The Desert of the Real


Social media has given everyone from Justin Bieber to the fellows from Duck Dynasty, the desire to be seen as “real.”
As a matter of fact, the desire has become so strong, that it has almost become the coin of the realm to get into celebrity, fame and riches.
Here at HSCT, however, we have some advice for potential candidates looking at internships and job opportunities for this summer or even later on in the spring.
  • Don’t clean up your act online. Get smart about what you post and don’t post.

Employers read Twitter the same as your friends do. And with more than half of recruiters (54%) now use Twitter as part of their talent search and with over 94 percent of recruiters who use social media using LinkedIn according to the 2013 Jobvite survey on social media recruiting, getting smart about being “real” is the only way to go.

  • No one wants to network with you. You have to sell yourself and convince the other person that you are a “good buy.”

See Monday’s blogpost for more about this. Remember, offering the option to “opt-in” is far preferable to interrupting HR managers and employers so that they hit that “opt-out” check box on your resume.

  • Personal branding as a concept is deader than dead. Think of yourself as a corporation and YOU are the CEO.

Every time you post, Tweet, comment, like or share content, you become a media company. You are a media company to all of your audiences. Even the ones that you don’t think are tuned in.

  • Content curation leads to managed authenticity and genuine privacy, more so than content creation and content commentary leads to “freedom” and “authenticity.”

Curating and removing content (or not sharing, liking, retweeting or otherwise reposting) leads to authenticity. But not the kind that Miley Cyrus or John Green is striving for; instead, content curation leads to managed authenticity that allows the most important parts of You, Inc., to shine through and shows that you are personable, level-headed and employable. 

As you search for that job, try and gain some complementary skills. Learn your conflict style so that issues don’t ever arise.

Sign up for the February 19th HSCT Seminar, Developing the Leader Within, held at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County for only $89.99! A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE!
Follow the link here http://bit.ly/1dyaYji  for more information and to register!
We would love to see you there!
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

“Opt-In” Networking

From banner ads that boast a .01% click-through rate to YouTube videos that offer the opportunity to “Skip This Ad” in 5…4…3…2…1…, interruptive marketing is becoming more and more desperate to get eyeballs onto content that isn’t interesting, engaging or intriguing.

OPT-IN NETWORKINGHow does that fact tie in with stalled job searches in a country with a labor force participation rate at around 60% and 92 million people not working?

Well, the bad news is that employers have HR departments made up of people and even they are becoming wiser to the interruptive tricks of the job search trade.

So, networking becomes more about developing relationships and seemingly menial work done well, rather than about being interruptive with a resume, cover letter and references.

How do you develop relationships with employers before they want to hire you?

You don’t.

You develop yourself first.

You volunteer at the local soup kitchen.

You shovel the old lady’s driveway next door.

You get up off the couch and start a blog, a Twitter account or a really interesting YouTube channel.

You take the part-time job that is “below you,” for minimum wage and perform at it like it’s the greatest full-time work you’ve ever had.

In a world where the hidden “opt-out” is becoming increasingly the “norm,” allowing others—particularly others with jobs, cash and referrals to throw around—to “opt-in” to you, by showcasing what you do, is the only way to go to get to where you want to be.

Otherwise, your resume is going in the HR trash bin faster than you can click on the “Skip Ad” now button on the bottom right hand side of your favorite YouTube video.

-Peace Be With You All-

Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSConsultingandTraining
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/

Oscar the Grouch Wins

In a sharing, collaborative economic system, a grouchy mediator can succeed.

The same as a grouchy salesperson, a grouchy consultant, a grouchy NASA scientist or a grouchy plumber.
In an increasingly social world, where the old methods of building rapport, such as personal style, manner of speech and dress, common interests and associates have moved to online networks first and offline interactions second, building rapport becomes much more difficult if someone has…well…virtual “resting “bitchy” face.”
Now there’s nothing wrong with that.
However, as the whiz kids of smart move faster and faster toward commodifying, commercializing and socially selling, everything up to and including death, the more difficult it becomes for anyone—even a mediator attempting to create relationships with clients—to establish rapport based on anything other than authenticity.
A grouchy mediator, who markets to the long tail of people who value seriousness and professionalism over cat pictures, facile Tweets, or pointless blog posts, can succeed.
Food for thought.
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

Tipping Point of Pain


The economic/social distinction between work modes still exists in our evolving economy, because too many people—even in a collaborative economy—still maintain a Cold War, “employee mentality.”
  • The “employee mentality” says that work is a drudgery made to be rewarded through a steady salary, but avoided at all costs at the same time.
  • The “employee mentality” says that the “big scary” thing is going off on your own and that the safe, normal thing is staying with the ship—even as its sinking.
  • The “employee mentality” says that organizations, associations, businesses, governmental systems and the economy will “just somehow continue on” in spite of the disruptions that have occurred through social media, the Internet, technology, sharing, shopping and buying.
We here at HSCT agree with Pam Slim and her perspective, as well as Todd Henry, and we wonder if the newly released CBO numbers around the Affordable HealthCare Act will force people—a tipping point of pain—to make better, long-term strategic choices for more opportunities.
We hope so, because “side hustles” and entrepreneurship must become the “new” normal way the economy works, in a world where a full time, two income lifestyle, cannot be maintained in a part-time, one or one and one half income reality.
Or else there will be a lot more conflicts, disruptions and difficulties to come.
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

[Opinion] Would You Like a Side of Mediation with That?

Mediation and sales have several things in common:

  • They both involve establishing trust right away.
  • They both involve starting from a referral from one or more of the parties.
  • They both involve establishing a relationship between the two parties and the mediator/s.

The key place where sales and mediation differ is that a sale is usually closed: Either the salesperson gets the order and gets paid, or the prospect gets the salesperson to go away.

Mediation relies on both parties having the autonomy to walk away. Sales involves parties being pressured (whether lightly or heavily) into making a decision to “buy” or “walk-away.”

The big takeaway form all of this is that if your career is in mediation, learning where to put pressure on versus where to ensure autonomy will ensure that each participant has a satisfactory outcome.

And that you get paid.

Active listening is a huge driver for both sales and mediation.

If you aren’t listing to what your customer is saying that they want—or the parties in the dispute are saying that they want—you’ll wind up going home.

Peace Be With You All-

Jesan Sorrells, MA

Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: jsorrells@hsconsultingandtraining.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSConsultingandTraining
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/

Guest Blogger Heidi Eckerson: Massaging with the Enemy

And our guest blogger series for this month concludes with a contribution from Heidi Eckerson of Revolution Massage Therapy in Endicott, NY.
A graduate of the Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, Revolution owner and NYS Licensed Massage Therapist Heidi Eckerson trained in the science of the body and the art of massage.
Heidi is dedicated to collaborating with her clients to design massage sessions that promote their wellness in a safe, effective, holistic way.   To learn more about her practice visit Revolution Massage Therapy’s website Revolution Massage Therapy and follow her on Facebook.
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Some guy named Eddie emailed me about joining his group at the BU Health Fair.  “We’re reaching out to all the therapists there. Last year we set up a chair massage corral.”
Thanks, but no thanks.  I had my own booth, promoting my own  practice.  I wanted to stand out.
I arrived early at the Events Center to set up.
Then, one by one, they came. Lugging massage chairs and other gear. They moved tables, discussed the layout—even considered my space!  Handing me a brochure, Eddie introduced himself.  He was President and founder of AIM—Association of Independent Massage Therapists.
He rattled off their names: Lynne with her do-it-yourself face cradle covers.  Marilyn, insisting I visit the other vendors.  Charles my Shiatsu teacher.  Elena ushered clients into our chairs.  The next thing I knew, I was annexed by this group of massage therapists—not quite “join or die” but ….
There was another massage business there.  And they stood out with their flashy tablecloth, win-to-spin prize wheel, and bowl of candy.  But they lacked our energy.  People passed them by, lining up at our chair massage corral.
I am now secretary of AIM.  Members have their own practices, but pool resources to do bigger things: educate people on the benefits of massage; coordinate massage at community events.
We share experiences and advice.  My business, Revolution Massage Therapy, has grown because of collaboration with my competition.  We stand out by standing together.
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Standing out is what a leader does.
You can stand out as well…once you know your leadership style.
Sign up for the February 19th HSCT Seminar, Developing the Leader Within, held at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County for only $89.99!
Follow the link herehttp://bit.ly/1dyaYji for more information and to register!
We would love to see you there!
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

The Human Services Consulting and Training Blog has been Nominated for the Liebster Award!


The Human Services Consulting and Training Blog has been nominated for the Liebster Award by Anastasia Priyanikova of  The Brain Alchemist

Anastasia is the founder of E-Studio, LLC, a coaching, training and consulting company that translates neuroscience insights into tools and solutions in the areas of communication, conflict management, public speaking, presenting, and transmedia storytelling.

She is a co-founder of Bookphoria, a multimedia and transmedia project that enables authors, experts and speakers to convert their books and expert content into online courses and multimedia products to grow their information business and communities of practice. I have had the pleasure of seeing Anastasia present and I look forward to working with her more in the future. 
The Liebster Award personifies “paying it forward,” collaboration and the further development of the connection economy and I am honored to take part in it.
Here are the rules for the Liebster Award. To accept the award:
  • Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog and link back to the blogger who presented this award to you.
  • Answer the 10 questions from the nominator.
  • Nominate 10 blogs and create 10 questions for your nominees.
Now…ONTO THE QUESTIONS!!!
  1. What inspired you to start blogging?
I wanted to get exposure for ideas that I have had running around in my head for years on topics ranging from mediation best practices to marketing and entrepreneurship. I also like to talk and write so it seemed like a natural progression.
  1. What do you hope to achieve with your blog?
I hope that readers and followers will read my words and ideas and pass them on to others. I hope that the HSCT Communication Blog will be a seed in the vast soil of the Internet and begin to be watered and grow for the benefit of all.
  1. What are three attributes that best describe your blog?
Wordy. Wordy. Wordy. I have a constitutional inability to write in small snippets. I’m working on the language part to, expressing big ideas, simply.
  1. How do you nurture your creative side?
I read. A LOT. I used to draw and make fine art prints, but it’s tough to get studio time these days. I also hang out with my wife, who is a professional photographer and my kids.
  1. What are you reading right now?
Where to start?
  • Predictive Analytics by Eric Siegel
  • Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillian, and Al Switzler
  • Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
  • David and Goliath by Malcolm McDowell 

…and I’ve got an unreleased book manuscript, super secret, about what goes into success.

  1. What are your preferred ways of getting the information you need?
I am on social media 24/7. I listen to podcasts. I also read the Drudge Report. Say what you will about Matt Drudge, but he gets the scoop. I follow Mitch Joel’s marketing blog, as well as Todd Henry and a couple of others. Steve Blank is high up on the list.
  1. What do you like to do to unwind?
If you ask my wife, I never unwind. At all. However, I do like to watch movies and trailers for movies on the Internet. I also like to talk about movies and create vast, improbable screenplays in my mind…and on paper.
  1. What is your most ambitious goal or aspiration for 2014?
My most ambitious goal is to get recorded, edited and archived all of my podcast content for an upcoming project, Earbud_U, set to drop in early 2015. I am also pursuing getting business sponsorships.
  1. What makes you happy?
Traveling with my wife and kids, having a good meal, having a drink with good friends, going to Church and participating in building those relationships…
  1. Anything else you would like to share?
I collect rubber duckies, the official mascot of Human Services Consulting and Training(HSCT) and a friend of mine just gave me a blue one for the Superbowl!

The blogs I nominate for the Liebster Award:

  1. Conflict Specialists Show w/Dave Hilton
  2. Joey Cope.com
  3. Bree Elyse Imaging: Life in Stills
  4. Alpert Mediation: Mediator Musings
  5. Get Artisan
  6. Passion in the Workplace
  7. The Father’s Heart
  8. Hamilton Law and Mediation
  9. The Olive Branch Blog
  10. The Binghamton Blog

My ten questions for the nominees:
  1. What do you DO exactly?
  2. What do you remember the most fondly about the 90’s?
  3. Where did your inspiration come from to start blogging?
  4. Talk about a conflict in your life and how have you resolved it, or not.
  5. What do you do for fun, to shake the cobwebs off?
  6. What do you do to organize your digital life?
  7. What is your process for writing your blog posts?
  8. What are some of your hobbies?
  9. Hypothetical battle: If a fair fight were to happen between yourself and a duck in the park, what would happen and who would win?
  10. What would you like to promote today, if anything?
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Cell: 218-930-0364

Email: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Sorrells79
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSConsultingandTraining
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jesansorrells/

Website: http://hsconsultingandtrain.wix.com/hsct

Blog: http://consultingandtraining.blogspot.com

Honestly


Many people around the world and in different cultural and societal contexts value honesty. 
Honesty is a great thing: It allows us to talk openly about issues and concerns that have meaning for us and should have meaning for others. 
It should not be confused with “being nice,” or even “telling white lies.” Both of those traits inhabit the shady space between manipulation and outright deceit.
Honesty is a positive communication trait, along with truth telling, patience, silence, self-awareness, clarity, relaxation and forgiveness.
However, sometimes there comes a point in every confrontation communication when even honestycan be used as a weapon.
This point arrives when one party’s desire to be “candid” overrides their good sense.
When employed as weapon, honesty can slice through a party’s self-esteem, robbing them of the very tools, growth and autonomy in a conflict communication that the sender is seeking to implant. 
Compassion is the most important part of honesty. Because the “truth,” given honestly, can set a person free. 
But given without empathy, compassion and self-awareness, honesty becomes just another dirty word.
Honestly.
Developing compassionate honesty doesn’t happen overnight. And Billy Joel may not be there for you when the moment arrives to be honest.
But take some time this month and meet our conflict engagement consultant, Jesan Sorrells.
Map your leadership style and sign up for the February 19th HSCT Seminar, Developing the Leader Within, held at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County for only $89.99!
Follow the link here http://bit.ly/JM5w4X  for more information and to register!
We would love to see you there!
-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com

Changing Lanes


Survival is not often talked about by people in society.
The dictionary defines it as “the state or fact of continuing to live or exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal, or difficult circumstances.”
Eminem recently wrote a song about it.
Biology runs on the fuel of it.
So does most of the programming on PBS, National Geographic, the Discovery Channel and most “reality shows.”
Economic systems since bartering have operated by its brutal rules.
Check that. 
People in society talk about survival all the time.
Well, HSCT has survived it’s freshman year.
Welcome to the sophomore year of the grand experiment.
Where are we going next?
Well, we here at HSCT love the process of process.
And 2014 will bring more content, more process and more survival.
Let’s go deeper, build a deeper relationship and bring Church to the wild.
Part of going deeper (and moving from surviving to thriving) here at Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT) means well, us charging something to give more to you.


Take two hours this month to develop the leader within you, through relevant exercises and pertinent, specific, targeted advice.

Map your leadership style this month by signing up for the February 19th HSCT Seminar, Developing the Leader Within, held at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County for only $89.99!
Follow the link here http://bit.ly/1fht5Nq for more information and to register!

-Peace Be With You All-
Jesan Sorrells, MA
Principal Conflict Engagement Consultant
Human Services Consulting and Training (HSCT)
Email HSCT: hsconsultingandtraining@gmail.com