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Registration and Enquiries

For more information:
Ph: 0404 199 888 (Nigel)
E: nigel(at)nigeldonovan(dot)com

Next Course Details:
Newcastle
August 12th and 13th 2013
Day 1: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Day 2: 9:00am - 12:30pm


Rates:
Early Bird >      $990 incl GST
(30 days prior)
Normal Rate > $1,100 incl. GST
(7 - 29 days prior)
Late Rate >      $1,250 incl. GST
(less than 7 days prior)

Click here to download registration form.

In-house Programs:
Save money by having this program delivered exclusively to your team.   
Contact me to discuss your tailored onsite programme options.

Crisis to Calm Workshop

When the world around you is chaos; when the 'to do list' is too long and the deadline too short; when you have an unpleasant policy or decision to implement; how do you stay clear of mind and behave like the leader you need to be?

The risk to your company, the damage, the time and cost of poor leadership in times of crisis or rapid change is enormous.  Many a serious company dispute has arisen from simple misunderstanding of intent, and these misunderstandings are much more likely when the pressure is on.

Uncertainty is in itself a cause of stress, if your leaders are not equipped with the skills to manage themselves and communicate effectively during period of high pressure, the flow on effects after the crisis can take months or years to work through.

This program teaches the techniques to do the umpleasant task, to be the leader, when it matters most.

One major skill of personal leadership is the ability to behave differently to the way you feel.  In this workshop you will learn how to be effective, clear, courageous and calm when you really do not feel like it.

You will learn...
- how your brain receives, interprets, processes and store information
- how your nevous system reacts to stress
- about the important role of emotion in memory and perception
- how perception and memory is distorted by your experience and interpretation of events
- the impact of uncertainty on the stress of those around you
- the role of 'intuition' and 'gut feel' in decision making (to what extent can they be trusted)
- about how your body can influence your focus and attention and make sure you focus on the right things
- how to protect and then rebuild confidence and trust

You will come away with some genuine easy to use strategies for managing your own stress and providing leadership to others.

The strategies in this workshop have been designed so that you can use them easily when you are actually experiencing the potentially stressful event.

Some of the core lessons

You will learn about some of the major architecture of your brain.  You will become familiar with the function of, and interaction between, your conscious brain (the feeling of 'you') and sub-conscious (your brain/body).  You will take the mechanics, top down, view of what is going on when you see, hear, think and feel things.

This part of the programme is foundational for the rest of the program.  From here you are introduced to skills and techniques to help you be more effective at managing your own mind in times of high pressure.

You learn what is happening when you think and experience the world around you.  How, in broad terms, your ancient brain attempts to process modern data to help you get through your day.  When dealing with events that are chock full of pressure and stress, it helps to understand how the structures in your brain, especially the nervous system operate.

This course is based on real science. You will get none of the 'we're all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively' malarky.  Just the simple facts on how the computer in your head works, and what happens when the program crashes.

Learn to see more

You will also move from the mechanics view into the driver's seat.  In this module you will understand the wonderful process of perception.

During a crisis, often it is the simple things that you miss that can have large consequence.  Understanding the limitations of your perception, how what you are aware of is often distorted and always incomplete, will help you be astute at directing your attention to what matters.

You will learn about the effects of phenomena such as priming, of inattentive blindness and groupthink and how to combat them.

You will learn how to notice more.  How to see beyond what people are saying and into their mindset.  You will learn how much your perception is distorted to comply with your beliefs and values and how to move to a greater level of objectivity.

When the pressure is on make sure you see what you need to see, in the way you need to see it.

Manage Emotion

Learn simple techniques to reduce and manage your emotions during stressful events.  If you have ever felt the ironic sensation that the very thing stopping you from performing well under pressure is the fear of not performing well under pressure then you know how disruptive your brain can be.

You can implement simple techniques to help you maintain control of your emotions.  You remain human, and you do so like a leader.  Have empathy and strength.  Courage and sincerity.

You will learn about the powerful influence that thoughts have on your emotion and how you can ensure you stay sharp and effective.

Simply put: you will learn how to behave differently to the way you feel.

Keep the workspace clear

If you have ever experiences the mental gridlock, where you are trying to think about so much stuff that you cannot seem to think clearly about anything, then you will appreciate this section of the course.

You will learn how this occurs and specific and simple techniques for keeping your mental workbench clear, so you can remain effective.

Lead others

When people are under pressure they revert their default automatic responses.  For some people, default is throwing a tantrum, for others it is standing still like a deer in the headlights.  Learn how to lead people who are in this state.  Learn the type of language to use, how to phrase things to get the most out of your team.

It is in times of crisis or high pressure that true leaders show their worth.  This program will teach you valuable skills and techniques to be more effective when the pressure is on.

Effective Immediately

The lessons and skills you walk away with from this course are designed for use by normal people in abnormal situations.  They are a set of skills that will make a difference to you and those around you when it matters.

They will also make an immediate difference to your leadership under normal operations.  You will come away with insights that you can make use of in all aspect of life.  You will have techniques that will help you immediately.

Make the Decision

Interestingly - making a decision reduces stress.  One cause of stress is uncertainty, making a decision - taking action - reduces uncertainty.  Often even making the worng decision (as long as you recognise it and adjust) is better, from a stress point of view, than no decision.

So reduce uncertainty, make the right deicsion and REGISTER FOR THIS COURSE.

Some feedback

"well presented and very applicable"
Mine Manager - Coal
"Allowed me to understand why people behaved the way they did in a crisis situation only a few days ago"
Mine Manager - Coal
"I enjoyed the science of the brain"
Mine Supervisor
"This is what i will be taking back to my management - be prepared"
Mine Manager - Coal
"The presenter was excellent, experienced and valid"
Health & Safety Group Manager
"I can tell you with confidence that a lot of people got a lot from your session.
So thank you. And please do put me on your mailing list; I would be very interested in attending any workshops that you present."
Toni A.
Franchisee