This module provides an introduction, check-in and agenda with an emphasis on the importance of soft skills in a rapidly changing world replete with VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). Provided for each training engagement, this introduction explains the limits of leadership development and the necessity of continuous learning and self-awareness. In it, students are provided an overview and intersection of the topics discussed and a call to action to retain the “One Thing!” or takeaways from each module.

Are you aware of your own image? What messages are you projecting? What is your personal brand? These are the questions that are addressed by this module, along with the importance, responsibility, and management of self-image/impression. The module also covers the differences between first impressions and charisma. It provides the students several methods to ensure they project a good first impression and how to nurture and develop personal charisma. Students also have the option of taking the Harvard Implicit Bias test.

Are you aware of your own hidden or innate talents? More importantly, do you know your teammates’ or subordinates’ talents? Are you exercising leadership by helping your subordinates find their “ikigai”? And finally, why is this skill necessary in today’s world? This module explains the importance of recognizing one’s innate talents and those of one’s teammates or subordinates – and its impact on team building, employee engagement and retention. It covers a variety of assessment tools in use by industry such as the Gallup StrengthsFinder, ASVAP, Myers Briggs, Thompson Testing, Wonderlic, Color Code and People Styles at Work. Students have the option to take the Color Code self-assessment, People Styles at Work or the Gallup StrengthsFinder assessment.

Are you task-oriented or outcome driven? What are the differences between tasks/activities and outcomes? This module covers the importance of identifying and focusing on desired outcomes and motivating employees. It includes a review of the concepts from two books: Drive by Dan Pink and Turn This Ship Around by CAPT (ret.) L. David Marquet.

Are you a listener or a reader? Are you a good listener? What are the obstacles that prevent you from conscious listening? This module covers the importance of verbal communications and in particular: listening skills, the different types of listening, how to listen better and how can we get others to listen to us.

Are you influential? Are you speaking with power and intent? This module covers the other aspect of listening skills from the perspective of the speaker: Do people listen when you speak? It explains the importance of the 3 V’s according to Professor Albert Mehrabian (Verbal, Vocal and Visual), the forgetting formula, how long people retain verbal information and how often does the mind wander. The module promotes improved speaking skills and influence and “the power of non-verbal communications.”

Why do you write? What is the underlying desired outcome of written communications? Do people act on your emails? The module explains how one can reduce the cognitive strain with clear, organized and value-added writing. It also explains the differences between verbal and written skills, the Flesch-Kinkaid formula and how people read (hint: F-pattern scanning). Finally, the module provides actionable tips for authoring effective emails that prompt the recipient to take the desired action.

Are you persuasive? Can you convince others to see your perspective or buy into your ideas? What is the science behind persuasion? This module covers the importance of persuasion and its prevalence and effect on our daily personal and professional lives. It covers Professor Robert Cialdini’s original 6 principles as well as the latest addition, principle #7, that are key factors that are woven into the social fabric. The module also provides tips and techniques on how to change anyone’s mind by reducing reactance.

What are the essential attributes of high performing teams? The module explains the basic research behind effective and high performing teams and the dangers associated with focusing on competitiveness. Discussion around the latest research on productive teams will be followed with observations and discussions on team development (Tuchman model, Pro-Social concepts) and the application of influence principles to team building.

Do you know your conflict management style? This module is a wholistic treatise of conflict management, types of conflict, sources and resolution of conflict. It also includes tips on escalating a conflict, the decision-making process and the impact of personal influence and persuasion principles. Students have the opportunity to complete the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Style self-assessment.

Can you account for your 8 hours each day and have you conducted a time utilization survey? Are you effective at work, able to complete all tasks and keep up with all emails? This module covers time management techniques from Covey to Eisenhower and Allen, with a special emphasis on the Getting Things Done (GTD) method by David Allen. The module covers the 10 dysfunctional behaviors at work and how to deal with them in 3 easy steps. Finally, look out for tips for managing virtual meetings!

Do you follow a deliberate, transparent process to make important decisions? What are the biases that prevent us from making good decisions? This module explains the two major types of decisions (time-dependent and multi-stage linear decisions) people face on daily basis; how people decide; and the sources, roles, and responsibilities in the decision-making process. It covers choice architecture, the Military Decision-Making Process (MPDP) and the importance of collaboration in the decision-making process. The module also covers the hidden traps and biases that prevent good people from making the right decision such as priming, anchoring, confirmation, loss aversion and the default heuristic.

How do you avoid “death by PowerPoint”? For starters, there are the 6 basic principles every presenter should follow. This module covers content management, font size, Chromostereopsis, mastering hand gestures, tone, eyes contact, storytelling and body posture in order to achieve better audience engagement.

Napoleon positioned himself a mile and a half from the main battlefield of Waterloo, Belgium and consequently was not able to directly stay on top of the action. The Emperor, however, relied on critical information requirements to get feedback on the position and readiness of his troops and convey his orders to regimental officers. The outcome of history’s most infamous battle was not in his favor. Whether on the battlefield or in business, immediate and unambiguous feedback is an essential driver of influence.

Each training engagement concludes with a brief summary of the key topics covered over the duration of the training and a call to action to prompt students to apply what they have learned.