The Leadership Challenge Essay Example for Free

The Leadership Challenge Essay Challenges are what this book expands on, most especially, challenges pertaining to traditions and myths about leadership. Kouzes and Posner look at the issue of leadership and ask, What’s new, and what’s different? Through their research they conclude that even if the context has changed, the real meat of leadership remains the same. In their book The Leadership Challenge, the authors provide real examples of what true leaders really are and suggest that anyone can do the same and practice these principles so that they shine as leaders in their own spheres of work or activity. Written in 1987, many thought it would be one of those books on leadership but since it comes at a time when the world is undergoing a lot of changes and there is a big demand on excellence. The newest edition emphasize once again that the fundamentals of leadership, the very essence of what it means to be a good leader is the same today as it was two decades ago. Thus, they posit that â€Å"Leaders do exhibit certain distinct practices when they are doing their best. Good leadership is not only an understandable but also a universal process†¦and Leadership is not a private reserve of a few charismatic men and women. It is a process ordinary managers use when they are bringing forth the best from themselves and others.† Perhaps this is what makes the book a hit. The authors are able to hit the weak spot of readers as the challenge is brought out to everyone to do their best because being a true leader requires the very same characteristics that one may already be doing in his own field of work, yet just needs some honing. Thus, the context may change – like there are many modern things that had been changing globally, and in this aspect, leadership has changed dramatically; yet the very essence of leadership is still the same, such as the values and virtues that one cultivates in ordinary life. The book is divided into seven parts with thirteen (13) chapters. It helps that the authors are real leaders themselves. Consider this: Jim Kouzes is Chairman Emeritus of the Tom Peters Company and an Executive Fellow at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. Meanwhile, co-author Barry Posner is Dean of the Leavey School of Business and Professor of Leadership at Santa Clara University. They come up with a Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and other publications have made them the authors to beat. Part One of the book establishes the background of what leadership is all about. They challenge readers on how people can be made to follow leadership—that is, by free choice. Thus, they were able to identify five common practices common to most extraordinary leadership. They maintain that leaders do their best when they challenge, inspire, enable, model and encourage. Leaders interact well with their followers. Right from the start they provide real life examples such as that Tom Melohn who in a period of eight years increased the sales of the North American Tool and Die (NATD) by a factor of 5, increasing its pretax profits by 750 percent, and decreasing annual turnover from 27 percent to 4 percent. By year eight, NATD was ready to open a new plant which Melohn calls â€Å"Plant 20† receiving its ninth â€Å"vendor of the year† award. From there the authors analyze how Melohn did it considering that he could not even hammer a nail or screw the license plates onto his car, claiming he has never read a book on business since his studies focused on history. He was merely a peddler of packaged goods. He attributes his success because: â€Å"We set three objectives for NATD. First, we planned to from the company profitably. Second, to share the wealth among employees. And third, and equally critical, it was important to have fun—not just the two owners, but all our employees.† From this the authors dissect Melohn’s leadership capabilities within the company. It is in these examples, peppered all throughout the book, which makes The Leadership Challenge a great read. Readers are able to identify with the true-to-life examples of ordinary men and women who did their best to make their lives and those of others memorable. The quality and type of leadership depends, in part, on the attitude or stance of the organizational head. The general outlook of companies with regards to community service and mitigation of negative externalities may have originated from its founder. Leadership is a primary aspect of management, and an effective leader is someone who knows how to motivate the colleagues to act for the attainment of goals. Good leadership will empower employees to become collaborators in the programs. A holistic organizational participation thus dispels the notion that innovations of management are just personal whims of the managers. Good leadership is a response to the changing attitude and values of the clients and the society, and to get obstinately stuck in the old notion of sheer profit-making is placing one’s self under the risks of being static. Thus, the authors explain that once successful companies are no longer successful because they have become static along the way when they failed to change and adapt. The authors also underscore that successful leaders have well-designed strategy for planned change. Good leaders also possess well-planned out strategies which are major courses of action adhered to by an organization in order to meet its goals. They are the company’s methods of responding to threat and opportunities. Their philosophies, programs, practices and decisions, must be in line with the other systems and activities of the organization. Good leaders possess good business ethics, in that it is the ultimate act of deviating from the former exploitative system of capitalism and industrialization. Balancing between strategic logic and social involvement with tangible projects may actually be an implementation of ethic’s moral rights model. Yet the authors provide readers with excellent examples of a leadership model which is not based on power. Rather, it is based on the tools that leaders use to encourage people to be involved in accomplishing the company’s goals by making â€Å"extraordinary things happen,† as the authors refer to. Prominent in each chapter are examples of leaders who were able to overcome crisis situations. The authors maintain that knowledge is not the sole capability of the leaders. They argue that knowledge is distributed in all levels of the organization and that in order for the organization to benefit from the knowledge of the other men and women in it, they must be empowered well. Thus they state that it is not a matter of making people feel that they are part of the company. Rather it is a matter of making people part of it. Thus, it is not based on feeling. There is more a reaching out of leaders to these employees such that they are encouraged to be true followers pursuing the goals of the organization. Finally, the authors argue that empowerment of all members is very important in making changes more effective. The more involved people are in the process of change, the more effective the change will be and the more lasting it will be for the company Good leaders today enhance their ability to influence their subordinates in order to facilitate efficient decision making process within the organization. This means enhanced strategies in motivating and influencing employees to achieve their tasks. The core need for good leaders is to have the ability to communicate well with employees their roles in the accomplishment of organizational goals and targets. There are lots of valuable leadership forms in the book which many leaders could use. They represent the most effective and the least effective leadership strategy. The issues of motivation are also delved into in the book and this is the prime mover for many workers. Workers need affirmation that what they are doing is correct and exceptional. The inability of the leader to convey the message that job is well done only demoralizes them. This invokes feelings of uselessness and diminishing self-worth eventually giving no incentive to perform a good job anymore. To be extremely coercive is not an effective communication tool for workers would not be able to confirm their role in the over-all design to achieve the goals. The authors end the book with the Leadership Practices Inventory which was developed to empirically measure the conceptual framework developed in the case studies of managers’ personal best experiences as leaders. This puts a nail in the many concepts that they posit in the entire book. Today, there are researches that investigate how the inventory is related to other independent measures of managerial effectiveness.

Technology usage and the knowledge of tools

Technology usage and the knowledge of tools Technology  is the usage and knowledge of  tools, techniques,  crafts,  systems  or methods of organisation  (Merriam-Webster). It has brought the revolution in the business world. It has brought the business around the world under a common and concrete platform. It has eliminated the business practices to be restricted to a single place. Now the clients and the companies have open interface of interaction, they can effectively communicate with each other for example even sitting at home, aeroplanes or from any corner of the world. With the advancement of the technology and innovation of new methods of communication like Wireless Technology has further given birth to the information systems management process which has removed the barriers to all the information flow and its management. It has aligned the pace of technology to business complexity while creating the bridge between the growth of commerce and trade around the world. It has transformed the barter trade era to very agile billion dollars e-business industry, from research and development, projection of any business, production to the delivery of any sort of business services is controlled and channelled by the conjunction of various form of technology aligned together. With the origin of information system it has made the business needs and expansion of various small and bigger enterprises very transparent and at a very low cost, enhancing their capabilities to handle, record and retain the information like employee and clients profiles more accurately while removing the possibilities of human error and dependency. For example companys like Amazon and Dell has elevated the idea of globalisation into a reality with the use of technology. According to Jagdish et al (2004), Globalisation  describes the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a global network of communication, transportation, and trade. They were are able to reach out to customers globally and deliver their products at the doorsteps while making informed decisions, tracking the customers pattern while using internet to broaden their markets research more appropriately. As the result of technological innovation, the real cost of information processing and communication have fallen dramatically. It helped to manage and create globally dispersed production system while orchestrating globalisation of their products. Considering technology in transportation, with the development of commercial jets and the introduction of containerisation has revolutionised the transportation business while lowering the cost of shipping goods over long distance. For example the fresh fruits and flowers can be sold in various parts of the world despite its origin of growth at any place. Furthermore the introduction of Semi Automatic Business Research Environment (SABRE) system, airlines, hotels, railways, tour companies and millions of customers worldwide where connected for the quick seats bookings, travel information, fasters and accurate payments options (Computerworld, September 2002). According to Catel et al (1990), technology and its effective management of global supply chain, with introduction of electronic data interchange (edi), it has connected suppliers, manufacturers, shippers, and customers, eliminated the time delays and paperwork, while increasing the flexibility and responsiveness along with decentralising the effective management decisions in the hands of particular unit. Emails have further made every communication very instantaneous and with outsourcing, many companies have reduced its operational cost. Companies like Wal- Mart used the technology to solve logistics problems, created new channels to market to identify and track sales on individual items. Super markets like Tescos have equipped their staff with a wireless device which provides them with the data of the products available to be sold on the shop shelves and what is stored in the stockrooms. It has eliminated the manual checks required to be carried out, hence providing the employees competitive advantage to provide effective customer services (The Times, 26th march, 2002). Considering the role of technology in banking sector (Ilyas-Ur Rahman, 2007) it has transformed the phase of the retail banking while incorporating anytime and anywhere baking facilities. It has increased the reliability and revolutionised the financial activities like global funds transfers across the world in few seconds. Technology has further introduced net and mobile banking facilities for its customers. Banks consider technology to be its lead factor to sustain itself in the market to retain the competitive position across various geographical locations. Technology has improved customers services in bank, helped private sector banks to achieve economies of Scale while communicating data at low cost and efficient way. Technology has created the strong impact on profitability, competitive pressure and customer needs. Therefore, technology is the key to evaluate performance, identify areas of problems, plan and restructure future strategies in each and every component of a business activity. Thus the application of advanced technology and information system tools is to get desired in depth data which is vital to interpret, evaluate for decision making process, prior to overhaul, restructure and to rejuvenate organisations for becoming efficient business models. The focus will be to capitalise on voids for developing and exploiting new market opportunities in every kind of economic environment even before the competition emerges.

Prejudice In To Kill A Mocking :: essays research papers

To Kill A Mockingbird   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is a story of racial injustice, sexism, and many other types of prejudice. Perhaps the most obvious form of prejudice found in the novel is racism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tom Robinson was a hardworking, charitable person, who always put the needs of others above his own, but because of his skin colour. He was chosen as a target of racial prejudice, by those too ignorant to recognize his kindness, and care for all those around him. The 35-year-old, husband of three would never hurt a soul.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tom Robinson was found guilty and convicted by an all white jury for a crime he did not commit, the rape of Mayella Ewell, on the night of November the 21st . The trial, and death of Tom Robinson is just one instance of racial prejudice found in the novel, but maybe one of the strongest issues of racism which exists. Atticus Finch once said, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird (Lee 90).'; So why did death come to Tom Robinson, such a kind hearted loving person, whose only true sin was pity for a white woman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many other instances in To Kill A Mockingbird where racism is clearly shown. When Aunt Alexandra makes her first appearance in the novel, she says to Calpurnia, “Put my bags in the front bedroom, Calpurnia (Lee 127).'; This shows the lack of respect and feeling of superiority that Aunt Alexandra has for Calpurnia, because of the colour of her skin.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The inhabitants of the small Southern town of Maycomb are so unaware of their words that racism and racial slander has become a ‘normal’ everyday thing, children grow seeing nothing wrong in being racist.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Racial slander is so commonly used that it is clearly seen that even the author of the novel does not realize the wrong in it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sexism is also shown throughout the novel. “Atticus,'; he said, “why don’t people like us and Miss Maudie ever sit on juries? You never see anybody from Maycomb on a jury-they all come from out in the woods.'; Atticus leaned back in his rocking chair. For some reason he looked pleased with Jem. “I was wondering when that’d occur to you,'; he said. “There are lots of reasons. For one thing, Miss Maudie can’t serve on a jury because she’s a woman.'; “You mean women in Alabama can’t-?'; I was indignant. “I do. I guess it’s to protect our frail ladies from sordid cases like Tom’s.

What Knowledge Should be Conveyed in Our Public Schools? :: Teaching Education

What Knowledge Should be Conveyed in Our Public Schools? Education has always been an indispensable part of our lives. Through out the centuries there was a problem in specifying who can attend to school, for example women were not allowed to do it, but luckily this obstacle has already been overcome, and this matter is beyond dispute. However, there is another dilemma, one that has not been solved yet. The question is what knowledge should be conveyed in the process of teaching – should schools communicate only erudite theory, or should they also have other aspirations? Naturally, there are different points of view on this case. The first cause to approve the fact that academies ought to have additional aims in tutoring is that they play an important part in bringing young generations up. It is said that parents are those who are to raise their children, but indisputably school is the place where youth spend most of their time. Hence, it is a good place for passing on the information that will help juvenility live their future lives. Consider the example of having sexual education at school, a dilemma which is at issue nowadays. The subject is not easily brought up and this results in the fact that young people leaving school know more about the reproduction of protozoa than about sexual and psychological aspects of human’s lives. This may cause tremendous problems. But the case of having sexual education at school is not the only matter. The truth is that the strict academic knowledge itself is usually useless in real life, and so it may not be worth paying attention to it. Let us be honest – who needs to know when two trains setting off from two different cities and moving with a different speed will meet? People should be better thought to fill in the gaps on a cheque or thousands of other blanks instead of learning all those worthless things. Nevertheless, there are also reasons for concentrating only on academic facts in schooling. First of all, schools were created exactly for that purpose. The world is spinning faster and faster, and people should concentrate on expanding their wisdom in order to survive in this reality. Our world needs more and more specialists in different domains and, frankly, people have to be the best to achieve anything, and gaining knowledge in maths, physics and other subjects helps young people make a success.

Behind Convicts Eyes by Cerceral Prison Essay -- Behind Convicts Ey

"Behind a Convict's Eyes" by K.C. Cerceral Introduction This paper is about the book 'Behind a Convict's Eyes' by K.C. Cerceral. This book was written by a young man who enters prison on a life sentence and describes the world around him. Life in prison is a subculture of its own, this subculture has its own society, language and cast system. The book describes incidents that have happen in prison to inmates. With this paper I will attempt to explain the way of life in a prison from an inmate's view. Understanding Prison Life After reading the book I have gained a new understanding of what inmates think about in prison. Working in an institution, I have a certain cynical attitude at times with inmates and their requests. Working in a reception facility, this is a facility where inmates are brought in from the county jails to the state intake facility, we deal with a lot of requests and questions. At times, with the phone ringing off the hook from family members and inmates with their prison request forms, you get a little cynical and tired of answering the same questions over and over. As I read the book I begin to understand some of the reason for the questions. Inmate(s) now realize that the officers and administrative personnel are in control of their lives. They dictate with to get up in the morning, take showers, eat meals, go to classes, the need see people for different reason, when to exercise and when to go to bed. The lost of control over their lives is a new experience for some and they would l ike to be able to adjust to this new lost of freedom. Upon understanding this and in reading the book, I am not as cynical as I have been and try to be more patient in answering questions. So in a way I have changed some of my thinking and understanding more of prison life. Describe Strategies and Compare with Voices from the Field Some of the adaptation strategies used by ?Anonymous? and the other inmates in prison where to use nicknames to feel more individual and unique. Being in prison can cause you to lose your identity as a person, most inmates are known by numbers. Another strategy was to conform to the schedule of the prisons. You can not eat when you want, shower, get up, go to recreation and go to bed. Everyone has a schedule and working with this schedules helps to learn how to cope. Also Anonymous and other inmates would take cla... ...y. As the book showed ?dad yells and blames everyone, mom yells at the kids, the older children yell at the younger children, and the youngest child kicks the cat.? (Carceral, 2004, pp. 200). The youngest child is not able to understand what is really going on and feels worthless and not loved without conditions. This child will turn to where they will get attention. This can lead to undesirable associates and into crime. As the child grows older, and has children of this/her own the syndrome is passed on. Conclusion I have to say the reading gave me a different outlook on what inmates? do and think while in prison. They become a number not a person and do have needs that have to be address. Addressing these needs will help in running an institution smoothly and more safely. Finally Anonymous makes a powerful statement in the writing of this book on some policies that should be changed in prisons. I really enjoyed reading this book and having maybe a new outlook in dealing with inmates. References Carceral, K.C., (2004), Behind a Convict?s Eyes, Wadsworth, Thomson Learning Schmid, Thomas & Jones, Richard, (2001), Voices from the Field, Wadsworth, Thomson Learning

Precis: Graphic Design Theory “Design and Reflexivity”

Precis: Graphic Design Theory â€Å"Design and Reflexivity† by Jan van Toorn, 1994. Verbal and Visual Rhetoric, University of Baltimore Publication Design Master's Program, Spring, 2011 Dutch graphic designer Jan van Toorn is known for his radical ideas about what the function of design should be, and what qualities designers should possess and promote with their designs. Van Toorn’s distinctive style is messy, peculiar, and deeply interwoven with political and cultural messages, unapologetic with their intent to force critical thinking upon viewers.Van Toorn advocates design which encourages the viewer to reach their own conclusions, insisting that designers shouldn’t function as objective bystanders, but instead, designers have an important contribution to make. Design is a form of visual journalism and van Toorn urges designers to take responsibility for their role as â€Å"journalists. † Van Toorn begins his argument by stating that all professions con tain a certain level of schizophrenia––inescapable contradictions, including graphic design, which must balance the interest of the public with the interests of the client and the general expectations of the media profession.To survive, design must â€Å"strive to neutralize these inherent conflicts of interest by developing a mediating concept aimed at consensus [†¦. ] to accepting the world image of the established order as the context for its own action. † (Page 102, first paragraph) By reconciling the differences of various ideals and opinions, and establishing a cultural norm, design develops a â€Å"practical and conceptual coherence† in mass media, thereby legitimizing itself––legitimized â€Å"in the eyes of the social order, which, in turn is confirmed and legitimized by the contributions that design make to symbolic production. (Page 102, second paragraph) The cultural industry, comprised of corporations, the wealthy, the edu cated, and the powerful elite, dictate to the rest of society what is popular, distasteful, and overall socially acceptable, imprisoning design in a false sense of reality. Design becomes stagnant as it conforms to the ideals put forth by the ruling class. Van Toorn refers to this stagnation as â€Å"intellectual impotence† and designers tend to deal with it in two ways.Designers either resist the assimilation into popular culture by attempting to redefine or â€Å"renew the vocabulary† or they integrate smoothly into the â€Å"existing symbolic and social order. † (Page 103, first paragraph) The lines separating these two approaches have become blurred with the rise of post-modernism and proliferation of niche marketing, as competitors try to distinguish themselves. Van Toorn observes that â€Å"official design continues to be characterized by aesthetic compulsiveness and/or by a patriarchal fixation or reproductive ordering. (Page 103, second paragraph) Van T oorn then begins to examine what he refers to as â€Å"symbolic productions,† specifically ads, commercials, etc. , which misrepresent reality. These symbolic productions are ideological instruments, serving private interest in the guise of a universal one. (Page 103, last paragraph) The so-called â€Å"dominant culture† doesn’t serve to integrate different social classes; rather, it contributes to the facade of an integrated society, by forcing all other cultures to define themselves by an established set of rules, fostering a â€Å"communicative dependency. (Page 104, first paragraph) Van Toorn argues that everyday life is falsely represented and causes tension between ethics and symbolism. In order to make what van Toorn refers to as an â€Å"oppositional cultural production,† the designer must take care not to create a specific alternative to an established convention, but to simply present it in a creative and new way, while keeping the universally accepted concept intact.A designer’s opportunity to upset the status quote can only be sought when a political or ideological shift is underway, which results in â€Å"creating new public polarities,† usually targeting real social problems. (Page 104, last paragraph) Now the designer can encourage an oppositional stance, one that goes against the communicative order. The ultimate goal of this approach is to evoke questions and reflection among the public and encourage a more pragmatic view of reality, forcing them to identify their own needs and desires.Van Toorn cautions that despite the ever-changing nature of culture, design has to be â€Å"realistic in its social ambitions. † (Page 105, paragraph 3) The awareness of the unstable relationship between the symbolic and the real world requires a high level of discernment and critical thinking ability. Design must recognize â€Å"substance, program, and style as ideological constructions, as expressions of restr icted choices that only show a small sliver of reality in mediation. † (Bottom of page 105, to top of page 106)

Food Safety Essay

1.1 Health and Safety at work Act 1974 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999 Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulation 1981 include amendment on 2009 The Electricity at Work regulations 1989 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 Communicable diseases and infection control Working Time Regulations 1998 Care Standard Act 2000 Control of exposure to Hazardous to Health 1999 Food Safety Act 1990 and Food Hygiene Regulations 2005. Environmental Protection Act 1990. 1.2 The health and safety at work act 1974 is the main piece of legislation that covers employees for health and safety in the workplace. The main points of health and safety policies and procedures agreed with the employer are, minimal moving and handling, ensuring any materials or equipment is stored away safely. To be aware of any hazards and to minimise risk, also to be responsible for your own safety as well as others. Ensure you are wearing the correct PPE equipment when needed. 1.3 Take reasonable care of my own health and safety If possible avoid wearing jewellery or loose clothing if operating machinery If I have long hair or wear a headscarf, make sure it’s tucked out of the way so as not to get it caught in machinery or moving parts To take reasonable care not to put other people – fellow employees and members of the public – at risk by what I do or don’t do in the course of my work To co-operate with my employer, making sure I get all of the relevant training and understand and follow the company’s health and safety policies Not to interfere with or misuse anything that’s been provided for my health, safety or welfare To report any injuries, strains or illnesses I may suffer as a result of doing your job To tell my employer if something happens that might affect my ability to work, as my employer has a legal responsibility for my  health and safety. 1.4 Employers have legal duties to give health and safety information and training to all employees. Training should include all the risks that employees are exposed to and the precautions needed. It is usual for all new staff to be given induction training on joining the home care service. The training should make clear the areas of activity home carers should and should not undertake and should also give guidance on appropriate footwear and clothing. Where the risk assessment identifies that such clothing is required to protect staff from hazards they should be provided and maintained at no cost to members. Induction programmes must also include health and safety training and should cover: †¢ Manual handling †¢ Infection control †¢ Fire procedures †¢ First aid †¢ Basic hygiene †¢ Food preparation, storage and hygiene †¢ Dealing with emergency situations †¢ The use of protective clothing and/or equipment. UNISON safety representatives have the right to be consulted on the type and level of health and safety training and information developed or offered to members. In addition to the induction, training should be given to employees when: †¢ There is a transfer of job, a change in clients or changes in responsibility †¢ New equipment is used, †¢ There are changes in work methods. Employers must also provide information for employees, that is easy to understand and which is relevant. Information for people find it difficult understanding or reading English should also be considered. 3.1 Different types of accidents in my work setting could range from burning myself on hot liquid or chemicals, getting body parts caught in machinery, tripping over, right through to being attacked by someone with challenging  behaviour. Sudden illnesses could be sickness and diarreha, flu, right through to any disease a service user or college may have. 3.2 If an accident or sudden illness occurs then first thing to do, if necessary, would be to call for appropriate help. Any accident must be reported to on call and also recorded in the accident book which is located at every house. The form which has been completed should then be taken to management. An investigation should be held to determine whether the accident was preventable and seek a solution to fix the hazard. Any illnesses should be reported immediately to on call and employees should not come into work but instead seek medical advice and obtain a sick not if necessary. When a service user becomes ill then on call should be called to seek further advice on what should be done. 4.1 My own role in supporting others to prevent the spread of infection is to set a good example, always wearing the appropriate PPE, using COSHH and advising others when they aren’t sure. Also if I see others who may not be carrying out necessary precautions I will advise them appropriately. 5.1 EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE 90/269 on manual handling, introduced on 31st December 1992 and adopted in Britain as the MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS REGULATIONS. SECTIONS 2 AND 7 OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT (HASAWA) 1974 5.2 Always bend your knees when lifting any object, and ensure to keep the object close to the body when lifting. Never lift over 25kg by yourself but ask for help when needed. The individuals support plan must be read and followed closely, whilst following all the risk assessments. Ensure all the lifting equipment used has been checked and the test is in date before use.. 6.1 Hazardous substances come in many different forms; Chemicals, like cleaning products and rodent repellent can be a hazard. Others are forms of human waste, like bodily fluid, faeces, saliva and blood. Some hazardous substances may not be listed on COSHH, for example asbestos, although may be present in the environment. 7.1 Fit smoke alarms that have a BS kite mark, ensure they are tested at least once a month and batteries are replaced annually. Always use proper candle holders, and ensure any candles are lit away from any potentially flammable substances. Keep heaters away from furniture and never place anything on the heater. Always ensure there is a fixed fireguard around any open fire. It is good practice to switch off and unplug unnecessary appliances before going to bed. Always use the correct fuses in plugs and avoid using mult way extensions. The best way to stop a fire spreading is to keep all doors closed, especially bedroom doors. Keep all flammable liquids and gasses locked away in a cool place. 7.3 In the event of a fire at work the alarm should be raised immediately. People in the building should leave immediately via the nearest fire exit and should assemble at the designated assembly point.. The fire service should be called as soon as possible. Everyone should be accounted for as soon as possible and no one should be allowed back into the building for any reason. 8.3 It is important others are aware of your own whereabouts for emergency reasons. If there is a fire and no one knows you are in the building then the consequences could be severe. 9.1 Cognitive Symptoms Memory problems Inability to concentrate Poor judgment Seeing only the negative Anxious or racing thoughts Constant worrying Emotional Symptoms Moodiness Irritability or short temper Agitation, inability to relax Feeling overwhelmed Sense of loneliness and isolation Depression or general unhappiness Physical Symptoms Aches and pains Diarrhea or constipation Nausea, dizziness Chest pain, rapid heartbeat Loss of sex drive Frequent colds Behavioural Symptoms Eating more or less Sleeping too much or too little Isolating yourself from others Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities Using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax Nervous habits (e.g. nail biting, pacing) 9.2 Signs that indicate own stress could be lack of sleep, high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, nausea, bad sleeping pattern, unable to cope with everyday living, having excessive time on sick leave, not eating enough, or eating too much. Other signs include mood swings, violent outburst, sudden weight loss or gain. 9.3 Unrealistic workloads and targets, poor time management, people with unrealistic expectations of yourself. Heavy workload can trigger my own  stress as it causes me to worry about how I will complete the workload on time and to a satisfactory standard. To overcome this I can ensure I prioritise the workload and ensure I complete one piece of work before moving on to the next, to maximise efficiency. Poor time management can trigger stress because I don’t like to be unreliable. Managing this by leaving earlier. People having unrealistic expectations of me makes me feel like I should be performing or acting in a way that I would not be able to comfortably operate. To overcome this I let people know when I feel they may be expecting too much from me. 9.4 2 strategies to be compared are; 1.Taking 5 minutes out to get away from the situation. 2.Trying to resolve the situation immediately in the same stressful situation. The first strategy allows for the person to get away from the stress triggers, which allows for the person to be able to calmly think about how they can resolve or help the situation at hand. This also allows for the person to make more informed and sensible decisions and may be more effective to solving the problem The second strategy, although it may work at times, is not as effective as the first as the person is still in the situation that triggered the stress and therefor may not be able to make an effective decision or come up with an efficient and effective solution.