How can I prepare for the training?

Here are some steps you can take to identify your own need more specifically in preparation for your free exploratory session:

1. From whom do you need better cooperation than your getting?
   Make a list of the people or groups of people at work whose co-operation you need.  Shortlist the ones whose co-operation you are not entirely satisfied with or have difficulty getting.  (Include superiors, peers, subordinates, customers, suppliers -anyone you wish.)
2. What kinds of interactions are you having with them?
   Pick the most relevant situations from the list here.  The list is not exhaustive - you can add anything you wish.
3. What effect are you having on people at present?
   Find out as specifically as you can the answers to the following two questions:

• Precisely what effect  you're having on them?  Putting it bluntly, are they being switched on  or switched off  by you?
• Precisely how  and when  that happens.  In other words, exactly what you were saying or doing when it happened.  The more specific you are the more useful the feedback will be.

Asking for feedback

Although this is a simple idea it's probably the most challenging part of your preparation.  Here's a suggestion about how to approach it.  Identify one or two people you trust.  Pluck up courage and approach them.  You could adapt these words: 

"I'm keen to find out how I can improve as a leader/manager/team member, etc., and I need feedback from a few people I work with.  I'm not asking you to assess me as a person.  It's more specific than that.  What I want to know is exactly when something I say or do makes you feel good, and when it makes you feel bad.  I promise I won't take offence whatever you say.  This will really help me.  Are you willing?"
 

Most people will gladly cooperate if you approach them so openly.