A recent survey conducted by Inscape Publishing, Inc. was highlighted in a recent edition of Training Magazine (July/August 2009 issue)

The survey was looking at what type of courses would increase their effectiveness at work. Not surprisingly, leadership skills was the number one response, but “Conflict Resolution” training was the number two answer!

According to the article, “What was surprising was the No. 2 slot: dealing with conflict or difficult people (chosen by 53 percent). Hot button topics such as innovative thinking and critical thinking were rated only slightly higher than perennial favorites such and time and stress management.”

I was especially interested that out of the top ten answers, the People Academy, Inc, had modules addressing all of them, with the exception of technical training. Nine out of ten. Not too shabby. Basically that means that everyone out there in business can use The People Academy, Inc’s information to make a positive impact in their workplace.

That didn’t surprise me really, but I thought the categories in the survey were really interesting. It seems there are so many commonalities in the challenges we face as we (literally) go about our business.

But negotiation, communication and conflict resolution are as much a part of our personal lives as they are our business lives. Raising four children certainly taught me the value of conflict resolution, and communication skills made conflict resolution less necessary (or not as often anyway).

Coaching really amounts to helping people with all aspects of their lives. It’s not like the skills we learn and teach are compartmentalized. That’s one of the best parts of learning people skills.

Source of quote: Training Magazine