Social Skills Workshop 1

• Communicatie
• HBO

Workshop 1: HR

Learning Objectives

1. Learn and apply methods of dealing with human resource issues as a manager
2. Self-evaluation of performance
3. Peer evaluation of performance

What previous experience do you have with performance reviews?

Refer to the theory reading and talk 1 for today. Try to get the students to share their experiences and make the connection to what they are practicing in today's workshop.

How many phases are there in the staff appraisal meeting?

1. 3
2. 5
3. 6
4. 8

There are 5 stages.

Discuss & answer in pairs: what is the aim of the staff appraisal meeting?

· An achievable balance between important issues/objectives of the organisation on the one hand, and of the employee on the other.

· Focussed on development within the employee's current function

· Equality in the discussion: both can introduce issues for discussion

· Searching together for agreed outcomes/solutions; what is recognised as

· required.

· E = Q x A (efficacy of the outcome/solution = quality of the outcome/solution x acceptability of the outcome/solution)

· Making agreements

What comes in phase 1 (the start) of the meeting?

o are there (still) questions over the aim of the procedure?

o agreements over the reporting and recording of the meeting.

o duration of the meeting.

Which phase 2 discussion points are introduced by the employee?

1. Active listening
2. Attention
3. Confrontation
4. All of the above

Active listening, attention and confrontation

In phase 3, what discussion points are brought up by the line manager?

Being objective and assertive

Discuss in pairs & answer: what is the focus of phase 4?

o outcome/solution focus

o problem focus (preferred)

o E = Q x A

What comes in phase 5?

o summary of agreements and actions

o evaluation of meeting (How well, or otherwise, did this meeting go?)

What were the key aspects of ''active listening'' mentioned in the video you watched for today?

1) both verbal and nonverbal cues 

2) asking good questions

3) giving an informed response

Read today's role-play description and scan the 10 tips to dealing with unhappy employees. Which ones do you think could be suggested in the upcoming performance review?

#1: One-on-ones

Spend some quality time with them. Giving them a chance to talk out their thoughts allows you to see issues before they get too big -- and in many instances allows you to cut off potential problems before they manifest themselves.

#2: Coaching

Take the time to ensure that they know what they should be doing on their project, or maybe when their next deadline is. Providing positive feedback when things go well and constructive criticism when tasks go wrong is all part of the process.

#3: Paying attention

When asking questions, try to put yourself in your team members' shoes. There could be something going on in the office you are not aware of. Or maybe something is happening in their personal life that is spilling over into their job.

#4: New projects

Resolving some issues is as simple as giving employees a more challenging project. A work environment devoid of challenges (and their associated successes upon completion) can easily lead to boredom, which can turn a happy employee into an unhappy one.

#5: Training

Sending one or more employees to a class to work on a new skill or learn a new technique -- or even just allowing them to attend a seminar -- is a great way to jump-start people. Having something new to learn and bring back to share with others can motivate not just individual members but the entire team.

#6: Money (not)

Very rarely does money solve the problem of an unhappy employee. In some instances, money problems might be a contributing factor in their unhappiness, but overall, that won't be a root cause.

#7: Time off

Employees all like to have a few days off now and then that aren't part of their standard compensation. Just make sure it doesn't turn into an expectation for them or anybody else on the team or it could turn into a bigger problem for you.

#8: Telecommuting (WFH)

There is nothing worse than commuting back and forth to work each day. With the length of the typical daily commute now more than 30 minutes, employees are increasingly frustrated with the long lines of traffic and the cost of fuel. Allowing employees to work at home one or two days a week can help with this problem. And you get the added benefit of keeping another car off the road!

#9: Mentors

If you can find somebody employees trust and respect, someone who will inspire and challenge them, the potential for their growth and happiness can be endless.

#10: Moving on

Sometimes no matter what you try, things are not getting better. In these situations, the best thing you can do is to help the employee find a different situation -- either elsewhere within your organization or in extreme cases, outside it.

BONUS

Keep it positive

Being a true leader means getting the most out of your team no matter what the situation. One of the best ways to do this is by keeping in touch with your team while providing constant feedback. Positive feedback when things go well is as important -- if not more important -- than negative feedback when issues arise. Most of us know when we make a mistake. We usually just need somebody to pick us up, dust us off, and point us back in the right direction.

Any theory questions?

HOT SEAT

Two student volunteers will come to the front of the room to act out the role-play set for today. Get out your feedback form and fill it in. We will discuss the outcome as a class before breaking into groups to keep practicing.

Ask for volunteers from the students that must do talk 1 as an assessment if you know who they are.

Practice time!

In your project groups, please take turns practicing this role play. Each student should play student A, student B, and the feedback giver role at least once. Take about 5 minutes per round. Send the completed feedback forms to the other students by Email during class and provide some quick verbal feedback too.

If you know who is going to participate in talk 1 for Park Management, be sure to give oral feedback to them on their performance. Go around from group to group giving feedback/tips. Use breakout rooms if the lesson is online.

Questions?

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, how would you rate your own performance today?

010

Did you fill in feedback for your peers and actively participate today?

YES 🦾

No 😥

Somewhat but I hope to do better next time!

See you next time!

Please prepare for the topic ''conflict'' by doing the assigned reading, watching the assigned video, and reading the role-play instructions for workshop 2. Check on Teams and/or Moodle.