06/24/2008 13:01
It is always OKAY to listen to the theory and thinking that you completely absorb it. The real STORY begins only when you become an active part of the scenario…
My dear Reader, below is a piece of experiencing a true PRACTICE:
June, very sunny weather around, Helsinki outskirts forest. Module 4. We are practicing one of the most crucial skills ever - leadership. It is not only strong skills required for being a very efficient manager and charismatic leader in the future, but it is also about managing people`s minds, leading a conversation, negotiate, retain your leadership stance. This Module N4 along with the previous Module N3 in Vilnius brought 4 cornerstones into the building of self-leadership, creating a strong motivation within yourself and within people around. Those are negotiation, communication, presentation and leadership skills.
We touched upon coaching, conflict management, complaint handling, group management, feedback provision, communicating decisions and even behavior correction. It was clear while sitting in front of the coacher and imagine different scenarios. We even played roles within the group.
However, the air of learning changed completely when I dared to step onto the stage in line with true actors, whose behavior and reactions were EXTREMELY unpredictable and test your strengths and weaknesses. If you think you know how to handle something from aside, once you are in the game, you are completely lost for the first moment. You expect your own scenarios to work, but people behave differently. And suddenly you realize that THIS is IT! This is a true professional and private life, where all kinds of reactions are happening and you need to be coolheaded to think about best possible solution.
I always thought that I am comfortable in public, but not this time in front of this acting person.
Module 4 demonstrated me that theory is useful only when it is practiced, and as often as possible. Learning through your own mistakes, through mistakes of your buddies within “scolar” environment is the best learning gift to be ever obtained. For me knowing my strengths is just %20 of success. The rest is understanding and coping with weaknesses and threats.
I believe both Vilnius Presentation/Negotiation and Helsinki Leadership Modules sewed the best solid ground for further success.
And I ask You, my reader, to look around more and practice Your success as much as You can.
04/07/2008 14:06
The synergy of Trainee Program and me represents a two-ways beneficial relationship.
The TSITP as we call it is a green light; it opens new widest horizons in front. I consider it to be even more meaningful than MBA, since it is unique in its combination of firsthand knowledge and practice. It contains the best business training practices I have observed so far including 3 months job rotation.
Consisting of different Modules, the Program is a complete kit of interest, motivation, initiatives, creativeness, and knowledge, experience sharing and great challenges. I learn a lot while going through business cases and exercises. I am also keen to contribute with the best effort to our joint projects, which we started to be involved in. I strongly feel that we are a big team, even family, of 32 equals, who are comfortable with each other at that degree that anytime anywhere we can approach and ask for help and support, which we surely get.
I do appreciate trust and support my company provided me with during the Program period. Currently I have been working for Marketing Department at K`cell (Kazakhstan cellular operator), as Marketing Communications Unit Head. I have very bright example when my experience at one of the Modules, namely a snow-cave, became a great lesson for our whole team and something to learn from when I shared it with my colleagues once back home. And it proved to be working!
I am looking forward to strengthening my synergy of contribution and self-development further on being a part of a great Trainee team.
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Yelena Karishman
Age: 24
Place of residence: Kazakhstan
Interests: foreign languages, salsa dancing, signing, diving, horseback riding
Working with today: GSM Kazakhstan (K`cell)
Working with in the future: GSM Kazakhstan (K`cell) including Fintur Holdings B.V. and TeliaSonera group of companies
Best with TeliaSonera: great firsthand knowledge, real practice, excellent networking, job rotation, highly potential career development within the TS group
Secret talent: professional: i can make the things getting done; personal: communication skills via foreign languages and soprano voice
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