4 Ways You Can Identify if Youre Ready to Lead or Not - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / 4 Ways You Can Identify if You’re Ready to Lead or Not - Introvert Whisperer 4 Ways You Can Identify if You’re Ready to Lead or Not People will notice when you are ready to be a leader, and they will likely tell you so accordingly. Nevertheless, it is also important that you know how to self-assess, too, and determine if you are, indeed, ready to lead or not. So, here are 4 ways that will help you do just that: 1. You know you aren’t perfect, and you’re fine with that. People who think they’re perfect are not ready to lead according to Forbes, because they often lack the flexibility to adjust when things start going wrong or when their best laid-out plans begin failing. If you can accept the idea that perfectionism is more fiction than fact, and are comfortable in the knowledge that you don’t know all the answers, then this is a step in the right direction toward becoming a good, effective leader. This means you are open and willing to learn to get better in your role. It also means you will be flexible enough to change your leadership style when necessary, which  we pointed out before in ‘How to Match Your Leadership Style With Who You Are’  is something that a leader must know how to do. 2. You know what makes you unique.   Different people can bring different things to the table, but the question is, are you familiar with what you can offer to your team and the company?  As we stated previously in ‘Do You Recognize Your Greatness?’  you have “to ‘get it’ about you first before anyone else can.” In other words, you need to discover and appreciate your own greatness first before others do. 3. You’re ready to take blame.   Good leaders can take full responsibility for everything, not only of their own faults and shortcomings but also the failures of others. It is one thing to take heat when you mess up, largely because all the blame is on you, it is another to accept accountability for the actions of your subordinates, especially if said actions lead to failures. If you are ready to accept the responsibility of running a team then you just might be ready to lead. 4. You are decisive.   AudienceBloom CEO Jayson DeMers notes that leaders  need to make decisions “on a near-constant” basis, sometimes with very little information available. If you can make decisions on the fly while under pressure and live with them whatever the results are later on, then you are suited for a leadership role. As mentioned earlier, other people will likely assign to you a leadership role if they see that you are ready for it. When that time comes, you will likely be asked first, “What makes you a strong leader?” Your answer to this question will most likely be the deal breaker, the one that will either get you that leadership role or not.  Menlo Coaching recommends that you make an account of your contributions  to every team you have ever been part of, particularly in terms of problem-solving, crisis management, and mentoring. These three, as you may have noticed, are integral aspects of leadership, and your role in each one will speak volumes on the kind of leader you will be once you have your chance. So, do you think youre ready to lead? Author Bio: Alex Cassidy Go to top Bottom-line â€" I want to help you accelerate your career â€" to achieve what you want by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my 4 Building Blocks to Relationships eBookâ€" the backbone to your Networking success and fantastic work relationships.  Grab yours by visiting here right now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

The Two Weak Spots in Career Planning - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / The Two Weak Spots in Career Planning - Introvert Whisperer The Two Weak Spots in Career Planning When it comes to Career Planning, most people don’t actually have a plan.   Planning your career must be one of those things like doing taxes only without government accountability, as it seems to be fairly common.   It’s also why I spend so much time nagging you to have one.   If I don’t, who will? If that sounds like you to any degree, I’d like to issue a challenge.   Instead of waiting to “shape things up” with your career plan for some flimsy reason: Start now. You can easily use this coming week and weekend to sit down and figure out what your next couple of steps need to be and how to get you where you want to go. This week is as good as any other because if you delay now, you’ll never get to it. There are two weak spots with any endeavor: Starting â€" more people than you’d realize talk a good game but never take the first couple of steps to get started. My philosophy on starting is to start right now.   I think if you delay it can cause you to lose focus and get distracted by other things.   To quote a friend: “Do this before your head hits the pillow tonight.” Finishing â€" In the knitting world there is the term “U.F.O.” It is an Unfinished Object.   There’s actually an acronym for not finishing things you start.   Oftentimes, we do get started but we don’t finish for various reasons.   Maybe we lose our inspiration or something comes up.   My tip for finishing is to plan to get sidetracked and build in some accountability.   The best accountability plan is to have someone keep you accountable but if that doesn’t work for you try putting reminders on your computer. Trust me, you’re not going to miss anything critical by taking the step of planning and the actions you have planned.   When you’re done, you’ll be more focused and actually have a destination to work toward. Go to top Do you know what your next career step is?  Many people don’t. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook on how to construct your Career SMART Goals â€" that will help you put together your actions and keep you accountable. Get your copy now and start your action plan today! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What to Ask Private Schools

What to Ask Private Schools No two kids are exactly alike. No two schools are, either. When looking at private schooloptions at any grade level, it's important that parents ask questions that help them identifythe key differences that will help determine what private school is best for their child. Knowing the right areas to ask questions about is an important step going into private school interviews and tours. As you dive into your exploration of private schools, keep these thoughts in mind: 1. What do you really want to know about this private school? This is different than what you think you should ask. You may feel that asking about test scores or admission rates is what's expected, but it will be most beneficial to everyone if you ask about the areas that truly matter to you. Dont shy away from tougher questions if theyre important to you, but also try not to delve too deeply into uncomfortable areas that put the admissions officer on the spot, such as those regarding your childs specific chances of getting into the school. 2. How is this private school uniquely positioned to help my child? Think about how your child learns and thrives, as well as his or her strengths and weaknesses, and focus your questions according to those needs. Is your son an excellent writer but struggles to work with others? You might want to ask about how the school promotes teamwork. Or, say your daughter has an interest in engineering or mathare there robotics teams or other extracurricular offerings that will boost her learning beyond the typical curriculum? Think about whether the schools overall mission fits the goals you and your child have. Goal Example Question To increase your child's socialization opportunities What kinds of group and teamwork opportunities do you provide? To expand your child's music education Are band, orchestra, and/or choir offered? What are the programs like? To prepare your child for college admissions How early doguidance counselors and teachersstart providingsupportforcollege applications? 3. Tell me more about As with a job interview, you want to go in with as much knowledge as you can glean from the schools website and other available references. This will help you ask better questions and prevent you from looking like you dont care, which is the impression youd likely give by asking for information you could have easily gotten online in five minutes of research. Identify something the school succeeds at that coincides with your goals, and then dig deeper to show your interest. 4. How does this private school keep up with emerging technology? Its no secret that edtech is growing rapidly. How are teachers at this school able to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning and introduce students to new skills? Do they utilize digital textbooks? What is the policy on student smartphone use? On a related note, how is the overall curriculum reviewed, and how often does it change? 5. Does this private school approach the arts from a global, multicultural perspective? Whether or not your child is artistically inclined, a broad education in music, art, theater and cultural differences is invaluable in a time of increasingly global higher education and professional opportunities. If your child does have a specific interest in an artistic area, find out how that can directly be supported by this school. Some areas you might want to inquire about include the following: band orchestra choir acting drawing/painting dance 6. What is the philosophy on athletics at this private school? Many private schools require all students to participate in athletics or some other form of physical education. The lessons in teamwork and health can be invaluable, but if this is an area where your child particularly excels or struggles, you may want to find out more about what his or her experience will be like. 7. How do teachers and administrators at this private school communicate with parents? Many private schools have sophisticated websites, blogs, or social media pages, but how are individual teachers communicating with parents about the classroom and their individual students? What systems are in place for emergency notifications? 8. What support does this private school offer forcollege applications and preparation? Rather than asking where most graduating students are accepted to college or what their test scores are, dig deeper to find out specifically how the schools guidance staff would eventually help your child through the college admissions process. It may seem far away, but it can never be too early to prepare. Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

How Often Should You Change Your Guitar Strings

How Often Should You Change Your Guitar Strings Suzy S. Are you wondering how often you should be changing your guitar strings?   Its a common question for beginner guitarists, and it goes hand-in-hand with general guitar maintenance.   Read on for some great advice from one of our office rock stars, Megan L Learning how to take care of a guitar can seem like a mysterious and difficult undertaking. When I was first learning to play, I was surprised at how much care and attention goes into keeping this instrument sounding great. Between tuning, cleaning and changing strings, at times I felt more like I had invested in a strange new pet than in a guitar. Over time, I found that learning when to change my strings actually made my guitar sound a lot better, which helped me to become a more confident player. Many factors go into determining how often you should consider changing your guitar strings. Dirt and oil from your hands can build up on the strings, causing the sound to become sort of flat or dead. (Learn how to clean your guitar strings here!) Strings stretch out as they are played and eventually do not hold tune well any longer. Additionally, steel strings can rust, which not only affects the sound of your guitar but also makes it kind of gross to play. If you are playing for several hours every day, you might want to change your guitar strings as often as once a week. If you arent quite ready for that much string-changing, washing your hands before you play can help reduce the amount of dirt and oil from your skin that gets onto your strings. However, if you have extra sweaty hands when you play, you might want to change your strings more often. If you notice your guitar doesnt hold tune as well as it used to or the tone sounds less rich, you might see a vast improvement if you just change your strings. Personally, I like to change my strings a day or two before a performance. Not only does it make my guitar sound better, but it helps me feel more prepared to succeed. Megan L., TakeLessons staff member Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by meddygarnet

How to Talk about Winning in English - English Lesson via Skype

How to Talk about Winning in English - English Lesson via Skype Everybody like to win whether it’s a football game or a game of cards. You get an adrenalin rush (good feeling) and it lasts a long time. There are many ways of how to talk about winning in English, to express those emotions and to congratulate other winners. How to Talk about Winning in English BEAT vs WIN Common mistakes made are with the verbs TO WIN and TO BEAT. These mistakes are made by native  speakers and those learning English as a foreign language. For example, you can say:I won the match yesterday.I will win tomorrow.I am winning at the moment.BUT  you cannot say:I won the other team.We will win the other team tomorrow.We are winning the other team today.Instead you can say:I beat the other guy.We will beat that team tomorrow.We are beating them at the moment.Example: My team were playing a big game and at half time (interval) we were winning 2-0. However, in the second half we lost our momentum and the other team scored 3 goals. We were beaten 2-3. Difference between BEAT and WIN - Video Lesson Here are some other words and phrases to talk about winning in English:COME OUT ON TOPto be victoriousExample: Michael was boxing a much bigger kid. He was taller and heavier.He eventually came out on top and won the fight.GET THE UPPER HANDto get an advantageExample: It was a struggle for both competitors but the guy from Turkey eventually got the upper hand and won the fight.TO SEAL VICTORYto make a victory inevitable (certain)Example: It was a very even contest of rugby. Both teams were giving it everything (100% effort). However, the team in Red sealed victory with a last minute goal.KNOCKOUT PUNCHan action or event that causes defeat or failure  This also has a literal meaning as in a boxing match where one boxer knocks out his opponent and wins the fight or we can use it metaphorically.Example: Both teams were trying to win the game in normal time to avoid extra time. United in black shirts provided the knock out punch deep into injury time when they scored a penalty after a ha ndball incident inside the penalty area.Spectators are always more anxious than the players or competitors. They are always relieved when  their team is number one stay top of the league and remain ahead of the posse (one step ahead of someone or something)!Phrases and words like WELL DONE  or CONGRATS  (congratulations) are common expressions used  for the victors (winners) or a US term YOU’RE THE MAN  is heard at lots of sports events like golf and  tennis.Spare a thought  (think for a little while) about the unfortunate loser.For every winner there is a  loser or runner up and they are soon forgotten.HARD LUCK  or BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME  or TOUGH  are all the loser hears.Remember that great song by Queen We are the Champions, We are the Champions English Vocabulary about Winning - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here's what you can do next:

English Vocabulary about Employment - Phrases You Need to Know

English Vocabulary about Employment - Phrases You Need to Know For many months now I have been reading articles about the so-called Gig economy  and jobs without really  knowing to what these articles were referring. If you are currently in the job market looking to change your job or in the process going through a job interview in an English speaking company this English vocabulary about employment might help you. The  Gig economy  concerns those jobs today in the internet age that are neither permanent  nor  secure  and where the contract is extremely flexible  if it exists at all. Such jobs would include people  working in McDonalds or people self-employed as delivery guys delivering your pizza or other take-away meal. The reports I have read suggest that in America over the next few years approximately 40% of  all jobs will be created in this Gig Economy.So instead of merely (just) being employed  or working, there is a very wide range of new words now  used to describe your employment. English Vocabulary about Employment TEMPORARY:  this refers to a limited period of time, approximately several weeks or months perhaps  covering for someone who is sick.PROJECT BASED:  Employed for a period of time until a project is completed and then you wait to see  what is offered or move on to the next project.FIXED TERM:  a period of work fixed by months or years. A two year term that is then re -negotiated.  They may well offer you an extension to the contract before the fixed period runs out.ZERO HOUR CONTRACT:  employed but no guarantee how many hours you will work each week. This is  typical of some jobs in McDonalds and other fast food chains. You might get 10 hours one week and  15 the next but this is at the discretion (choice) of the management.FREELANCE:  You do some work for someone and agree a fee or payment for the work done but you  work at your own pace and place and are not controlled by the company or individual you are  working for. A freelance journalist may write articles and stories for variou s newspapers and  networks and if they like the work they will pay for it but there is no commitment.OUTSOURCED:  A piece of work is needed. There are not the resources within a company to carry out  that work. It is given to somebody or person outside the company. This is referred to as outsourced. English Vocabulary about Employment - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: FLEXITIME: flexible working hours, when you can alter your workday start and finish timesSHIFTWORK: a system in which   a working day is divided in set periods of time and different groups of workers perform their duties at different times of the day and night, for example, nurses, firefighters, etc.A DEAD END JOB: a job in which there is no chance of getting a promotion and build a successful career.BE SELF-EMPLOYED: not working for an employer but finding work for yourself or having your own businessWORK EXPERIENCE: a short period of time in which you a student temporarily works for an employer to gain experience, usually older pupils in schoolOVERTIME: extra time that your work after your usual working hours. Some companies still pay overtime but it is becoming a rarity for employees in the UKWORKING CONDITIONS: things that will affect the quality of your work (working hours, quality of your working space, sick pay, etc)EMPLOYEE ROSTER: a schedule with  a list of  employees, and a ssociated working times and/or responsibilities for a given time period, for example, week, month or seasonSKELETON STAFF: a minimum number of employees required to work in a company on days when most staff do not work, for example, Sundays or public holidays

Transgender Woman Rejected from Smith Educational Opportunities for Trans Students

Transgender Woman Rejected from Smith Educational Opportunities for Trans Students Mount Holyoke College transgender alum Callum Angus holding up a sign in support of Calliope Wong for Smiths QA photo campaign. Smith College, a private women’s college in Massachusetts, rejected Calliope Wong, a male-to-female transgender applicant, twice due to a government financial aid document registering Wong as male. Though born male, Wong has identified as female for several years.   She applied to Smith College in Northampton on two separate occasions, and both times her materials and application fee were returned to her on the basis that “Smith is a women’s college, which means undergraduate applicants need to be female at the time of admission,” read a copy of the rejection letter Wong included on her blog. Prior to applying to Smith, Wong extensively researched the College’s policy on accepting transgender students. On her blog she claims to have spoken with Smiths Dean of Admissions, Debra Shaver, who allegedly told Wong that as long as all of her pronouns were female, then Wong’s application would be “consistent with what Smith is expecting.” Wong claimed the two discussed all matter of application materials and documents  to ensure Wongs  eligibility,   but “nowhere was there mention of FAFSA,” wrote Wong on her blog. Once her initial application was returned and she was denied consideration for admittance, Wong was shocked and heartbroken. With a reputation as an all-inclusive collegiate institution, Smith’s actions are puzzling to many. Noah Lewis, an attorney at the Transgender Legal Defense Education Fund in New York City has stood behind Wong and criticized Smith’s actions as discriminatory and unfounded. “Transgender students just want the same educational opportunities as other students, and federal law protects them from discrimination in education,” Lewis told Boston Magazine. “The only thing standing in the way of Smith admitting transgender women is Smith’s refusal to do it.   As an institution founded on principles of educational equity, Smith should just do the right thing and educate transgender women like other women.” Smith’s actions have ignited a national debate on the legal restrictions of educational opportunities for transgender students. It is a common misconception that federal law requires women’s colleges to admit only those who are or were once biologically female.  According to an article released in a 2012 issue of the Harvard Journal of Law Gender, a misuse of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is cited as the most common reasoning to account for informal discriminatory admission policies for same sex institutions:  â€œAlthough Title IX allows single-sex colleges to discriminate based on sex, they would be in violation of Title IX if they were to admit a student who was not the sex the particular institution serves. Therefore, if a woman’s college were to admit a student identifying as male (or not identifying as female), [or in Wong’s case legally classified as male,] the institution would jeopardize its federal funding.  Alternatively or additionally, instituti ons argue that if they admit individuals who do not identify as women they will be required to provide equal access accommodations, and their failure to do so would result in a Title IX violation.” As a result, Title IX does not force an institution to not admit transgender individuals, but rather it strives to force the institution to accommodate those individuals once they are enrolled. The legislation is meant to be protective but instead tends to be used as “a shield to criticism.” In short, there is no federal law explicitly requiring women’s colleges to admit individuals who were female at birth. It is merely the interpretation that several women’s colleges have chosen to adopt. Smith QA, a branch of the Smith student run organization, Students for Social Justice and  Institutional  Change contacted Wong regarding the legality of Smiths grounds for rejecting Wong and put her in contact with Jon OBergh,  Special  Assistant  Under  Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and Cameron Washington, Web Usability Specialist at FAFSA. After extensive discussion between the three, it was made clear to Wong that an individuals sex indicated on their FAFSA is used only for Selective Service; which according to the Military Selective Service Act  requires all males between the ages of 18 and 25  to register with the Selective Service System. The federal government is irrelevant in this conversation, wrote Wong in her blog. All concerns about my hypothetical admission endangering Smiths status as a  historical  womens college  receiving  federal funding? Irrelevant and wrong. The government does not care about my sex marker. On March 26th, Smith QA met with Smith administrators to discuss the treatment of Wongs  application and will continue to focus on creating a place for transgender women at the college. In additional support of Wong, Smith QA created a photo campaign to increase the  visibility of student and alumni support on the inclusion of transgender women at Smith. Callum  Angus, a female-to-male transgender Mount Holyoke alum of the class of 2011, submitted a photo to the  campaign. Angus is an intern at the Transgender Youth Equality Foundation  which advocates for the legal and medical rights of transgender and gender nonconforming kids and teens nationwide.  Through activism,  conference involvement, support groups and school outreach, the TYEF  provides a support network and voice for transgender youth. As a high school student applying to colleges, Ms. Wongs scenario resonates with many of the teens we work with who are looking toward college in the future, wrote Angus in an emailed  st atement.   One of the reasons we do the work we do is to educate society that a girl is a girl if she says shes a girl, regardless of surgeries and paperwork, and the same holds for trans boys. Laurie Fenlason, vice president of Public  Affairs  at Smith, eluded to the college working to create a  broader  policy that is  inclusive to transgender applicants while still faithful to its mission statement as a womens college. Similarly, Mount Holyoke College is following Smiths suite by updating its policies dealing with transgender applicants as to generate an  inclusive  admissions environment. Womens colleges are unique environments where experimentation with gender and sexuality is embraced more enthusiastically than in coeducational institutions, wrote Angus. I wont pretend to know exactly why that is, but if it wasnt for my four years at Mount Holyoke College, it would have taken me much longer to become self-aware as transgender and decide to transition.[...] I think as transgender people gain visibility in the coming years and make headway in winning civil rights, womens colleges have the unique opportunity to become key in one of the leading social justice issues of o ur time. But that wont happen if they follow Smiths lead.

Survey Finds That College Students Need More Incentive to Get Vaccinated

Survey Finds That College Students Need More Incentive to Get Vaccinated via Pixabay The survey revealed many new insights, such as new insights into increasing participation in vaccination programs on campuses, such as the fact that while a majority of college students in the U.S. (70%) believe it is important to get an annual flu vaccine, less than half (46%) actually get vaccinated. With these results, the NFID wanted to know how to best incentivize students into getting their vaccines. They found that with access to the vaccine at low or no cost (61%) and enticements, such as free food or gift cards (61%), students say it would increase their likelihood of getting vaccinated. The reason that it is so important that college students receive vaccinations is that they are at particularly high risk of getting, and spreading, the flu. This is because the college lifestyle leaves them open to frequent exposure to high-touch areas like common living spaces and classrooms, as well as their participation in social activities. “As a healthcare community, we’ve long known that college students are profoundly under-vaccinated. This new research indicates that a combination of education and incentives may be an effective way to reach college students who have been apprehensive about vaccination in the past,” said NFID Board member, Lisa S. Ipp, M.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Weill Cornell Medicine, Associate Director of Adolescent Medicine at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital. “We now plan to work with academic, health, advocacy and student leaders to share these insights and uncover additional best practices to drive improvements in flu immunization efforts on campuses.”