Yessy Lianti, Author at ATI Mirage

Emotional Intelligence Training: Boosting Mental Health and Well-Being at Work

Emotional intelligence (EI) has become a crucial skill for professional success. At ATI-Mirage, we recognise the importance of EI in fostering a positive workplace culture and enhancing employee well-being. We are also cognizant of a growing body of research evidence as to the impact of EI on organisational performance.

Companies and individuals pursue emotional intelligence training to handle relationships and stress better, fostering a more supportive work environment. Let’s investigate how you can boost EI in your workplace.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence encompasses four key components:

✅ Self-awareness: Recognise your emotions and how they affect you. For example, noticing frustration helps you respond calmly.

✅ Self-management: Control your emotions in challenging situations. Staying composed under pressure leads to better outcomes.

✅ Social awareness: Understand and empathise with others’ feelings. Sensing a colleague’s stress helps you offer support.

✅ Relationship management: Maintain positive and effective interactions. Clear communication resolves conflicts and strengthens teamwork.

Did you know? Emotionally intelligent individuals are more likely to receive greater merit increases and hold higher company ranks.

Benefits of Emotional Intelligence Training for Employees

Investing in EI training yields numerous benefits for both individuals and organisations:

Improved Communication

Emotionally intelligent employees communicate clearly with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. They listen actively, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.

Enhanced Teamwork and Collaboration

Teams with high EI work together more harmoniously. They resolve conflicts constructively and leverage diverse perspectives to drive innovation and problem-solving.

Increased Resilience and Stress Management

EI training equips individuals with strategies to manage stress and bounce back from setbacks. This resilience is crucial for maintaining mental health in challenging work environments.

Better Leadership and Decision-Making

Leaders with high EI inspire and motivate their teams more effectively. They make balanced decisions by considering both logical and emotional factors.

The Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health

Emotional intelligence plays a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being at work:

Recognising and Managing Emotions

EI training helps individuals identify and regulate their emotions. This skill is crucial for managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

Creating a Supportive Work Environment

Emotionally intelligent leaders foster a culture of empathy and support. They create safe spaces for employees to discuss mental health concerns without fear of stigma.

Promoting Work-Life Balance

Individuals with high EI are better equipped to set boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This balance is essential for long-term mental well-being.

Implementing Emotional Intelligence Training in Your Organisation

To reap the benefits of EI, consider these steps:

Evaluate Current EI Levels

Conduct assessments or surveys to gauge your team’s emotional intelligence skills. Identify strengths and weaknesses in self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management.

Pinpoint Areas for Improvement

Analyse the assessment results to identify specific skills that need enhancement. If you find gaps in conflict resolution or active listening, focus on improving them.

Select a Reputable Training Provider

Choose a provider like ATI-Mirage, which is known for its evidence-based EI programs. Ensure they offer tailored solutions that fit your organisation’s unique needs and culture.

Embed EI Principles into Daily Operations

Incorporate EI strategies into daily routines, such as regular feedback sessions and team-building activities. These strategies reinforce EI concepts and foster a supportive workplace culture.

Monitor and Measure Progress

Track EI development with regular check-ins, performance reviews, and feedback. Use these metrics to adjust the training approach and ensure continuous improvement.

Overcoming Barriers to EI Development

Some common obstacles to EI growth include:

🔄 Resistance to Change

Employees may resist new EI practices due to discomfort. Encourage open dialogue and share examples of EI benefits.

🧠 Lack of Self-Awareness

Lack of self-awareness can block EI development. Use assessments and reflection to help employees recognise their emotional triggers.

⏰ Time Constraints

Busy schedules can limit participation in EI training. To boost engagement, offer flexible formats like short workshops or online modules.

📚 Misconceptions About EI

Some see EI as unrelated to work. Provide clear examples showing how EI enhances decision-making, leadership, collaboration and organisational performance.

ATI-Mirage’s Emotional Intelligence Course

At ATI-Mirage, we’re excited to offer our impactful one-day Emotional Intelligence course for Perth businesses. The learning outcomes include:

Understand emotional intelligence competencies and how they enhance workplace and personal relationships
Have an increased understanding of self and others
Use techniques to build emotional intelligence competencies.

We’re dedicated to helping you apply emotional intelligence in every work area. From customer service to leadership, our course provides the tools to excel and advance your career.

You’ll learn to spot “above” and “below” the line behaviours, and expertly navigate diverse personalities in any professional setting.

Our approach to learning is dynamic and hands-on. We use interactive sessions, role-playing, and real-world scenarios to ensure you don’t just learn EI – you live it.

Success Stories: The Impact of EI Training

ATI-Mirage has led numerous successful emotional intelligence training programs. Here are some of our most impactful success stories:

Public Transport Authority Enhances Team Safety

The Public Transport Authority (PTA) sought a customised approach to team development. Employees valued the tailored content and active participation and found it impactful.

Small group sizes created a safe and supportive environment, allowing them to apply new skills confidently. This approach fostered a more engaged and supportive workforce.

“The course was customised to our needs and the participation made the results sink in” – Tegan from PTA

“Small group size made me feel safe and encouraged” – Lisa from PTA

Department of Health Advances Emotional Intelligence

The Department of Health focused on emotional intelligence and effective feedback training for employees. Participants praised the clear presentation of core skills and found assertive feedback strategies helpful.

The team also learned to differentiate “above” and “below” the line thinking. Engaging activities ensured practical skill development, creating a more self-aware and communicative team.

“My favourite part of this course was the specific strategies for feedback. Also, how to be assertive with courage and consideration” – Sharelle from Department of Health

“A variety of activities and learning styles including group, pair and individual work. Accompanied by helpful videos” – David from Department of Health

Investing in Emotional Intelligence for a Brighter Future

Emotional intelligence (EI) is essential for personal and professional success and creates healthier and more productive workplaces. EI training can transform your organisation by enhancing communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

Ready to supercharge your team’s potential? Enrol in ATI-Mirage’s Develop Your Emotional Intelligence course today. Or contact ATI-Mirage to organise Develop Your Emotional Intelligence exclusively for your team. Don’t miss the chance to lead with emotional intelligence!

Empowering Workplace Safety: The Vital Role of HSR Training in Perth

Workplace safety is more crucial than ever, and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) are pivotal in promoting a safe work culture.

ATI-Mirage is committed to providing high quality HSR training in Perth and across Western Australia. Let’s investigate how you can empower workplace safety through HSR training.

What is an HSR Course?

HSR training equips employees with the skills and knowledge to effectively represent their colleagues in workplace health and safety matters.

It covers legal obligations, hazard identification, risk assessment, and consultation strategies.

Key components of HSR training include:

Understanding WHS legislation
Identifying and assessing workplace risks
Effective consultation and communication techniques
Incident investigation and reporting

Legal and Ethical Importance of HSR Training

In Australia, HSR training is not just good practice—it’s a legal requirement. The Work Health and Safety Act 2020 mandates that businesses provide HSR training to elected representatives.

Beyond legal compliance, HSR training reflects a company’s commitment to employee well-being and demonstrates a proactive approach to creating a safe work environment.

Benefits of an HSR Course for Organisations

Investing in Health and Safety Representative (HSR) training offers clear benefits for businesses:

Fewer workplace incidents: Trained HSRs spot hazards early, preventing accidents. This reduces injuries and keeps everyone safe on the job.
Reduced lost workdays: Fewer accidents mean less time off for injured workers. Staff stay on the job, and productivity remains steady.
Lower insurance premiums: A good safety record can lower insurance costs. Training HSRs helps maintain this, saving the business money.
Better compliance: Trained HSRs ensure businesses follow safety regulations. This avoids fines and protects the company’s reputation.
Boosted employee morale: Workers feel safer when they see safety taken seriously. This boosts morale, leading to higher engagement and job satisfaction.
Higher productivity: When staff feel secure, they focus better on their tasks. Safe workplaces help maintain high productivity levels.
Improved communication: HSRs can communicate safety issues and build trust. This encourages teamwork and a shared commitment to safety.
Quick action on hazards: Trained HSRs respond quickly to issues, reducing the impact of potential accidents.

Industries Benefiting from HSR Training

All industries benefit from having trained HSRs. Typical industries electing and training HSRs include mining, healthcare and social assistance, education and training, as well as public administration and safety.

Did you know? You can use an ROI calculator to estimate returns on work health and safety investments, like new equipment or wellness programs.

Empowering Employees through HSR Training

HSR training empowers employees to take an active role in workplace safety. It gives them the confidence to speak up about potential hazards and contribute to safety solutions.

This empowerment extends beyond the workplace. HSRs often become safety advocates in their personal lives, creating a ripple effect of safety consciousness.

HSR Training with ATI-Mirage

At ATI-Mirage, we offer comprehensive HSR training courses tailored to various industries:

Comprehensive 5-Day Course: Your Gateway to Workplace Safety Excellence

Our 5-day Health and Safety Representative HSR course is your ticket to success. You’ll gain:

Crucial skills in workplace safety management
Expertise in conducting inspections and assisting investigations
The ability to bridge communication between employees and management

Take advantage of this Work Health and Safety Commission approved training. Stay ahead with the latest WA Work Health and Safety legislation.

“Trainer was great. Understood that we all came from different work backgrounds and used past examples to help us understand what we need to know” – Todd from Rio Tinto

Stay Sharp with Our 1-Day Refresher Course

Keep your skills sharp and stay up-to-date with ATI-Mirage’s refresher course. This one-day program covers the latest in workplace safety and meets your annual WA HSR requirements. You’ll learn about new laws and best practices and gain confidence in negotiating with employers.

Connect with other HSRs, share experiences, and build a strong network. As safety standards constantly evolve, regular refreshers help you stay compliant and effective.

Course Highlights:

Review your role and functions as an HSR
Gain insights into current safety issues
Share best practices with other safety professionals
Stay in tune with legislative changes

“The interactive workshops were the best part of this course” – Kim from Paraburdoo Primary School

The ATI-Mirage Difference

What sets ATI-Mirage apart in HSR course delivery? Our approach is rooted in practical, real-world application. We don’t just teach theory—we provide tools and strategies HSRs can implement immediately.

Our trainers bring years of industry experience to the classroom. They understand the challenges HSRs face and provide actionable solutions.

Customised Training Solutions

Every workplace has its challenges and requirements. That’s why we provide customised HSR training programs designed to suit your industry and organisational needs.

Our customisation process includes:

Consultation with key stakeholders: We engage with your management and HSRs to understand your specific safety goals and challenges.
Analysis of your current safety procedures: We review your existing safety protocols to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Incorporation of company-specific policies and procedures: We tailor the training content to reflect your unique safety policies and workplace practices.
Post-training evaluation and follow-up: We assess the effectiveness of the training and provide ongoing support to ensure continuous improvement.

Measuring the Impact of HSR Training

How do you know if your HSR training is effective? Key performance indicators might include:

Reduction in workplace incidents
Increased reporting of potential hazards
Improved employee satisfaction scores
Lower workers’ compensation costs

Investing in a Safer Future

By empowering your HSRs with the right skills and knowledge, you’re creating a safer, more productive workplace.

Ready to improve workplace safety? Contact ATI-Mirage today to learn more about the best HSR training Perth has to offer. Let’s work together to create a culture of safety that benefits everyone.

Why Regular Mental Health First Aid Training Matters

Many organisations are realising the value of mental health first aid training. This essential skill helps employees support colleagues facing mental health challenges.

Unlike traditional first aid, mental health first aid focuses on psychological issues. Let’s learn about the importance of mental health first aid courses for Perth organisations.

Why Mental Health Matters

Nearly 43% of people aged 16–85 have experienced a mental health challenge at some point.
21.5% of people aged 16–85 had a mental disorder in the past year.
Anxiety was the most common, affecting 17.2% of this group.
38.8% of people aged 16–24 experienced a mental disorder within the past 12 months.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace

Mental health first aid helps create a supportive work environment. It empowers your employees to:

Be attentive for early signs of mental health issues in colleagues
Offer immediate support and understanding
Guide affected individuals towards appropriate professional help

Early intervention can prevent minor issues, such as increased stress or mild anxiety, from escalating into major mental health problems like chronic depression or burnout, ensuring your team remains healthy and productive.

Excessive workloads, lack of support, and poor work-life balance contribute to workplace stress.

Boosting Productivity with a Mental Health First Aid Course

Mental health and productivity are closely linked. When employees are mentally healthy, they’re more engaged and productive.

Mental health first aid training contributes to this by:

Creating a supportive work culture
Reducing stigma around mental health issues
Improving overall workplace wellbeing

Did you know? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), investing $1 in mental health treatment and support yields a $4 return through better health and increased productivity.

The Importance of Refresher Courses

Like any skill, mental health first aid requires regular practice and updating. Refresher courses are essential because they reinforce key concepts and skills that might have faded in between courses.

They also introduce new research and best practices that have emerged since the first course. Together, these benefits boost employees’ confidence in applying mental health first aid.

What Does a Mental Health First Aid Refresher Look Like?

Mental health first aid learning involves:

Recognising the signs of mental health issues
Providing initial support
Guiding individuals towards professional help

Long-term Benefits

Investing in ongoing mental health first aid training brings lasting benefits for both employees and organisations.

Benefits for Employees

✅ Improve mental health literacy, making it easier to understand and support those in need.
✅ Feel more equipped to help colleagues, strengthening workplace relationships.
✅ Experience increased job satisfaction and deeper engagement in your role.

Benefits for Organisations

✅ Reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, leading to a more productive workplace.
✅ Build stronger team cohesion and boost overall morale.
✅ Enhance your reputation as an employer, attracting and retaining top talent.

Did you know? According to the National Mental Health Commission, Australian employees facing job-related stress and mental illness are absent from work for nearly 11 weeks each year.

Learn more: Tailoring Wellness Programs for Diverse Workforces

The Impact of Regular Training on Workplace Culture

Regular mental health first aid training can transform workplace culture. It fosters open communication about mental health, reducing the stigma around issues everyone experiences.

Talking about mental health builds empathy among colleagues, creating a culture shift where people look out for each other and take a proactive approach to mental health management.

This has been shown to contribute to employee retention, recruitment and improved productivity—all of which benefit organisations and the people who work there.

Mental Health First Aid Training

ATI-Mirage, in collaboration with Lifeline WA, offers this training

✅ Flexible options: Choose our mental health first aid course at our Perth training centre or at your workplace.

✅ Engaging learning: Our courses are interactive, practical, and delivered in small groups for maximum impact.

✅ Resources included: You’ll get a take-home workbook and a Certificate of Attendance.

Measuring the Success of Mental Health First Aid Programs

To ensure your MHFA program makes a difference, measure its impact using key metrics like these:

Regular employee well-being surveys to gauge how the training is affecting your team.
Monitoring reasons for absenteeism and productivity rates to identify any positive trends.
Collecting feedback on training effectiveness to improve your mental health initiatives continuously.

Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Mental Health First Aid

Implementing MHFA programs can be challenging, but ATI-Mirage is here to help you navigate and overcome these obstacles:

Addressing bias, stereotypes, and prejudice by fostering open, honest conversations about mental health.
Offering time-efficient training options.
Providing flexible solutions that align with your budget while still delivering high-quality training.

Find out more: ATI-Mirage Wellness.

The Role of Leadership in Mental Health First Aid

Leaders are at the centre of MHFA’s success. At ATI-Mirage, we emphasise the importance of leadership involvement:

Active participation in training to demonstrate commitment to mental health.
Encouraging open discussions about mental health to create a safe space for all employees.
Modelling supportive behaviours that set the tone for the entire organisation.

When leaders prioritise mental health, it sends a powerful message: mental well-being matters.

Investing in Mental Health for a Productive Future

Transform your workplace with regular mental health first aid training. This isn’t just about skills; it’s about caring for your team, and showing them they matter. When employees feel supported, they thrive—boosting productivity, reducing stress, and creating a happier, healthier environment.

Enrol in our Mental Health First Aid course today. Reach out to ATI-Mirage and start building the supportive, thriving workplace your team needs.

Listening: The Key to Meaningful Conversations on R U OK? Day

Communication is central to all interactions and relationships, and many issues can be resolved by improving how we communicate. This RUOK Day, we want to contribute to the conversation by highlighting the importance of listening.

Often, we put more effort into expressing ourselves or getting our point across, rather than focusing on truly listening to others. Communication, however, is a mutual process of both speaking and listening. Being fully present and attentive when someone shares how they’re feeling is essential for understanding and connection.

On R U OK? Day, the emphasis is on checking in with others by asking the important question, “Are you OK?” But after asking, the next step is even more crucial: listening to the answer. To create a safe space for others to express themselves, it’s important to avoid common blocks to listening.

Here are a few blocks to be mindful of:

Mind Reading

Assuming we know what the other person will say next, instead of listening fully. Even if we think we understand their experience or anticipate what they might share, it’s essential to stay fully present and give them our undivided attention. Every person’s story is unique, and by listening openly, we show respect, empathy, and genuine care.

Rehearsing

Preparing our response while the other person is still speaking, which takes focus away from them. Simply allowing the other person to speak and being comfortable with the possibility of not immediately knowing how to respond shows genuine engagement. It is such a special gift to give someone our full attention, and to offer our time without distraction. Focusing entirely on the other person can be transformative, creating a deeper connection and making them feel valued, heard, and understood.

Advising

Jumping in with solutions instead of simply offering support and understanding. Jumping in with solutions instead of simply offering support and understanding can unintentionally dismiss the other person’s feelings. Even if you have a lived experience that is similar to the one you are hearing, trust that the person you are listening to primarily wants to be heard, not advised. This is their experience – focus on them, listen without judgment, and validate their emotions. Often, people need understanding more than solutions, and just knowing someone is there for them can make all the difference.

By recognising these blocks and working to overcome them, we can improve our listening skills and engage in more meaningful conversations—not just on R U OK? Day, but every day.

Listening isn’t just about hearing; it’s about being present. The act of mindful listening fosters trust, empathy, and mutual respect. On this R U OK? Day, let’s all take a moment to not only ask, “Are you OK?” but to also give our full attention to the answer, ensuring we’re really hearing the message being shared.

Blog written by Beth Nurnberger, ATI-Mirage’s Learning & Development Consultant

Contact us today to learn more about our wellness and communication training courses and how we can help.

The Importance of IT Training Courses in the Workplace

In today’s digital landscape, technology drives business success. Yet many organisations need help keeping pace with rapid technological changes. The solution? Investing in IT training courses for your workforce.

At ATI-Mirage, we’ve seen firsthand how IT training and computer courses transform businesses. The benefits are clear, from boosting productivity to enhancing customer service. Let’s explore why IT training is crucial for your organisation’s growth and success.

The IT Skills Gap: A Growing Challenge

Australian businesses face a significant IT skills shortage. By some estimates, Australia will need an additional 1.3 million tech-savvy workers by 2030 to keep up with developed countries.

This gap hampers productivity and innovation across industries.

This skills gap isn’t just about specialised roles. It affects everyday operations in most businesses. IT skills are now essential across all departments, from data analysis to cybersecurity.

Benefits of IT Training Courses

Investing in IT training courses yields numerous benefits for both employees and organisations.

1. Increased Productivity

IT-savvy employees work more efficiently by automating repetitive tasks and using advanced software features to their full potential. They can also troubleshoot common IT issues on their own, reducing downtime.

This boost in efficiency leads to substantial time and cost savings for your business, making IT training a valuable investment.

2. Improved Problem-Solving Skills

IT training boosts your team’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills, helping them tackle more than just tech challenges.

Computer skills build confidence and efficiency, improving overall work performance. Investing in IT training benefits your team’s success, not just technical tasks.

3. Increased Employee Satisfaction

Employees value opportunities for professional development. IT training courses show your commitment to their growth, boosting job satisfaction and retention rates.

Did you know? Nearly half (45%) of businesses aren’t using their training budget to address skills gaps, jeopardising success and growth.

4. Competitive Edge

IT-proficient staff enable your business to adapt quickly to new technology, implement innovative solutions, and stay ahead of the curve.

IT skills enhance customer experiences, giving your business a competitive edge by ensuring agility and responsiveness.

Types of IT Training Courses

IT training courses come in various formats to suit learning styles and organisational needs:

Instructor-Led In Person Training

These traditional classroom-style courses offer hands-on learning and immediate feedback. They’re ideal for complex topics or team-based learning.

Instructor-Led Online IT Training

Virtual live online instructor-led IT training offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility, allowing employees to learn from anywhere. This format is ideal for busy professionals and remote teams, ensuring they can enhance their skills without having to travel or leave the comfort of their office or home. Additionally, it provides opportunities for real-time interaction with the instructor, fostering a more engaging learning experience.

Blended Learning

This approach combines online and in-person elements. It offers the best of both worlds: flexibility and personal interaction.

The Rise of Online IT Training

These days, online IT training is becoming a go-to option for organisations wanting to upskill their teams.

It’s flexible, accessible, and offers benefits that traditional classroom learning often can’t match, making it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

Why IT Training Online Works

IT training online comes with some great perks:

Convenience: Your team can easily learn, anywhere, fitting courses into their busy lives.
Cost savings: No need to worry about travel or accommodation expenses that come with in-person training.
Scalability: It’s easy to train a large group, no matter where they are.
Consistent learning: Everyone gets the same high-quality training materials, so no one misses out.

Spotlight on Local Opportunities: IT Courses Perth Trusts

We know firsthand that IT skills are in high demand here, and we’re here to help meet that need.

A Local Solution That Works for Your Business

For over 30 years and with 220,000 happy customers, ATI-Mirage has been helping Perth businesses thrive with top-notch IT training and professional development. We understand what local companies need, and our courses are all about practical, hands-on learning that makes a real difference.

Our IT training covers essentials like Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and SharePoint. You can select online or in-person training options to suit your team’s preferences while remaining engaged with Perth’s business community.

Tailored Training for Your Organisation

At ATI-Mirage, we know every business is different. That’s why we provide flexible training options tailored to meet your specific needs:

Public courses: Perfect for individuals or small groups.
Customised in-house training: Designed specifically for your organisation.
One-on-one training: Great for specialised needs.

Our trainers combine real-world experience with hands-on exercises, ensuring your team can use its new skills immediately.

How to Get Started with IT Training

Ready to boost your team’s IT skills? Here’s how to get started:

Assess your IT capabilities: Thoroughly audit your team’s technical skills and software proficiency.
Identify skill gaps and training needs: Pinpoint specific areas where team members lack expertise, such as cybersecurity or cloud computing.
Choose the right courses: Select courses or certifications that address the identified gaps, ensuring they align with current projects.
Set clear learning objectives: Define specific goals with measurable milestones, like mastering a new programming language or obtaining a particular certification.
Encourage ongoing learning: Implement regular training sessions and provide opportunities to apply new knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Learn more: Unlocking Career Opportunities With Microsoft 365

Measuring the Impact of IT Training

It’s important to see how your investment in IT training is paying off. Keep an eye on:

Productivity improvements: Are your employees working smarter and faster?
Reduction in IT-related issues: Are tech problems happening less often?
Employee satisfaction: Are your team members feeling more confident and happy?
Customer satisfaction: Are your customers noticing the difference?

Review these metrics regularly to maximise your training investment. ATI-Mirage supports you with quality training, ongoing help, and a 100% guarantee.

The Future of Work is Digital

As the world goes digital, IT skills are crucial for staying competitive. Businesses that invest in IT training now will dominate the future. IT training isn’t just about software; it’s about empowering your team to innovate, excel, and drive success.

Unlock your team’s potential with ATI-Mirage’s IT courses Perth businesses trust. Designed for all skill levels, they will elevate your team’s abilities.

If one of our in-person or online IT courses has piqued your interest, we’d love to chat! Shoot us an email at hello@ati-mirage.com.au or give us a call at (08) 9218 9059. You can also book your place in an upcoming IT training course to get skilled for the new world of work.

What is Mindful Leadership?

As a leader, are you on autopilot, distracted throughout the day and going through the same old routine? What if you were to slow down, increasing your productivity and making stronger relationships? If this appeals to you then perhaps it’s time to engage in mindful leadership.

The concept of mindful leadership includes meeting the needs of yourself, your team and your organisation with presence, emotional flexibility, curiosity and an open mindset. This style of leadership has improved focus, quality relationships, creative thinking and innovation at its core. Slowing down may feel counterproductive, however it can allow you time to see what’s actually happening and allow your leadership intentions to thrive.

Stepping towards mindful leadership

Listen, with the intent to understand.
Often leaders are focused towards the loudest voice, not on the most important. Offering full attention is the key to effective listening and communication. This can be tricky as leaders multitask and juggle conflicting priorities. Listen deeply with the intent to understand. Practice empathy and compassion so that understanding is increased and there is a sense that we are all in this together.

Practice Self Care.
Building a healthy routine that incorporates self-care and mindfulness will allow leaders to work effectively and build skills to execute mindful leadership. Practice mindfulness more informally throughout the day. The in-between moments allow leaders to stay grounded in a busy day and maintain presence. Leaders are encouraged to take their eyes off screens, even for a minute and simply notice, yourself and what’s around you, this is the starting point for mindful awareness.

Approach problems with an open mind.
Leaders that follow a to-do list may be productive however being stuck in the list does not allow room for creativity and innovation. Being flexible and accepting of new information allows ideas to flow. Mindful leaders are open to feedback so that new information can be considered.

Understand your unconscious biases and judgements.
Leaders should start every task with a moment of presence as this will build focused engagement and clarity. Clarity helps leaders to see what is actually there, not what we hoped or expected. Suspending biases and judgements can lead to creative thinking and problem solving as new information is considered.

Mindfulness is a movement gaining momentum, and leaders need to embrace it to be successful in their roles. Mindful leadership involves cultivating focus, reducing stress and anxiety, and building the essential capacity of resilience in yourself, others and the organisation.

How can we help?

If you want to transform your leadership styles and practise mindful leadership, below are some courses that can help you engage in mindful leadership today:

Blog written by Jo Riley | ATI-Mirage’s Lead Consultant PD & Wellness

Good communication starts with self-awareness

Don’t get stuck in the perception that communication is all about what you say. It rarely occurs to people that listening is the most important part of communication. In order to listen deeply to others we must have increased self-awareness that allows for a level of listening that is free from our own assumptions and judgments. It is our own assumptions and judgments that can lead to poor communication outcomes.

What is self-awareness?

By definition, self-awareness is the psychological state of knowing oneself. It is a form of self-reflection that allows us to understand our own relationship between thoughts, feelings, intentions, beliefs, values, assumptions, biases, fears and expectations and how that relates to our reactions and behaviours when responding to others. It forms an understanding of our internal filters and how they affect the way we see and hear others.

It can be common that when we hear something that contradicts our values or interests, we tend to react by becoming defensive which immediately reduces our ability to listen effectively and make choices when we respond. Self-awareness is a skill that can be developed to enhance understanding of your emotional triggers and judgements.

Why does self-awareness lead to better communication?

Self-awareness allows for listening that is free of the assumptions and judgments that compromise healthy communication. Understanding our own filters that color our communication style can allow us the space to decide how to respond to others, with the intention of communicating clearly and with purpose.

Being aware of your communication traits, behaviours and feelings can allow you to catch yourself when you move into a defensive mindset, or become upset with someone. It gives you an understanding of why you feel like you do and allows you to thoughtfully respond rather than react to the situation.

When we react it is based on emotion and defensiveness and our ability to listen is compromised. When we respond our communication can be crafted to become a powerful tool that can facilitate problem solving and emotional connection.

How do I increase my self-awareness?

Create space and time for yourself to self analyse. Use tools such as Extended DISC®* profiling to discover more about your behavioural traits. Process your thoughts through journalling. This allows you time to be reflective and to refer back to previous situations and make comparisons. Asking for feedback from varied sources can also help your self-understanding and identifying areas to further develop. Self-awareness is a skill which requires dedication and practice to improve.

Knowing how self-awareness can affect communication can improve every relationship in your life. It’s incumbent on each of us to listen – deeply listen- to what accumulates and stirs within ourselves to ensure we communicate constructively and in a way that is not influenced by our assumptions and beliefs but is considerate of what the other person is trying to say.

How can we help?

If you want to transform your communication skills, understand your communication styles and increase your self-awareness, join our Communication Skills workshop today.

*Extended DISC® is an assessment tool designed to help individuals, teams and organisations to become more successful by providing accurate respondent information and individual suggestions for appropriate style adaptions in a range of workplace environments and circumstances. The reports provide user friendly information that changes the way individuals communicate, interact and work together.

Blog written by Jo Riley | ATI-Mirage’s Lead Consultant PD & Wellness

Rambo’s favourite features of Microsoft Teams

While delivering a Microsoft Teams course recently, I was asked about my favourite features. I thought this blog would be a great way to share some of the features of this increasingly popular software, so here goes.

My favourite Teams features are:

PowerPoint Live
Whiteboard Templates
The Ranking Poll
Viva Insights

“What are these?” I can hear some of you ask. Read on . . .

PowerPoint Live

This feature allows you to present your slides directly from Microsoft Teams; you don’t have to start PowerPoint, run a Slide Show, and then share your screen. The main advantage is that it is all contained within your Teams Meeting window, where you can see:

your audience (with cameras on),
the chat window,
the slide that you are currently presenting
your speaker’s notes for that slide
thumbnails of subsequent slides

You don’t have to keep moving your head from one screen to another; you can look straight at your audience, seeing exactly what they are seeing and your memory joggers on your speaker’s notes. You then have the choice of which slides to show next, allowing you to be more flexible with your presentation, and skip certain slides if you are running behind.

Many a time, I have run virtual workshops straight from my laptop, without a second screen; PowerPoint Live makes it a seamless and easy task.

Apart from being great for the presenter, PowerPoint Live also enhances the experience of the attendees with features such as slide translation and subtitles translation. There is currently a good selection of languages available for a one-click translation. So, you could be presenting your slides written in English, and have someone in France seeing your slides in French, and someone in Spain, seeing them in Spanish. Other languages currently supported include Chinese, Italian, German, Indonesian, Japanese and many more, with even more under development.

Whiteboard Templates

A virtual whiteboard is a feature available in several online meeting tools, whereby the presenter can display a whiteboard and write on it. If presenting through a tablet with a stylus, the writing and viewing experience can be as good as the physical whiteboard. Presenters can also allow virtual attendees to write on the whiteboard, thus fostering collaboration and teamwork for problem-solving, brainstorming, ideation, etc.

Microsoft Teams takes this feature to the next level with a wide variety of whiteboard templates that allows for more focused and directed collaboration. Anyone who has tried to use the normal virtual whiteboard with more than 2 other people at the same time can attest to the chaos that results on the screen, and the need for better coordination and defined areas for input by each person. This is where a template is very useful; it guides participants as to exactly where and what details are required.

Over 50 templates are currently available, and they are categorised into: Brainstorming, Problem-Solving, Strategy, Project Planning, Design & Research, Workshops and so on. Here you will discover old favourites such as SWOT, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Pros & Cons, SMART etc.

Some of the templates that I use for collaboration, problem-solving, debrief or team-building include Cause & Effect Diagrams, Stop-Start-Continue, Two Truths & a Lie, Empathy Maps and the Sailboat. And I have created my own Six-Hats template.

Ranking Poll

Polling is another feature available in several online meeting tools. This one allows the presenter to quickly ask questions to the audience and easily capture, collate and present the results of these questions.

Most of the tools offer only a multiple-choice poll type. Microsoft Teams offers other types such as Word Cloud, Rating and Ranking. The latter was only released in Aug 2022 and is my favourite as it allows participants to rank a list of items in order of their preference. This is much more useful in certain settings where a single or multiple-choice is too restrictive. Examples where I have used Ranking Polls include: a list of Values statements, a list of Reward options, favourite dishes or drinks, a list of Emotional Triggers, and a list of Procrastination Behaviours.

Viva Insights

This little add-on is a great tool to help anyone create balance in their life. It provides a wide variety of tools such as creating focus times, mindfulness activities, scheduling downtimes, reminders for sending Praise Badges (another little gem in Teams), etc. Plus, it can send you daily emails summarising tasks coming up, emails to follow up, etc. You can think of Viva Insight as your own Personal Assistant, helping you stay on top of your work, whilst looking after your well-being.

It can also help you with your meeting habits, by providing insightful stats about your past meeting behaviours such as how many meetings you organised, how many you were invited to, how long they lasted, how many were virtual, etc. As most of you probably experience, meetings can be such a drain on your energy and your time, and any data to help improve your habits and behaviour in this area is very insightful.

And the Inspiration Library of Viva Insights is chock-full of Harvard Business Review and other articles on Well-being, Culture, Resilience and Impact. I highly recommend the following: Rediscover Joy at Work, 5 Practices to make your Virtual Workplace Inclusive, How to say No after saying Yes, and 4 Ways to spark Creativity when feeling Stressed.

Do try some of these Microsoft Teams features and drop us a note about how much you enjoyed them and the difference they are making in your work life.

Interested in knowing more about Microsoft Teams?

If you want to learn more about this popular collaboration tool, join our Microsoft Teams workshops – click here for more details.

Blog written by Dr Rambo Ramdianee | ATI-Mirage’s Senior Consultant – IT & PD

Use the holidays to recharge your personal energy

Managing your energy is just as important as managing your time. Managing time leads to greater productivity and managing energy will give you more happiness, focus and attention. While time management is an ongoing task for most people it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos of the year and lose sight of your energy levels.

“You charge your phone every day, why don’t you do that to yourself?”

The upcoming holiday break gives you a great opportunity to reassess your personal energy levels and create an energy plan for 2023.

Personal energy can be identified by four dimensions:

Physical energy – the way we take care of our physical bodies
Spiritual energy – related to our purpose and mental wellbeing
Emotional energy – how we feel
Mental energy – our drive to grow and develop

Let’s take a look at some ideas for recharging.

Sleep

Take the time to get more sleep and create a plan to maintain a consistent sleep pattern in the new year. The benefits of an established sleep routine can improve your attention span, improve your memory, and lower your stress levels. Science has shown that sleep restores your mind and helps you to restore your energy.

Listen to Music

Listening to music benefits us individually and collectively. Music helps to stimulate your brain which has been linked to better learning capabilities. When grooving to your favourite tunes your brain increases its production of the neurochemicals dopamine and oxytocin, which make us happy, motivated and alert.

Move

While sleep is important so too is movement. Exercising at any level boosts the oxygen circulation inside your body which supports your internal energy production. Think about the types of movement or exercise that you find fun, fulfilling whether that’s individually or socially.

Declutter and organise your surroundings

Start with a small section of your life and set aside time to declutter and organize it. This will energise you in the short term and help to maintain a sense of calm and control in the long term. You will have better focus in this area and benefit from higher energy. Make a plan to work on different areas over your break and into 2023.

Unplug and do something else

That’s right, take a break from tech. Turn away from the screens, pick up a pen and start journaling, do some mindful colouring in, get out to your garden, enjoy your kitchen to bake bread, relax in a warm bath, play an instrument or tinker in your shed with something mechanical. Whatever the option for you, make it mindful enough to recharge your energy and find a way to build it into your regular routine.

Learn something new

Challenging your brain by learning something new strengthens your neural connections, keeps your mind active, sparks enthusiasm and increases your self-satisfaction.

Everyone will have different ways of recharging and maintaining their energy levels. The key is to uncover what works for you and then set goals around making the changes required. Seek support from people around you if required and start of 2023 with the energy for success.

Learn something new with ATI-Mirage, our 2023 training calendar is out now. Click here to view our e-calendar.

Blog written by Jo Riley | ATI-Mirage’s Lead Consultant PD & Wellness

Kindness in the Workplace

In wrapping up the National Mental Health Month in October and with World Kindness Day coming up soon (13 November), we would like to share the importance of kindness at work.

Workplace kindness is when you offer a positive attitude and goodwill towards those you work with, which can include customers, team members, co-workers, or managers. Employees that share and receive kindness in the workplace usually experience greater job satisfaction and increased engagement.

Kindness is contagious and the benefits include:

Kindness makes us happier by raising the levels of dopamine and serotonin in our brain (‘helper’s high’)
It helps our hearts as emotional warmth produces oxytocin which is cardio protective hormone
The increased oxytocin from kindness also modulates fear and anxiety, improving moods and increasing empathy
It has a positive effect on the vagus nerve which has been shown to reduce inflammation
Kindness helps us feel connected and improves our relationships
The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who has witnessed the act

Kindness is a mindset rather than just a set of actions, but actions are how kindness is best practised!

Let’s look at five ways kindness can easily be incorporated into your week:

Express your Appreciation

Tell someone what you appreciate about them or thank them for their work of actions.

Heartfelt appreciation helps boost the receiver’s spirit, passion, and purpose. It helps them build self-confidence and self-esteem. The simple act of thanking someone shows recognition, which can help others feel valued for their efforts.

Listen

Listen with the intention to understand, not the intention to respond. Listen without judging and without interruption or distraction. Listening is a commitment to value the thoughts, emotions, and experience of another person over your own thoughts. Listening validates the speaker and reminds them that they matter.

Collaborate with co-workers

Collaboration means you’re cooperating with others and working toward a shared goal or achievement. With collaboration, you’re better able to celebrate other people and the work they contribute to the team. Collaboration promotes teamwork and a feeling of engagement and wellbeing.

Respect

A popular concept that isn’t always easy to follow through is to treat everyone you encounter as important. Learn their names, ask after their family or understand their interests. Say hello to them when you see them.

By treating everyone with the same respect, you’ll help them feel good about themselves and it can impact on the way they treat you too.

Smile

That’s right. The simplest act of kindness is to genuinely smile at someone. Being greeted by a smiling face will often improve the mood of a person. It can show your openness to getting to know others and work alongside them each day.

These are all easy to incorporate into your week, and for most, into your day. By acting with kindness, you’ll notice the beneficial side effects of happiness, improved empathy, improved moods, and an improvement of anxiety levels.

Kindness, compassion, and a genuine interest in others are elements of enlightened leadership. The act of giving kindness often is simple, free, positive, and healthy for everyone involved.

Need further help?
ATI-Mirage can help you create and harness a positive team culture at work, with a unique workshop that is fun, insightful and ready to action. To learn more https://www.ati-mirage.com.au/creating-a-great-workplace-culture/

Blog presented by Jo Riley | ATI-Mirage’s Lead Consultant PD & Wellness