Activity: Planning/Organizing

Leave a Comment / Activities, Skills / Sheri Smith

Creating a planning system is more than just organizing tasks—it’s about developing a framework that motivates, guides, and empowers you to manage time and priorities effectively. In today’s busy world, persuasion isn’t just for others; sometimes, it’s about persuading yourself to stay organized and committed.

This activity will help you design a customized system that aligns with your goals, using tools that fit your style. Dive in to create a personalized plan that turns ideas into action and transforms your approach to productivity!

The Goal

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

Step 1:

Create a planning system that works for you. For example, you can use existing phone apps, Post-It notes color coded for priority, or a diary-style planner that includes every single task that you must complete. You could also create a simple day-by-day to do list organized by priority from top to bottom. Whatever it is, make it the way you want it.

Note: It may be helpful to find other students who share your top DISC scores so that you can bounce ideas off of each other as you are working individually. Collaborating with those who think similarly can help you develop even better solutions.

Step 2:

Show a teacher or mentor your organization system and get their feedback. Also, consider ways you can integrate your plan into everyday life.

Note: If you are having a hard time coming up with an idea for creating your planning system, try creating a system to organize and plan just your homework or tasks for that given week. By making it more tangible, you will have something to work off of.

Remember that there is no “right” or “wrong” way to do this – you want to find a system that works for you.

Step 3:

Once you’ve put your planning system into action for a week or two, take time to reflect on its effectiveness. Ask yourself:

What worked well? Identify which aspects of your system helped you stay organized, motivated, and on track.
What didn’t work? Consider any areas where you felt overwhelmed, distracted, or unmotivated.
What can be improved? Look for ways to tweak or enhance your system to better suit your style and needs.

Adjusting and refining your planning system is essential as your goals, tasks, and priorities change. A flexible system is a successful one, so don’t be afraid to make changes that keep you aligned with your evolving aspirations and daily life.

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Activity: Personal Responsibility

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / Sheri Smith

In today’s fast-paced world, cultivating a strong sense of Personal Responsibility is essential for personal and professional success. Individuals with this mindset perform well even when expectations are unclear, resources are scarce, and competition is tough. They view the accomplishment of their goals as fundamental to their identity and consistently work towards these goals, regardless of obstacles.

Building your personal accountability “muscles” involves reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses, allowing for self-assessment and growth. As you engage in this activity, take the time to dig deeper into your experiences and motivations, unlocking valuable insights that can transform your approach to responsibility.

The Goal

Develop personal responsibility by reflecting on past experiences and assessing your strengths and weaknesses. This empowers you to take ownership of your actions and decisions, consistently pursuing goals even in challenging situations.

Step 1:

List three examples of times when you believe you displayed Personal Responsibility, why it was necessary to accept responsibility and how you felt about it.

Step 2:

Then, list three instances when you lacked personal responsibility, explain why it was important to demonstrate it, and describe how you felt at the time.

Step 3:

Based on the examples above, what area of your life are you going to consciously take more responsibility and how will that positively impact your life?

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How Indigo’s Motivators Align with the RIASEC Model and O*Net Resources

Leave a Comment / Motivators, Resources / Sheri Smith

At Indigo Education Company, we are committed to empowering individuals to discover their unique strengths, interests, and motivations, helping them make informed decisions about their career paths.

One of the most effective ways we do this is by integrating the six key motivators from our Interest and Work Values Assessment with the RIASEC (Holland’s Codes) model—a widely recognized framework used for career exploration. This alignment not only deepens the insights we provide but also connects users to valuable resources on the O*Net U.S. Department of Labor website, ensuring that the guidance they receive is both practical and rooted in comprehensive labor market data.

What is a RIASEC Model?

The RIASEC model, developed by psychologist John Holland, categorizes careers into six broad areas based on people’s interests and work environments:

Realistic – Hands-on, practical work (e.g., engineering, construction)
Investigative – Analytical, intellectual pursuits (e.g., science, research)
Artistic – Creative and expressive activities (e.g., design, writing)
Social – Helping others, interpersonal work (e.g., healthcare, teaching)
Enterprising – Leadership, persuasion, business (e.g., management, sales)
Conventional – Structured, detail-oriented tasks (e.g., administration, finance)

This model is a cornerstone of career guidance, offering a straightforward way to align personal interests with suitable career paths.

By connecting Indigo’s motivators to the well-established RIASEC model and leveraging the resources provided by O*Net, we empower users to explore and pursue careers that are both personally meaningful and aligned with the realities of the job market.

Aligning Indigo's Motivators with the RIASEC Model

Our six key motivators—Theoretical, Utilitarian, Individualistic, Traditional, Aesthetic, and Social—are derived from the pioneering research of Dr. Edward Spranger and Gordon Allport. These motivators encapsulate the core reasons individuals leverage their talents in uniquely distinct ways. Here’s how they align with the RIASEC model:

Theoretical (Desire for Knowledge)

Aligns with the Investigative category in RIASEC. Individuals motivated by Theoretical interests thrive in roles that require deep intellectual engagement, such as scientists, researchers, or analysts. These careers demand a love for learning and an ongoing pursuit of knowledge—characteristics that are central to the Investigative category.

Utilitarian (Practicality and Efficiency)

Matches the Realistic and Enterprising categories. People driven by Utilitarian motives are drawn to careers that offer tangible rewards and efficiency, such as engineering, technical trades, or business leadership. These roles often involve problem-solving, resource management, and practical application of skills.

Social (Service and Helping Others)

Directly corresponds with the Social category in RIASEC. Those with strong Social motivators are inclined towards careers where they can support, teach, or care for others, such as healthcare professionals, counselors, or educators. These careers are centered around interpersonal connections and the well-being of others.

Individualistic (Independence and Recognition)

Aligns with the Enterprising category. Individuals with a high Individualistic motivator often pursue leadership or entrepreneurial roles where they can assert their influence, take initiative, and achieve personal recognition. This aligns with careers in management, politics, or sales.

Aesthetic (Appreciation for Beauty and Harmony)

Connects with the Artistic category. Those who are aesthetically motivated are drawn to careers that allow for creativity, self-expression, and a focus on beauty, such as design, the arts, and literature. These roles require innovation and a deep appreciation for artistic endeavors.

Traditional (Values and Beliefs)

Resonates with the Conventional category. Individuals motivated by tradition prefer structured, orderly environments where they can uphold established practices and values. Careers in administration, finance, and clerical work often appeal to those who find satisfaction in maintaining systems and processes.

Leveraging O*Net Resources for Career Exploration

The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net website offers a wealth of resources that align with the RIASEC model, making it a valuable tool for anyone using Indigo’s Career Inventory Platform. By connecting directly with O*Net’s resources, we ensure that users can explore careers that match their motivators and RIASEC interests with real-world data on job outlooks, salary ranges, and required skills.

How to Use O*Net Resources:

Explore Careers by RIASEC Code: O*Net allows users to explore careers based on their RIASEC code. For example, if your Indigo assessment highlights a high Theoretical motivator, you can use O*Net to find Investigative careers that match this interest. Visit O*Net’s Interest Profiler to get started.
Detailed Job Descriptions: Once you’ve identified a potential career, O*Net provides detailed descriptions of job roles, including the skills required, tasks performed, and the work environment. This helps users make informed decisions about whether a career aligns with their strengths and motivators.
Education and Training: O*Net also offers information on the education and training needed for different careers. This is particularly useful for CTE students who are planning their educational pathways. Check out O*Net’s Education and Training page.
Connect to Labor Market Data: O*Net integrates labor market information, giving users insight into job demand, salary expectations, and employment trends in their chosen field. This data is essential for planning a sustainable career path. Access labor market data here.

By aligning Indigo’s six key motivators with the RIASEC model and integrating these with O*Net resources, we offer a robust, research-based approach to career exploration. This strategic alignment not only helps individuals understand their unique motivations but also connects them to real-world opportunities that match their strengths and interests. Whether you’re a student beginning your career journey or a professional looking to pivot, this comprehensive approach ensures that your career choices are both informed and fulfilling.

Explore the Indigo Career Inventory Platform today and discover how your motivations can guide you to a career that’s not only aligned with who you are but also supported by the latest labor market insights.

References:

How Indigo’s Motivators Align with the RIASEC Model and O*Net Resources Read More »

Activity: Presenting

Leave a Comment / Activities, Skills / Sheri Smith

Presenting is a skill that blends preparation, self-awareness, and the ability to connect with your audience. Every great presenter started somewhere, and with each presentation, you’ll refine your approach and grow more confident.

Giving a compelling presentation is about more than just speaking in front of others—it’s about connecting with your audience and delivering your message with confidence and clarity.

In this activity, you'll gain insights into building powerful presentations, identify your strengths, and pinpoint areas for growth. Get ready to elevate your next presentation and communicate like a pro!

The Goal

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

Step 1:

Read the article, “8 Tips for Giving a Presentation Like a Pro”

Step 2:

As you read, note tips that stand out to you as most helpful. For each tip, identify a strength and a need you feel you have as a presenter.

Step 3:

Identify two most important next steps you will take to assure your next presentation has power and impact.

Take what you’ve learned here and apply it to your next opportunity to present. Whether it’s in a classroom, boardroom, or online meeting, your ability to communicate with clarity and impact will set you apart. Remember, the key to presenting like a pro lies in thoughtful preparation and the courage to keep improving.

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Activity: Persuasion

Leave a Comment / Activities, Skills / Sheri Smith

Persuasion is more than just convincing someone—it's about understanding perspectives, fostering connections, and gently guiding others toward new ideas. Whether you’re looking to sway opinions, encourage new behaviors, or make impactful connections, persuasion is a skill that empowers you to leave a lasting influence.

This activity takes you from understanding persuasion’s foundations to actively practicing it in real-life scenarios. Get ready to uncover how to harness persuasion in ways that resonate and inspire others!

The Goal

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

Step 1:

Read the article “Influencing: Learning How To Use The Skill of Persuasion”. Focus on understanding key concepts and strategies.

Step 2:

After reading, write down the five most valuable insights you would share with someone eager to learn about persuasion.

Five Most Important Ideas to Teach Someone Else

Idea #1:

Idea #2:

Idea #3:

Idea #4:

Idea #5:

Step 3:

Practice applying these insights by trying to persuade someone—a friend or even a stranger. Start with something simple, like suggesting a favorite restaurant, recommending a color to wear, or inviting someone out for ice cream. Once you see your persuasive self in action, you can begin experimenting with more challenging topics.

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Activity: People Advocacy

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / Sheri Smith

In a world that’s becoming increasingly interconnected, understanding and practicing people advocacy is more crucial than ever. At the heart of effective advocacy is the ability to truly listen and comprehend the stories of those around us.

We all have unique stories, both of our own personal life and that of our ancestors. When we fully hear and understand each other’s stories, we know how to better advocate from a cultural and meaningful point of view.

The Goal

To develop the skills needed to advocate for others by first learning to understand their stories. This storytelling exercise is a valuable practice not only for people advocacy, but also empathy, interpersonal skills, decision making, and leadership.

Step 1:

Write how you would tell your story from the perspective of land, people, and values. You can write solely from your experiences growing up or draw on what you know of your ancestors.

Step 2:

Find a partner or someone you’d like to get to know better and share your story to them from these perspectives. Have them relate their story as well.

Step 3:

After you both share, reflect back to each other the following:

When I was listening to your story, the parts that stood out to me were …

Because of your story, you bring the following gifts/perspectives to the world…

Step 4:

Write a reflection on how knowing other’s stories can help you to better understand, support, and advocate for them in the future.

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Activity: Negotiation

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / Sheri Smith

Negotiation is an essential skill in both personal and professional life, allowing us to reach agreements and find common ground with others. Effective negotiators use a range of strategies to achieve the best outcomes in challenging situations.

In this post, you’ll explore your own negotiation experiences and learn valuable techniques from the article “15 Diplomacy Strategies for Negotiations.” By reflecting on your past negotiation and identifying strategies to improve, you’ll build a stronger foundation for future success in negotiation.

The Goal

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.

Step 1:

Think of a recent situation in your life, either in or outside of school, that required you to negotiate with someone. What was the situation?

Negotiation Situation:

Step 2:

Read the article “15 Diplomacy Strategies for Negotiations” to learn specific strategies used by professional negotiators.

Step 3:

Reflect on the negotiation situation you described above. Which of the strategies mentioned in the article did you use when you negotiated that situation? Which strategies from the article did you not use, but might serve you well if a similar situation arises in the future?

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Activity: Management

Leave a Comment / Activities, Skills / Sheri Smith

Management is an art that blends strategy, empathy, and action. It's a journey that often begins without formal recognition, yet it influences countless lives and outcomes. You might not realize it, but you are likely managing people or projects every day, whether you're coordinating a community event, leading a volunteer team, or simply overseeing tasks in your daily life. Every interaction, every shared goal, and every delegated task is a reflection of your potential as a manager.

As you embark on this exploration of management skills, consider this your invitation to practice and grow. You don’t need a formal title to embrace your potential as a manager. By learning to delegate effectively and understand your unique management style, you can cultivate a more harmonious and productive atmosphere in both your personal and professional life. Let’s unlock the power of management together, starting with the first steps you can take today.

The Goal

The Goal: Develop a deeper understanding of your management style and improve your delegation skills, enabling you to lead more effectively and grow as confident, adaptable managers.

Step 1: Practice Delegation

You might already be “managing” more people that you realize. For example, if you hire someone to fix something for you or clean your apartment, you are in essence “managing” them. You might also be part of a volunteer or sports team where you have taken on a management role, without the formal title.

You cannot manage anyone without giving up control of something in your work or life. Can you think of some things you are currently doing that you might possibly delegate to someone else? Maybe part of a group project? Maybe a project around your home or dorm? Do you have a mentor or mentee you can delegate something to? Maybe even delegating making dinner one night to a friend?

Delegate a task to someone intentionally, then reflect on how well you guided and supported them to ensure the task was completed to your standards.

Step 2: Understand Your Management Style

All managers have different styles. Finding a style that is authentic to you is important. The Indigo report and the self-awareness you’ve gained is the perfect first step to articulating your management style.

Consider your DISC scores and write about how you see yourself acting as a manager. For example, someone who is High Dominance and Low Steadiness/Compliance might write “I’m a manager who has a direct style that will tend to miss communicating important details. I will make sure that the person I’m managing has all the information necessary to succeed and slow down enough to ask questions and provide a warm work environment.”

Step 3: Adapt and Grow Your Management Style

Once you’ve understood your management style, the next step is to adapt it to better suit the needs of your team and specific situations. Use your strengths while addressing any potential gaps. For instance, if you’re direct but tend to overlook details, make a conscious effort to slow down, communicate thoroughly, and ask for feedback regularly. Continually seek opportunities to improve how you manage, whether through training, feedback from your team, or personal reflection.

Activity: Management Read More »

Activity: Mentoring and Coaching

Leave a Comment / Activities, Skills / Sheri Smith

Feedback is more than just a formality; it's a vital part of personal and professional growth. Learning how to give and receive feedback effectively can transform our interactions, enhance our skills, and ultimately help us reach our collective goals. In this two-part activity, we will explore effective strategies for both giving and receiving constructive feedback, crucial skills for mentoring and coaching relationships.

Part 1 will guide you through the art of providing feedback in a way that is both supportive and actionable. Part 2 will focus on the importance of receiving feedback with an open mind, introducing the “Yes, And” approach to ensure you can integrate insights into your development.

By mastering these skills, you can foster an environment of continuous improvement and collaboration in any mentoring or coaching setting.

The Goal

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 1: Giving Feedback

Step 1:

In your Indigo Report, read the “Potential Weaknesses with Your Style,” “Do’s: How Other People Should Communicate With You,” and “Don’ts: … And How Other People Should Not Communicate With You” sections before jumping into this lesson. After reading these pages, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how your communication style influences your interactions with others, along with key tips to enhance how you connect based on your preferences. If you have a greater understanding of your own style, it will be much easier for you to effectively communicate with others.

Step 2:

Follow a “Sandwich Method” for providing constructive criticism: 1) start with a positive comment; 2) state the problem or constructive criticism; 3) give a helpful and positive suggestion for improvement.

Find another student who has taken Indigo. Look at the bottom of your own Skills list found in the middle of your Indigo Report. Since these skills are less developed, think of a time when you struggled in those areas.
Swap stories about when you struggled with a Bottom Skill. Remember to take note of the whole story, not just the negative aspects.
Give the other person a positive comment about their experience.
Next, articulate the main problem that held you back and caused you to struggle in that situation.
End with a helpful suggestion about how they could have positively solved the problem.

Note: Although subtle, this exercise teaches you to give constructive feedback in a positive light. By ending on a positive note, you equip the person receiving feedback with a tangible solution. This exercise also teaches problem solving through conversation.

Part 2: Receiving Feedback

Step 1:

In your Indigo Report, read the “Potential Weaknesses with Your Style,” and “Do’s and Don’ts of Communication” pages if you haven’t already. Then watch “Yes, And” on YouTube.

Step 2:

Read below to understand the “Yes, And” technique for receiving constructive feedback. This technique boils down to two core concepts: 1) finding something you like in the other person’s feedback and then, 2) finding something to add on to the feedback.

Find Something You Like: Start off by looking at the positive side of any suggestion or feedback. For example, suppose a friend challenges you to read ten books over the summer—but you hate reading. You could respond, “I agree that it’s important to keep learning, even outside of school.” This way, you are saying “yes” to the person’s idea, even if there are parts of the suggestion you don’t like.

Find something to add: Instead of arguing with the other person, go ahead and use their idea—with your own changes and style. For example, you might tell your friend, “I want to keep learning over the summer, and reading is boring to me. I want to be outside! What if we explore local parks and learn the names of all the trees and flowers?” You want to build on the original idea, not shoot it down. The key lies in taking the idea or suggestion and tailoring it to your own unique way of doing things.

Step 3:

Find another person to practice with. Begin with Part 1 of this lesson (The Sandwich Method). After the person provides positive feedback, respond to their idea with the “Yes, And” approach. Find something you like about the suggestion and then add to it with your own ideas and ways of doing things.

Activity: Mentoring and Coaching Read More »

Activity: Leadership

Leave a Comment / Activities, Skills / Sheri Smith

In the busyness of everyday life, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture: the purpose and potential that lie within you. Leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it's about knowing who you are, understanding your unique strengths, and shaping a vision for your life. This activity is designed to help you elevate your thinking, explore the essence of great leadership, and begin reflecting on the kind of leader you aspire to be.

Through this exercise, you’ll delve into inspiring leadership examples, examine their lessons, and begin shaping your own leadership message. By doing so, you'll start developing the mindset and style that aligns with your values and strengths, setting the stage for your unique contribution to the world. Ready to uncover your leadership potential? Let’s begin!

The Goal

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.

Step 1:

Watch a few videos of leaders in areas you care about. There are examples below, but feel free to supplement with your favorite TED talk / industry speaker / author / master at the mic. You could also find written pieces from leaders.

Step 2:

Answer one of the following two prompts in a 3-5 paragraph short essay: “What is the biggest take away from the video? Why is it important?” OR “How could you apply the speaker’s lessons to your life?”

Step 3:

Write a 3-5 paragraph short essay to answer: “What is YOUR lesson you want to teach the world as a leader?” Use the top 2 motivators or top 5 skills from your Indigo Summary Page to enhance your message.

Optional Add-On:

If you want to work on developing the skill of empathy, you could also write a third essay answering the question “How can you take what you learned to help make the world a better place?”

Activity: Leadership Read More »

Author name: Sheri Smith

This activity will help you design a customized system that aligns with your goals, using tools that fit your style. Dive in to create a personalized plan that turns ideas into action and transforms your approach to productivity!

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

At Indigo Education Company, we are committed to empowering individuals to discover their unique strengths, interests, and motivations, helping them make informed decisions about their career paths.

What is a RIASEC Model?

Aligning Indigo's Motivators with the RIASEC Model

Theoretical (Desire for Knowledge)

Utilitarian (Practicality and Efficiency)

Social (Service and Helping Others)

Individualistic (Independence and Recognition)

Aesthetic (Appreciation for Beauty and Harmony)

Traditional (Values and Beliefs)

Leveraging O*Net Resources for Career Exploration

References:

Presenting is a skill that blends preparation, self-awareness, and the ability to connect with your audience. Every great presenter started somewhere, and with each presentation, you’ll refine your approach and grow more confident.

Giving a compelling presentation is about more than just speaking in front of others—it’s about connecting with your audience and delivering your message with confidence and clarity.

In this activity, you'll gain insights into building powerful presentations, identify your strengths, and pinpoint areas for growth. Get ready to elevate your next presentation and communicate like a pro!

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

This activity takes you from understanding persuasion’s foundations to actively practicing it in real-life scenarios. Get ready to uncover how to harness persuasion in ways that resonate and inspire others!

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

In a world that’s becoming increasingly interconnected, understanding and practicing people advocacy is more crucial than ever. At the heart of effective advocacy is the ability to truly listen and comprehend the stories of those around us.

We all have unique stories, both of our own personal life and that of our ancestors. When we fully hear and understand each other’s stories, we know how to better advocate from a cultural and meaningful point of view.

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Negotiation is an essential skill in both personal and professional life, allowing us to reach agreements and find common ground with others. Effective negotiators use a range of strategies to achieve the best outcomes in challenging situations.

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

The Goal

Step 1: Practice Delegation

Step 2: Understand Your Management Style

Step 3: Adapt and Grow Your Management Style

Part 1 will guide you through the art of providing feedback in a way that is both supportive and actionable. Part 2 will focus on the importance of receiving feedback with an open mind, introducing the “Yes, And” approach to ensure you can integrate insights into your development.

By mastering these skills, you can foster an environment of continuous improvement and collaboration in any mentoring or coaching setting.

The Goal

Part 1: Giving Feedback

Step 1:

Step 2:

Part 2: Receiving Feedback

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

The Goal

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Optional Add-On: