Tools

Grow Personally and Professionally

The Enneagram is a guide to personality types based on the teachings of ancient Sufi masters. It can aid us in self-discovery, spiritual growth, and self-actualization. I like the Enneagram because it helps identify our personal "glass ceilings," or those self-limiting "boxes" we place ourselves in. Gaining a sense of how we unknowingly and automatically constrain ourselves allows us to shatter those glass ceilings and lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

There are several free sites on which you can discover your Enneagram type. Below is my favorite. When taking the test, base your answers on who you really feel you are rather than who you would like to be. For some, it may be helpful to take the test thinking back to when you were twenty. It is also helpful to consider how you act when stressed.

If you don't feel the test pegs you, it may be helpful to read about each type and see which resonates with you.

Discover Your Enneagram Type.

I use this simple exercise to begin the morning with attention, intention, presence, and purpose. Many clients have found it helpful. Hopefully, you will, too.(PDF)

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Manage Your Career

Identify and manifest your goals. Free worksheet on "dreamsmithing" your career. (PDF)

Are you looking for a new job? See what the experts say are the five best and five worst ways to find a job. (PDF)

To build your personal brand you must build your online identity. William Arruda, a leader in training personal-brand consultants, offers a free online Online ID Calculator™ to determine how powerful your personal brand is on the web.

Clothes may not make the businessperson, but clothes do create first impressions that can make or break careers. Are you dressing to impress? (PDF)

Most managers don't know how their direct reports feel about their communications, supervisory, and leadership skills. The "How Am I Doing?" survey can provide invaluable information to help managers be the best they can be. (PDF)

Here’s a great article from Steve Pavlina on how to make money during a recession. It’s long but worth the time. http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2008/12/how-to-make-lots-of-money-during-a-recession

For information on Randy Siegel's career shaping services, click here.

Become a Stronger Communicator

Here’s a funny video on How Not to Use PowerPoint.

High Voltage Communicators™ understand that the power to influence, motivate, and inspire entails not simply exchanging information, but actively creating a connection between sender and receiver. See if you are a high voltage communicator. (PDF)

Gauge your and others' personal presentation style. (PDF)

Some executives are just too busy to write their own speeches. Do you speak from a script that someone else has written? If so, read Speaking from a Script. (PDF)

Some say that taking notes to the podium is a crutch, but I say if notes help you feel more comfortable and stay on track, use them…but use them correctly. Here's how. (PDF)

Here's an excellent article on how story telling positively impacts our ability to lead effectively.

Most of us think we are good listeners, but we are not. Some research shows that we listen at about 50 percent efficiency. One survey, conducted by the University of Minnesota, proved that 60 percent of all misunderstandings in business are due to poor listening. Like any skill, improvement starts with self-awareness. Evaluate your listening skills with this simple self-test. (PDF)

High Voltage Communicators™ are masters at communicating with style. They have the ability to meet someone new, identify his or her communications style, and then flex their style to match that of the other person. Meet the four communications styles. (PDF)

Get Randy's free e-book, How to Become a Corporate Rock Star: Six Tips to Top the Charts.

For information about Randy Siegel's communications coaching and training services, click here.

Building the People Who Build Organizations