Talent-Up. Blog

Leadership e intelligenza emotiva

Emotions are inherently positive! Emotions are invaluable guides that accompany us on life's journey. Each one carries a message that can indicate the direction we should take. For example, joy shows us what we should continue to cultivate, while fear warns us that there is something to pay attention to and prepares us to face potentially difficult or critical situations. Despite manifesting in various forms, in different intensities, pleasant or unpleasant, emotions are practical and useful if we are willing to open to them and learn from their wisdom. Thus, emotions are always positive. According to a Cherokee legend, two wolves live inside us: one is gentle, balanced, and white; the other is aggressive, noisy, and black. If we feed only the white wolf, the black one will feel neglected and hungry, waiting to attack with increasing vigor to show it exists and deserves to be heard too because it also travels with us every day. However, if we feed both wolves, each one will respect its space and provide its presence when needed. Just as it is vital to pay attention to both the white and black wolves, it is also essential to pay attention to every emotion, whether pleasant or unpleasant. Emotions that we reject, suppress, or ignore will raise their voices more and more to be heard, ultimately overwhelming us. By listening, recognizing, and welcoming our emotions, we can work with them to promote our well-being and success. Emotions are a bridge between us and the world, our mind and body, ourselves and others. If you want to learn more about emotions, contact me to join the next edition of the Emotional Bridge Master in emotion management (in partnership with the Evolutionary Coaching School for professional coaches and business managers), personalized training courses, and emotional intelligence tests.

Talento e performance

Football for the visually impaired: What does it teach us about teamwork and talents? I became aware of visually impaired football through the Paralympic Games . It has fascinated me because it demonstrates how going beyond conventions, nurturing one's talents, and training a systematic vision can lead to extraordinary results! ⇒ In visually impaired football, the ball is equipped with a device that emits an acoustic signal. - The sound helps players locate the ball during the game. The ball is an appropriate tool because it is modified for the context ⇒ The goalkeeper is the only sighted player - He guides the team in organizing the defense and optimizing the field arrangement. Effective communication for the goalkeeper involves using his voice (giving directions such as "one step to the right" or "two steps back") and touch (orienting teammates with touches and movements) because voice and touch convey messages that players can understand and act on. Therefore, the goalkeeper must acquire information with his own abilities (including visual) and transfer it according to the means and receptive model of the team receiving the message. ⇒ The guide is an essential member of the team who remains off the field. - The guide directs the attackers through vocal cues and gives sound indications by beating on the posts behind the opposing goal to help the players locate the area within which to direct the ball to score. The guide, like the goalkeeper, communicates by leveraging the hearing and spatial sense of their teammates. What can we learn from Paralympic football? What can we bring to the management of our work and our private lives? I have learned that - it is essential to nurture our attitudes, talents, and senses to grasp the most useful information and achieve the team's goal - building a common language shared by all members is critical to being clear and understandable - each person has a role in a team, and it must be respected to achieve success. When everyone does their part and maintains their place, together they can accomplish goals that would otherwise be impossible. What have you learned?

Talento e performance

Ready to cross? The midlife transition Transformation is a phenomenon that affects all ages of our lives, but it is in the age range between 40 and 60 years that it assumes a particular importance. In this period, in fact, many things can put our inner strength to the test: - The retirement age is approaching. - We feel like we have less strength and resources for the future. - It can be difficult to relate to organizations that hire younger employees, decreasing our potential for socializing. - It becomes harder to change jobs, as we become too experienced or not digitally native enough, making us more expensive. - Constant negotiations with teenage children can be frustrating. - The empty nest syndrome can leave us feeling lost. - Caregiving for elderly loved ones can be emotionally and energetically draining. If you are in the "midlife" age bracket, you certainly know that what you have read above are just some examples of the complexity and uncertainty that characterize this phase of life, where our balance can easily falter, causing us to lose focus, enthusiasm, and well-being. This can also make us less pleasant to others, as we may appear shy, pessimistic, bored, or aggressive, cynical, and pretentious. Midlife is a transition that happens anyway, even if we don't manage it. If we don't manage it and let ourselves be carried away by the current instead of taking control of our boat, the tangle of our thoughts and emotions, the exhaustion, and the sense of instability can overwhelm us. If we let that happen, we won't be able to see the opportunities that we can have even in this complicated transition. In addition to a good dose of uncertainty, midlife also brings with it tools and resources, uniquely strengthened by experience. And it is precisely the wisdom of experience, gained over the years, that can offer us the key to face new challenges with focus and determination. But how can we embrace it and use it to the fullest? This is where coaching comes into play! You are on one side of a large lake. You know you want to get to the other side. Inside of you, you also know that you can do it. You have already seen the other side of the lake. You just need someone to help you find what you need to cross the lake. This is how I see the transformative power of coaching, fundamental for midlife managers: an impartial guide who helps you - Explore solutions you haven't considered before - Expand your thinking and evaluate new opportunities and directions to take - Understand the obstacles you might encounter, see and refine the tools to overcome them effectively - Discover new perspectives of yourself - Regain the drive of inner motivation Aware of your tools and their wisdom, you can face any new challenge successfully and transform what seems like a confused moment, heralding the end of a journey, into an exciting new beginning.

Talento e performance

Coaching helps talent shine When I started my coaching work, many asked me "What exactly do you do? What is a coach?" I gave various answers, trying to put into words a profession whose value, in my opinion, can only be fully understood in all its power with experience. The International Coach Federation (ICF), where I certified as a Professional Coach, defines coaching and ICF coach in this way: "Coaching is a partnership with clients through a creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential." "An ICF coach agrees to use the ICF Key Competencies and commits to respecting and being responsible for the ICF Code of Conduct." I understood the deep meaning of coaching when I accompanied a blindfolded people through the streets of Milan without being able to speak to them, without being able to guide them. In fact, it was the blindfolded people who decided the path! These people had a goal: to walk and enjoy the stroll. I had a goal: to ensure that they could achieve their goal, accompanying them, returning signals in important, turning points - for example obstacles on their path. But I could not use my voice, nor push or pull them because the path was theirs. And they had their own tools (legs, arms, sense of smell…). I could only give their arm a gentle squeeze. The people I was accompanying sometimes did not take a road, despite my signal, and went straight towards a wall. But reaching the wall, my squeeze on their arm took on another meaning: it became meaningful because at that moment, they could experience the wall!. The harmony grew slowly, as did the trust (which, however, was an essential prerequisite of the exercise). It was an extraordinary experience. In the literal sense: out of the ordinary, almost magical. So, at that moment, I was the coach. The coach is the one who accompanies, facilitates the experimentation of new perspectives and opportunities but does not choose the path. The coach manages the process but does not decide the goals. The choices belong to the partner: choices about whether, what, when, and how. The partner has full responsibility and autonomy in their process. The coach asks questions, gives summaries, is the mirror of the coachee. It is a means through which the partners learn to know themselves better, to see the tools they have, to recognize obstacles, and to overcome them. When? Every time something is at stake: a challenge, an opportunity, the desire to achieve results in private or work life. Coaching is a service. Coaching makes talents shine that each person has within themselves: that's why I love my job. If you want to deepen your knowledge of the ethical code of coaches with ICF certification, click here: Code of Ethics If you want to deepen your knowledge of the key competencies of coaching, click here: Core Competencies

Storie di successo

STORIES: Dawn Duncan, Trainer & Advisor Welcome to STORIES, a journey through the stories of people who have built their success step by step. Be inspired and trace your own path: there is a world full of possibilities to shine your talents. Today we have Dawn Duncan with us, sharing her story of deep listening and continuous learning. Dawn lives by the mantra: "Words have the power to hurt or heal; they are never neutral. I am called to use words healing words". Could you introduce yourself Dawn? I am Dawn Duncan, professor emeritus. My chair is in Arts and Humanities, and I have completed three different degrees (journalism, theatre and education, and English). I've used all of them over the years! I started working with Narrative4 three years before I retired. I continue to facilitate, educate, and teach. These roles allow me to use words powerfully. I love people and want to use words in a way that truly helps them. Could you tell us more about your job and Narrative4? I met Colum McCann, the president of Narrative4, when teaching literature. I saw what he was doing, using the power of stories, and wanted to bring it to University: I wanted my students not only to experience story exchange, but also to be trained as facilitators. I was teaching in Minnesota and thought "we can do something here". So, with my students, we brought together immigrants, refugees and the Caucasian population to create a story exchange that would help reduce hostility between the diverse communities. The listening and understanding of each other's stories was just powerful! The BBC picked up on what we were doing, which helped change attitudes and showed people that everyone, no matter their ethnicity, brings added value to the community. Now I no longer work with my students. I am a Master Practitioner in Narrative4 and am called on to train other people to facilitate and as a consultant to colleges and universities. I also work as a volunteer in communities. I work online quite a lot: it's a great way to reach people all over the world! in N4 we are now on four continents and our numbers continue to grow. There is a great need to use story exchange to promote Emotional Intelligence and Empathy in young adults, the next generation of leaders who will be able to solve problems. What talents should a good facilitator have (and practice!) to handle people well? Firstly, set aside your own ego and be willing to make every person in the room feel more important than us. I bring this same principle to the classroom: I want every student to know they are capable of finding their own voice. Then, genuine curiosity is necessary. I have studied a lot, but if I wasn't open to new experiences I couldn't possibly do this work. Caring for others is fundamental. It's essential to focus on the other person, putting aside everything else that has happened to us. Narrative4 taught me to listen differently, deeply and slowly. Lastly, I think word-crafting is important. Expand your vocabulary, know your audience and understand how to use words effectively. What do you mean by success and failure? Success and failure are linked together, and I've experienced both many times. Failure is when you don't recover and blame others or external events for your fall from grace. I've explained to my students the difference between excellence and perfectionism: if you're a perfectionist, you don't allow criticism, but if you're striving for excellence, you know you can always do better, accept criticism and grow. This is linked with resilience and success; rise up, move forward and learn. I don't measure success by position or money, but by purpose and achieving it for a greater good. When is it too late to change? When you're dead! It's never too late to become who you want to be. You just have to be determined enough to take the steps needed to become that person. Could you share one last thought with us? Okay, I'll mention two! My first is my mantra: "Words have the power to hurt or heal; they are never neutral. I am called to use healing words." My second is an image of a cedar tree: it has rough but soft bark, provides shelter for many creatures, is beautiful in life, and even more so when it's sick. The moment you think it has lost its use, it becomes an incredible container, a piece of furniture or, an object for others. I connect with the cedar tree, as it reminds me that I always have a use no matter what stage of my life. The words are taken from the video interview with Dawn. STORIES is a social project that aims to open new perspectives for those who wish to see them. STORIES is a project that aspires to inspire every person to discover, cultivate, and shine their own talents. We can leave our mark on the world in many ways. Every imprint, if it builds for us and for others, is equally important.

Scenari e tendenza

Talent Up meets FFIND: leveraging market research for a successful restart. Examining Europe and the USA through data and opportunities. I have known Ennio Armato, Global CEO of FFIND for over 10 years.When he presented me with his project of webinars dedicated to telling the story of the COVID phase 1 experience, and asked me if I wanted to participate, I had no doubts. Together with his team, of great professional and human value, Ennio conducted a study on five European countries and the USA to detect people's experiences, fears, and hopes. In Talent Up's vision, summarized by the strategic model I promote, everything starts with people and active listening. To generate awareness, empowerment and positive impacts on business and personal performance and well-being. Therefore, how could I miss the intercultural opportunity to be allowed to listen to people and analyze the social evolutions, needs, and expectations through the lens of the innovative research approach promoted by FFIND? Ennio, do you want to tell us something about the research methodology used? We live in a historical moment in which conducting research is not simple: think about what it means to conduct individual interviews in person or focus groups with social distancing! Technology has enabled new modes of interaction, and we decided to leverage them, starting with social media. Our listening solution (it is not just data collection because it allows real-time interaction!) is called Cube Survey and can reach people worldwide through simple posts. Cube Survey makes the impossible possible: with sponsored posts, we can intercept targets that usually cannot be found on market research panels. And the retrieval amplifies its power thanks to user resharing with those who have similar characteristics and interests. There is an important study in post design, from the image used to the call to action: everything must work in a coherent and synergistic way to encourage the target to interact. For this specific study, "Quarantine Voices," we involved the five major European countries and the USA and administered two open-ended questions and one closed-ended question aimed at measuring the level of "optimism" in relation to the future. And we used the image of the Decathlon mask in the post, rather evocative of the period! How did we read the research data in Talent Up? We decided to proceed qualitatively to bring out the essence, the big picture. And to pave the way for the other protagonists involved in FFIND's digital marathon, so that they could focus on numerical details and vertical insights. Many interesting pieces of evidence have emerged, including: 1) 70% of respondents indicated at least one positive aspect of the quarantine period! What does it mean? That we naturally have the ability to transform problems into opportunities and manage to broaden our perspectives and see beyond and something else. Cultural differences exist, but there are aspects that unite us as human beings: the need to find our center, our balance tuning in with the context in which we live, with the one in which we work; adopting rhythms and ways of working that respect nature: ours as human beings and the one that receives us, in which we are immersed. The energy available is always the same, and if we do not recharge it, it exhausts! the relevance of having a work context in which, as individuals, our personal expression can find adequate space, as well as the management of time (for example, through the integration of smart working and digital tools for distance management); the deep discomfort that the limitation of our freedom causes us; the possibility of giving up even spaces of freedom as long as there is a reason to do so, and this reason is shared and not a pretext. So what? empower yourselves and empower the people who are the beating heart of your teams and companies! Start with genuine, deep, and active listening because it is from there that you will see opportunities and build the cohesion and engagement necessary to perform and generate well-being! introduce models that recognize the value of everyone in your companies and families. Leave the command and control logic behind: it is no longer effective (except for rare exceptions), and it can be harmful communicate clearly and directly 2) For 12% of respondents, social relationships will worsen at the restart. Perhaps there is a fear that "others" will not respect the rules and that there will be another lockdown, generating spirals of aggressiveness. Or of finding oneself in situations of risk for health and even life itself. Or maybe there is a fear that the hugs will no longer be the same as before. The choice of how the relationships will be is up to us. To each of us. I have never believed in the slogan "Everything will be fine." I believe very much instead in "it will go the way we make it go." With our commitment, our courage, our civic sense, and as far as our sphere of influence is concerned. We have the opportunity to rebuild relational and cultural models, to give a perspective of life and prosperity to ourselves and our children. Carpe diem.

Leadership e intelligenza emotiva

Talento e performance

The Talent Up Model brings out the best in your talents. I founded my brand, Talent Up, to bring out the best in talents. Each person has incredible talents within them that need to be discovered, nurtured, and activated in order to achieve their goals, whether they be related to personal life, work, or both. We live in a volatile and ambiguous context where we do not even know what will happen tomorrow and we cannot make plans, which generates uncertainty. Sometimes, uncertainty becomes anxiety, which may arise when we are trying to sleep or watching the news, bombarding us with messages of crisis and speeches rich in "we will do this" and "it is necessary to commit to...," which remain suspended without being translated into actions that have a positive and tangible impact. And that is when our mind starts to wander like a monkey that we cannot catch. Do I want to dedicate more time to my personal life, relationships, and family, while maintaining adequate and respectful performance in the company where I work? Is it time to unleash my full potential? Is it time to try to build something that makes me as attractive as possible to the market? For each of these questions, you can have an answer! Actually, you already have the answer: you just need to be willing to face it, structure it, and take the first step. Once done, your talent will shine, regardless of anything else. It is normal to feel blocked, demotivated, and exhausted, but waiting is counterproductive. If you do not exercise your muscles, they will weaken to the point of atrophying, just like your skills, talents and ability to do and assert yourself. Why wait when you can choose to prepare yourself to live as well as possible and face what life offers you with more serenity? When I founded Talent Up, I thought of this, exactly. Why should we allow our talent to be overshadowed by indifference and acceptance (because "what would change, after all?”)? Our life is ours. We deserve to guide it, enjoy it, and live it as protagonists. The image I have chosen for this text, which represents my model, Talent Up (in its version dedicated to individuals). It is a model in which I have put all my experience as a manager and coach, which I usually use with companies, but which is also perfectly suited to individuals. It is both a strategic approach and a path that activates various tools combined in a unique way for each individual. When your talents shine, Satisfaction, Personality and Achievements (what you can read in the "crown" of the model) increase exponentially: you feel more "defined," no longer afraid to show your authenticity; you feel more satisfied because your voice resonates, and your new energy and focus help you achieve the results you want. But how do you move from the center of the model, talent, to the crown (Satisfaction, Personality, Achievements)? By using coaching, innovation, and counseling synergistically; by integrating multiple perspectives into a systemic vision, since the human being is a social creature, and relationships are the foundation of everything. What can we really build alone? And if we can do it, who will appreciate it? Who will talk to us about it? Who can inspire us to make what we have done even more beautiful and useful, thereby deriving complete satisfaction? Without relationships, you cannot sell to anyone. Without relationships, you cannot buy anything. Without relationships, you cannot learn anything. Do you want to you want to know more? Do yo want to boost your satisfaction? I am waiting for you at Talent Up to build together a present and future of opportunities, but the choice is yours: running shoes or slippers?

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