Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

Tags: soft skill topics  topics under soft skills  soft skills  ppt on topics  soft skill training topics  soft skill trainer  soft skill training games  training topics for students  soft skills training topics

Everyone experiences problems from time to time.  Some of our problems are big and complicated, while  others may be more easily solved.  There is no shortage of challenges and issues that can arise on the job.  Whether in an offce or on a construction site, experiencing difficulties with the tasks at hand or with co- workers, the workplace presents ongoing challenges on a daily basis. Whether these problems are large or  small, they need to be dealt with constructively and fairly.  Having the necessary skills to identify solutions to  problems is one of the skills that employers look for in employees.

Problem solving and critical thinking refers to the ability to use  knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems.  This  doesn’t mean you need to have an immediate answer, it means  you have to be able to think on your feet, assess problems and  fnd solutions. The ability to develop a well thought out solution  within a reasonable time frame, however, is a skill that  employers value greatly.


Employers want employees who can work through problems on their own or as an effective member of a  team. Ideal employees can think critically and creatively, share thoughts and opinions, use good judgment,  and make decisions.  As a new employee, you may question why an organization follows certain steps to  complete a task.  It may seem to you that one of the steps could be eliminated saving time, effort, and  money.  But you may be hesitant to voice your opinion.  Don’t be; employers are usually appreciative when  new employees are able to offer insight and fresh perspective into better and more effcient ways of doing  things.  It is important to remember, however, that as someone new to the organization, you may not always  have the full picture, and thus there may be factors you are unaware of that dictate that things be done in a  particular way.  Another important thing to remember is that when you are tasked with solving a problem, you  don’t always need to answer immediately. 


The activities in this section focus on learning how to solve problems in a variety of ways in the workplace.  Participants will hear about how to properly tell the difference among criticism, praise, and feedback and  reacting appropriately.  The section will also review strategies for making ethical decisions, solving problems  on a team with others, and learning how to take into account others’ perceptions when assessing actions or  statements in the workplace.

A note to facilitators:  Building self-determination skills, such as goal setting, decision-making, self- advocacy, and problem solving should be included in career planning for all youth.  Youth with disabilities  and/or other (perceived) barriers to employment and/or disconnected youth will tend to have a resiliency  not always experienced by their same aged peers  – and not always easily seen or understood by themselves  or by adults. You are encouraged to use the activities in this section to help young people explore how the  obstacles they (or those they know) may face in life can pose an opportunity for developing and  demonstrating maturity, responsibility, and wisdom.  Providing young people with safe opportunities to  explore how their personal resiliency can be used to develop enhanced problem solving and confict  resolutions skills is a opportunity many adults may shy away from, but one that may ultimately be a gift.



Tags: soft skill topics  topics under soft skills  soft skills  ppt on topics  soft skill training topics  soft skill trainer  soft skill training games  training topics for students  soft skills training topics

Communication

Tags: Communication ,soft skill topics  topics under soft skills  soft skills  ppt on topics  soft skill training topics  soft skill trainer  soft skill training games  training topics for students  soft skills training topics

Communication skills are important to everyone - they are how we give and receive information and  convey our ideas and opinions with those around us.
 Communication comes in many forms:

• verbal (sounds, language, and tone of voice) 
• aural (listening and hearing)
•  non-verbal (facial expressions, body language, and posture)
•  written (journals, emails, blogs, and text messages)
• visual (signs, symbols, and pictures)

It is important to develop a variety of skills for both communicating TO others and learning how to  interpret the information received FROM others.  Knowing our audience and understanding how they  need to receive information is equally important as knowing ourselves. 

To an employer, good communication skills are essential.  In fact, employers consistently rank good  communication skills at the top of the list for potential employees.

During an interview, for example, employers are impressed by a job candidate who answers questions  with more than one-word answers (such as yeah…nah…dunno), demonstrates that he or she is listening,  and shares information and ideas (by asking questions for clarification and/or follow-up).  The  interview can be an indication to employers of how the candidate or employee will interact with  supervisors, co-workers, and customers or resolve conficts when they arise.  Remember, non-verbal  communication is also critical in an interview.  Employers expect good eye contact, good posture, and  “active” listening.  

One of the challenges in the workplace is learning the specifc communication styles of others and how  and when to share your ideas or concerns. Though some supervisors may specifcally ask for your  opinion, others may assume if there is something important they need to know, you will bring it to  their attention – or if there is something you are unsure about, you will ask. Knowing how to listen  carefully and when to ask for help is important.  If an employee and a supervisor learn to communicate  well (in whatever method that works), there is a greater likelihood of job retention and promotion.


The activities in this section will not only help participants practice and recognize how they provide  information to others, but also help them consider how others may prefer to receive information. It is  important to reinforce with participants that communication skills involve give and take – and they  can, indeed, be learned and strengthened over time.  

Note to facilitators:  Communication skills are necessary for the development of self-advocacy and  self-determination, important skills for lifelong success.  To that end, the activities in this section  offer many opportunities for youth to practice communicating their strengths and assets while  learning how to minimize any perceived barriers to employment.  Please take the opportunity to add  to or tweak any of the activities to better focus on the needs of your particular group. 

For example, if working with youth with disabilities, create opportunities to practice communicating  how, when, and to whom to disclose a disability on the job or in post-secondary education and/or  different ways to communicate a request for a reasonable accommodation.  If you support youth  involved in the juvenile justice system, enhance this section’s extension activities to include  practicing how to communicate the proactive changes they are making in their lives, what they have  learned from previous experiences, and how any mistakes of the past have helped them to become  more focused and dedicated young adults.