Categories
Self-development

Small (micro) wins

Well, that is a satisfying conclusion! I managed to fit the study for this into some of the busiest months of my career earlier this year. The result is a nice payoff of course, but the syllabus alone was worth it.

This will not be my last experience with the Open University. I commend it to anyone considering distance learning.

Completion certificate from the Open University

Categories
Process Self-development

Living & learning

I am currently studying for a micro-credential in Organisation Design and Development with Open University. There is a fantastic mix of what I already know, what I thought I knew, and completely new information.

In the latter category is the fact that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has established principles that characterise a human-centred organisation. ISO 27501:2019 “provides requirements and recommendations for managers and the actions to be taken in order for an organization to achieve human centredness.”

It’s worth considering how your organisation – or team – stacks up against these.

Categories
Self-development

Managing Oneself

Self-awareness is increasingly identified as a critical leadership quality and a worthwhile pursuit for any professional. This little book is a great place to start.

Peter Drucker’s classic ‘Managing Oneself’ has been an indispensable reference over the years. The book (more of an essay really) promotes self-awareness and offers a simple framework for self-reflection:

• What are your strengths? Your weaknesses?
• How do you communicate?
• How do you learn?
• How do you work with others?
• What are your values?
• Where can you make the greatest contribution?

It may not hit the heights of Covey’s ‘7 Habits…’, but I see it as a perfect, compact companion.