|
Whether we are an employee, independent consultant, or entrepreneur, technical competencies are necessary, but not sufficient, for personal success and fulfillment. This observation applies whether we serve in the private, public, academic, or volunteer sectors. Non-technical or “soft side” competencies enable us to work more effectively with supervisors, supervisees, colleagues, clients, customers, students, the public, other stakeholders, and members of our community, neighborhood, and family. Augmenting technical competencies with “soft-side” knowledge, skills, and attitudes is the key to earning career security, a much more viable life strategy than chasing job security.
Using my knowledge of and experience with non-technical knowledge and skills, I help individuals and organizations engineer their futures.
See the bottom of this page for over 60 of my essays, professional papers, and other documents. These complimentary offerings touch on a wide variety of mostly non-technical (professional practice) topics and are arranged in 9 categories (e.g., Communication, Creativity and Innovation, Leadership and Change, Personal Development) for your convenience.
 |
|
"Never ruin an apology with an excuse."
-- Benjamin Franklin, scientist, statesman, author
|
|
 |
 |
|
BOOK WRITING PROJECT – I recently signed an agreement with John Wiley & Sons to write a communication textbook for use by undergraduate and graduate engineering students. The book will also be designed for use by engineering practitioners. Request for assistance: If you have ideas about one or more topics that should be in this book, please share them with me at stu-walesh@comcast.net or 219-242-1704.
BIOMIMICRY ARTICLE – PE, the magazine of the National Society of Professional Engineers, published my article “Turning to Nature for New Ideas” in the winter issue.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION LEARNING NETWORK (TLN) – I am pleased to continuing working with the TLN, which is a partnership of the Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming Departments of Transportation and the Mountain-Plains Consortium Universities. I’ve spoken about quality, innovation, and communication. In March, we will offer “From Project Engineer to Project Manager: Look Before You Leap.” I could prepare similar education programs tailored to your needs.
LICENSURE PRESENTATION TO ENGINEERING STUDENTS AND OTHERS – On February 17, I spoke via Zoom, to a joint meeting of the Purdue Fort Wayne (Indiana) NSPE Student Chapter and the Anthony Wayne Indiana Society of Professional Engineers Chapter. My topic: “Engineering Licensure-Exemption Laws: Forewarned is Forearmed.” I welcome opportunities to speak to students, along with faculty and practitioners, about licensure and other professional development topics.
ARCHIVED ETHICS WEBINAR – GATHER A GROUP – EACH PERSON CAN EARN 1.5 PDHs – My 90 minute (1.5 PDH) webinar “Ethical Behavior – The Key to Earning Trust” has been continuously improved and proven popular with participants in the American Society of Civil Engineers continuing education program. The learning outcomes are: 1) Explain how trust must be earned - it cannot be bought, 2) Describe the 4 legal-ethical quadrants, 3) Apply 6 techniques for resolving ethical issues, 4) Identify the principal common element among professional society ethics codes, and 5) Discuss lessons learned from 2 in-depth case studies.
The archived version may be examined for possible purchase, and widespread use in your organization, click here.
MANY ROAD-TESTED AND ARCHIVED PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WEBINARS - Since 2002, I have presented 330 webinars as part of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) continuing education program. 20 of my archived leadership, management, marketing, communication, ethics, and other professional practice webinars are available for purchase at individual, group, ASCE member, and non-ASCE member rates. By taking and passing a post-test, users receive PDHs based on the webinar length. (Note: Any of the webinar topics can be presented in-house (face-to-face or Zoom) within your organization in which case we would tailor them to your challenging issues, problems, and opportunities. Contact me at stu-walesh@comcast.net or 219-242-1704 for more information. For examples of clients I have served and services provided, click here.) |
|
 |
 |
|
|
So called nontechnical, “soft side” competencies are often devalued or diminished. They are said to be of little importance or easy. “Soft side” competencies are neither.
Too many professionals fail to advance in their careers – to acquire career security – because they lack “soft side” knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Sometimes they do not realize their liability. We need to know something is “broken” if we are to “fix” it. In other cases, individuals know they have “soft side” deficiencies but fail to see the value in taking corrective action. Either way, the result is the same – failure to realize individual potential, to find and release the leader within.
If you recognize the value of “soft side” competencies you also know that they are not necessarily easy to acquire. Mastering nontechnical competencies requires knowledge of best practices and then thoughtful application of them. This website provides resources to help you practice improved stewardship with your gifts and your personality profile and make better use of who you are and what and who you know.
You are responsible for the development of supervisees and others. You are also busy. Please consider two suggestions.
- If study of specific nontechnical or “soft-side” topics is likely to be of value to certain supervisees and others, refer them to this website or specific portions of it, such as the Managing and Leading Books.
- Some “soft side” needs or deficiencies may go beyond individuals, that is, many individuals at one or more locations need help. For example, individuals may be working extra hard but not achieving as much as you and they would like. In this case, perhaps an on-site, face-to-face seminar or workshop about time management, effectiveness and efficiency, goal setting, and/or team essentials would be appropriate. Another option, and often a very cost-effective approach for simultaneous delivery to two or more locations, is a webinar, that is, use of the internet and a telephone conference call for which no one needs to travel anywhere. If the group mode of education and training interests you, for examples, please refer to the web page Tailored Education and Training. If you would like to discuss the feasibility of tailoring a seminar, webinar, or workshop to your organization’s needs, please call me at 219-242-1704 or contact me at stu-walesh@comcast.net.
We seem to be under ever-increasing pressure to increase productivity, to accomplish more with what we have and, sometimes, to do more with less. At a deeper level, many of us aspire to be even better stewards of our time and talents. At the very deepest level, we yearn for more than personal success; we seek significance in what we do. We want to get beyond ourselves, positively affect others, and make a difference. This requires managing and leading ability.
You can improve your managing and leading knowledge, skills, and attitudes – your “soft side” competencies—so that you can remain employable, earn career security, and enjoy success and significance.
Stuart G. Walesh
Communication
Creativity and Innovation
Ethics
Exemplary Engineers
Leadership and Change
Marketing
Miscellaneous
Organizational Health
Personal Development
Learn More About Stu Walesh | Clients Served | Testimonials & Reviews
Managing and Leading Books | Tailored Education & Training
Home | Legal Notice | Privacy Statement | Site Map
Copyright © Stuart G. Walesh Ph.D. P.E. Dist.M.ASCE
Web Site Design, Hosting & Maintenance By Catalyst Marketing / Worryfree Websites |
