When it comes to analytical problem solving, identifying the problem is only the first step. We want to create solutions! Shift the mindset away from complaining about problems to collaborating on solutions and implementing the best ones.

Some of the best new ideas result from fully engaging in conflicts, yet many people avoid conflict because they have not learned the skills for creating productive conflict. This activity will give you a six-part process you can use whenever you encounter conflict: in school, in life, or in your job.

This activity is designed to provide an opportunity to define lifelong learning, explore multiple ways to pursue continuous learning, to acknowledge the ways in which one is already a lifelong learner, and to commit to always continue to learn, in school, in life, and at work.

Google, a company with a reputation for innovation, gives its engineers one day a week to work on a passion project. What would happen if we gave students the same flexibility? What if we gave them the time to pursue their own genius?

Learn to use a Decision Matrix Tool. Often we need to make decisions that involve choosing from two or more options. A Decision Matrix is a tool that can be used by individuals or teams to clarify the process of deciding among options and to help assure the best decision is made.

Diplomacy and tact are approaches to communication that impacts our relationships and the environments in which we live, learn, and work. The goal of this exercise is to deepen one’s knowledge, abilities, and inclinations in the areas of diplomacy and tact by using a “Three Levels of Text” protocol to reflect on the content of an article and its implications for life, learning, and work.

Empathy means identifying and caring about others. To do this successfully, we need to be tuned into our own emotions, as well. The goal of the activity below is to have an opportunity to notice your own emotions. Most people rarely stop to consider the emotions they are experiencing, except when those emotions become intense. This is a self-empathy check-in.

It is important to monitor your own responses to change, because as you gain understanding about how you react to change, you will develop flexibility skills.

Futurists imagine, envision, or predict what has not yet been realized. They work to develop their brains to envision possibilities that others may not and to champion progressive ideas. Those who devote their careers to futures thinking work in the context of core principles for futures thinking.

Goal setting is one of the most powerful but underutilized tools at our disposal. Did you know that people with written goals are 50% more likely to achieve them than people without goals? This lesson is all about teaching you to spend more time thinking and writing down your goals so that you can set goals throughout your life – and achieve them.

If you can’t connect with the people around you, your personal, academic, and future professional life will suffer. One way to build your interpersonal skills is to carefully observe those around you whose skills you particularly admire.

In the midst of routine activities, it’s good to remember that there is a big picture for your life you need to discover. The goal of this exercise is to expose you to high-level leadership thinking and start investigating your own leadership style.

Management is one of those skills that is very difficult to improve without practice. What you might find surprising is that you might already be “managing” more people that you realize. Here are some ideas for practicing management right now.

Giving and receiving feedback is an integral part of growing as an individual, developing your skills, and working with others to achieve a common goal. This two-part activity will go over how to give and receive feedback using two different methods.  Part 2 focuses on how to receive constructive feedback.

Negotiation is the ability to bargain effectively and facilitate agreements. Successful negotiators possess a repertoire of strategies they draw upon whenever they are faced with an opportunity to negotiate.

One of the best ways to learn to advocate for others is to first learn their story.  When we fully hear and understand each other’s stories, we know how to better advocate from a cultural and meaningful point of view. This storytelling exercise is a valuable practice for not only people advocacy, but also empathy, interpersonal skills, decision making, and leadership.

Someone who has a strong sense of Personal Responsibility will perform well even when expectations aren’t clear, resources are hard to find, and competition is tough. In building your personal accountability “muscles,” it can be useful to reflect upon and self-assess your strengths and weaknesses in this area.

Persuasion is the ability to convince others to change the way they think, believe, or act. Learning to use the skill of persuasion will allow you to influence others now and in the future.

Create your own unique organization system that is uniquely tailored to you, which will organize your time, priorities, and workload into the perfect planning system.

Great presentations require planning, and experienced presenters know how to structure the presentation.

People who have well developed Teamwork skills understand the strengths and weaknesses of others and place a high priority on the success of their department and/or organization. People with strong skills in Teamwork support team decisions and share responsibility with team members for successes and failures.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed as a student with all the things that can attract your attention (everything from homework and clubs to Internet videos about cats and Corgis). This exercise will give you a tangible tool to help you articulate your priorities.

The best way to get better at written communication is to write!