Module 4 - Self Directed Learning

Make the most of your mentor before your 12 months is up. Have you got a meeting booked in the diary? If not, make contact, even if it's been a while. What would you like support with?

This agenda is offered as a guide for how to plan and structure your time your time.

Did you miss your module 4? Our catch-up video will take you through the activities you missed.

Links to module materials

Your Module 5 Hot Topic is focused on Positioning Yourself for Success. In your Peer Group you will run a Hot Topic for your invitees on Day 2 of Module 5 where you will present your Elevator Pitch. Look at Handout 11 in your Workbook for Module 4 for more information. Today you need to:

Have you had an interview since M3? Spend time as a peer group reflecting on how it went, any feedback received, what could be improved and celebrating success, whatever the outcome.

At Module 5 we will be building on your personal brand as we develop your Elevator Pitch; a short, concise and impactful way to talk about who you are, what you’re great at and what you want next.

How are you doing with your career and 1 year plans? Are you on track? Do you want to change the goal? Do you need to add any milestones? Take the next step and share with your mentor or peer group.

Women leaders across the globe experience the influence gap. We struggle to get our voices heard in meetings. We can't get a seat at the table for the decisions that matter. In this engaging talk, leadership coach and author of closing the influence gap, Carla Miller highlights the role gender bias plays in the confidence, credibility and career progression of women and some of the steps we can take to overcome it.

Here are eight ways you might be undermining yourself with your words and what to say instead.

Mike Robbins is the author of two books, Focus on the Good Stuff, and Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken. He sets out that our ability to be authentic and vulnerable enables true connection.

Mary Carpenter, a Crossing Thresholds Alumni, shares her thoughts on quiet leadership and how her mentor helped her to appreciate her introverted qualities.

Are you an introvert? If so, that's great! Animator Sofja Umarik (who is an introvert) looks at how it can be a real strength.

Using the 1-2-3 of communication, finish the presentation you started at Module 4. Practise this with your peer group or mentor and let them know what type of feedback you'd like.

David Bradford & Carole Robin who taught interpersonal skills to MBA students in their legendary Stanford course, Interpersonal Dynamics change the way you have difficult conversations forever!

This speech is a call to action. It is of paramount importance that we create healthy environments in the spaces that most affect our lives by giving of our best and receiving the like in return.

Social psychologist Amy Cuddy argues that "power posing" - standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident - can boost feelings of confidence, and may have other impacts too.

In your peer group, practise giving difficult feedback with a real scenario for you, taking turns to play the three roles. Use the pre-requisites and structure. Are you ready to have the conversation?

Practice the 1-2-3 of communication and thinking on your feet. Put yourself forward for opportunities (small or big) that you find a challenge; prepare, practice and then go for it! Get feedback.

Listening is more than the act of hearing. It's creating an environment in which the other person FEELS heard. If we truly listen to someone else's perspective, we can gain understanding and engage in more meaningful dialogue.

Ask each other questions and practice thinking on your feet - speak for 3 minutes using a headline, strap line, three key points and a call to action. Have fun with it!

Have you identified some of your own undermining language habits? How will you go about making changes? Sometimes it's easier in the written form - read Tara Mohr's example email