Influence is changing behaviors.
What Is Influence? Changing hearts, minds, and behaviors
(12 minute video)
Influence Viewer's Guide (PDF)

Who Influences You?
(17 minute video)
Viewers Guide: Who Influences You?

How do INFLUENCE and CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS complement each other?

Leadership is Influence - model of influence and how to change behaviors is illustrated as students make decisions about spending money. (Joseph Grenny, 8 minute video)

How will I handle difficult ethical choices? What will influence my actions? What crucial conversations will I face? The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University poses "The Big Q" to open dialogue and exploration of real-life challenges.

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS are "between two people when 1) stakes are high, 2) opinions vary, and 3) emotions run strong. These are day-to-day occurrences that affect everyone's lives - in many cases they are pivotal conversations whose results may be extremely significant." (Joseph Grenny)

We Have to Talk - a checklist on how to prepare for a successful outcome.

The Power of Listening - listening is an essential yet often overlooked communication skill. (TEDx 15 min.)

Moments of Accountability - crucial conversations have the potential to change the trajectory of our lives. (Joseph Grenny 23 minute video)

Communication skills - when crucial conversations arise, what do I need to know and how can I develop my skills?

How collaboration and networking mean you will never have to go to an interview again, but are always being interviewed.

Key Partners are an important part of your talent development. Create a strong network of experts, collaborators and mentors.

Networking That Works podcast with Daniel Pink and David Burkus. Think about your own personal network, especially your weak or dormant ties. (18 minutes)

Big ideas are intimidating. Even your biggest and most daunting goal can be achieved if you simply break it up into bite-sized chunks.

Remember, the sum total of a lot of little efforts isn't little.

• Big Rocks - Keep Important Things Important (Covey)
• Time. How you choose to spend your time is up to you.
• Keep First Things First Time Management (Covey)
• Manage Your Time Tool
• It's Time: Daily Schedule Planning

WOOP is a strategy that you can use to find and fulfill your wishes, set priorities, and change habits.
• Wish
• Outcome
• Obstacle
• Plan
"The obstacles we think most impede us from fulfilling our wishes can actually help us realize them."

How might WOOP be used in school, in my classroom?
WOOP for classroom activity guide.
Created by Character Lab.

Study Skills Tips and Hints - Understanding the structure of the class you re taking, tips on note taking, and connecting assignments to your career pathway and talent development.

RECOVERY FROM SETBACKS

• Reflection Builds Understanding
• Envisioning Success Sets Expectations
• Planning Sets You Up for Success
• Do It Now
• Return On Investment Is Your Reward

Click HERE for a roadmap
to assist you with recovering from setbacks. (PDF)

For a 'ready to print' version
Click Here

A key part of developing your talents is to understand how much it will cost and what your potential return on investment (ROI) might be. It's okay to spend money on something that will benefit you in the future, but it's important to understand if your chosen career path will provide the benefit needed to live in the real world. Benefits can be viewed both in financial reward and satisfaction in what you are doing. Make sure you look at as many financial and life satisfaction variables as you can.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI) can be calculated in dollars and in terms of personal fulfillment.
ROI = Value gained from investment of money, thought, time, effort and motivation.

Illinois workNet is an online portal providing information about jobs, training and economic development. Sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Minnesota CAREERwise helps you define your skills, explore careers, plan your education, and find a job.

My Next Move is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor to help in researching careers. Find out about career prospects, knowledge and skills needed.

Occupational Outlook Handbook is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to help you find information on careers and employment outlook.

Skoll Foundation drives world-wide social entrepreneurship efforts to solve the world's most pressing problems.

Valley Educaton for Employment System provides support for Career and Technical Education in northern Illinois. It is an intermediate agency with the Illinois State Board of Education.