https://github.com/mountblue/life-skills-track
These are the sessions for the MountBlue training on the Soft Skills track.
We follow a learning pedagogy emphasis more on doing and reflection rather than passive learning.
Updated: May 2021
Write a technical paper - a short paragraph on the scenario assigned to you.
Expecting a submission on Github/Gitlab in Markdown Format.
- Markdown Syntax - https://guides.github.com/features/mastering-markdown/
- Extensions for markdown for VS Code https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/markdown
- Check Spelling and Grammar -Grammarly
You can find extensions for other editors as well
- Write in your own words and code
- Write in Markdown format
- Document all reference links that you have used
- Basic English punctuation is extremely important
- Use a grammar checker like Grammarly
- Use capitalization for the first character of the sentence and proper nouns.
- Use space after comma and full stop.
- Push on Github/Gitlab. Make sure the repo is public.
- And add the submission link to LMS
- Submit a public Github/Gitlab URL link. It should be a markdown(.md) file.
- To write professional emails.
- To keep email short and crisp.
- Using bullet points to cut out fluff and do precise communication.
- Otherwise using complete sentences.
- Express one's needs in writing.
- Understanding and upholding the receiver's need while sender crafts the message.
- To keep a list of email templates ready to be used in future situations.
Please go through the first video (36:11 minutes) very carefully. This contains all the relevant information.
Email Communication - 36:11 minutes
In the interactive session, I would like to focus on email reviews. You have to send 6 emails to my email id before the session. Please look at the bottom section of this email for instructions.
Go through these two links on bullet points:
Use bullet points for conveying information. They need not be grammatically correct.
Don't say: I completed writing Tasks controller. Say: Completed Tasks controller.
Use complete sentences when writing down conversational communication. Like requesting for access or requesting leaves.
Add signature to your gmail (3:20 minutes): Add signature to Gmail
Add Signature to Migadu at Settings > Accounts > Edit your mountblue.tech Identity (default)
- Add your full name.
- In email signature, write your full name and mobile phone number.
Install Grammarly plugin in your browser.
Follow basic English language rules:
- Use active voice
- Use simple English
- No random commas or full stops. Be consistent. Stick to your writing style.
- No space before punctuation. Single space before punctuation.
- Capitalisation only in proper nouns, start of sentence or abbreviation
- Use proper bullet point. Use the button in the email editor.
- Don't use extra sentences. Keep emails short and crisp.
- If you are making a request or asking for clarification, ask a clear direct question.
- No random bold. Bold has to be used. Not more than 3 or 4 percent of the mail should be bold.
- No all caps.
- Good rule of thumb
- One third for planning
- One third for writing
- One third for reviewing
- If you have 9 minutes, spent 3 minutes each
- Always spellcheck
- While writing emails, be aware of principles of assertive communication - understanding your needs, communicating about them while being in harmony with the needs of the other person.
Send 6 separate emails to the specified email with a proper Subject line and a Signature of yourself:
Use bullet points only for the informational points
This is the first day at your new company after you finish your training. Don't mention MountBlue Technology in this email. It is your first day at the client company that you have been deployed to.
Please introduce yourself. You can talk about your hometown, your education, technologies you know and any hobbies. Write an email introducing yourself.
- Subject: Hi
- First line Hi, followed by a new line
- 1 to 2 sentences introducing yourself and how do you feel that it is your first day in the company e.g. I am Santu Mahapatra. Today is my first day at your company.
- Followed by bullet points for the informational points - 4 to 6 points e.g. Hometown - , B Tech from in , Technologies I have used in the past - <>, <>, Hobbies - <>, <>,
- Then wrap up with a last sentence at the end.
Send your work log for yesterday. Tasks done yesterday, plan for today and any requests/blockers/clarifications if any. The format is shared in the video. Use headers and bullet points.
- Make the section headers bold
- Use bullet points under each of the 3 section
No bullet points
You are sick and have consulted the doctor. Write an email requesting 2 days of sick leave. Mention dates. Short crisp email with 2 to 4 sentences. No bullet points.
No bullet points
You need git access and staging server credentials to do your work properly. Write an email to your supervisor explaining the situation and requesting access. Short crisp email with 2 to 4 sentences. No bullet points.
No bullet points
You need a longer vacation - around 5 days for Diwali/Holi/Eid to visit your family and spend time with them. Write an email with the request. Mention dates. Short crisp email with 2 to 4 sentences. No bullet points.
No bullet points
You want to have a feedback session with your supervisor on your performance in the last month. Write an email suggesting a single or multiple time slot(s) for the meeting and request if they are available.. Short crisp email with 2 to 4 sentences. No bullet points.
Grit Video - 6:12 minutes
- Paraphrase (summarize) the video in a few lines. Use your own words.
- What are your key takeaways from the video?
Introduction to Growth Mindset Video - 8:25 minutes
- Paraphrase (summarize) the video in a few lines in your own words.
- What are your key takeaways from the video?
How to build a Growth Mindset - 10:22 minutes
- Paraphrase (summarize) the video in a few lines in your own words.
- What are your key takeaways from the video?
- What are some action items or steps that you want to take?
- What are one or more points that you want to take action on from the manual? (Maximum 3)
Active Listening Video - 1:27 minutes
- What are the steps/strategies to do Active Listening? (Minimum 5 points)
Reflective Listening Wikipedia Page
- According to Fisher's model, what are the key points of Reflective Listening? (Write in your own words, use simple English)
- What are the obstacles in your listening process?
- What can you do to improve your listening?
Learning How to Learn TED talk by Barbara Oakley - 17:50 minutes
- Paraphrase the video in detail in your own words.
- What are some of the steps that you can take to improve your learning process?
- What are the activities you do that make you relax - Calm quadrant?
- When do you find getting into the Stress quadrant?
- How do you understand if you are in the Excitement quadrant?
Manage Energy Not Time Video - 3:13 minutes
- Paraphrase the video in your own words
Sleep is your superpower Video - 19:18 minutes
- Please paraphrase the Sleep is your Superpower video in detail. Minimum 5 points
- What are one or two ideas you can implement to sleep better?
Brain Changing Benefits of Exercise - 13:02 minutes
- Paraphrase the video. Minimum 5 points.
- What are some steps you can take to exercise more?
Why Sitting is Bad for You - 5:04 minutes
- Paraphrase the "Sitting is Bad for You" video in your own words
- What are some steps you can take to make your sitting better?
Benefits of Good Posture - 4:26 minutes
- What can you do to improve your posture?
Brilliant things happen in Calm minds - 0:52 minutes
10 minute breathing meditation - 10:13 minutes
Quit Social Media by Cal Newport, author of Deep Work - 13:50 minutes
- Your key takeaways from the video
Deep Work Summary - 7:30 minutes
- Paraphrase the video in detail.
- Your key takeaways from the video
Watch the video in totality first. Recommend it watching in 1 sitting.
How to Learn Anything in 20 hours by Josh Kauffman - 20 minutes
- Your key takeaways from the video
1% Better Every Day Video - 24:36 minutes
- Your takeaways from the video (Minimum 5 points)
Book Summary of Atomic Habits - 11:11 minutes
- Write about the book's perspective on habit formation from the lens of Identity, processes and outcomes?
- Write about the book's perspective on processes and goals?
- Explain the 4 parts of a habit?
- Write about the book's perspective on how to make a good habit easier?
- Write about the book's perspective on making a bad habit more difficult?
- Pick one habit that you would like to do more of? What are the steps that you can take to make it make the cue obvious or the habit more attractive or easy and or response satisfying?
- Pick one habit that you would like to eliminate or do less of? What are the steps that you can take to make it make the cue invisible or the process unattractive or hard or the response unsatisfying?
4 types of communication - Passive, Aggressive, Passive Aggressive and Assertive communication - 2:50 minutes
- Which style of communication describes you in most situations?
- Spongebob Assertiveness Traing Gone Wrong - Starts at passiveness ends at aggressiveness - 2:23 minutes
- How People Pleasing Doesn't Make People Happy - 5:51 seconds
- When do you switch to Passive communication style?
- When do you switch into Aggressive communication styles?
- When do you switch into Passive Aggressive (sarcasm/gossiping/taunts/silent treatment and others) communication styles?
Tips on Assertive Communication - 6:27 minutes
- Your key takeaways from the video
- How can you make your communication assertive?
Summary of Non Violent Communication - 5:22 minutes
- Paraphrase the video on Non Violent Communication in a few lines.
- What are some of the practical steps that you can take to implement the above video in your own communication?
- What feeling is alive for you right now? Pick one from the feelings list. Answer should be precisely 1 feeling - just the word or the phase
- What need is present for you right now? Pick one from the needs list. Answer should be only 1 need - just the word or the phase
Conflict Resolution using NVC - 2:48 minutes