Lifelong Learning, save the world!

What have we (not) learned? What do we still need to learn?

1) In my Management Seminars we talk so much about empathy and humility!

Being empathetic to someone who shares your opinion is easy! But the trick is to feel empathy for someone who is on the other side!  

2) In my Sales Seminar, I talk to students about the art of understanding the true motives of the other side: a) those on the surface, obvious, logical ones, and b) those "underwater", hidden, emotional ones. We talk about the importance of addressing those reasons - no matter how implausible and crazy they may seem to us.    

3) In my Communication Seminars we talk about various communication models. One (by Shannon & Weaver) says that the message sent does not always reach the receiver, because in between the message is exposed to various interferences, media and experiences that change it. Paul Watzlawick: "I do not know what I have said until I have heard the response of my counterpart". So, saying "we have already said that" is not enough if it has not been received!

Listen with all your ears! (there are 4), because the others are also talking with 4 “beaks”!

4) In my Negotiation Seminars we talk about how important it is NOT to insist on principles, but to understand this "WHY"! Not just sharing the orange all the time and trying to fork out the bigger piece, but first ask: "what does the other person actually want with the orange?" (The Harvard Principle).

5) In my Leadership Seminars we have been talking about the importance of listening for years. "Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self!”

6) In Pedagogy we talk about the fact that pressure does not lead to success!

7) In my Crisis Management Seminars we teach not to point fingers at one side, but always to understand that it takes BOTH or MORE.

8) In my Business Plan Seminars we talk about "the real value" - not only to our clients but to all stakeholders. In all decisions, we have to keep the whole society in mind.

9) In my Purchasing Seminars I talk about the total cost of ownership. When choosing a strategy, do not only consider the immediate costs, but also the costs of the entire process! Think all the way to the end! Do not aim for short-term success! I am not only talking about monetary values. Think holistically!

10) In my Risk Management Seminars, we categorise risks according to their probability and magnitude. And in the case of the smallest probability of less than one percent with the serious consequences (nuclear war), we have to take these smallest residual risks into account!!!

11) In my Relationship Management Seminars we talk about Dale Carnegie's advice to try at least "to see things from the other person's point of view!" (principle 8), if you cannot show respect for the other person's opinion (principle 2).

12) In my Sustainability Seminars we talk a lot about equality and inclusion! If we are serious about it, we have to set equal standards for all decisions and all stakeholders! We should not talk about others, but WITH others (that is inclusion)! Give everyone a voice! No exclusive rights!!!

13) The Bible says "Love your enemies!". I'm not saying "Try to understand them!" but I am saying "Let ALL TALK WITH EACH OTHER!!!!!"

Maybe we should pay more attention to some of these ideas and competencies?

LET US ALL TALK TO EACH OTHER!!!

POLITICIANS of the world! Present and ex! Get on planes, cars and GO THERE!!!! TALK!!! Negotiate! Look for compromises! SAVE humanity! Save the planet!

MEDIA of the WORLD! Take responsibility! Be the conduit of truth!

PEOPLE of the world! Do not break humane rules of etiquette and contribute to the escalation!!!! LOOK for the straw that will save us all!!!

Long live Life-Long Learning!!!