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In Service Training
Whether at home or in the workplace, everyone has had to deal with difficult people. We’ve all had to manage 
multiple tasks at the same time as well. On February 23, 2010, AmeriCorps VISTA members had the opportunity to learn how to handle both as part of their in-service training.
David DeFord came to the William G. Faches Center in Cedar Rapids from the Omaha, Neb. area to present the two workshops in one day. He gives trainings across the United States and Canada on behalf of Mission, Kan.-based Fred Pryor Seminars and CareerTrack, and says the point of the day was to help VISTAs learn that they’re ultimately in control.
“When we talk about communication and dealing with difficult folks, they’re in control of their own emotions,” said DeFord. “When we talk about time management and goal achievement and all that kind of stuff, they’re in control.”
In the morning session, “Dealing with Difficult People,” DeFord helped the group identify the types of difficult behavior people come across, understand their own style of communication along with those of others, and determine how to better communicate with different types of people.
“When we listen, we can really do a lot more in the world,” he told the VISTAs.
After a lunch break, the focus shifted to “Managing Multiple Priorities,” where attendees learned how to arrange their schedule by priority so they can optimize their work effort, plus tips on handling interruptions, procrastination and stress.
VISTA members said they learned a lot in the course of the day about the topics at hand. Mark Huber, for example, found the seminar to be helpful, liking the emphasis on making priorities on tasks.
“A lot of the stuff on organization applies a lot to the job that we have here, it’s important to be organized,” said Huber, 27, of Calmar, IA.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Justin Novinger called the training a great time.
“I hope to be more understanding in the way I approach other people and make sure that I realize how my behavior or actions affect others. And I hope to run my day a little more efficiently,” said Novinger, who adds that he felt DeFord did a good job presenting the material in a humorous tone, “mixing jest into serious situations and helping everybody relate different concepts,” he said.
DeFord had some kind words about the VISTAs as well, telling them he was impressed with what they were doing.
“There aren’t that many people who end up spending a year or two at the beginning of their careers volunteering and learning how to help other folks, and so I think that’s really, really critical for people to learn,” he said. “It changes their lives and builds the foundation you can’t get any other way. And I do hope that they continue and not just use this as their time of service and then think that they’re done.”
By: Brian Siguenza