Soft Skills   

Learn how to have more successful relationships with difficult bosses, co-workers, students, neighbors, or relatives.

This course will teach you how to see things from others' viewpoints based on their needs, values, beliefs, experiences, skills, knowledge, and self-interests. You will learn to approach difficult situations by answering the questions: who? what? where? when? how? and why? And by answering these questions, you will understand who your difficult people are, what they're like, how you react to them, and their response to your actions.

You will also practice analyzing your interactions with those you share space with. By observing others closely, you will learn to read their identifying characteristics. Once you can identify which type of person you're dealing with, you will be able to choose appropriate reactions to their behaviors.

By the time you finish this course, you will understand that assertiveness involves taking responsibility when meeting your needs in a way that preserves the dignity and rights of others.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Identifying Preferred Communication Styles

In the first lesson, you will find out the answers to four very important questions that impact the success of your relationships with others. The answers to these questions will help you identify your preferred communication styles.

Analyzing Your Own Difficult-Person Situation

In this lesson, you will begin to build a database about not only your difficult people — those who are different in communication style from you. You will also enhance your skills in reviewing and resolving problems with these people.

Dealing With Hostile-Aggressive Personality Types

This lesson discusses four types of hostile people. These are people who want to control everything and everyone but have no self-control. This group is called Hostile-Aggressives.

Dealing with Difficult Passive Personality Types

In this lesson, you will learn appropriate options for interacting well with those who are stubborn or critical —people known as Negative-Thinkers.

Dealing With Aggressive Subcategories of Difficult Intuitors

This lesson focuses on the appropriate way to effectively deal with aggressive individuals. You will learn how to recognize these people and share space with them.

Identifying and Dealing With Relaters

In this lesson, you will take another look at another personality type called Relators. Plus, you will learn ways to effectively handle the difficult subcategories of this type.

Overcoming Your Own Difficult Characteristics

Some of your difficult people probably also feel that you're their difficult person, but you may be totally unaware of this. Do you feel that ignorance is really bliss? You will go through some exercises in this lesson that should help you figure it out.

Developing Skills to Become More Flexible

In this lesson, you will work toward improving your own flexibility skills: confidence, tolerance, empathy, positivity, and respect. To help, you will answer a few questions about each of your own skill sets as you move through the lesson's materials.

Exploring Resilience-Building Strategies

In this lesson, you will learn that a certain set of characteristics is essential if you want to relate well with others. As you will find out, you must first improve your versatility skills to maintain a positive attitude, and then learn to view obstacles and problems as "opportunities."

Discovering the Importance of Assertiveness to Positive Relationships

After finishing this lesson, you will understand what assertiveness is and what it isn't. You will begin to see why assertive behavior is so important to your success in getting along well with others. You will also carefully examine your own level of assertiveness and identify which of your skills need fine-tuning.

Changing Your Own Assertiveness Skills

This lesson focuses on simple, yet powerful assertive-communication techniques. You will learn to use self-disclosure appropriately to share information about yourself—your thoughts, feelings, and opinions—to build relationship trust and common ground.

Learning Techniques to Improve Your Listening Abilities

After this final lesson, you may be surprised to discover that your listening skills need improvement. Listening well is a complex process, and your own selective filtering often keeps you from real understanding.

Learn the people skills required to motivate and delegate, and learn tools for solving problems and resolving conflicts.

If you have recently been promoted to a supervisory or management position or want to learn how to become a more effective manager, this course will help you master the basics of business by learning the language of management.

You will learn how to make a successful transition from employee to manager and you will learn how to manage your time so that you can deal with the constant demands of a managerial job.

You will learn the skills required to delegate responsibility and motivate your employees. A large part of a manager's job involves getting things done through other people, and this course will help you understand how to influence and direct other people's performance.

Finally, you will learn how to solve problems and resolve conflicts so you can accomplish your job more effectively.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Introduction to Managerial Work

How has management theory evolved over the last 100 years? This lesson will take you back to the days of assembly lines and scientific management. You will learn how organizations are structured and describe managerial jobs in terms of the technical and managerial tasks that are performed.

Making the Transition Into Management

Let's see if you can identify the characteristics of a typical supervisor's day and how they handle daily challenges. In this lesson, you will learn how to make the supervisor's path smoother, such as empowerment and communication. How does one begin to think, act, and look like a manager?

The Tasks of a Manager

Is leadership distinct from management? Do you have what it takes to be a leader, or are you cut out to be just a manager? This lesson covers the evolution of leadership research and begin to discuss the fascinating field of motivation. Believe it or not, a good leader can build motivation right into the design of a job.

Managing Tasks, Performance, and Time

In this lesson, you will learn how a supervisor can handle the challenges of delegation, performance management, and time management. Once you understand the challenges of the typical day, you will understand the importance of time management to a supervisor.

Introduction to Motivation

It's time to really dig into the topic dear to many managers' hearts-motivation. This lesson clarifies what managers need to understand about human motivation and help you to understand the links between motivation and productivity.

The Best-Known Researchers in Motivation

Motivational theories are great as long as they truly help you to manage people at work every day. This lesson looks closely at four theories: Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Herzberg's two-factor theory of motivation, Alderfer's theory on the three levels of human, and the three needs outlined by McClelland.

Motivation Theories

Do you believe that people naturally want to do a good job? Or are people lazy by nature and need to be watched? In this lesson, find out if you're a Theory X or a Theory Y-type of manager. There are self-fulfilling prophecies to each of those beliefs.

Understanding the Theories of Motivation

This lesson defines two more very practical and influential motivational theories; equity theory and expectancy theory. This lesson wraps up the theoretical about the importance of creating a motivational environment.

Introduction to Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving

Now comes the hard part: when real life doesn't work out the way the theories told us it should. What happens when conflict arises? This lesson explores conflict and conflict resolution. You will learn about specific techniques of negotiation, a particular type of conflict management.

Models of Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving

This less about conflict and problem-solving in work groups? This lesson identifies means of solving conflict between groups. You will also learn a problem-solving model that is useful in work and in life.

Working Through Problems

This lesson explores the problem-solving model introduced earlier and talks about the importance of establishing objectives, generating alternatives, and choosing a solution.

Implementing Solutions to Problems and Conflicts

This lesson concludes the problem-solving model discussion and gives you the tools you need to carry the plan through to completion. You will explore the conflicts that may arise while solving problems and completing action plans.

Learn how to be an effective manager or supervisor. Master the basics of communicating effectively, and learn tools for developing your own interpersonal skills.

Have you ever felt technically prepared for a supervisor's role, yet felt defeated by all of the people issues that seem to arise? You are not alone; many people feel the same way. In this six-week online course, you will learn how to be a more effective manager or supervisor. You will master the basics of communication, because effective communication is essential in your quest to be a good manager or supervisor.

In addition, you will learn how you can develop your interpersonal skills by understanding and dealing with the various people issues that arise at work. You will learn about various personality traits and how they impact the ability to get the job done. These traits include emotional intelligence, the need for power, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and more. You will be able to assess your own personality, as well as the personalities of your co-workers and boss, and you'll develop a plan of action to improve both your interpersonal skills and your work relationships.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Purposes and Elements of Communication
2. Direction of Communication Flow
3. Communication Media and Effective Listening
4. Non-verbal and Written Communication
5. Communicating with Groups and Running Effective Meetings
6. Communicating During Organizational Change
7. Introduction to Interpersonal Skills
8. Personality Theory and Personality Types
9. Personality Conflicts
10. Personality Characteristics
11. The Use of Power and Situational Leadership
12. Using Interpersonal Skills Throughout Your Career

Gain the respect and admiration of others, exert more control over your destiny, and enjoy success in your professional and personal life.

Leadership skills can help you gain the respect and admiration of others, while also allowing you to enjoy success in your career and more control over your destiny. Contrary to popular belief, leadership skills can be learned and developed. Even if you don't hold a leadership position, this course will teach you how to use the principles of great leaders to achieve success in almost every aspect of your daily life.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Leadership Qualities and Models

Leadership Qualities and Models: Do you think you know what leadership is? In your first lesson, you will see how many ways there are to answer that question. And you will start to get a sense of what leaders really do.

Leadership Responsibilities

Leadership Responsibilities: This lesson introduces the responsibilities that leaders hold to organizations and to other individuals. And you will begin to look at some of the leadership tools used in this course—readings, ideas from great leaders, and your journal—to get you thinking about what you can do to behave like a leader.

Value-Centered Leadership

Value-Centered Leadership: This lesson looks at two important aspects of leadership: its relationship with principles and its relationship with emotional intelligence. If you have ever known someone whose behavior seemed out of touch, you will find out why in this lesson.

Leadership Self-Assessment

Leadership Self-Assessment: Leaders know themselves well. This lesson introduces methods you can use to get to know yourself better. This study will be particularly fun and will have an impact on your behavior in all aspects of your life.

Leadership Skills: Team Building

Team Building: You probably already know that successful leaders are team builders, but do you know what types of teams are possible or how to build them? This lesson will focus on team types. Every one of us has been on some kind of a team, so this lesson has guidance and insights for us all.

Leadership Skills: Communication

Communication: Leaders are often differentiated from others by the power of their communication skills. This lesson will guide you through some simple but insightful methods you can use to improve your communication skills.

Leadership Skills: Coaching or Mentoring

Coaching or Mentoring: This lesson explores the types of behavior that successful leaders portray—leaders guide and support others by asking questions, providing advice and feedback, supporting others, and building morale.

Leadership Application (Personal): Behavioral Styles

Behavioral Styles: If you're wondering how leaders can balance being themselves and being a public figure, this lesson will help. You will learn about Situational Leadership and how leaders relate to their organizations.

Leadership Application (Personal): Influence and Collaboration

Influence and Collaboration: Ready to learn more about your own behavior? This lesson examines how leaders make decisions and influence others without forcing them. You will learn how to answer challenging questions with some practical guidelines.

Leadership Application (Professional): Providing Strategic Vision

Providing Strategic Vision: Everyone turns to a leader for strategic vision, but do you know how to think strategically? This is an important lesson because it takes some of the mystery out of the terms "strategy" and "vision."

Leadership Application (Professional): Creating/Changing Culture

Creating/Changing Culture: This lesson introduces another big topic: how leaders effect change. You will learn some very specific things that leaders—and you—can do to effect change. As in all your lessons, you will read quotes from famous writers about change and leadership that will help stimulate your own ideas.

Leadership Application (Professional): Facilitating Creative Thinking

Facilitating Creative Thinking: Leaders are not the only ones who have great new ideas, and so your course will end with a look at how leaders inspire creative thinking in others. It's a logical and fun way to end—pointing you in the direction of your own new ideas.

Design a life that makes you happy by learning how you can use work to express yourself and share your interests and talents.

This course will help you enjoy the rewards that come from doing what really makes you happy! Your instructor and a caring community of students will help you begin designing a life that really works for you.

With a complete understanding of your own interests, values, needs and abilities, you'll learn how you can use work to express yourself and share your interests and talents. Your every day will be filled with joy and inspiration, and a greater depth of meaning will be added to everything you do. This course is skillfully crafted to weave experiential learning with the conceptual presentation, giving you time to experience, understand, and implement each new strategy as it is introduced.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Key #1: Accept That You Must Let Go Of Your Past
2. Key #2: Take A Close Look At Your Previous Endeavors
3. Key #3: Get To Know Yourself Really Well
4. Key #4: Align Your Head With Your Heart
5. How To Get What You Really Want
6. Key #5: Enjoy the Journey
7. Build A Community That Supports Your Well-Being
8. Life 101 - Suggestions for a Happier Life
9. We're All Self-Employed
10. When Change is Inevitable
11. Your New Life

This course is your secret weapon to becoming a star manager leading a superstar team in this different, remote, and socially distanced world.

In this course, you will discover expert information, practical advice, valuable tips, and helpful scenarios that take you smoothly and at your own pace from "not quite sure" to confident. You will also explore critical topics of communication, collaboration, culture, and diversity; examine organizational structure and support; learn new techniques for recruiting, hiring, and onboarding remotely; and tackle team productivity, effective feedback, and conflict issues. Before you know it, you will find that you have a whole new toolkit to help you keep your remote team happy, productive, motivated, and successful.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.10 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Understanding Remote Work
2. Managing Remote Communication
3. Aligning Remote Teams with Company Culture
4. Maintaining Organizational Support
5. Structuring Your Team
6. Collaborate to Succeed
7. Growing the Team
8. Managing Diverse Remote Teams
9. Managing, Monitoring, and Maintaining Remote Team Productivity
10. Providing Feedback in a Remote Environment
11. Resolving Conflict in Remote Teams
12. Managing Remotely Is Personal

What you will learn

• Summarize solutions for improving remote team communications
• Explain how organizational culture impacts team performance
• Discuss the role of organizational support in remote team success
• Examine the impact of team structure on remote team performance
• Obtain best practices for adding to a remote team

How you will benefit

• Effectively manage your remote work environment, including conflict resolution and effective feedback
• Discover techniques for improving the productivity of remote teams
• Learn methods and best practices for promoting collaboration within remote teams

Learn how to make excellent everyday decisions from an experienced counselor and life coach.

Learn how to make excellent everyday decisions from an experienced counselor and life coach. In this online course, you'll learn about some wonderful abilities you're born with for figuring things out and making good decisions. You'll also see why your instincts and intuition sometimes deceive you and how self-knowledge can help you guard against becoming overly confident. You'll discover the steps necessary to achieve your goals, as well as the power that ordinary, everyday decisions can have over the quality of your life.

You'll learn how to deal effectively with crisis, how to use your emotions as decision-making tools, and how to work with others to make good decisions. You'll develop some important guidelines for when to take risks, when to trust your luck, and what to do if you make a mistake. The goal of this course is to give you the power to live the best life you can and make the very most of every opportunity.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. Born Decision Makers
2. Needs, Wants, and Actions
3. Achieving Personal Goals
4. Making Everyday Decisions
5. Dealing With Crisis
6. Dealing With Our Emotions
7. Making Decisions With Others
8. Learning to Manage Risk
9. Understanding Luck
10. Recovering From Mistakes
11. Changing Habits
12. Decision-Making Tools and Resources