The seminar I attended in Brisbane on Tuesday and Wednesday was good. I think I’m still processing what I learned, but a few things are clear to me:
- I have SO much to learn.
- My weaknesses/flaws become clearer as I go…
- … but because these are habitual, they can be very hard to see and fix.
- Preparation, Con, preparation.
- Communication is key.
Re: point four, I can think on my feet, but it is possible to over-rely on winging it. Preparation does not hurt and in some cases makes all the difference. It does require discipline.
The fifth point is crucial. So much of my job is about communication – with my peers, my teams, stakeholders – and in so many ways – verbal, written, body language. And: what am I communicating? What is my message?
At a different seminar, I remember being peeved that there is no silver bullet, no answer, no list of things that I can do that will guarantee success every single time, and fix every problem. I resisted the idea that self-knowledge is important. I thought it was too New Age-y and nebulous. Reflection? Bah! And, I have to work at it?
The message keeps getting repeated to me in so many ways: the only person I can control is myself.
