Networking

Hello LINC 7 Students!

Here's a link to the "wikiHow" website on Networking. It's got some good general tips and information about networking face-to-face and on the internet. Right now, focus on Part 1, which is about MASTERING THE BASICS (face-to face or "in person")...

At home, please practice your PERSONAL PITCH (see my handout). This is essentially the same as what Wikihow calls an "elevator pitch":

An elevator pitch is a personal blurb [= a brief description] that sums up the "professional you" and can be delivered quickly — for example, in the time it would take two people to share an elevator ride. Not exactly a speech that you memorize, an elevator pitch is a couple of refrains [= main ideas] that you remember that you can build around, given the situation. Here's an example:

• "I just graduated from UBC with a degree in marine biology. In school, I studied the interaction of tidal patterns on puffin populations. Currently, I'm leading a conservation effort designed to save the puffin population in Eastern Egg Rock, Maine."

You don't want to completely memorize it and sound like a robot, but it helps to practice and rehearse your personal pitch. The more you practice, the easier it will become for you.... and the better your networking skills will become!

Enjoy your weekend!

Bullies in the Workplace

Hi LINC 7 Students!

Here's the link to the video we watched in class. It's very fast and 12 minutes long, but I'd just watch the first 5 minutes and 15 seconds. Watch it a few times and see if you can understand more of the content each time you view it. You can also watch it with the English "captions" on!


We also watched part of this second video on harassment. Harassment and sexual harassment are particular forms of bullying at work.

Wednesday Homework!

Hello Everyone!

Here's the link to the video of Remember Me, written by Willie Nelson and sung by Paul Simon and Edie Brickel.


Also, please re-read the article "Your Boss Just Isn't That Into You."

There's a lot of challenging vocabulary here that you need to review. Please make sure you understand these words and phrases:

paranoia (n)
dread (n)
disdain (n)
"silence is golden" (idiom)
a search party (phrase)
"up the creek" (idiom)
whopping (adj)
calibrate (v)
productivity (n.)
unrelenting (adj)
impact (n, v)
in jeopardy (phrase)
proactive (adj)
a tipping point (idiom)
inevitable (adj)
buck up (idiom)
suffer in silence (phrase)
persnickety (adj)
mentor (n, v)
proactive (adj)
office dynamics (phrase)
a silver lining (idiom)
iconic (adj)

We'll review this vocabulary in class on Wednesday.

The Sandwich Method

Hi LINC 7 Students,

Here's a review on the Sandwich Technique, which we heard about today from Carolina.

In the video, Carla uses the idiom "to go off on [someone]" which means "to become angry with [someone]". If you don't communicate respectfully, you might "go off" like a bomb! This could do a lot of harm to the relationship with the person whom you explode at!

Weekend writing assignment

Hello Everyone,

Here's your writing assignment for this weekend:

First, I want you to watch the video Communication Skills: The 6 Keys of Powerful Communication. In this video, Leon discusses the six most important skills that can improve your communication at work, as well as with your family and friends:

1. Assertiveness  (Ask for what you want/need.)

2. Authenticity  (Be true to yourself; don't hold back.)

3. Open-mindedness  (You're willing to consider other points of view.)

4. Empathy  (Understand and create "common ground" with the other person.)

5. Clarity  (Communication is what the other person "hears" in your conversation!)

6. Listening  (Really hear what the other person wants/needs.)

TASK: Once you have watched the video a couple of times, think about which two communication skills (2 of the 6) you most need to work on and improve. Write a few paragraphs about those two skills. Why did you choose those two skills? What are the benefits for you if you can improve them? Give examples of how you think you can improve those skills.

More on Improving Communication Skills at Work

Hi LINC 7 students,

Here's the link to a good video about resolving conflicts at work. There is a lot of advanced vocabulary in this video, but you can watch it several times!

One of key points involves asking questions rather than making statements when you are in a leadership role.

Ask yourself: Is this conversation going to motivate my colleague (co-worker) or demotivate (which means that your colleague is less likely to be motivated and productive in the workplace)?



Here's the link to a longer video (20 minutes) called "Communication Skills: The 6 Keys Of Powerful Communication."

The speaker discusses the six most important skills that can improve your communication at work, as well as with your family and friends:

1. Assertiveness  (Ask for what you want/need.)
2. Authenticity  (Be true to yourself; don't hold back.)
3. Open-mindedness  (You're willing to consider other points of view.)
4. Empathy  (Create a "common ground" with the other person.)
5. Clarity  (Communication is what the other person "hears" in your conversation!)
6. Listening  (Really hear what the other person wants/needs.)

Which one(s) do you have to improve (work on)?

Gender in the Workplace

Hello LINC 7 Students!

Here's the link to the radio interview on gender inequality in science and math. It's called "The Only Woman in the Room," and it's from the CBC Radio science show "Quirks and Quarks."

Regarding our conversation about girls and young women going into STEM majors (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), here's a short Microsoft video that encourages girls to pursue a career in science.

Here's a summary of the Microsoft approach to this situation:

"7 out of 10 girls are interested in science. Only 2 out of 10 will pursue it as a career. Let’s change that. Through the voices of these girls, we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History month. We support the bright young women who participated in this project and all girls who share our belief in the empowering nature of science and technology.

Microsoft is committed to creating opportunities for all youth. DigiGirlz is a Microsoft YouthSpark program that gives girls the opportunity to learn about careers in tech. Learn more about it here: http://msft.it/digigirlz"

Internal Conflict

Hi LINC 7 Students,

Good work on today's role plays! This gives you a sense of how to deal with conflict at work, while also being polite and respectful.

Please watch the videos from yesterday if you haven't had a chance yet.

Also, here's a good video on internal conflict. It's part of a series that you have to pay for, but you can watch the first 2 minutes and 50 seconds for free!

There is also a transcript of the video at the bottom of the page. Just scroll down and read as you listen.

Have a great weekend everyone!

More on Conflict at Work

Hi LINC 7 Students,

Here's a worthwhile video on the various types of conflict that can arise at work. (5 minutes)

Here's another video made by office workers in Malaysia. It's funny in parts but has some good points. One man talks about how conflict can help us "satisfy our psychological needs". (8 minutes)

This is the same point made in the video from today's class:  

We all have needs. If our needs are not met, then we may begin to feel conflict in the situation. If we jump to "managing the conflict," and don't COMMUNICATE, then we may jump to getting angry, withdrawing, the silent treatment, gossiping, back-stabbing, avoiding, getting sick, sulking, shouting, and being aggressive. 

These are NOT effective ways to handle conflict at work, with our family, or in life generally!

Conflict Resolution

Hello LINC 7 Students,

If you have time, please watch this video on Conflict Resolution. We'll also watch it together in class on Wednesday.

Here's an online comment from someone who watched it: "This is a great video on conflict resolution. There are many people who would rather avoid conflict, but I believe that approaching it head-on while remaining calm is the best way to resolve any issue."

Is this what you believe? Do you approach conflicts "head on" or try to avoid them?!?

Why do people often choose to avoid conflict? What are the results of such behavior?

What is the definition of "conflict" in this video? Is this is a useful definition? Why or why not?

What is the main problem identified in this video?

Dealing with Conflict at Work

Hi Everyone,

Tuesday's class discussion will focus on handling conflict and confrontation in the workplace. Please read the article by Rhonda Scharf on overcoming your fear of confrontation and conflict.

Please consider the following questions:

1. Rhonda writes that a former colleague has conversations in his head with people he's angry at. Do you ever do this? Why? Does it help or hurt you?
2. How can we prepare for a confrontation? Why is this important?
3. What's wrong with sentences that start with "I feel...."?
4. Why does Rhonda advise you to "stop talking" in step 2?
5. How can arguments result from this method? What is the problem with arguments?
6. Why is it important to have a "resolution" figured out BEFORE you engage in the "confrontation"?
7. What does "negotiate, but don't fight" mean? Can you think of an example from your work life?

In addition, please watch this video on Conflict Resolution. We'll watch this again in class too!

Here's an online comment from someone who watched it:

"This is a great video on conflict resolution. There are many people who would rather avoid conflict, but I believe that approaching it head-on while remaining calm is the best way to resolve any issue."

Is this what you believe? Do you approach conflicts "head on" or avoid them?!?

Identifying your Personality Type

Hi Gang,

Here's the link to the video about the four main personality types, which we watched in class.

Please watch it again before you write your paragraph (double-spaced) about what type you are. Write about 150-200 words. Please use examples of your behaviour that indicates you are one particular type. If you are a "combination" of two types, please explain how and why you are a mix of types. Provide details (stories, examples, situations) from your life.

Why are we doing this?

Understanding more about your own personality is important in dealing with other people, especially at work, where you may have to work with people who are not naturally your "friends." If we are able to understand and become aware of how we act and behave in our lives, then we gain more skill in relating well to other people, not just co-workers, but family members, lovers and friends.

Next week we will be moving into discussing more specific strategies of how to deal politely with people whom we find difficult to work with.

Improving Workplace Relationships

Hi LINC 7 Students,

Tomorrow we're going to start our discussion of politeness at work and workplace relationships. 

We have all had difficult and challenging relationships at work: with fellow workers, with our boss, with customers, etc. Maintaining effective and healthy relationships is one important key to a successful and satisfying career and workplace environment -- both short-term and long-term.

Here's a video that I'd like you to watch for Thursday's class. It's called "How to Deal with People You Don't Like at Work":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pm8kU37u0Ho

Please take note of the four types of "difficult people" that the presenter mentions in her video.

Have you encountered any of the four types in your workplaces?

Have you been any of these four types yourself in your workplace?

How can you best deal with these four types of people at work?

New Year's Resolutions

Hi LINC 7 Students!

Please read over "A Positive Start" by Lourdes Elardo-Gant and think about the following questions for discussion in class tomorrow (Wednesday):

1. Why does the writer recommend looking back at your experiences in the previous year?

2. What are two things you have learned about yourself since moving to Canada?

3. What two things are you most grateful for in your life today?

4. What is your personal "theme" for 2016? For example, my theme for 2016 is "Meditation" because I want to do more (regular) meditation this year.

5. Choose one of your resolutions from Tuesday's class, and break it down into a list of specific steps. In other words, how are you going to accomplish your goals and resolutions, step by step?


Here's the link to the Tinder video we watched in class.

Happy New Year!

Hello LINC 7 Students!

Welcome (again) to Doug's Blog for our LINC 7 (part time morning) class at Vancouver Community College.

I started this blog in September 2015 to keep in touch with you through the term.

Welcome!

On this blog, I'll be posting homework and links that you can check out on your home computer or smart phone. I'll try to make everything clear and simple -- and not confuse you!

I look forward to working with you all this term!

Please watch this animated video about cell phone addiction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mwpmjf6cwE

Consider the following questions:

1. Where was this video created?
2. What phenomena (kinds of events) are depicted in this video?
3. Do you find this video funny? Why or why not?

Thank you for studying at VCC! See you tomorrow!

Doug