Communication is very important in all aspects -- to address a problem, to make clarification, to build relationships and for a hundred other reasons. But communication won’t be successful if we don’t communicate effectively. That, precisely, is what we addressed during one of the series of trainings at KSearch, one of the leading executive recruitment firms in the Philippines.
KSearch employees attended a whole day workshop facilitated by Ms. Balma Nandwani of Optimized Solutions Training. Entitled Effective Listening and Communicating Skills Workshop, the training was designed to unblock the communication barriers that hamper most of us and to replace them with active listening and communicating skills.
The program was divided into five modules. The first module was about Building Interpersonal Relations. In this module, Ms. Nandwani discussed how our values and beliefs affect our communication and what causes the communication barriers. After the module, most of us were enlightened that communication barriers were, in most cases, the reasons that cause failure in communication. Assuming too much even before knowing enough about a situation is one example of what causes a communication barrier. It is better to pose the right questions first before proceeding.
The second module was about the Art of Asking Questions. In this module, we appreciated it as akin to the Targeted Selection Methodology that we are already practicing. It was emphasized here that if you ask the right question, you would get the right information. The difference of asking open-ended questions versus the close-ended questions was also discussed, as well as the art of probing.
In the third module, Listening Skills was covered. A skill that is often ignored, Ms. Nandwani emphasized how effective listening becomes a key to establishing the rapport with those you are discussing with. In this module, she covered the typical barriers to being able to listen well, including, among others, our tendency to mentally formulate our questions even as the other party is still talking.
In the fourth module, it was about Communicating Clearly. Ms. Nandwani discussed the difference between active listening versus deep listening. She also shared information on how to “deep listen” and ways how to deep-listen. We realized in this module that we should even push ourselves to listen and be tightly focused on what is being said to us.
The last module was about Setting Our Listening Goal. It was discussed here how your mind can be your enemy or your friend in different instances. She challenged us to be honest with ourselves by admitting to ourselves as to how we stack up in terms of listening skills and what we can do to improve ourselves.
Overall, the workshop jolted us to a self-realization on how we have taken for granted something so critical as listening effectively to be able to communicate effectively. She added that its importance cannot be overemphasized especially for a consulting service company that we are.
Ms. Nandwani, true to character, was so competent with her topic and always thoroughly engaging. It was a very productive Saturday for us who were there. Indeed, there is no substitute to communicating and listening effectively.
Yuu Shomura was with KSearch for a year and she left the company last January 5 with nothing but positive remarks for everyone.
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Tomorrow I’ll probably wake up automatically at 5am and then realize that I don’t have to go to work anymore.
I feel weird, I am sad that I won’t be seeing you all 5 times a week but I am excited to learn a lot of new things that hopefully will make me better equipped to face the world.
You have all been wonderful, I am so sorry if all I can say is “thank you”. I am ashamed that I have nothing else to give back for all the kindness that everyone has shown me. Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but please know that I am really happy and grateful to each and everyone of you, everybody really made life at KSearch a very enjoyable experience. Challenging but fun, there are a lot of moments worth treasuring and I am so proud to have worked in one of the top head hunters in the Philippines.
I honestly didn’t want to even take part in this 2011 Christmas party because I thought it would make leaving a lot more harder, but I am glad I stayed long enough for it.
Please know that although I won’t be working in KSearch anymore, you all have a special place in my heart.
KSearch has really been awesome, I want everybody to know that I am leaving not because of the company; I have nothing bad to say about how we are like a big, goofy but very caring family. A family with lots of unique personalities and very supportive brothers and sisters. I am leaving because the path that I want to take is telling me that I need more things to help me get to where I am going.
Dearest MRG, thank you so much for believing in my capabilities. I am glad that my first job was an awesome one. Thank you.
Miss Bobbie, hopefully I can be like you someday—so talented and inspiring. Thank you for all the advice.
Ma’am Ross, my scout master! The person who taught me the rope! Hugs! Thank you so much. Without you, I would have never learned how much of a fighter I was. Before, when I knew I was no good at something, I would just give up and not do it anymore. I always stuck with things I was good at. Now I will fight the battle before giving up the war.
Ma’am Joy, I will really miss your very “mahinhin” and “hindi makabasag pinggan” attitude. Whenever you come to our area, it is your witty comments that wake us up.
Ma’am Mia, I think I’ll see you often in Megamall with Bea and your husband.
Ma’am Malou, Ola! Chikka! Your sunny disposition helped motivate me to continue working hard.
Greatchilllll, I will miss your big words and your antics.
Ma’am Tess, thank you for being so caring about my welfare. I missed the care a mother gives her daughter, my mom has been in Japan for so long, and the little things you did for me really made me feel loved.
Ma’am Verns, your words really helped out. Thank you for being there when I didn’t know what to do.
Mommy V, thanks for the support. I will always be grateful.
Caryn, thanks for being my shoulder to cry on. Hugs!
Gani, my partner in crime. I will miss our evil moments and old song playlists.
Lean, confidence!!! Please have more confidence in yourself; you are capable of so much.
Dave, loosen up Dude! Be Gani’s new partner!
Miss Tin and Sir Leo, it was so fun working with you both.
Miss Joyce, thank you for being so nice.
Thank you to each one of you. I love you all!
THANK YOU, KSEARCH!