A Tribute

To whom it may concern …

Years ago, I entered the field of instructing and training. I thought I was good at what I know. I thought that what I know is all there is to know. Well. I assumed wrong. In exchange of giving people instructions to master a few computer programs, I received an education in the art of human relations. I became what I am because of my students. And now, I truly believe that the more I teach, the more I learn.

I always felt nervous whenever one of my students had an exam. I don’t know if it was my ego, that I take it personally by considering their failure to be mine. Or if it was the connection established between a student and myself (specially hard working ones)?! But anyway I feel lucky to have my students around, for they provide me the insight without me having to seek it.

So if I am to say a word for my students, it’ll be this :

“ It was both an honor and a pleasure to meet you somewhere in this life. It was meant for our roads to cross at some point so that we can have the chance to make this little transaction of information. I thank you for giving me the chance to teach you and I hope that everyone of us has known a little about the other and more about ourselves. I thank those of you who considered me a friend and confided me with their problems and emotions. I also thank those who considered to criticize me, for I believe in their good intentions of making a better version of myself.

Now that every one of us is going his own road, I’ll be waiting for our roads to cross again and I’ll be deeply thrilled if I can be of any assistance to you.

Last but not least, thank you for making me what I am.”

Marwa Ibrahim

Little Things Can Make A Big Difference

• SMILE because “ A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of things”.
• Always salute people with a nice “Hello”, “Good morning”, “Good day” and best of all “Peace be upon you”.
• Always thank people for whatever they do for you. A thoughtful “Thank you” means that you appreciate what they are doing for you and motivate them to do more. And always remember that “Those who do not thank people, do not thank God”.
• Don’t be intimidated to apologize. Apologizing can decrease the resentment in a relationship, when sincerely offered.
• Mention the positive aspects before criticizing anything or anyone. That can make your opinions more welcomed.
• Always approach a conflict as an opportunity to learn something new, not as an opportunity to prove yourself right.
• Display a sincere desire to help people.
• Listen more than you talk. Keep an open mind as well as an open ear.
• Take care of yourself. Eat well, sleep well and plan your time between work and play.
• Take care of others. Nourish those relationships that add to your life.

TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) Part III

Handling CONFLICTS

In his exuberant book ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’, Dale Carnegie pointed out a few principles to win people to your way of thinking. The first principle he pointed out was - in his own words - “ The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it”. I refer to this book here only because it might change your perspective on how to deal with the interpersonal differences between you and other people.
However, conflicts and arguing within the team is inevitable. It can be a healthy sign, or it can be a detrimental one. It depends on what has caused the conflict in the first place and how it is managed. Although some issues might remain unsolved, but here are some guidelines to help you efficiently resolve the conflict.

1. Acknowledge that the conflict exists. A conflict is like an elephant in the room, so don’t try to ignore it. And remember that you can’t change what you can’t acknowledge.
2. Identify what causes the conflict. Be honest, open and receptive.
3. Display what effects does this conflict have on accomplishing your team goals. Focus on behaviors and actions not on persons.
4. Listen, listen and listen. Take turns at talking helps team members to express their point of view equally. Only talk when it’s your turn.
5. Focus on common grounds. Always remember that we have the same areas of interest within the team more than we have differences. Discuss the options available to you as a team.
6. Create a plan and monitor your team progress. This should be done in a specific time frame.