Program Concept
While nobody denies the necessity of hard technical skills, it is now increasingly being recognized that "soft skills will win the day". Soft skills are at least as important, and often even more important than technological skills for the success of software development projects. Soft skills are often considered 'human capital' and are very important for the psychological survival of individuals.
Experts agree that interpersonal effectiveness is the major soft skill required for all software professionals. Interpersonal effectiveness is a broad concept under which several skills can be outlined' such as assertiveness, communication skills, conflict resolution, negotiation skills, and managing people skills. Psychologists consider assertiveness the basic pillar of interpersonal effectiveness. This level-I soft skills training workshop aims to impart an important skill required in society today: being assertive.
Society teaches us many conflicting behavioral principles. Tact, diplomacy, manners, and respect for others' rights are taught and encouraged. People who practice them, however, often find their rights and feelings being infringed upon. Being assertive enables you to achieve your goals with due respect for others' rights while asserting your own. Hence, the importance of this workshop.
This program is designed to give participants an understanding and relevance of assertive behavior. It also provides the necessary knowledge to apply the skills and techniques of being assertive. It focuses on the opportunities for choosing the appropriate response in any situation, offering an alternative to what the individual may naturally say. It highlights the fact that most people are either over assertive or not assertive enough. It provides a variety of approaches that are likely to achieve the best results in a given situation.
II. Specific aims of the program
The workshop aims to enable participants to
§ understand the importance of soft skills
§ appreciate the advantages of acquiring soft skills
§ identify the soft skills needed for their development
§ acquire the skill of being assertive, which is rated as a major soft skill according to international and national research findings. Hence, the soft skill covered in this level I program would be "assertive skills".
III. Contents of the workshop
Phase-1
§ Introduction to soft skills
§ Importance of soft skills
§ Categories of soft skills
§ Identifying the most desirable and needed soft skill
§ Assessment of a major soft skill namely "assertiveness"
Phase-2
§ What is assertiveness?
§ Difference between assertiveness/aggressiveness/passive aggressiveness
Phase-3
§ Why are we non-assertive?
§ Different models of non-assertiveness
§ Procedures to overcome non-assertiveness
Phase-4
§ Assertive skills in practice
§ Strategy-1: Good Communication
§ Strategy-2: Broken Record
§ Strategy-3: Fogging (Exercise)
§ Strategy-4: Negative assertion
§ Strategy-5: Negative enquiry
§ Strategy-6: using 'I' statements
§ Strategy-7: Giving assertive instructions
§ Strategy-8: How to say 'No' with confidence and without feeling guilty
§ Strategy-9: Learn to disagree
§ Strategy-10: Handling criticism (Exercise)
§ Practice situations to demonstrate assertive behavior: Role-play
IV. Program Scope
Soft skills include several skills included in behavioral psychology programs such as Personal and Interpersonal Effectiveness, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution skills, Time Management etc. However, this program focuses on a highly rated and major soft skill, namely, assertiveness. The other aspects of soft skills will form the level-II, III, &IV programs.
V. Methodology of training
The module developed for this workshop
§ imparts knowledge of soft skills, and understanding of major soft skill "assertiveness"
§ provides practice situations and role-plays that demonstrate the use of assertiveness,
§ is experiential rather than lecture/monologue oriented.
§ elicits participation from the delegates with brainstorming exercises.
VI. Who will benefit
The training program is designed for software professionals. Those who aim to pursue a career in the software industry will also benefit. Specifically, this program is suitable for anyone wishing to develop his or her assertiveness skills.
At the completion of this workshop participants will:
§ understand the importance of acquiring soft skills
§ describe the spectrum of passive, assertive and aggressive behaviors
§ complete a self-inventory of assertiveness skills, behavior styles and various other tools
§ demonstrate assertive skills during practice situations, role-plays, etc.
VII. Profile of the trainer
Dr. K.N.Viswanath, Consulting Clinical Psychologist, completed his doctoral and
clinical training programs from one of the premier mental health institutes in
India - National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.
During his tenure at NIMHANS, he was primarily involved in rendering psychological
services. He is the recipient of the YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD for his meritorious
contribution in the area of research in Clinical Psychology.
He is a corporate trainer and has conducted workshops in the area of behavioral
sciences for several organizations at Mumbai (Atos Originsoftware company), Bangalore
(ISRO, Air Force, BHEL, BEL, HAL, Bank Staff Training Colleges), and at New Delhi
(AIIMS, IHBAS). He can be contacted at viswanathkolluri@yahoo.co.in
VIII. Who should attend this workshop?
Only soft ware professionals with engineering or M.C.A. background, wishing to improve their soft skills, especially assertiveness skills.
IX. Duration of the Program
The duration of the program will be six hours. Depending on the level of participation
of the trainees, the program may be extended by one more hour.
X. Day, date & time
Sunday, 3-08-2003, 9.30 a.m.
XI. Venue for the workshop
National HRD Network, 506, Sai Siri Sampada Apartments, 7-1-29/23&24,Leela nagar,
Ameerpet, Hyderabad-500 016
XII. Registration details
The first 20 participants who register will be allowed to attend the workshop.
Registration closes by 12 noon on Saturday.
Fee structure: Rs.1,000/-
Mode of payment: Either by cash or by demand draft drawn in favor of Dr.K.N.Viswanath.
For further details, those interested may contact: 23748975. (9.30 am to 5.30 pm)
For any further clarifications, please mail to viswanathkolluri@yahoo.co.in