Former Community – We Moved
🆕 Coached community here, for posts & feedback public community here.
Is a certification offered after completing PU?
Hello D.,
That's a good question.
In short: right now, no.
Why so far there is no certificate
The reasons why no, so far:
- I wondered about the public use of certification: A certificate on "power dynamics mastery" / "understanding power" hung on a wall might raise some suspicion from people, so it can become a double-edged sword
- It requires one more plugin/software: from a technical point of view, I seek to keep the website as lean as possible, and so far I considered the certificate "not critical enough" to have its own dedicate software
- Personal bias: I tend to focus more on actual results delivered, rather than on the "piece of paper". Even the university degree certificate, to me it always meant little
BUT... That might change soon.
Why there might be a certificate in the future
The reasons why there might be a certificate soon include:
- In some professions, the public certificate can add value: imagine you visit a lawyer's office as a customer, thinking of whether or not you should hire him. Then the "Power University" certificate makes you more likely to want to hire him
- Provides one more added stimulus to finish the course: knowing there is a (however small) prize at the end can stimulate people to stick to the course
- It can provide an emotional high: there is always some emotional pleasure in finishing something. And a certificate that "officializes" your completion can add more pleasure to those who see it through until the end
Plus, it might be also a good move from a marketing perspective.
So if things change, I'll update here (plus probably write it on the course sales page).
Hello,
In a democratic setting I would vote against it. It defeats the purpose. This is PERSONAL development. So it’s not something that you display socially or publicly. I think it would even defeat the purpose. It would be like if you go to dating/pick up bootcamps and then during the date you would show the certificate to your date.
I agree with Lucio, this is skill-based, real-World, results-oriented material. Yes, these are marketable skills but just like dating (sex), power is a taboo in most societies. You can only talk about it in small trusted circles. And still...
At the beginning because I was so excited I was telling my friends about this course. Not anymore. This is one of my secret weapons.
Be it. Don’t talk about it.
Thank you for sharing, John!
Glad to hear other opinions as well, if there are any.
Don't see the problem with offering it as optional. From a biz model view. Yes the site could definitely become a monster as material accumulates. I wouldn't want one. I prefer the nasty and more subtle players (e.g. who attack by proxy) to think they have me fooled.
Thank you Transitioned!
Resuming this old thread to see if there are new opinions:
Anyone would like to see (or don't like to see) a certificate of completion?
To me the "certificate of completion" gives a feeling of "child play".
It's the same with the certificates LinkedIn offers for completed "LinkedIn learning" courses.
Expanding on that: it's not so much the fact that the certificate is available that's the issue. It's using it or putting it online that gives a feeling of "not being mature".
That said, people using the "TPM" certificate could even be free advertisement for TPM.
Thank you, Bel!
Yes, I agree with you that many certificates are babying, as in "and if you finish it, here's the little candy you can feel proud about, and even show it for more status points (from other babies)".
On the other hand, I'd also tie the value of the certificate, and how "babying and useless it is", to the quality and results of the product.
Many Linkedin learning courses are basic, brief, and largely useless for anyone higher than the very beginner stage.
For a longer, more challenging, higher quality product that does improve someone's effectiveness in the world -and probably at their job-, it may be different.
That it further spreads PU and that it may motivate some people to follow through is also a great bonus, as you mention.
And then, there is a further "WIIFM" for the certificate holder that I had originally in mind:
Example: using the certificate to bond, display value, give value & sell
Example:
10 years from now someone walks into your practice.
They come talking directly to you because they're very wealthy and only want to deal straight with the boss and top lawyer.
As it's often a good idea, you also talk a bit about yourself and your personal life, not just work.
And he happens to ask about that "Power University certificate" hanging on the wall.
Now you get the chance to bond and connect even more, potentially share a good resource with him to learn and grow (a give, for you), and to further display how you take your learning and development seriously, and sub-communicate that such a resource likely also made you more effective as a lawyer.
I agree with the points you make, and I would find it useful in certain work environments to have such a certificate. But from my perspective, "understanding power" and "power dynamics mastery" sound a little odd to normal people who don't know TPM. As a customer, employee, or boss, I would think: what the hell is a course on understanding power dynamics? …and more importantly, is this person a threat to me (in terms of my own career)? You might make people more reserved and distrustful of you. As a possible middle way, I would focus more on interpersonal, communication and social skills instead, which are also part of Power University. That just has a more sympathetic touch and sounds less aggressive.
- I wondered about the public use of certification: A certificate on "power dynamics mastery" / "understanding power" hung on a wall might raise some suspicion from people, so it can become a double-edged sword
