be to transport him\her from earth to Heaven!
  • In this 21st century, you are challenged by the environment and exploits in the world to develop self in order to be able to influence

As a 21st Century Christian

  • We develop ourselves to fulfill a purpose; to accomplish what God put us on the earth for.
  • Don’t just go through the motions of life, know who you are and why you are here so you can develop in the right direction.

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE

If you don’t know where you’re going any road will get you there!

  • What do I really want to achieve in life?
  • What kind of person do I want to be?
  • Where do I see myself in the next couple of years?
  • How do I plan to get there?

2 important days in our lives

  • The day we’re born
  • The day we discover why we’re born
  • The tragedy is: a lot of us are living and dead who do not discover the second day.

WHAT IS EXCELLENCE?

  • The quality of being outstanding or extremely good.
  • It is a mentality and a way of life.
  • Excellence is a first-class mentality in which one believes that he or she has the opportunity to achieve greatness in life. It is an everyday way of life in which the individual strives for the best in everything that he or she does.
  • The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia.

QUOTES ON EXCELLENCE

  • The secret of fulfillment is excellence…… to do something well is to enjoy it! Ellen Hagan.
  • “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”  Martin Luther King Jr.

MY STORY – THE EARLY DAYS

  • At some point I became dissatisfied with my “international” job – I got hungry
  • I liked teaching, I liked talking so. The rest is history…good to be passionate about what you do
  • Scancom tried to poach me from my own business/company
  • Doing crazy things: Getting resources, I found out that second hand car buyers are really rich.
  • Bought my first car – brand new – cheapest in the market
  • The woes of an entrepreneur
  • Getting a good team together is a nightmare
  • Renting office space is even more of a nightmare
  • Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity (L’AINE buildings)

Kingdom Mindset

A Kingdom Mindset is being mindful of God’s business here on earth and acknowledging one’s strategic role in championing it.

A Kingdom Mindset;

    1. Is a fixed mental attitude or disposition;
    2. It is ruled by God, i.e., governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans and desires;
    3. It predetermines or decides in advance a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations.

HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?

  • Doing business with integrity
  • Treating people with respect
  • Rewarding faithful team members
  • Encouraging shared learning
  • Developing talents.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER??

  • HR Focus Africa Magazine
  • HR Focus Universe
  • Focus Digital
  • HR Consultancy
  • 28 awards in two years?
  • Giving back, talks, bridging the gap between academia and industry, how to find their dream. Etc

Different Hats

  • Chairman, L’AINE Foundation
  • Co-founder, Legacy Girls’ College
  • Member, University of Ghana Business School Board
  • Delegation Member, ILO Conferences
  • Book Author and Article Publisher
  • Marriage Counsellor

            (Among others)

Blazing the Trail

  • JONAH, AND THE WHALE
  • STEVE JOBS – IPAD
  • MANAGEMENT TRAINING VIDEOS
  • THE ONLY HR MAGAZINE IN GHANA – HR FOCUS

IT’S ALL ABOUT GOD

  • Solomon tried everything and yet did not find fulfillment:

Learning, Pleasure, Great accomplishments, hard work and financial reward (“A successful career”), Popularity and Fame, Wealth, Family, Anticipation of the Future.

The conclusion of the whole matter, which is really quite simple:

Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

What is Personal Development?

Process of improving awareness and identity, developing talent and potential, building human capital and employability to enhance quality of life and realize your dreams.

Personal Development

  • Why? – To keep yourself updated and continuously growing in our fast-paced world.
  • Planning, preparation and dedication
  • Know what you want and go for it

DOING BUSINESS

  • I have realized that L’ AINE Services is a ministry, my auction is in the market place, not the temple.
  • 1 borrow Dr. Myles Munroe’s words when I say Christ gave the Church some gifts and functions – to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to train the saints for the work of their ministry.
  • That word “ministry” means to exercise their gifts.
  • So, the goal of all leadership is to help people under your care to first discover their purpose and then help them develop the character and skill to execute that assignment.
  • Purpose is the discovery of your reason for existing … without purpose, life is an experiment.
  • In my desire to see the youth function properly, both in the workplace and in the community at large, I provide career counselling and mentoring sessions for them.
  • I believe not all of us need to look for jobs, so to encourage people to create jobs for others; I put together the L’ AINE Foundation, which sponsors individuals to begin their own business.
  • My passion also extends to empowering girls from high school and in view of this, I have co-founded Legacy Girls Leadership School, a secondary institution which aims at nurturing and guiding the leadership potential in girls.

LEADERSHIP & ETHICS

Only One Leader Can Make a Difference

  • Ethical Leadership is leading by knowing and doing what is right. The problem with ethical leadership is that it is difficult to define “right”. Ethical leadership is divided into two parts. The leader must act and make decisions ethically, and second, the leader must also lead ethically in their attitudes and interactions.

What is condoned by society?

  • Survival of the fittest
  • Issue of petrol coupons
  • Over payment of salaries
  • Relationships… “understanding”
  • Do we do the right thing even when no one is looking

It Takes Effort & Courage

  • Competitiveness, ambition and innovation will always be important to success but they must be regulated by core ethical principles
  • You have to make that decision: “Mawe ataa so”

Creating Right Ethical Values

What do you stand for because if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything in business.

  • WESLEY GIRLS – Ewurabena re texting
  • L’AINE – USP
  • ASHESI – Honour code

Example

Your office provides you with an opportunity to buy yourself lunch and the money is significant, 100gh a day.  All you need to do is submit a receipt to support your lunch.  You are happy with roasted plantain and groundnuts and therefore make arrangement for receipts from a caterer friend so you can use the money meant for your own lunch in a “better”, cost effective way.  After all you don’t need a 100ghc lunch.

Remember

  • It pays to be hungry
  • Be passionate about what you do
  • Excellence is everything
  • Running your own business is tough, one nightmare after another
  • It is also the ultimate

“TOMA”

  • (top of mind awareness) Ask questions at meetings and make contributions (simply means .. Be prepared… do appropriate research, etc)
  • As leaders, gain confidence, increase effectiveness and make a positive impression each time you speak.
  • When you attend lunches and dinners, don’t “overfill” your plate. Better to go for seconds that having an overflowing plate. Learn the skills of fine dining
  • Choose what to eat – be careful about macaroni
  • control your consumption
  • Control your conversation

Market your personality

  • Personal branding is basically selling someone your personality. You need to think hard about HOW you act. You should have a clearly identifiable personality so that people can easily feel like they know you personally, even if they’ve never met you. Your style of delivery should be as unique as any other aspect of your personal brand.
  • learn strategies for tasteful self-promotion; and gain the insights that will enable you acquire the polish of accomplished world-class professional

Mediocrity is not an option

  • Set hard standards for yourself in everything you do.
  • Sharpen yourself – Be knowledgeable about current affairs.
  • Push beyond your limits – when you think you have outdone yourself, go a little bit further.
  • Seek high education

Become the best. You could ever be

  • You need to create the perception that you are very good at what you do.
    • Continue learning and updating your knowledge, especially if your expertise is based around the online world. If you were an ‘expert’ two years ago but have since stopped learning and challenging yourself, you’re not an expert anymore.
    • Become “Extra from ordinary” … it means sleeping less hours than others would, work hard

Personal Development

  • Before 20: Be a good student, make enough mistakes as you grow. Dust yourself off when you fall and try again.
  • 30 – 40: Think clearly about working for yourself, if you really want to be an entrepreneur.
  • 40-50: Do all the things you are good at. Focus on your strengths, because at this age it is too late to try out new areas.
  • 50 – 60: Work for the young ones. They are doing better than you so rely on them, invest in them.
  • 60+: Spend time on yourself. Go to the beach, travel, enjoy life.
  • Remember: Mistakes are inevitable. Forget about regrets and enjoy the ride!
CORPORATE NETWORKING AND WORK ETIQUETTE 1024 684 David Attricki

CORPORATE NETWORKING AND WORK ETIQUETTE

Introduction

In this digital age, the ability to effectively connect with industry captains and key business leaders as well as nurture excellent work ethics will be the single most important differentiator between those that will succeed and those that will not.

Global statistics clearly indicate that this is a youthful generation. About seventy percent of the world populations are below 35 years. And two thirds of them are in Africa. The key challenges the youth are faced with include: unemployment (jobs), terrorism, infiltration of foreign culture and lack of mentorship

Unemployment

According to the African centre for economic transformation (ACET), about fifty percent of graduates would not find jobs after school. Conversely, as an HR practioner, I can say emphatically that there are still job vacancies that are difficult to fill owing to competency mismatch. Employers prefer to hire people they already know or people that are recommended to them by a friend.

Corporate Networking

This is defined as the skill of fostering and maintaining key relationships that create mutual value for the parties involved. There are four things to note about corporate networking.

  • It is a level for personal growth.
  • It benefits the learner
  • It is the single most important skill in life, business and career development
  • It can be learnt, nurtured and deployed.

Success is a decision and a habit. You must be specific and intentional about what you want in order to get it. In networking there are a few pointers that must be taken into consideration.

How to network

  • Have a reason for wanting to connect –: what is the purpose for wanting to network, is it for grooming in terms of career guidance, academia, personal and spiritual growth, is it for mentoring, or in search of a job or internship
  • Identify who you want to connect with and where to find them –this starts with the people you know or who your parents know. This could be from the neighbourhood, church, social media, corporate events among others.
  • Introduce yourself as doing or having passion for something as he/she is doing – public speaking, what do you both have in common this should be in line with what the person is doing examples could be public speaking, academic and scientific research, among others.
  • Say something you read about them to them: This could be their own book, biography etc. Not only does this serves as a form of flattery to the person you are networking with but also it gives the person the assumption that you have a keen interest in what their field of work. It is therefore a necessity to do research on them before meeting in person.
  • Report on your progress: after the networking phase, there is a period within which you learn from your mentor/coach always write a review based on what you have learnt and how it has helped you.
  • Offer to help to boost his/her professional success (write feature articles for him/her) this could be achieved by offering to be of his or her service by working with him or her.
  • Ask for help: this could be in terms of recommendation, or by using him or her as a reference in your CV
  • Getting in touch: It is essential to get in touch the same day via text messages reminding him/her of your meeting and affirming your commitment to learn. Remember to ask to call specific times and keep the appointment. Never call more than once or twice. If you fail to reach them the first time, send a text or a WhatsApp message. Always plan what to discuss each time you call

 

Where to network

  • Church: the church could be a good place to network especially if you attend the same church with him or her. If that is not the case, get to know their place of worship and time of closure and hang around to meet them.
  • Corporate & Social events: When starting small, go to events and programmes that you would be able to learn something educational and valuable. Examples of corporate events are Ted talks, Festival of Ideas, Ghana Economic Forum, HR Focus Conference, Golf tournaments etc. are most likely places to meet key industry leaders Take the initiative in volunteering in these events even though you are not being paid, it is an opportunity to meet and work with new people
  • Social media: social media has made it easier to meet the people you would have had to book appointments to meet. According to Rev. Albert Ocran “You can meet just about anybody in the world simply by going through a chain of at most seven people”

 

Where to start from

  • Friends of parents: It is essential to start with the people that your parents know. This is termed as personal networking. Indulge them concerning matters that are in relation to your personal growth. This could be in terms of career guidance, developing a skill, how to prepare for the job market and so on. Get to know them by name, their profession, volunteer to intern for free in their companies
  • Friends of friends: To maintain your personal network always keep in touch with your friends and colleagues. You may never know when someone is going to turn from a passing acquaintance into a useful contact. Be up to date with where your old friends have been up to in relation to not only their social lives but also their work lives.  Also, your friends have friends. Reach out to them.
  • Social media connections: ponder over this question; you have over 2500 friends on Facebook, how many of them have you personally reached out to?

Get connected

  • What do we do with business cards: a business card could serve as a means of getting in touch with a person via telephone, email or text message. Once a business card has been, always remember to not discard them as these might come in handy.
  • Once we meet people how do we stay connected: this could be achieved by taking their contact number after interacting with them or requesting for a call card.
  • Effective Networking involves a lot of work: when it comes to networking, it is seen as the necessary good in order to achieve results. If it is something that will benefit you (in terms of career development, academia,) are you willing to go the extra mile to achieve that. Change never comes easy.
  • TOMA (Top of Mind Awareness): what is the reason why you want to network? This can go to the how, and where
  • Influence: this deals with how you are able to get the attention and interest of the person to the extent that he or she willing to help and work with you.

Work Etiquette

Work etiquette is a social code that governs the expectations of behaviour in a workplace. These are rules about how people treat each other in formal situations. The common name for etiquette is MANNERS.

Key pointers of positive work etiquette

  • Interpersonal relations: This talk of relating well with others in the workplace this is regardless of the differences you and your colleagues may have in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, political views, religion, among others. Remember always be the bigger person and be willing to get along with others.
  • Communication skills: How you relay your points across to your work colleagues is an important factor. also be a good listener
  • Business growth (generating new ideas): what would you contribute to the development and growth to the business? What business ideas would you have in mind and how would they benefit the business.
  • Values: this involves acting with integrity and honesty at all times
  • Deliver results: this involves critical thinking and problem solving at work. If there is a task to be done, always find the means and ways by which the task would be accomplished. Be solution- oriented.

Basic Rules:

  • Report to work on time: always be punctual when it comes to reporting to work on time. If there is a situation that you will be reporting to work late remember to ask for permission but do not let this be often.
  • Focus on your deliverables:
  • Use your energy and time wisely: it is essential to master the art of time management as this helps prioritizing on what task should performed first. Avoid stalling when there is work to be done.
  • Seek help if need be: keep a ‘buddy’ (a friend that helps you easily settle into the culture). The buddy system always come in handy especially when one is facing difficulty adjusting to the working environment
  • Be attentive to detail: Always be detail-oriented as one minor mistake will not only hold you liable but also the business as a whole which may result to a major loss or a law suit
  • Show leadership: take initiative by taking active part and being committed to company projects. Take the initiative by taking in more responsibility and perform work that is outside of your general nature of work.
  • Report on work done: whenever there is a task to be accomplished, there is always a deadline that is to be met. Always set targets or have a to-do list as to what work should be done first. Avoid stalling. as the saying goes procrastination is the thief of time
  • Go the extra mile: burn the midnight oil by staying late sometimes to get work done or working over the weekend to get the work done.
  • Give off your best: to deliver excellent results, always do your best especially when it comes to performing your work. Sometimes doing your best may not deliver good results but that does not mean that you must not give in your all.
  • Avoid the office politics: office politics can be defined as an action or strategy people use to gain advantage in terms of status and power

Changing the world of work

  • Change mindset
  • ++to learn and get a salary
  • ++only there for what they are getting
  • ++contribute for themselves, business of one=being the owner
  • Career responsibility shifts to the individual
  • ++Linked to results and not how long you study
  • ++good performers are hurried up the ladder
  • You can only grow someone who wants to grow themselves

Employee development shifts to the individual

  • Seeking a variety of assignments
  • Tackling tough problems
  • Asking for feedback
  • Coaching – opportunities to coach others
  • Energy to make the development possible
  • Consider specific goals. New skills…. ways to meet these goals

What employers are looking for in employees

  • Positive Attitude
  • Team spirit
  • Solution oriented
  • Patience
  • Loyalty
  • Contentment
  • professionalism

Good personal grooming

  • Personal hygiene first step to good grooming
  • Hair…shaving….
  • Dental issues…brushy, tongue
  • Nails
  • Body odour
  • Mouth odour
  • Make up
  • Jewellery
  • Professional dress code

Do not let your image sabotage your career

  • What are you “saying” before you speak a word?
  • To get ahead in any career pay attention to your workplace image as it is a powerful communicator.
  • The non-verbal messages your image sends can work on your behalf, or they can work against you.
  • Look business like, yet stylish and not boring like a corporate filing cabinet