Blog move

Hi Everyone,

I guess by now you may have realised that we have moved the blog so that it is integrated within our own website:  http://blog.mountain-associates.co.uk/

Do come back to us there and say "Hi", leave your comments and follow us.  We look forward to dialoguing with you.

You can also find us at Mountain Associates on Facebook and on Twitter @MountainAssoc as well as find Anita on LinkedIn.  Please click Like on our Facebook page.

Thank you to those of you who are following us and who have bought our book Working Together; Organizational Transactional Analysis and Business Performance, published last year by Gower and receiving rave reviews on Amazon. 

Our new bi-monthly one-day training in Developmental/Organisational TA is now published on our site.  Each training day is followed by an optional supervision day. If you're passionate about your cpd, about improving your understanding of self, others and organisations then this could be for you.  You are now able to obtain a certificate, diploma and Masters in Developmental TA.  Whether you wish to take qualifications or not you are welcome to attend our training.  The prerequisite for which is ideally a TA101 or that you have read our book.  As we only work with small groups places are limited. Take a look and register now:  www.mountain-associates.co.uk

We also facilitate Advanced Communication Skills, Level 1 (incorporating the Official Introduction to TA, the TA101), so keep an eye on the website for information about our upcoming courses.

Mountain Associates have worked with a range of organisations from the RAF and MoD to Local Authorities and private companies including Swisslog; Sandler Sales Training etc. Anita Mountain available as a coach, keynote speaker and consultant.  Call us now on +44 (0)1455 824475 or email us at: ta@mountain-associates.co.uk

That's going too far!

I was recently at a seminar where the trainer talked about how to get on with a client.  One example given related to visiting a client organization and when the person you are seeing asks if you would like a drink then you are advised to check what they are having and have the same.  He went on to say that if you don’t do this you won’t get the work with the organization.   

From a Transactional Analysis perspective this is not a helpful suggestion.  By asking what the client is drinking makes it look like you don’t have your own thoughts (or even taste buds!).  This means that you could be experienced as being willing to please them and if they do commission you they may, albeit subconsciously, be doing so because you will adapt to them.   

If I ask what someone would like to drink I expect them to take responsibility for saying what they would like.  If, in the example given, the client expects you to adapt to them then I would suggest that you don’t work for them.  This matching approach might be experienced by some as good practice but for TA people it reinforces passive behaviour.   

Matching in terms of the words we use and the pace in which we talk is one thing, but matching in terms of likes and dislikes is certainly another - for me that's going too far.

People buy from people and, at some point if you try to over-adapt it can (a) reinforce your belief that you are not as important as someone else and should not have your own thoughts or (b) you will not be able to maintain this style and then the relationship will break down as it was developed on a false premise or (c) it sends a signal to the client that you are ready to be “pleasing” and put your own needs to one side. 

The motto here is “Be Yourself”.  Use your relationship and communications skills, and learn techniques for improving these, but balance this with listening to yourself as well.

Buy our book “Working Together, Organization Transactional Analysis and Business Performance”, published by Gower.  Go to our website for a free chapter and the links to Gower and Amazon:  www.mountain-associates.co.uk

If you are looking for a keynote speaker then give us a call right now and let’s see if Anita Mountain is a match for your needs.