Archive for October 2009
By Larry Goldsmith, CWDP, P.E.T.
Those of us that watch Law and Order (or CSI) know that it is the felon’s DNA that quite often leads to their being caught. It is this DNA that has lead to the downfall of more than one careless felon. Do you know that each of us has a makeup of personality preferences which make up our own learning styles just as each of have our own DNA genetic identification? Even if your personality DNA is not as exacting as your hereditary DNA, it this personality preference or behavior that is guiding your job search.
Knowing the manner in which you take in information allows you to move through your job search by applying the most effective search strategies. Grasping the underlying significance of preferred learning style and adding this information to your job search preparation gives you an additional edge for achieving a healthy exchange of knowledge with potential employers. Haven’t you ever walked out of an interview and said, “That is the worst interview experience I ever had.” Could you have really meant this? “That Human Resource Manager’s interview style sure didn’t match with my learning style”
Oftentimes your failure in an interview might be just that you are not communicating correctly. You may be the perfect candidate. Your skills are an absolutely match. What you haven’t brought into the equation is that they did not understand you because your delivery, and how they receive your message, was a mismatch. The key to your job search might be no more than paying attention to the interviewer’s learning style and to adjust your method of delivery in such a way a connection is made between both of you. Just as one resume does not fit every job it is also true that the same method of communication with each employer does not fit precisely either.
Probably the most recognized personality assessment tool for addressing personality preferences and learning styles is the Myers Briggs assessment instrument. This assessment tool follows the psychological type theory of Psychoanalyst Carl Jung (1875 – 1961). It categorizes people in one of sixteen fixed personality types. Job seekers taking this personality assessment are assigned a specific label. The great challenge with this assessment is people become affixed with this label and don’t focus further on the interpretation of the label.
Another personality assessment tool is called Personal Empowerment through Type. (I am a certified P.E.T. Facilitator) This assessment tool too is based on the psychological type theory of Psychoanalyst Carl Jung. This instrument does not assign a specific label but instead becomes part of an ongoing process of personal empowerment. Personal empowerment is about becoming self-empowered through increased awareness of self and others. The P.E.T. instrument becomes a self-guiding progression leading toward heightens understanding of learning style. P.E.T. allows you to become aware of how your personality preferences influences your decision-making.
It is only by understanding ourselves and others can we empower our success. When you play into the learning styles of the employers’ DNA by adjusting your style, you will reap the rewards of a successful search.
By Larry Goldsmith, CWDP, P.E.T.
Don’t be like Bill Murray in your job search. Remember that movie Ground Hog Day where Bill Murray woke up each day only to find he was repeating the same experiences over and over again? Are you finding that your search keeps duplicating the same experience day in and day out? Could it be that it is not clear to a potential employer what kind of position you seek? Or maybe it is a lack of clarity on your part in not identifying which skills you are selling? Looking for a job or changing jobs is more difficult when you do not have an occupational title. This problem is compounded when you can not state what skills you offer an employer. Employers will have difficulty figuring out where to place you if you cannot provide them with a job title, or at least a description of the skills you can bring to their workplace.
The point is, “How can an employer match you to a position if they can not identify you by an occupational title or at least clarity of the skills you offer?
You can’t search effectively for a position if you don’t know what you are looking for. When you have a job title, you can more easily write your résumé, search for a position. Learn to talk in terms of occupational titles or skills. One of the most important things you can do in your job search is to identify one or more occupational titles related to the jobs you seek. It may even be okay if you don’t have an occupational title, but you can rattle off at least three skills transferable to that particular company. Sometimes providing skills rather than an occupational title might work better for you because you might be associated with other positions in the company where you might be a better fit. If you can at least introduce a skill set when asked what you want to do, the potential employer will have a better chance to identify where you might help their organization.
By Lori Goldsmith, SPHR
The practice of Taoist Tai Chi internal arts & methods was my last ditch effort to avoid back surgery. In spite of my mother witnessing my transformation, it still took me seven years to get my Mom into Taoist Tai Chi class. Mom attended the social events, even played mahjong at the center. I just could not get Mom into class. Mom is a diabetic who suffers from advanced cardiovascular disease. When she had triple bypass surgery in 2000, they surgeon almost did not have enough good veins in her leg to use. It was very hard for me to watch Mom’s physical challenges increase. A few years later, preparing for another arteriogram the M.A. could not hear a pulse in my mother’s feet. She brought the nurse in who in turn brought the doctor in. After turning off all of the electrical equipment and the lights to minimize the “hum”, the doctor could hear a very faint pulse in her feet. Very frightening experience for me.
Still I could not get Mom into class. I went through the gamit of emotions and tactics. I got to the point when Mom would tell me how poorly she felt, I would just whisper, “Go to Tai Chi”. As luck would have it, Mom’s doctor left the practice and the incoming physician wanted a consult with her. The doctor was busy reading Mom’s chart. Mom was whispering her ailments to me and each time I whispered, “Go to Tai Chi” in response. One of those times, the doctor overheard me and thought I said she was going to Tai Chi and was very excited. When the doctor began his evaluation and Mom started sharing her ailments with him, guess what? The doctor whispered, “Go to Tai Chi”. Right then and there, I knew we had a great physician.
I came in for the “kill”. I checked my work calendar and made arrangements to take a half-day off from work. I told Mom that I was taking her to Health Recovery class and to lunch. The deal was that she would make a six-month commitment to Tai Chi. If she did not want to return after six months, I would not say another word.
That was three years ago. Mom still attends health recovery class. Earlier in the year, DRUM ROLL PLEASE – the doctor could feel a pulse in her feet with his fingers. Considering that they could not hear a pulse through the stethoscope before Mom started Tai Chi is nothing short of miraculous in my book!
Last October, my husband, Mom and I were planning to attend the Autumn Banquet as usual when Mom fell and broke her hip. The silent auction consisted of Buddhist relics and the Tai Chi family insisted that the Brandon group bring back the holy water for Mom’s healing. That gesture still brings tears to my eyes. Fittingly, Mom’s first outing with us was to attend the Chinese New Year Banquet. When we pulled up Mom could not believe it, the St. Pete branch had a traffic cone in the parking spot right in front of the door, just for her. We had Mom’s walker in the car. Mom refused to use it.
We did arm foundations together while Mom was still in the rehab facility. Mom tried Tor-yu’s, but it was still too painful. When Mom first came home and the therapist came over to do an evaluation, she could not believe the strength on her good side. More amazing to both us of was the strength on the broken side. At home, I think I may have been relentless (me, relentless?) with making Mom do foundations and a set from her wheelchair (the surgeon did clear her). A few weeks later, Mom graduated to a dining room chair. Mom has made an amazing full recovery.
Physically, Taoist Tai Chi saved me from back surgery, my JRA is now totally asymptomatic, and a whole host of other chronic issues have gone away. Mom does not realize how well she is doing and how strong she has become. You shouId see her Don-yu out of a chair or a car! The one thing I know from the bottom of my heart that if Master Moy had not made Taoist Tai Chi available to all, I would probably would have had multiple back surgeries by now, living in chronic pain from my back and JRA; most important of all, my mother would not be here with me today. I have not had a sinus infection in 7 or 8 years and my allergies are close to non-existent.
I would be remiss if I did not say a word about my wonderful husband, Larry, in all of this. My husband will tell you that our only prenuptial agreement was that he was going to attend Tai Chi and enjoy it! Yes, we practice Tai Chi at home together, too…
Who is the Taoist Tai Chi Society?
The International Taoist Tai Chi Society is a global, volunteer, non-profit organization teaching the cultivation of body and mind for people of all ages and levels. The volunteer aspect of the organization provides many opportunities for members to contribute their time and talents for the benefit of others, and often to learn new and valuable skills in the process. The volunteer spirit of the Society extends to instruction in Taoist Tai Chi internal arts and methods, which is provided by accredited volunteer instructors.
The Society brings together people of different languages and cultures in a worldwide community focused on furthering the aims and objectives laid down by the Society’s founder, Master Moy Lin-shin.
The International Society has supported relief efforts for major disasters including September 11th, Hurricane Katrina and Tsunami victims. The Society assists other charities whenever possible. Fundraising campaigns have been conducted for Senior Citizens’ homes, the Arthritis Society, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, the United Way, the March of Dimes, and other charities. In addition, volunteer instructors teach classes in nursing homes, and for special needs groups such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and the Cerebral Palsy Association. Locally, my personal favorite is cleaning up our adopted road.
Aims & Objectives These aims and objectives constitute the international mission statement of the Society. They were set by Master Moy Lin-shin and are shared by all of the branches of the Society in the world. These goals, combined with the accreditation procedures for our volunteer instructors, assure that all obtain the same quality of instruction and dedicated leadership.
1. To make Taoist Tai Chi† internal arts and methods available to all
We are dedicated to bringing these arts and methods to every community,
so that their many benefits are available to all who wish to experience them.
2. To promote the health-improving qualities of Taoist Tai Chi† internal arts and methods
Practiced diligently, these arts and methods cultivate both body and mind to restore and maintain good health. Our efforts are directed at making these benefits better known and understood, in order to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being in the community.
3. To promote cultural exchange
Through Taoist Tai Chi† internal arts and methods, and through other activities, we endeavour to make the richness of Chinese culture more accessible, and thereby promote greater understanding and respect among people.
4. To help others
The foundation of Taoist Tai Chi Society† internal arts and methods is compassion. Our underlying charitable orientation is in keeping with the Taoist values of selflessness and service to others. Our inspiration is the example set by our founder, Master Moy Lin-shin, who dedicated his life to helping others without seeking personal gain. For this reason, all our instructors are volunteers, and all our branches operate on a non-profit basis.
Furthering all of the Aims and Objective of the Taoist Tai Chi Society is essential to me. I was a new beginning student when a demo came up and my instructor, encouraged me to participate. I barely knew the set and was so afraid of embarrassing the Society. Since that time, demos at the center or in the community have been a part of my life. Demos may seem like such a small act – just a few hours of our time, yet it is huge towards furthering our objective to make Taoist Chi available to all. When a student joins and tells you, “I joined because of your demo and passion”; that says it all.
Through my many instructors’ knowledge of Master Moy’s teachings and their promotion of the Chinese culture, I have grown so much as a person. I look at the world through completely different eyes. By nature I am not a shy person, however, it was not my nature, to just walk up to someone. Making someone feel welcome and comfortable is something I just do now without thinking about it (and not just at Tai Chi either). I’m more aware of others around me. It is the importance of paying attention to details in all we do and I try to model the eight virtues. Instructing is important to me and a visible way of showing commitment and giving back, yet it is also about the little things we do that know one really knows about, just the observed results.
It is a dual cultivation of body and mind. Internal healing cannot take place without following the eight virtues. Yin and Yang, we cannot have one without the other. To practice one virtue is said to translate into the practice all of the virtues. Filial piety is one of the most meaningful virtues to me as my eighty-four year old mother lives with my husband and me. My husband and I spend more time thinking of special ways to make Mom feel special and appreciated.
1600 words later, how does this relate to Human Resources? Corporate Citizenship. Diversity. Wellness. Taoist Tai Chi is a “qigong”, or the more popular spelling, “chi kung” exercise and adaptable to most any physical condition; my mother does not do a standing set - she does a seated set. Think about arranging a demo at your company site or visiting a center near you. Consider adding this as an additional alternative to your wellness program. What a return on investment! Contributions are tax deductible, too. To learn more, visit www.taoist.org.
