Hotelier - Hotel Training Forum

Learning Surprises # 4 - Walk the Talk

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Attending learning sessions, feeling somehow enthusiastic even seeing responds from participants flying in the air, listening to those questions and concerns, and many 'what if's.

This leadership development Forum for bunch of supervisors, (which means future managers, future leaders) surprises me everytime. Most of them also our training coordinators, which always been associated as agent of change - who we kind of expect will able to create immediate impact to their subordinate, into operations.

There have been great sessions. Practical examples. Tips and tricks. Success stories. Inspiring talks. I have even noted down many explanations from these sessions that make myself go 'wow this is cool... ', 'gee, this is so practical', ...' I can immediate apply this...'

All kind of things, that we think will equip our future leaders to lead the team aiming for only perfection are provided. Ranging from workload analysis, delegating, communication, effective supervisor, (advance) coaching to motivating, you name it. these sessions - always lead me to one question: then what?

Being supervisor, it is then indeed about giving guidance to get the best out from a person. With all sessions dedicated to these supervisors, talking about ways to be best, it is simply a requirement to do it and be a role model. The hardest part after learning session completed, is to put all topic in real life, in act.

Preaching on effective communication, but then we don't communicate. Teaching other the time management and discipline but then we come late and misuse our authority. reminding subordinate to follow rules but we are making excuses for us not to do it. Emphasizing the importance accepting feedback-input-critiques, but our face become sour when we are being critized.

We can swallow this abundant knowledge. Talking about it like expert, and sound real good when doing it. Put all these knowledge into action. Walk the talk, otherwise we really waste the time of learning sessions.

Learning Surprises #3 - do i really know?

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Learning surprises pops up. To find out that I know so little.

Have you ever felt that you know almost anything? But then suddenly a line of challenging questions on your expertise turns your world upside down.

Learning classes always shock me every now and then. Even simple question like: -are you sure you keep up with competitors? - how do you know - how can you tell-

Good thing if we respond to the situation with right attitude. Attitude to take this provoking question as way to improve.

We might think that what we have done is the greatest. Simply think with several years of experience and learning by doing, we know it all. Dangerous, as such thought may limit us to improve.

Once we really step out of the box, from where we are, we might be stabbed with the fact that we are so much left behind. The learning classes always provide insight and shake my conscious that there are still many things to learn from. Abundant knowledge out there need to be absorbed.

when we are thrown into discussion and expose to whatever happening out there, then we realize that keeping our self updated with the trend of the industry is very important. Benchmarking with competitors will provide information where we stand. Good old procedures and approach may become obsolete, as generation shifted into total new character and behavior.

Human is like system. We don't upgrade we become obsolete.

I heard they say: Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.

So Get up. Browse. Explore. Upgrade yourself

Learning Surprises #2 - Silent Achiever

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:45:00 +0000

Another learning surprise.

I got very excited sometime ago, facing pile up of answer sheets from our leadership development program's mid exam. Kind of giggling my self, experience the feeling as if teacher who was carefully scoring every single answer sheet.

I noted that highest result scored by our young captain. She was one of those paying high attention throughout the learning session. Every single session. Quietly taking notes, but providing fruitful responds to all of challenging questions.

I did recalculate her answers and amazed, it was 97 out of 100. I might underestimate her and feel inevitably ashamed because of it, but in a same time was grateful for being reminded that sometime we overlook these kinds of people within the organization

Silent Achievers.

I think, I am a process oriented kind of person. I enjoy steps and processes. This is how I raise my children at home, and try to apply it at workplace. It is about things we value. No point scoring highest by cheating, or getting end result by doing inappropriate action. Yes, we have to aim for result, but process must be appreciated.

I believe as long as we dedicate our sincere effort, we can actually project the end result. If it doesn't turn up as expected, be it. Thing does not always go the way we want it to be. Some things are beyond us. It upset me whenever efforts were not counted and disregarded. Really bugs me.

Identifying silent achievers is very challenging. They are fogged by those whose words louder than acts.

Silent achievers quietly performing their duties aiming their highest. Eliminating unnecessary chit chatting, carrying out responsibilities and persistently delivers the result beyond the expectation.

I noted in many occasion managers are blinded by flowery behaviors, misguided by fancy conversations that actually leads to zero result, where interpersonal skills overtaking the attention and become high requirement, and silent achievers are often neglected. Taken for granted.

I am sure there are still many of these Silent achievers around us, within the organization. We just need to look deeper, and start to appreciate, and reward them, as they contribute to the success of the organization. In silent.

I sense fear

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:35:00 +0000

Sense of Fear. This is what I got from my learning surprises. Sitting down quietly on my observation chair, finding out one concern among many. Out of the pleasantly vivid discussion, the enthusiasm goes off when a whistle blows sound 'change!'

I observe doubt in many faces. I wonder why.

A class of young potential agents of change, with many concerns rising up in the air, seeking tips and techniques on leading people, with their capacity as young supervisor or manager.

Surprisingly sad, attempt in making changes are apparently stumbled by higher superiors. Creativity stops in a way, blocked by 'it has been done this way for ages' attitude. Innovation is never able reach the surface, forbid by line 'just do as told'.

Hmm, I wonder.

My young agents of change are in a very challenging position. While having pressure in fulfilling company -through superior- expectation, they also have subordinates to be supervised. To be motivated. They will look up to their models, and very likely bring what's been taught down to other team member.

If fear what they sense from their manager, I guess they would simply having it dripped from above. From the environment. Where else?

I sense the fear. Shock me little bit. Is it really management by fear exists in their environment? In my workplace?

The line of 'what if', 'not sure he will listen', 'afraid it will bounce back to me', 'is it really possible'.......go on throughout the day's discussion. Good thing, the fear is identified. Also, there seems a flair of 'let's try' in the atmosphere. Somehow it's a relief there is still initiative and willingness to address this concern.

Then, I guess it is homework to manage this fear, drive it out from their environment. Anyone can advise how to drive fear out of workplace?

learning surprises

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:40:00 +0000

I always enjoy all kind of learning classes or seminar sessions. At least, trying to enjoy it. facing the facts that some people attending a learning class with unwillingness to attend, I think I can 'show off' a little bit, that I never turn down an offer 'to learn'. Cannot turn down, will not turn down and don't have the heart to turn down.

Indeed, it is not exactly easy, to ‘re-set' your mindset, freeing it from judgment and fully letting the brain to absorb the content of the learning session.

My secret key (hahh, it is not secret anymore, I guess: D ) is to come to the session for three kind of pleasures.

First. Enjoying the content for personal satisfaction. Simply to be contented. Well, there are, in fact lousy contents, not a interesting and boring topic; which becomes a challenge for me to stay in my chair till the end of session, and make me deserve pleasurably saying the content is 100% s*u*c*k hahaha.

Second, having fun enjoying the reaction and response from all participants or attendees. Hmmm, truly fun part ;)

Third, if I get lucky, I get the pleasure 'enjoying' the facilitator. Some of them, despite of content, are very inspiring and making the heart beat goes faster, stimulates adrenalin, to act. Especially when it comes to a spunky gorgeous male facilitator......wwooo, heavenly earth hehehe

At my workplace, I get very lucky to be able to access any of learning classes I want. And excitedly enjoying the second point. Even though, only as observer. Actually with the observer label instead of participant, it truly is double benefits.

Sit down quietly in the back of the room, sometime able to multitask some of the responsibility. Really, a pleasure to be an observer.

There are always interesting and exciting findings from participants. Concern on bosses, chit chat on dearly boss, cases that I thought only peanuts, people simply being naïve, unawareness, intention to 'test' the facilitator, those who drop their sleepy heads on the table, indeed make me having pleasantly moment in the corner of the class.

Where I work, holding responsibility and dedicate myself, second point becomes 'candid observation'. Food for thought. To put myself in their shoes, finding dissatisfaction, or even unexpectedly compliments, is all valuable inputs and feedback.

Learning classes have always been a great fun. Full of surprises, and I love surprises ;)

irritating

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Have you been in a session when the trainer or speaker constantly saying certain word almost every 10 seconds? So in a second your brain starts shifted and get very much irritated? So there I was. Feeling very enthusiastic to embrace new insights and knowledge, emptying my space in my brain storage and all shattered in pieces after first seventy seconds hearing word 'right' burst out from the speaker. Well, I guess it was unpurposely but then very irritating. I peeped in, person next to me started making bars counting them, I giggled. Even though I decided not be disturbed by such habits - this irritated repeated usage of word 'right' -- distracted me in a first stage of the session. Pity. And as in my job, time to time I need to stand up on a stage doing a same thing as this speaker/facilitator/trainer - whatever it's called, I try to recall whether I actually unconciously doing a same thing. Saying irritating repeated words that at the end become distraction. Oh no, I hope not. Dangerous, driving audiences's attention drifted from the content. Even ineresting topic of presentation may loose it charms and flair if the presenter is not aware of this. My mind flies reviewing my team. We are having numerous Learning champions -departmental trainer who have been our great assets assisting human resources training department in ensuring any training, learning and development activities are carried out within the organization. I am sure not everyone capable in keeping their focus in place. Experiencing that 'word -right' used abusively, as many as 422 times -as pleasantly noted by person next to me, overriding presentation. (Quoted his status on social media :) ) and distracting the attention from really gaining hundred percent of the topic content, in my judgement - could have been avoided, as it may not be fully eliminated. I guess I may have my shortcoming as well. Considering such person doing it in public session, I might have done it without knowing it. I certainly feel the urgency, to ensure my team, in delivering training or presentation, do not pick this unnecessary habit, indeed. I guess it needs feedback from colleague trainer, to outline this shortcoming. I am also sure, there are tips and techniques we can learn from, to assist, ensuring the presentation delivered its content, avoiding irritating habits.

work for a cause

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Work for a cause & not for applause. Live life to express & not to impress. Don't strive to make ur presence noticed. Just make ur absence felt. I love above lines. It simplifies my idea of working with heart, with passion. Workplace, time to time can be a very cruel environment to be in. Despite their human resources department usually requires their division heads to promote and establish a pleasant working environment, this idea is apparently not easier than said. You will see, every now and then, people try to steal someone else's idea to get credit, or passing monkey to others; blame others, scapegoating; spreading rumors. Gee, scary and totally not a heavenly world. That when I find that it is essential to outline personal goals. Aim for personal achievement. Whatever being aligned from this initiative, I believe will simply meet any organizations' goals. One sample. Struck my conciusness, when my friend bluntly say '.....your employees don't work with their heart, citra. Smiles are missing here.' Smile is the heart of hospitality industry. Ring a bell? That 'work with heart' thing? I guess then, maybe my adsociates don't have the cause. Yet. Don't have the heart, the soul. I noted it, aware of the problem, and put myself as most responsible for it, and such facts stabbed my heart. I believe despite organization has a role in disseminating the spirit, individual should also set him/herself a right mindset. Reabsorping the lines, it bounces back to us. Can we identify the cause? Able to discern which is to express and which to impress? What are we really looking for? Some need other people to remind the cause. I guess that's when those motivation speakers work for them. Some found the cause through experiences, or seeing the living proof, or positively contaminated by shared success story. Whatever, it all leads to personal, individual choice. Only those can work for the cause instead of applause and those who live to express, can surely deliver work results that truly differentiate himself or herself from mediocre associates. Personal determination and persistent to the cause choosen enable individual to stay focus and believe in whatever he or she is doing. So, find your cause, and live life to express. Applause is the compliment.