Kit Prendergast, PCC
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Tag Archives: Talent Development
You Are Strong! What Your Hands, Head and Heart Already Know
How do you help someone else recognize their own strengths? Their own potential? To believe in themselves and their future when the odds are against them?
This was the challenge when our team of Global Volunteers was asked to design and deliver a motivational workshop for the teenage boys aging out of their orphanage in Lima, Peru. They had lived there for years and now they would be on their own in just a few short months.
Would they recognize their unique strengths and be able to use those assets to achieve the future they wanted for themselves? How could we help set them up for success, and do it in a second language, with limited training supplies and in just 45 minutes?
It was actually the boys talking about their passion for soccer that sparked the idea of using a simple picture of a hand, a head and a heart to capture their individual strengths. Our goal was to have each young man recognize and appreciate his own foundation of unique strength.
Here’s how we did it in five simple steps – so simple but so powerful – and you can do the same with any young person in any life circumstance.
- Start with a large piece of white paper for each teen and several colored pencils. In the left bottom corner, ask them to outline their hand with outstretched fingers. On each finger, ask them to write a skill or strength that they have with their hands. (For example: soccer, art/drawing, cooking, electrical repair, wood working, etc.)
- Next, ask them to draw a picture of their face or head in the upper middle page. Ask them to write down their “head” strengths, usually from their schooling (math, writing, music, etc.)
- Finally, ask them to draw a picture of their heart in the lower right corner of the page. Here they write their “heart” strengths like courage, persistence, faith, etc.
- Connect the three pictures (hand, head & heart) with a triangle and ask them to write “Soy Fuerte” or “I Am Strong” in the center.
- From here, you can flip the paper over and help them identify their future or dream jobs and finally, what resources they will need to use to achieve those goals.
Did it work? Yes! Very Well.
It was amazing to see how quickly the teenage boys grasped these concepts of interpersonal strengths and were able to apply them directly to their future. We were amazed and so inspired by their courage and spirit. Thank you boys for allowing us to be part of your journey!
Film Review: McFarland USA
McFarland USA, with Kevin Costner by Disney, 2015.
Okay, I admit that I’m a big Kevin Costner fan, especially in sports movies that are based on true stories. This movie, McFarland USA, is just that kind of inspiring story.
It’s about a coach, Jim White (Costner), down on his luck who moves to a farming community, McFarland, in the central valley of California. White begins to recognize the raw talent of the high school boys who are not only physically strong but show incredible perseverance and courage as they work in the fields every day to help provide for their families. White believes in their potential (and convinces them to believe in themselves) and along with the support of this hard-working, farming community, he builds a champion cross-country running team, winning the California State Championship 9 out of 14 years.
It’s an amazing story about seeing and believing in others’ strengths as well as our own!
Here’s a link to one of the movie’s trailers, via IMDb (Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1125297945/
Posted in Kit's Resources & Book Reviews
Tagged coaching, inspiration, Leadership, learning, motivation, Talent Development, training
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Global Volunteers – Just One of Many Volunteer Opportunities!
Kit and other Global Volunteers, Peru, 2015.
There are many great international humanitarian organizations. My favorite has been the Global Volunteers organization – www.GlobalVolunteers.org– which has been serving underdeveloped communities around the world since 1984. They are now serving in 19 countries with varied projects including teaching English and doing light construction. More than 30 thousand volunteers have participated in one-, two- or three-week assignments, working in rotating teams under the guidance of experienced country hosts.
What makes this organization different is their professionalism and organization, which makes the volunteer experience as smooth as possible. But more importantly is their ongoing commitment to providing sustainable services (through rotating teams) that are specifically requested by the community. In addition, community representatives are always working alongside the volunteers, making these desired changes their own.
Global Volunteers is a long-standing NGO leader in special consultative status with the United Nation and in partnership with UNICEF and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Posted in Global Training & Coaching
Tagged Global Volunteerism, inspiration, Leadership, Talent Development
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3 Ways to Retain the Talents of a Millennial
What is the Millennial generation? These younger people, also known as Gen Y, were born after 1985 and bring a wealth of talent, energy and creativity to today’s workforce. But for many Baby Boomer employers, it is a challenge to figure how to successfully recruit, manage and ultimately retain these valuable employees.
Once hired, the Millennials are bringing different expectations to their jobs. To learn what these are simply ask a Millennial. They will tell you, often with some genuine frustration. I have been asking several, including my daughter Barbara, age 22, about what is the key to keeping them or, in reverse, why they would leave their current job.
Here is what they say . . .
- “First, give me the opportunity to use my strengths. Don’t be afraid to challenge me. Give me stretch assignments. I also want to see a career progression at this company. Is there a clear path to move up in this company? Will you give me the training, mentoring and coaching resources to help me master new innovative skills?”
- “Second, listen to me! Give me a chance to contribute my ideas even though they might be a bit different. Encourage me to have a voice and have a seat at the table. I want to be included as a valuable member of the team. “
- “Third, don’t forget me. I need and appreciate regular feedback about my job responsibilities and performance. I want to know how to excel in this job but I also need support and guidance. After all, this is my first “real” job.”
It actually all makes perfect sense. If you hired well, the Millennials simply want to do what they were hired for or what they aspire too. Set aside the stereotypes and listen to each person as an individual – you will be pleasantly surprised!
Key Questions: The Who, What, When & Why of Your Audience
This is a hard lesson to learn. But ask any experienced public speaker and they will tell you a story (or several) of a presentation that flopped because they didn’t know the real needs of the audience or maybe even who the audience was going to be. Sound familiar?
We can’t skip this step ever. Even if the organization asking you to speak is in a hurry and tells you “just talk about anything” don’t do it! You must know who will be listening to you, what their needs are and what they are expecting from you. Here are the classic Who, What, When & Why questions to ask about your audience.
- Who is the audience? (numbers, professions, age/gender)
- What outcome does the audience (and the organization) want to walk away with?
- When is the presentation? (time of day, over a meal, with other speakers, or?)
- Why is the group meeting? (entertainment, learning, continuing education credit, or?)
Once you know these answers, you can begin designing your presentation with confidence. Need more? Check into my upcoming tele-seminar starting in January. Love to have you!
Posted in Inspirational Leadership, Kit's Tips
Tagged Career, communication, Talent Development
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