DREARY RAINS and WARM SMILES

On January 19, 2010, I was granted the opportunity to observe the Compass program in action. This time, the lessons behind COMPASS would be directed for a group of unemployed workers who want a job in the construction industry. They were enrolled in Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network's (http://www.pacificgatewayworkforce.com/)
Construction Apprenticeship Pathways program (http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=24180) , the first part of which is the Compass soft skills training. The theme was "Progress and Advancement". Participants made it clear they were ready to be in demand. Thus the presumption that they showed up because they wanted something they currently don't have was on target. But how exactly they would achieve it through COMPASS is a question, I imagine, they asked themselves?

The objection of the three day Compass soft skills workshop, facilitated by Bibi Caspari of Forward Step, is to support the development of cognitive, social, and emotional capabilities for greater success on the job, teaching soft skills as goal setting, communication and conflict resolution. According to a study by Daniel Goldman, emotional competencies are twice as important for professional success as IQ plus technical skills combined. Therefore, intelligence and technical skills are only good enough to qualify for a job, not necessarily enough get it and keep it.

The Best way I can describe the first day of the Network workshop is exactly as my title reads, Dreary Rain and Warm Smiles, because the energy was warm despite the early call (7:30am) and dreary rains of Southern California. I was honestly thrown back by the sincerity of the participants and their determination to be present to participate, pay close attention to Bibi's questions and the dialogue that followed. Nowadays, who is willing to have the energy or the time to share one's thoughts, views, and opinions of personal and work problems? Well, about twenty people from all walks of life took the time and energy to figure out what they can do to not only land a job, but to keep it and progress in it.

The group seemed puzzled but at the same time curious to figure out what in the world they are doing wrong. As it turns out, the outcomes of our problems at home and at work are a direct result of our thoughts, emotions, and behavior or attitude. Our thoughts, emotions, and behavior or attitude will ultimately determine our ability to land a job, face our personal demons, or accomplish goals. This formula makes a lot of sense to me:

Thoughts lead to

Emotions lead to

Behaviors/Attitudes lead to

Outcomes

Don't be fooled by the simple calculation. The three day workshop requires you to dig deep. Each factor is covered by layers of ignorance and denial. To keep an open mind, the group was then encouraged to be honest to make it through the next three days if they wanted results. Only through self-awareness do we have to power and the ability to change. Where there is a feeling of failure, there is a less likely chance that you will take a risk, but not taking a risk is a risk in itself since there are also costs involved with not taking chances.

As a recent college graduate who is figuring out what exactly is the right career for me, and therefore, what is the next step, this is a message that really hits home. In fact, my concerns are no different from those of the group. I, too, am in need of direction, guidance, and a set of skills to assure security. But what I really need is a heavy doze of clarity, and that's exactly what Compass has to offer. By the end of the day, it was clear the group was awestruck by Bibi and so was I. Who would have known that a class focused on soft skills could provide answers for 20 individuals, from all walks of life, including myself?