Are your employees asking for asynchronous, on line, on demand ways to learn? Independent Activities, like the ones below, can be a powerful part of your live training program.

Here’s a sample of 3 Activities we’ve developed for our clients. Each refers to one of the 8 Networking Competencies (found under the “Solutions” tab at this site) and each refers to specific pages in our Strategic Connections book.

Call Lynne at 301-589-8633 if you’d like to license the use of these activities and others we’ll design specially for your group.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY BY ____________

LEAPING BOUNDARIES

1. There are 2 reasons to expand your “inside” network. One is that keeping your eye on the big picture will help you contribute to enterprise-wide results. The other is to get your job done.
2. Make a list of the “holes” in your Org/Net. What person/function would fill that need?
3. Talk with your mentor or manager about with whom and what steps to take to expand your Org/Net. Can s/he make introductions?

Leaping Boundaries:
Stretch Assignment Competency 3

Read pages 64-67 in Strategic Connections.

Risk reaching out. Create your Org/Net by connecting with people from other departments or business units at your organization.

“DRIVING GROWTH & INNOVATION MEANS ENGAGING MUCH MORE SEAMLESSLY ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF GEOGRAPHIC, FUNCTIONAL, AND GENERATIONAL BOUNDARIES AND BORDERS.” IBM REPORT, WORKING BEYOND BORDERS

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY BY ____________

STORIES STICK!

1. Read the pages listed. Read the sample stories out loud to get the flow. Ask yourself, “What does this story teach? What facts? What can I infer?”
2. Use the 5-S Formula on page 172 in your book to write a story you might tell. Who would you tell I to? What do you want to teach that person?
3. Partner with a peer. Read your stories to each other. Get and give coaching to improve them.
4. Make a video on your phone of you telling your story. Send it to your mentor or boss before your next meeting, so you can get his/her feedback.

Telling Stories:
Stretch Assignment
Competency 7

Read pages
170-178 in
Strategic
Connections

“Most people won’t be there when you have your shining moments. So, it’s through stories that they learn about your Character and Competence.”

Highlight the Turn-Around: The solution you came up with to solve the problem or challenge you faced.

“YOU’RE NOT BRAGGING!
YOU’RE JUST TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO COME TO YOU FOR & WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS YOU SOLVE.”

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS ACTIVITY BY ____________

ASKING GOOD QUESTIONS

1. Take the Quiz on page 143. Do you agree?
2. Make it a practice to be seriously curious. Schedule lunch with someone you’d like to know better. Ask questions. Notice which questions build trust.
3. Look for role models who are good at asking questions that build relationships. Notice what you like to be asked.
4. In your Program notebook, keep a list of questions you like to ask and be asked.

Ask
“Stop & Think” Questions: Conversation Quiz Competency 6

Read pages 141-145 in Strategic Connections.

You’ll be known by the questions you ask. Choose questions that:
Add Emotion
Seek an Opinion
Kick It Around

“CATCH ME UP ON WHAT YOU’VE BEEN DOING.”
“HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INTERESTED IN THAT?”
“WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON LATELY?”
“WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO?”