From the Inside Out

Today was a good reminder of why I don’t like public school systems.  Don’t get me wrong.  I know it’s a necessary evil, and I’m a huge proponent of formal education.  The problem is that classroom-based education forces everyone to move along at the pace of the dumbest person in the class.  Then there’s the flip side.  Classes can easily be hijacked by self-proclaimed experts who think everyone in the class wants to benefit from their expertise.  It drives me crazy when they won’t shut up and let the instructor move forward.

I guess that’s why I prefer self-paced education above classroom education.  I mentally check out when the pace is too slow and when I feel like I’m learning nothing.  It’s painstaking.  Self-paced education enables you to move quickly – unhindered, uninterrupted. 

Luckily, my company has a wide variety of training options that are self-paced (VoDs, AoDs, eLearning, IPTV, podcasts, etc).  Certain topics, however, are taught by classroom instructors (primarily management, employee development and leadership courses).  And that’s where I found myself this week.  To be eligible for a special leadership program my executive management team wants me to attend, I had to take a couple of prerequisite courses.  Most of the time, I enjoy these courses, but this week was rough.  It was a brutal reminder of how annoying the education system can be at times.  I’m so glad I’m done with that mess (my sympathies go out to the high school and college students still in the midst). 

At times, I toy with the idea of going back and getting my MBA, but after today, I have no desire to put myself back into “the system.”  Maybe one day they’ll have a self-paced TelePresence way to get your MBA.  Now that would be cool.

Photoshop is undoubtedly one of the best software applications for editing graphic images.  Its powerful tools enable you to create, enhance and manipulate all types of graphics.  Photoshop is the industry standard for graphics professionals; however, there are many non-professional users too.  I am one of those.

By no means do I consider myself an expert.  In fact, I know just enough Photoshop to be dangerous.  A few weeks ago, I embarked on a quest to improve my skills when I ran across the most entertaining software tutorial I’ve ever found, “You Suck at Photoshop“.  Using a series of videos, Donnie insults your intelligence (because you suck at Photoshop) while teaching you how to use the application.  The tutorials are so entertaining that you may want to watch them even if you are a Photoshop expert.

 They are absolutely hilarious!  Check ’em out.

 #1: Distort, Warp, & Layer Effects:

#2: Covering Your Mistakes:

Additional tutorial links:

#3: Clone Stamp and Manual Cloning

#4: Paths and Masks

#5: Select Color Range

#6: Filter: Liquify

#7: Patch Tools and Levels

#8: 3D Layers

#9: Curves

#10: Vanishing Point

During the last two days, I participated in a training class entitled, “Effective Coaching for Managers”.  It was facilitated by Greg Elkins from Lore International Institute.  If you have direct reports, I highly recommend this class.  It trains managers to become more adept at coaching employees.  Attendees learn best-in-class coaching models and valuable skills for delivering tough feedback in a non-threatening way.

For me, the sessions were eye-opening.  I participated in a 360 degree review process before attending the class.  Today, the instructor shared the results.  I learned insightful information about my coaching style and the styles of my direct reports.  This information will help me adjust my style to meet the needs of employees more effectively. 

The assessment also highlighted areas for improvement.  Through role play scenarios, I learned what I was doing right and what was “not so right” in my approach.  I practiced different techniques and honed my skills. 

Now that the class is over, I’m excited about the opportunity to address the issues I’m facing at work.  I feel better equipped to deliver tough feedback and address defensiveness when it crops up. 

Change can be difficult for employees, but without it they can’t grow.  It’s my job to make sure they are stretching beyond their comfort zone and developing new skills for success.  Ultimately, this will help them progress further in their careers. 

This class has inspired me to be more than just a manager.  I want to be a “developer of people”.  If I can motivate people to be more productive, turn weaknesses into strengths, and progress to the next level, that is one of the best legacies I can leave behind.