Knowing our own mind is useful when we are in any kind of job which involves people or information. Advertising or customers will often try to convince us to act or decide specific things and we have to know how to identify the facts that will enable us to make the right decisions.

The Focused Virtue for this session is Wisdom.

Wisdom helps us to judge whether what we hear is true or objective in order to make our own decisions.

Ask Yourself: "Can I grow in wisdom to value every voice?"

Listen with focus, speak with your heart

Use These:

I recognise when someone is trying to influence me (LS11)

I analyse where bias is shown (LS14)

I use questions to challenge perspectives (LS15)

Once you have done that, can you answer these statements:

I know some of the techniques that people or companies will use to try to influence me. (LS11)

I have some ideas about how to spot bias in things I read or hear. (LS14)

I know how to frame questions that might challenge perspectives I read or hear. (LS15)

Lots of jobs rely on the ability to communicate to groups of people, whether that is in meetings or to groups of customers, students or potential clients. Making my points in a logical and engaging way is really important in terms of how I present myself in a professional situation.

The Focused Virtue for this session is Wisdom.

Wisdom helps us to know how to explain things in a way that helps people to understand what we are communicating

Ask Yourself: "Can I grow in wisdom to use my voice well?"

Listen with focus, speak with your heart

Use These:

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/speaking-step-11-speaking-engagingly

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/speaking-step-4-organising-thoughts

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/speaking-step-7-expressing-self

Once you have done that, can you answer these statements:

I know some strategies I can use to engage an audience when I am speaking to them. (SP11)

I have ideas about how a speech or presentation can be structured. (SP4)

I understand how my tone, expression and gestures can help me to be understood. (SP7)

Often in the workplace we have to match what we are saying with visuals that help our clients or colleagues understand the content of what we are saying better. This might include graphs and diagrams, pictures or statistics.

The Focused Virtue for this session is Wisdom.

Wisdom helps us to know how to explain things in a way that helps people to understand what we are communicating

Ask Yourself: "Can I grow in wisdom to use my voice well?"

Listen with focus, speak with your heart

Use These:

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/speaking-step-9-sharing-visuals

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/creativity-step-3-expressing-imagination

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/speaking-step-8-using-facts

Once you have done that, can you answer these statements:

I know how images, charts and diagrams can help me to communicate (SP9)

I know how to create or find images, charts or diagrams to help me communicate (CV3)

I know how to find and use facts and examples to back up the points I want to make. (SP8)

It is really important to know when and how to ask questions in the workplace - to know how to do things better and to make sure we understand expectations.

The Focused Virtue for this session is Wisdom.

Wisdom helps us to know what to ask in order to be able to make the best decisions in the situation.

Ask Yourself: "Can I grow in wisdom to know what to ask and when?"

Listen with focus, speak with your heart

Use These:

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/listening-step-3-checking

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/listening-step-8-questioning

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/listening-step-15-strategic-questioning

Once you have done that, can you answer these statements:

I understand the importance of asking questions (LS3)

I know how to make my questions open ended (LS8)

I know how to frame questions that might challenge perspectives or information I hear. (LS15)

Sometimes in the workplace we need to challenge ideas or decisions - to make sure that the outcomes for the workplace or its clients are the best ones overall. This has to be done with respect and openness.

The Focused Virtue for this session is Wisdom.

Wisdom helps us to know how to challenge others in the right way so we can make the best decisions in the situation.

Ask Yourself: "Can I grow in wisdom to know when and how to challenge ideas I don't understand or agree with?"

Listen with focus, speak with your heart

Use These:

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/listening-step-15-strategic-questioning

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/listening-step-8-questioning

https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework-steps/listening-step-13-analysing-views

Once you have done that, can you answer these statements:

I know how to frame questions that might challenge perspectives I read or hear. (LS15)

I understand how open ended questions can be used to challenge ideas or opinions (LS8)

I understand some of the factors that lead people to have particular points of view (LS13)