The ability to make the right decisions is vital for any business leader. Leaders then of course need to be able to implement these decisions, often requiring a high level of leadership skill. So how do you improve the decision making skills of your leadership team? How can you help to ensure that your team is making the best possible choices for your organization?

Decision making techniques range from identifying any sources of bias to learning how to assess situations objectively. But what is the best way to equip your leaders with the skills they need to make sound decisions?  By helping your leadership team to hone their decision making skills, you empower them to make the best decisions possible for your company, something that could well be the difference between success and failure.

Identifying sources of bias

Decision making is often coloured by various biases. We all have inherent biases, triggered both by our environment and our personalities. But when it comes to your leadership team though, it is not enough just to accept this facet of human behaviour. Instead you have to identify these biases and find ways to combat them.

The first stage is to identify any biases your leaders have, this requiring a mixture of observation, questioning and for the leaders themselves, a deal of heart searching.

By finding the factors that are influencing their decision-making, you are in a better position to help them combat their biases, thus enabling them to make better decisions.

Learning how to assess situations objectively

When making decisions, it is essential to be able to evaluate a situation objectively and without bias. This can be difficult, especially when there is a lot of pressure being applied to go down one particular path. Your leaders must therefore be able to break down a situation and analyse it objectively so that they can make the best possible decision.

To learn how to assess a situation objectively, they must first be taught to take a step back from the situation and remove any emotions from the process. This can be done by reflecting internally, taking a walk or engaging in other activities like Yoga or deep breathing exercises that allow them to detach themselves from the situation.

Once they have cleared their heads, they will be better able to examine the situation objectively, breaking it down into sections and identifying all of the factors that are at play. This will help them to make an informed decision without any biases or emotions clouding their judgement.

Developing problem-solving skills

Leaders have to constantly deal with problems, problems that often have to be solved quickly. It is therefore, essential that you instil the skills necessary to solve these problems into your leaders.

Otherwise, because they cannot quickly deal with the issues that crop up, they can end up holding their entire team back.

Basically put, problems can only be solved when a leader can look at a situation objectively, is able to assess all of the factors involved, and then come up with a solution that solves the problem without creating new issues.

Understanding the importance of collaboration

Successful decision-making often requires a deal of collaboration. If your leaders are working without any form of additional, external input, they can miss out on valuable insights that could help them make better decisions. You can ensure that your leaders and teams are collaborating effectively by setting guidelines on how everyone should approach the problems that they face.

This can be done in a number of different ways, such as holding regular brainstorming sessions and team meetings. You can also encourage collaboration by setting up a suggestion box where team members can share their ideas and insights about the company.

By ensuring that your leaders collaborate with their teams and other leaders, you enable them to draw on the full pool of knowledge and expertise that is available, which should help them to make well-informed decisions.

Developing communication skills

The best leaders instinctively know how to communicate clearly and effectively. This is important, as good communication skills are essential to resolving conflict, leading a team and making sound decisions. If your leaders are struggling to communicate effectively with their teams, you can help them improve their skills by developing an awareness of their communication style and improving their approach to listening.

Analyzing the risks of a decision

There is no doubt that making decisions can be a challenging process, especially when you have to take the risks associated with those decisions into account. The best way your leaders can be helped here is to show them how to break down the decision-making process into steps. At every step the dangers can be assessed and dealt with, perhaps by brainstorming ways that would mitigate those risks.

It is quite a task

Empowering your leadership team to make the best decisions is not an easy task. But there is one very easy way of covering all of the above, and this is by training your leaders and their teams using a simulation. By placing everyone in a situation that requires decisions to be made and enacted, you allow your staff to better understand the entire decision-making process while also appreciating the impacts of their decisions. This can not only increase the decision-making ability of your leaders, but will also foster a higher level of communication and improve team work.

Prendo have years of experience in constructing and running the very best business simulations available today, so if you want to improve the decision-making skills of your leadership skills, check out prendo.com today.

The COVID-19 crisis had a major impact on the global education sector. And even as the pandemic slowly subsides and things return to “normal,” there’s no denying the impact of the virus on our modern way of life will persist for years to come.

Let’s talk about learning. Both students and teachers need to adapt to the demands of the new normal and realize that education may be a little different than it used to be. For example, as online learning takes on a new frontier, cyber security for both teachers and students is now a more significant issue than before. The pandemic has dramatically changed the digital landscape and directly impacted the way we learn.

How the Pandemic Affected Education

Most governments decided to temporarily halt face-to-face learning to curb the spread of COVID-19 at its peak. In January 2021, approximately 825 million learners were affected by school closures in response to the pandemic. According to UNICEF, 23 countries simultaneously implemented nationwide lockdowns, and 40 enforced local lockdowns, affecting about 47% of the global student population.

Families with fewer financial resources were highly affected by school closures. Online educational programs shifted the job of teaching from schools to families and individuals, resulting in greater challenges for those who relied on schools as caretakers for their children.

Daycare and school closures affected students, teachers, and families and had far-reaching economic and social impacts. School closures shed light on a range of social and economic issues, including the digital gap, food insecurity, homelessness, childcare costs, healthcare disparities, and lack of access to disability services. The impact on disadvantaged children and their families is more severe, leading to learning interruptions, malnutrition, childcare problems, and the resulting economic costs for families unable to work.

The following learning trends emerged following the decline of the pandemic. They are reshaping the education scene in many places.

Individualized Learning

Individual learning has been on the rise in recent years. It aims to tailor education to each student’s strengths and weaknesses, needs, abilities, and interests. It encourages student progress so that each child can move at an appropriate pace, and no one is left behind.

Flipped Classrooms

In a flipped classroom, teachers share material with students in advance so that they can review it at home and discuss the topic the following day. Teachers can also focus on individualized instruction for students. Such interactive learning models improve problem-solving skills.

Students can work in groups, analyze material in depth, take comprehension tests, and collaborate with teachers and students on individual tasks. Inverting the classroom creates an active environment where students can learn at their own pace.

Flipped classrooms combine online and face-to-face classes to provide an unparalleled educational experience. Schools that have adopted a flipped learning model use artificial intelligence to help students boost their strengths and focus on their weaknesses. AI-powered classrooms also allow teachers to tailor learning materials to student needs, giving equal attention to fast and slow learners.

Combined Learning

Online learning is not disappearing. However, it is also not subject to be the dominant form of education. Schools around the world have reopened. However, a hybrid form of learning, where teachers teach both online and offline, will prevail. In the first months and possibly years after the pandemic, a mix of remote and face-to-face classes is useful to minimize the risk of infection and to ensure access to education for high-risk groups.

Closing Thoughts

The novel coronavirus impacted education systems around the world. Schools, colleges, and universities closed down to curb the spread of the virus, which created challenges for students, teachers, and parents. Distance learning is, therefore, a solution for ensuring some form of continuity. However, a lack of internet infrastructure, computers, and digital materials poses challenges for distance learning in developing countries. Here, security and privacy are also major issues.

As such, countries need to develop strategies to use educational technology, digital resources, and more to prepare for the next time things grind to a halt. Many governments are looking into alternate methods, such as educational television programs. They are also equipping students with laptops and tablets so they won’t have to share devices with their siblings and parents. Suffice it to say, the modern education landscape might look very different in a few short years.

A registered nurse (RN) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) may be better qualified to earn higher pay, better job security, and the prestige of being an advanced practice nurse than an RN with only an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). To be considered an advanced practice nurse, you’ll need to meet the specific qualifications set by your state. In some states, this means earning a bachelor of science in nursing.

1.    Enables You to Access More Career Advancement Opportunities

As a registered nurse, you may feel like you have hit a glass ceiling in your career. If you want to advance in your nursing career, you may consider upgrading your RN credential to a bachelor of science in nursing. With a BSN, you will be able to access more opportunities for career advancement.

Pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing will help you increase workplace options, such as hospital ambulatory care centers, rehabilitative centers, school nursing, and administration. You can also take advantage of many universities’ graduate or Ph.D. programs. These programs offer specialized training in health care administration and infection control.

2.    Preparation for the Future of Healthcare

Healthcare is constantly changing and evolving; as a nurse, it’s essential to be ready for the future. That’s why upgrading your nursing career with an RN to BSN program can be beneficial. With a bachelor of science in nursing, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to adapt to the ever-changing healthcare landscape. Plus, you’ll be able to provide better patient care and positively impact the lives of those you care for.

The upgrade will equip you with the knowledge and training you need to prepare for tomorrow’s health challenges, enhance your leadership skills, increase your value in the job market, and become eligible for more opportunities within the industry. In addition to gaining new expertise, a bachelor of science in nursing also provides credibility that could help boost your salary over time.

3.    Helps Increase Your Opportunity to Work in Magnet Hospitals

One of the benefits of upgrading your nursing career is that it can help you increase your opportunity to work in Magnet hospitals. Magnet designation identifies hospitals that meet specific standards for nursing excellence. To be eligible to work in a Magnet hospital, you must have a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

Working at a magnet hospital increases your chances of continuing in this profession and earning higher wages and bonuses. You can acquire your BSN by completing an online program through an accredited university or college. A bachelor’s degree prepares nurses for leadership roles and other specialties such as research, public health, nurse education, and more.

4.    Helps Expand Your Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice

If you’re looking for ways to improve your career and patient care, consider upgrading your nursing education from an RN to a BSN. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to provide evidence-based care. It will also prepare you for administrative roles such as staff nurse supervisor or unit manager.

You will be able to acquire critical skills in case management,  critical thinking, research methods, health policy, and leadership which are not part of an Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN). That way, you can increase your ability to practice across various healthcare settings.

5.    Helps Broaden Your Advocacy Skills

Advocacy is an integral part of nursing. It is the act of speaking up for patients, whether they are your own or someone else’s. It can also be speaking up for the profession as a whole. Upgrading your nursing career to a BSN program can help broaden your advocacy skills. As you learn more about medicine and science, you will access new information that could impact your patient care.

You will have more excellent knowledge of how to affect change in the healthcare system and how to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. You will become a better advocate for your patients by becoming knowledgeable about all aspects of their treatment and not just what is happening at their bedside.

6.    Enhanced Credibility

As a registered nurse, you have already worked hard to earn your degree and obtain your nursing license. But upgrading your education to a bachelor of science in nursing can boost your career. Not only will you be more credible in the eyes of potential employers, but you will also have access to more job opportunities and higher salaries.

In addition, you will be better prepared to handle the challenges of the ever-changing healthcare landscape. The breadth of knowledge and perspective obtained through a BSN degree can help you give more informed input on medical research initiatives, drug company policies, hospital administration decisions, insurance coverage issues, and other vital issues that affect health care today.

Conclusion

One of the best ways to advance your career, whether you’re just starting or a seasoned professional RN, is by enrolling in an RN to BSN program. It will give you hands-on experience and enhance your skills, knowledge, and resume. You’ll also be eligible for more positions and may find promotions easier. It’s an excellent choice for lifelong learning and continuing education, which nurses and employers should applaud. With so many benefits, it’s worth considering if you want to upgrade your nursing career!

When you have completed your education, what can be a greater thing than looking back at the days spent in school and college. Looking back, you will only remember the good memories shared with friends and teachers. But one thing which will make you frown is low grades. In order to maximize your potential, it is necessary to work towards improving your grades. Sometimes, no amount of hard work can do the trick and you need a helping hand to achieve this goal.

One such thing is taking the help of technology to improve your grades is a high speed typing tutor. Are you wondering if there’s any relation between typing speeds and grades? Yes, you are in for an interesting read.

What is Typing? A Brief History

Before we move ahead, let’s get the basics right. Those who want to brush up their knowledge can go through it in a jiffy. Otherwise, skip this part and jump straight on to the next one.

The first computer was invented by Charles Babbage in 1823. It was called the ‘ Difference Engine.’ By the end of the 19th century, typewriters were invented and soon it became a popular device to save time and effort. People started using it for typing documents and letters on papers.

History of Typewriters and Word Processors

In the earlier days, typewriters used to print on paper that had carbon copies. Carbon copies were black sheets or white papers with a layer of carbon below them. This enabled multiple people to make handwritten notes and the last copy would be typed as it was by using carbon paper.

Later, word processors came into existence and changed this entire process. As the name suggests, these devices were capable of manipulating and processing words. However, typewriters continued to exist and still continue to be used as one cannot deny their handiness.

The first word processors were bulky in size and slow in speed. Gradually they started becoming faster and more efficient than typewriters. As a result, these devices slowly replaced typewriters and currently, most people have word processors in their homes.

Is Typing Speed an Essential Educational Skill?

Is typing speed a skill that matters? The answer is a big yes! Believe it or not, but there’s a direct association between typing speed and grades. If you are thinking that this statement has been derived from just an opinion then think again.

According to studies, students with typing speed below 30 wpm get poor grades. Similarly, those who have typing speed ranging from 50-70 wpm get average grades and students whose typing speeds lie in the range of 70-90 wpm get good grades.

How Typing Tests Online Help School Education?

These days, schools are focusing more on technology. With the help of technology, it is possible to get information instantly. This effortless access to information has helped teachers in providing an adequate amount of feedback to students so that they can improve their grades without much hassle.

Nowadays, most of the schools have started using online typing tests for assessing their students. This also helps them in improving the overall efficiency of their work by eliminating any paperwork that they need to do for grading students.

How to Increase Typing Speed?

If you are looking for some shortcuts to increase your typing speed, then you should try a free online high speed typing tutor.

High speed typing trainer is one of the best tools that enables students to enhance their typing skills in minimum time. It offers different lessons which introduce beginners to the basic concepts of typing like how to place fingers on the keyboard and some common rules that need to be followed.

Types of Typing Practice Tests

After you have learnt the basics, it’s time for you to move towards more challenging typing tests. Understanding the different types of typing tests is necessary if you want to get a grip on your skills and achieve your goal fast.

Type 1: Quiz Based Tests

In quiz based typing tests, you will be asked a question on the screen and as soon as you open it, four or five answer options will appear. You have to select the correct answer within 3 seconds. Your answer selection time is monitored by the software program so that your respective scores can be recorded.

Type 2: Personalized Typing Tests

This technique is helpful for improving your typing skills as it records your keystrokes and offers detailed analysis. This provides you with real time feedback so that you can know immediately whether you are making mistakes or not.

How Many Words Per Minute is a Good Typing Speed for Students?

Ideally, a student should have a typing speed of at least 50 wpm. However, it can be difficult to achieve this mark initially as you will need some time to master the skills. With proper practice and perseverance, one can easily increase their typing speeds within a matter of a few days. There are many online free tools for students that increase words per minute typing speed through which they can become an expert typist.

Can a Student Get a Part Time Job by Increasing Typing Speed?

Yes of course! Nowadays, employers and companies prefer applicants with good typing skills. This is because they get irritated when you submit your work at a snail’s pace. You should know that time is money for them so they cannot afford to wait until you type everything.

However, if you want to get employed quickly then you need to increase your typing speed to a level where you can comfortably type up to 60 wpm. This will increase your chances of getting hired by 10%.

How Do Schools, Colleges and Universities Test the Speed of Their Students’ Typing Skills?

It is common for schools and colleges to perform online typing tests or assessments because it saves them a lot of time that they would otherwise need to spend on grading each student manually. Moreover, schools that are hooked up to the internet can do this at any point of time without requiring students’ presence in their institutions.

An addiction counselor has a crucial role in an addicted person’s recovery. The following is some information about the role of an addiction counselor:

To Provide Support

The main role of a substance abuse counselor is to provide support to people who need it. People with drug and alcohol addictions often have to deal with an overwhelming lack of support. These persons also experience shame and embarrassment about their addictions.

Therefore, counselors play the main role of being a rock and a support person for such individuals. The clients can lean on the counselors for motivation, encouragement, and confidence.

To Help the Addicted Person Find the Root

The substance abuse counselor also plays a role in helping an addicted person find the root of the addictive behaviors. Sometimes, addictive behaviors are coping mechanisms that people use to escape from the pain of past hurts.

These people don’t always realize that they are using such coping mechanisms. A counselor can be the kind and empathetic person who helps an addicted person take the journey of discovery.

To Assist the Person in Developing Strategies

A counselor will also help individuals to develop strategies to overcome addictive behaviors and any shame and guilt that may arise from such behaviors.

This individual can help recovering addicts come up with new strategies for fighting cravings and temptations, as well. The goal is to deter individuals from falling into old habits when issues arise.

A dedicated counselor can also talk to a client about his or her plans for the future. They may discuss future job opportunities and ways the person can use his or her talents to improve life quality.

To Point the Person Toward Resources

A counselor can also point someone in the direction of helpful resources that will support their recovery. For example, the counselor might know of some supplemental programs that will aid them in their recovery.

They may know of some good texts the individual can read to keep himself or herself in a positive mindset throughout the recovery period. The counselor might suggest spiritual services or some other type of helpful service that perhaps the client was unaware of.

Sometimes, having supplementary resources and guides can keep an individual in a place of positivity throughout the recovery process and beyond it.

To Encourage Continuous Sobriety

Counselors are also there to encourage continuous sobriety. Their roles do not end when the counseling sessions end. They will be there to support their clients long after the official counseling date arises.

Thus, a client can feel confident that he or she has someone to turn to if life gets too demanding or stressful after the program. Continuous sobriety and healing are the goals that most counselors wish to achieve for their clients.

Those are some of the parts that addiction counselors play in the recovery process of another person. These people have other roles, as well. Therefore, addicted persons should connect with a counselor as quickly as possible.