Project Management-Project Management is a style of management that is utilized within organizations to deliver a final product within budget, time constraints, and is measurable. This style of management can be used on many different types of projects. From construction of a building to a team plan to achieve the goal of an organization. Project is utilized in for profit organizations as well as nonprofit organizations.
Behavioral Dynamics- As a leader this competency has been invaluable to me. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage my own emotions as well as others emotions. Understanding that behaviors are learned from experiences, and life events, which contributes to the actions, responses, and reactions helps me in communication with my team. I have also discovered my own personality and how my actions, responses, and reactions impact my team. After taking this course I have learned that taking the time to get to know my team and the dynamics that make up their personality helps us to build a trusting and sustainable relationship.
Team Dynamics and Collaboration- The ability to inspire, engage, and lead a team of 32 people is a competency that is learned through academia, but best when combined with the daily experiences, struggles, and wins that the team achieves. Being approachable is important for the team and is critical to team collaboration. Understanding my individual teams strengths, weakness, and goals is critical to building a positive team that supports each other and collaborates to achieve their goals.
Social and Cross Cultural Skills- Before this course I felt that I was a diverse leader that had the ability to communicate respectfully with anyone! What this competency has taught me is the importance of knowing my culture and educating myself about peoples cultures and social skills that are different than mine. I am a people person, and as a leader who is in the business of serving the public educating myself on social/ and cross culture skills will ensure that I am able to effectively communicate in any interactions whether it's my team, the public, or in my personal life. "Leading and managing globally requires not only a heightened sense of your own cultural beliefs and values, but an understanding of the beliefs and values held by members of other cultural groups and an ability to balance all to support your desired outcome"(2005, Pg.48. Scriberg A. , Shriberg D.L., Kumari R. Practicing Leadership Principles and Applications third edition.)
Conflict Resolution- Conflict Resolution is a critical skill for any leader to have and requires practice. As a leader I have built on my conflict resolution skills through courses, reading and practice. The contents I have utilized in supporting my conflict resolution development is, The Aikido Way, Radical Candor, and practice with peers and my team. Practicing the conversation before having the conversation is important, Self awareness emotion and/or personal bias, and using the Power pose before approaching conversations helps me to focus on the facts, listen, and develop a resolution or compromise between the 2 parties. I have used all of these tools and achieved a successful outcome when holding a team member accountable, and/or meditation between 2 team members.
Group Dynamics and communication- At the coffee shop, communication, support, candid conversations, and knowing each other is key to a positive group dynamic. Once these dynamics are in place, the team in action is like observing a beautiful ballet where each movement gracefully leads to the next move and all parts of the ballet flow.
Strategic Planning- Understanding how to analyze what drives my business, team members, customer needs, and community needs has supported achieving my goals. Combining all of these areas to create my store action plan has led to the rebuilding of my business. I have not only seen an increase in sales, but also daily customer count, customer satisfaction increase from 45 to 58 , increased team engagement in creating a great experience for our customers, and partner innovation. Without a vision there is no plan, without the plan there is no success!