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.
January 11, 2007, Joy Pendos, Psychology Major from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila where she graduated only six months ago, joined KSearch as a Search Associate, beaming with fresh enthusiasm and cautious aspirations. Fast forward five years hence -- Joy, now with Rubas happily added to her family name and a proud Mom of a bouncing 5-month old baby girl, has completed this month her first five years’ stint with KSearch – with her enthusiasm intact and her aspirations fulfilled in many ways. Joy, already promoted to the rank of Consultant this month, is a consistent strong performer in the Finance, BPO and Banking Practice Group.
We pulled Joy aside during the firm’s celebration of her anniversary on January 27 which also featured the milestones of other employees and we posed to her a few questions. With controlled emotions, she responded in high spirits as follows:
What made you stay at KSearch?
Well, I have always valued my continuing professional growth here as a head hunter. Obviously, the promotions and recognitions one gets in the firm, as well as the training like those of Dale Carnegie, Targeted Selection, and other equally interesting topics coming from the broad resource speakers in the Philippines, even if not necessarily related to my scope of work – they all help to broaden and deepen our knowledge.
I enjoy the many challenging accounts entrusted to me and the culture that mold each one of us to collaborate as a team, as in a close-knit family.
What do you like most at KSearch?
KSearch is very supportive in providing training for employees. If there are seminars you wish to take or some skills you need to improve on, MRG will be open to provide it to you.
Efforts and hard work are well rewarded here! I relish my first out-of-the-country trip in Bangkok after the successful year of delivering difficult mandates.
I particularly appreciate how MRG personally assisted to correct my intonation. He noticed during my first year that I have a high-pitched voice that did not sound very professional. So for two consecutive weeks, he initiated that I read out in front of him selected business newspapers. He patiently corrected my pitch until I finally gained the confidence to project my voice from my diaphragm as he insisted. Then, at the end, he commended my good diction.
What’s your tip for the newbies?
For the new ones, take every opportunity which the company will give you, and be up for the challenge! The more you work on a challenging account, the better, because it would hasten and strengthen your skills as a Consultant.
What’s your major learning at the workplace?
The value of patience, hard work, perseverance, and professionalism.
Who/What is your inspiration?
My family. Being a new mom has transcended my goal to not just about “me”, but more for my husband and daughter.
What are your plans for the next five years?
I like to train the new batch of search associates. I look forward to share what I’ve learned on the processes of being a Consultant—from screening, assessing, interviewing, etc.
I also aim to be a flexible Consultant handling not just my existing BPO, Finance and Accounting functions but also explore other strengths of KSearch in the areas of Human Resources and Information Technology.