I'd like to tell you about a simple tool/technique that was introduced to me recently at the end of my CIPD Level 3 in Learning & Development Practice qualification by our facilitator, Howard Rose of DPG Plc.

I'm compelled to write about this as I think it a valuable asset to any trainer's kit bag due to the pure simplicity of it and the fact that is all about the learner.

So what is it?

A written positive statement about an individual

How did it work?

At the end of the penultimate workshop we were asked to create a positive statement about each of our classmates and bring this with us on the final workshop.

We then placed these statements into one another's envelope at the end of the day.

Each person then took the envelope away to read, either at a later date or quick peaks there and then for those impatient ones.

How did I find it?

In addition to having to prepare a training workshop on De Bono's 6 Thinking Hats this was also an important task for me. Along with Howard there were 7 classmates who I had first met back in March and spent a large amount of time learning with. It was nice to stop and think about them as individuals and what I felt their strong points were. This made me smile when I thought about them. It also made me smile thinking of how they would be when they read them.

We had the option to provide anonymous statements however I wanted to name mine so people knew what I thought.

As a business owner with employees I'm also aware of the importance of praise so has helped me develop these skills.

And what did mine say?

I looked at my statements the morning after the end of course celebrations and it was lovely. Apart from one all were anonymous. The general consensus is that I'm a friendly, positive and professional individual with great networking skills. I'm pleased that this is what people think of me.

I'll refer back to me from time to time, maybe when I want an ego boost!!

How else could this method be used?

I believe it can be used at any time within teams and departments, during good times and those times where the team spirit might be disappearing or need a boost.

For example, after a difficult period e.g. redundancies, specialist project work, when the team require a boost.

Similar Method:

Another method is do this face to face, get people into two lines facing each other and then work down the line telling the opposite person their positive statement. I like this however I realise for some people it could be embarrassing or uncomfortable so I think the written approach is better.

Blake Henegan is the Director of Optimus Sourcing and has been formally recognised as having the CIPD Learning & Development Practice qualification.