8 Leadership Tips from Real Leaders

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

We surveyed dozens of leaders from various fields (business, medicine, military, government) and asked them for their recommendations for successful leadership. We organized and categorized these suggestions into the top eight tips, and then we asked our leaders for their illustrative anecdotes. The result is 8 Leadership Tips from Real Leaders -- practical advice from people who know!

Course Content

Introduction: Advice from real leaders
Part 1: Reflect Integrity
Part 2: Demonstrate Respect
Part 3: Take Responsibility and Delegate Responsibility
Part 4: Define the Mission
Part 5: Listen Carefully
Part 6: Communicate Clearly
Part 7: Share Your Passion for the Work
Part 8: Recognize Team Members
Part 9: Conclusion
Summary

Accountability

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course will teach you the techniques to manage employees for maximum results--either individually or as a team. Employees who feel a sense of "ownership" in their organization and their work are more responsible and productive. After completing this course, you will have the critical skills to increase employee self-confidence and success, establish positive expectations and rapport, delegate effectively to get the results you need, and strengthen communication and trust through active listening.

Course Content

Part 1: The Case for Accountability

• Getting Work Done Through Others
• Gathering Feedback

Part 2: The Manager/Employee Relationship

• Establishing Positive Expectations
• Creating Rapport
• Using the Pacing Technique
• Improving Listening Skills
• Common Responses and Their Risks
• Defusing Emotion Through Active Listening
• Lessening Employee Dependency
• Developing Relationship Contracts

Part 3: Leadership & Management Skills

• Defining Leadership
• Setting Goals to Communicate Your Vision
• Involving Employees to Create Buy-In
• Determining the Action Steps
• Empowering Employees Through Delegating
• Recovering and Learning from Mistakes

Part 4: Communication Tools That Build Accountability

• Matching Personality Type
• Communicating Win-Win Messages
• Giving Strokes to Get Results
• Confronting Unacceptable Behavior
• Performing a Relationship Audit

Part 5: Follow-Up Ideas for Skill Development

• Maintain Your Momentum
• Establish an Action Plan
• Reward Yourself
• Continue to Work at It

Advanced Interpersonal Communication

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course teaches students about interpersonal communication styles and techniques. Students learn how to ask and answer questions, use nonverbal communication, give feedback, and empower employees. Students also learn how to communicate with individuals who hold different positions in an organization, such as peers, supervisors, subordinates, and customers/vendors. Course activities also cover promoting ideas, handling negotiations, and dealing with human resource issues. Students identify an organization's culture, discuss how communication can perpetuate a culture, define a cultural network, and explore ways to take advantage of a cultural network.

Course Content

Unit 1: Communication styles and methods
Topic A: Communication styles
Topic B: Verbal and nonverbal communication

Unit 2: First impression and building rapport
Topic A: The importance of first impression
Topic B: Communicating to build rapport
Topic C: Building positive relationships

Unit 3: Building relationships through feedback
Topic A: Importance of providing feedback
Topic B: Providing feedback

Unit 4: Supervisors
Topic A: Understanding supervisor styles
Topic B: Handling human resource issues

Unit 5: Colleagues and subordinates
Topic A: Communicating with colleagues
Topic B: Communicating with subordinates

Unit 6: Customers and vendors
Topic A: Communicating with customers
Topic B: Communicating with vendors

Unit 7: Organizational culture
Topic A: Understanding organizational cultures
Topic B: Cultural networks
Topic C: Managing physical culture
Topic D: Managing emotional culture

Appraising Performance

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

Appraising Performance provides an overview of the basics of conducting performance appraisals. It provides guidelines and best practices for evaluating and improving the work performance of employees, thereby increasing quality and productivity.

Course Objectives

• Establish performance expectations so that desired work results are achieved in accordance with the organization's values and quality standards.
• Write a performance appraisal so that it reflects an objective evaluation of the individual's work performance.
• Prepare for a performance appraisal discussion so that there are no barriers for an effective discussion.
• Conduct a performance appraisal so that mutual understanding and cooperation is achieved and a realistic development plan to improve future performance is prepared.
• Follow up on a performance appraisal so that future performance meets expectations.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Establishing Performance Expectations
Topic 1A: Appraise Performance
Topic 1B: Manage Performance
Topic 1C: Establish Performance Expectations

Lesson 2: Writing a Performance Appraisal
Topic 2A: Avoid Common Performance Rating Errors
Topic 2B: Gather Appraisal Information
Topic 2C: Rate Performance
Topic 2D: Ensure Legal Compliance

Lesson 3: Preparing for the Appraisal Discussion
Topic 3A: Prepare the Individual
Topic 3B: Arrange the Logistics
Topic 3C: Prepare Yourself

Lesson 4: Conducting the Performance Appraisal Discussion
Topic 4A: Discuss Your Ratings and Comments
Topic 4B: Resolve Performance Problems
Topic 4C: Cope with Discussion Difficulties
Topic 4D: Plan for the Future

Lesson 5: Following Up
Topic 5A: Evaluate the Effectiveness of the Appraisal Discussion
Topic 5B: Communicate Frequently
Topic 5C: Provide Ongoing Feedback and Coaching

Business Ethics

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of business ethics. Students learn about the decision-making process to solve ethical dilemmas, understanding barriers and consequences when making ethical decisions, and the process for blowing the whistle when unethical situations arise. Course activities also cover identifying common managerial ethical issues, being proactive with ethical issues, addressing subordinates' ethical issues, identifying causes of unethical behavior, recognizing unethical behavior, and ending unethical behavior in the workplace. Students will also learn about organizational ethical principles, and the four categories of corporate social responsibility. Finally, students will learn how to develop a code of ethics and execute an internal ethical audit.

Course Content

Unit 1: Ethical decisions
Topic A: Basics of business ethics
Topic B: Making ethical decisions

Unit 2: Whistle-blowing
Topic A: Whistle-blowing criteria and risks
Topic B: The whistle-blowing process

Unit 3: Managerial ethics
Topic A: Ethical management
Topic B: Subordinates' ethical issues

Unit 4: Unethical behavior
Topic A: Recognizing unethical behavior
Topic B: Ending unethical behavior

Unit 5: Organizational ethics
Topic A: Organizational ethics basics
Topic B: Ethical principles
Topic C: Ethical safeguards
Topic D: Corporate social responsibilities

Change Management for Managers

Course Length: ½ Day

Course Description

With constantly shifting global economies and technological developments, businesses are constantly changing to exploit opportunities. Companies no longer have the luxury of remaining the same. Therefore, managers must constantly prepare for and implement change, guiding their employees through periods of transition. This course is intended for middle management, especially those with direct reports, who are responsible for managing organizational change and maintaining employee performance.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Plan for change.
• Learn to communicate change.
• Manage the impact of change on your team members.
• Successfully implement changes at work.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Planning for Change
Topic 1A: Analyze the Process of Change
Topic 1B: Identify Barriers to Change
Topic 1C: Determine Available Support

Lesson 2: Communicating Change
Topic 2A: Utilize Adopters of Change
Topic 2B: Communicate Change
 
Lesson 3: Managing the Initial Impact of Change
Topic 3A: Educate Employees on the Change Process
Topic 3B: Implement Strategies to Deal with Stress
Topic 3C: Cope with Fear
 
Lesson 4: Implementing Change
Topic 4A: Engage Employees
Topic 4B: Capitalize on the Change Process
Topic 4C: Maximize the Benefits of Change
Topic 4D: Reframe Change
Topic 4E: Label Milestones
Topic 4F: Troubleshoot Issues
Topic 4G: Report Results

Coaching Essentials

Course Length: ½ Day

Course Description

As a leader in your organization, you are expected to help people meet or exceed expectations and to help ensure productivity and profitability for the organization. Coaching is a leadership tool that is effective in improving performance and contributing to the goals of the organization. In this course, you will explore the benefits of coaching, coaching approaches, how to develop an action plan, and methods for ensuring the coaching process is successful.

Course Objective: You will establish a coaching relationship with the coachee, use appropriate skills for conducting the coaching conversation, and be able to create, monitor, and modify the coaching action plan.

Target Student: Managers, supervisors, team members, team leaders, project managers, mentors and anyone who needs to coach and give feedback as part of his or her job and who wants to learn how to apply the coaching process in order to successfully improve the performance of others.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Establish the coaching relationship.
• Identify methods of conducting the initial coaching conversation.
• Execute an action plan.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Establishing the Coaching Relationship
Topic 1A: Observe Performance Before Beginning to Coach
Topic 1B: Initiate the Coaching Relationship

Lesson 2: Conducting the Initial Coaching Conversation
Topic 2A: Practice Active Listening Skills
Topic 2B: Determine the Coaching Approach
Topic 2C: Have the Initial Coaching Conversation

Lesson 3: Executing the Action Plan
Topic 3A: Create the Action Plan
Topic 3B: Modify the Action Plan
Topic 3C: Recognize That Goals Have Been Met

Communicating Across Cultures

Course Length: ½ Day

Course Description

Increasingly, businesses around the world have become more interconnected, and companies have to think more globally in order to succeed. Despite economic ties with foreign nations, countries can be ill-prepared for doing business abroad, lacking the knowledge and sensitivity to adjust their business behavior to different cultural contexts. This course will provide you with strategies to communicate effectively across cultures.

Course Objective: You will communicate and conduct business effectively across cultures.

Target Student: This course is for individuals who need to communicate clearly and effectively while conducting business in cultures other than their own.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Examine differences between cultures, identify methods of communicating effectively and appropriately with people from different cultures, and describe cultural differences in business protocol.
• Identify methods for creating high-performing, cross-cultural teams, describe strategies for conducting successful multicultural negotiations, and explore ways of effectively resolving conflict in other cultures.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Communicating Across Cultures
Topic 1A: Recognize Cultural Differences
Topic 1B: Communicate in Other Cultures
Topic 1C: Follow Business Protocol in Other Cultures

Lesson 2: Working with Other Cultures
Topic 2A: Work in Teams in Other Cultures
Topic 2B: Negotiate in Other Cultures
Topic 2C: Resolve Conflict in Other Cultures

Conflict Management

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

When people work together in a diverse and dynamic environment, conflict and disagreements inevitably arise. Learning to resolve disagreements constructively is the key to maintaining healthy work relationships and fostering a productive workplace. Conflict Management helps attendees improve their interpersonal, communication, and mediation skills. Several exercises and case studies throughout the course give the lessons relevance and practical application in the real world. Students will also become familiar with the guiding principles behind conflict management, the nine approaches to managing disagreement, and a four-phase process for resolving conflict. With the proper understanding of the nature of conflict and with the tools to handle disagreements constructively, students will be able to enrich their work, their relationships, and their careers.

Course Content

Part 1: Understanding Conflict Management

• Guiding Principles
• What¿s Your Style?
• Nine Approaches to Managing Conflict and Disagreement

Part 2: The Four-Phase Process for Managing Conflict and Disagreement

• Introducing the Process
• Phase I: Explore
• Phase II: Plan
• Phase III: Prepare
• Phase IV: Implement

Correcting Performance Problems

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course introduces students to performance problems and how they affect an organization. Students learn how to determine the severity of a performance problem, identify causes, approach employees who have problems, conduct effective feedback sessions, explain the impact of problematic behavior, address negative employee responses, and respond to employee reactions. Course activities also cover conducting an effective disciplinary meeting and determining whether you have sufficient cause and evidence to discipline an employee, and preparing for disciplinary action. Students will also learn how to document and use information about an employee's performance, and conduct a follow-up meeting with an employee.

Course Content

Unit 1: Identifying performance problems
Topic A: Attendance problems
Topic B: Achievement problems
Topic C: Conduct problems

Unit 2: Investigating performance problems
Topic A: General guidelines
Topic B: Performance issues

Unit 3: Providing feedback to employees
Topic A: Addressing performance problems
Topic B: Conducting feedback sessions

Unit 4: Addressing behavioral problems
Topic A: Impact of problem behavior
Topic B: Responding to employee reactions

Unit 5: Disciplining employees
Topic A: Preparing to discipline the employee
Topic B: Conducting a disciplinary meeting
Topic C: Follow-up with the employee

Delegation Skills for Leaders

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

Getting promoted to the role of supervisor is a great achievement. Getting work done through others is a special challenge to all new supervisors, and even some established ones, but it is a skill that can be learned and mastered. The ability to thoughtfully delegate tasks involves four major functions--planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling. DELEGATION SKILLS FOR LEADERS explains each of these areas and more. As a supervisor, you are responsible for the work of others, and taking the time to match tasks with employees' special skills and abilities is the key to your success. The act of delegating work also involves honing your interpersonal skills, being able to judge the readiness of an employee to take on a project, and being able to instill confidence in that employee to get the job done. Finally, if you are having trouble entrusting others to perform specific tasks, this course will help you become more comfortable in sharing responsibility and letting go of the "I-can-do-it-all-myself" mindset.

Course Content

Part 1: The Role of the Manager

• Management and the Delegation Process
• Planning
• Organizing
• Motivating
• Controlling
• Getting Work Done in Organizations
• Technical, Human, and Conceptual Skills
• What Can Delegating Do for Me?

Part 2: Analyzing Personal Delegation Skills

• How Well Do I Delegate?
• Am I Employing the Right People?
• Developing Employees to Handle Complex Tasks
• Symptoms of Poor Delegation
• Common Barriers to Delegation
• Removing Obstacles to Delegation
• Dispelling Leadership Fears and Fallacies

Part 3: Preparing to Delegate

• Analyzing Your Job
• Deciding What to Delegate
• Targeting Areas of Delegation
• Planning the Delegation
• Selecting the Right Person
• Criteria to Consider
• Delegating to Develop Employees

Part 4: Carrying Out the Delegation

• Communicating the Delegation
• Getting the Results You Expect
• Six Levels of Authority
• Teaching Problem-Solving Techniques
• Following Through
• Solving Delegation Problems
• Delegator¿s Troubleshooting Guide
• Monitoring Progress to Ensure Success

Part 5: Using Delegation for Managing Change

• Change Requires Smooth Transitions
• Understanding Resistance to Change
• Adjusting Your Approach
• Focusing Employee Efforts

Developing Yourself as a Leader

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course will provide the methods to perform a personal assessment so that new managers can identify areas for improvement and apply strategies to develop and grow their leadership capabilities. Managers will identify strategies that will help you develop as an effective leader. This course is intended for first-time managers, team leads, and individual contributors on techniques and best practices for continual improvement of themselves as leaders.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Assess your leadership capabilities.
• Establish your leadership development plan.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Assessing Yourself as a Leader
Topic 1A: Assess Your Leadership Characteristics
Topic 1B: Assess How Others See Your Leadership
Topic 1C: Assess Your Environment

Lesson 2: Establishing Your Leadership Development Plan
Topic 2A: Identify Your Destination
Topic 2B: Establish Your Road Map
Topic 2C: Build a Leadership Development Plan

Disaster Preparedness

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

We see news of disasters every day -- earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and even workplace violence -- that bring businesses to a grinding halt and wreak havoc on personal and professional lives. Now, you can be prepared for these potentially damaging events. Learn how to set up your organization's disaster plan to prevent, respond to, and recover from the next potential disaster.

Course Content

Part I The Importance of Disaster Planning

• The Importance of Disaster Planning
• What Is a Disaster?
• Why Plan?

Part II Setting Up Your Company¹s Plan

• What Is Disaster Planning?
• Who Should Be in Charge?
• A Statement of Objective
• Making the Announcement
• Getting Ready

Part III Step One: Prevention and Mitigation

• Taking Stock of Hazards
• Taking Stock of Contents

Part IV Step Two: Responding

• First Aid and Rescue
• Assigning Roles
• Identifying Critical Company Functions
• Detailed Plans

Part V Step Three: Recovery and Restoration

• Enacting Emergency Functions
• Sharing Information
• Emergency Command Center
• Giving Life to Your Plan
• How to Maintain Interest

Part VI Your Business and the Community

• Lending Your Help When Others Are Stricken
• Home Disaster Preparedness

Diversity

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course covers diversity in the workplace for employees, supervisors, team leaders and managers. Students will learn what diversity is and how it influences their relationships with others, and how to differentiate between-and overcome-stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. Students learn how communication skills help in managing a diverse workforce and how diversity influences relationships between co-workers.

Course Content

Unit 1: Fundamentals of diversity
Topic A: Overview of diversity
Topic B: Advantages of diversity

Unit 2: Identifying differences
Topic A: Cultural differences
Topic B: Personality styles

Unit 3: Overcoming barriers to diversity
Topic A: Barriers to diversity

Unit 4: Communicating in a diverse workforce
Topic A: Effective communication

Unit 5: Managing Diversity
Topic A: Manage diversity in a workforce

Effective Business Writing

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

Though businesses increasingly rely on technology, technological skills alone do not guarantee success in the workplace. You must still develop your ideas, express them clearly, and persuade others of their viability. This course offers effective strategies to sharpen your writing skills by structuring your ideas logically, exercising diplomacy in letters and reports, and shaping your arguments. Students will organize and write effective business documents. This course is for individuals who need to write clearly and concisely in a professional environment.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Organize and write clear and concise email and instant messages that are appropriate to your company's business culture.
• Write effective business communications.
• Write letters that are clear, precise, and appropriate to your audience.
• Organize and write a business proposal, complete with visuals, and an executive summary that employ effective strategies of persuasion.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Writing Email and Other Electronic Communication
Topic 1A: Organize Your Materials
Topic 1B: Write an Email
Topic 1C: Write Instant Messages

Lesson 2: Writing Effective Business Communication
Topic 2A: Analyze Your Audience
Topic 2B: Write an Internal Announcement
Topic 2C: Write an Email Responding to Routine Requests
Topic 2D: Write an Email to Respond Positively to Customer Complaints
Topic 2E: Write Bad-News Messages

Lesson 3: Writing a Business Letter
Topic 3A: Write a Business Letter
Topic 3B: Write a Thank-You Letter

Lesson 4: Writing Business Proposals
Topic 4A: Persuade Your Audience
Topic 4B: Write an Executive Summary
Topic 4C: Use Visuals

Effective Facilitation Skills

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

Effective facilitators know how to take charge of work sessions and lead groups toward successfully completing their work objectives. In this course, you will strategically plan work sessions and create formal agendas, lead groups to generate new ideas through brainstorming events, and help people work through facilitated difficult sessions. You will also further develop your facilitation skills by leading remote work groups and even moderating international sessions.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify methods of planning a facilitated meeting.
• Facilitate different kinds of meetings.
• Facilitate remote sessions.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Planning the Meeting
Topic 1A: Clarify the Purpose of the Meeting
Topic 1B: Familiarize Yourself with the Meeting Subject Matter
Topic 1C: Create the Agenda

Lesson 2: Facilitating the Meeting
Topic 2A: Lead a Session Effectively
Topic 2B: Manage a Brainstorming Session
Topic 2C: Facilitate Difficult Sessions

Lesson 3: Facilitating Remote Sessions
Topic 3A: Manage Remote Sessions
Topic 3B: Facilitate International Sessions

Effective Management

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

The world of business is increasingly becoming centered about the interaction of different teams, both within and outside the organization. The success of a team within a company is often directly linked to the ability of a manager to lead and manage the team effectively. In order to perform the job well, the manager must understand the different roles of everyone involved in the team, and be trained in developing the capabilities of all team members and addressing issues as soon as they surface. This course will help you gain an understanding of the basic fundamentals of becoming an effective manager for your team.  

This course is appropriate for professionals who are either at the managerial level, or are interested in becoming team leaders.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Determine the roles that a manager must fill on a team, and explore the key areas of personal development.
• Discover how to detect silent messages through body language and other means of nonverbal communication. You will also bolster your listening skills through active listening.
• Discover ways of identifying problems, prioritizing problems, and implementing solutions effectively.
• Empower your workgroup through delegation and coaching.
• Discover the stages of team development and examine the need for regular team meetings.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Developing as a Manager
Topic 1A: The Role of an Effective Manager
Topic 1B: Personal Skills Development

Lesson 2: Communicating Successfully
Topic 2A: Speak Without Talking
Topic 2B: Manage Better By Listening
Topic 2C: Assert to Achieve

Lesson 3: Creating Successful Solutions
Topic 3A: Identify the Core Problem
Topic 3B: Solve Problems Creatively
Topic 3C: Implement Solutions Decisively

Lesson 4: Empowering Your Workgroup
Topic 4A: Delegate For Results
Topic 4B: Coach for Achievement
Topic 4C: Evaluate Staff Performance

Lesson 5: Cultivating Great Teams
Topic 5A: Create an Invincible Team
Topic 5B: Inspire Team Success
Topic 5C: Team Briefings for Success
Topic 5D: Resolve Conflicts Positively

Effectively Managing Technical Teams

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

You will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage technical teams. This course is designed for team leads, middle managers, and first time managers of technical teams who have basic team leadership skills and knowledge.

Prerequisites: It is recommended that you have basic team leadership skills and knowledge prior to taking this course.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Establish a technical team.
• Develop technical teams.
• Solve problems within technical teams.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Establishing a Technical Team
Topic 1A: Transition to a Technical Manager Role
Topic 1B: Manage Your Team's Work Styles
Topic 1C: Communicate With Your Team

Lesson 2: Developing Technical Teams
Topic 2A: Select Technical Team Members
Topic 2B: Develop Career Paths

Lesson 3: Solving Problems Within Technical Teams
Topic 3A: Promote Sound Decision Making
Topic 3B: Encourage Creativity
Topic 3C: Handle Interpersonal Conflict

Effective Presentations

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course teaches students about creating effective presentations. Students learn how to determine realistic presentation objectives, analyze the audience, use supporting materials effectively, organize a presentation clearly, and successfully incorporate visual aids. Course activities also cover reducing the fear of speaking, remaining calm, appearing relaxed, and improving the delivery of your presentation. Finally, students learn how to assess the audience members and answer their questions, organize a persuasive presentation, and use reasoning and emotional appeals to persuade an audience.

Course Content

Unit 1: Fundamentals of presentation
Topic A: Effective presentations
Topic B: Planning a presentation

Unit 2: Audience analysis and supporting material
Topic A: Audience analysis
Topic B: Supporting materials

Unit 3: Building presentations
Topic A: Build presentations
Topic B: Develop an introduction
Topic C: Organize the body of the presentation
Topic D: Effective conclusion

Unit 4: Presentation mechanics
Topic A: Visual aids
Topic B: Understand visual aids

Unit 5: Presentation process
Topic A: Extemporaneous speaking
Topic B: Preparation for speaking
Topic C: Deliver a presentation
Topic D: Nonverbal communication

Unit 6: Question-and-answer session
Topic A: Handle questions effectively
Topic B: Handle challenging questions

Unit 7: Fundamentals of persuasion
Topic A: Understand persuasion
Topic B: Organize a persuasive presentation
Topic C: Methods of persuasion

Effective Time Management

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

Time is a form of currency, and the ways that we talk about it illustrate its value: we say “Time is money,” and “My time was well spent,” or “It's a waste of time.” Like most professionals, you've probably struggled with managing this resource effectively. In this course, you will practice techniques that will help you achieve more effective use of your time so that you can direct your energy towards the activities that will further your professional and personal goals. You will identify effective time-management strategies, including defining personal and professional goals, establishing priorities, and identifying the tasks that will be critical to achieving those goals. You will create a personal time-management action plan.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Articulate your goals.
• Analyze how you are currently allocating your most precious resources: energy and time.
• Identify elements of your personal work style that contribute to your effective use of time.
• Assemble a collection of time-management tools and strategies that you can use to take control of your time.
• Create an action plan for your time-management process and identify ways to evaluate and improve your efforts.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Defining Goals
Topic 1A: Define Time Management
Topic 1B: Describe Your Dreams
Topic 1C: Identify Regrets
Topic 1D: Articulate Goals

Lesson 2: Analyzing Energy Allocation
Topic 2A: Identify How Energy Is Spent
Topic 2B: Analyze Tasks
Topic 2C: Analyze Time Usage
Topic 2D: Analyze Energy Flow

Lesson 3: Identifying Personal Style
Topic 3A: Review a Successful Day or Project
Topic 3B: Analyze Your Preferences
Topic 3C: Identify Personal Strengths
Topic 3D: Identify Personal Motivators
Topic 3E: Reduce Time Wasters

Lesson 4: Assembling the Toolbox
Topic 4A: Negotiate for Success
Topic 4B: Delegate Tasks
Topic 4C: Choose Tools that Work for You

Lesson 5: Creating an Action Plan
Topic 5A: Create the Action Plan
Topic 5B: Evaluate the Time-Management Process

Emotional Intelligence for Managers

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

In this course, you will assess your current emotional intelligence capabilities, determine your strengths, and identify areas for improvement. You will examine how emotions affect behavior and how those behaviors impact your relationships with others. You will also develop strategies for managing the emotional energy in yourself and others.

You will evaluate your current emotional intelligence abilities and apply strategies to improve your emotional intelligence. This course is designed for the emerging manager or mid-level manager. Prior to beginning this course, you should have experience in managing people.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate your emotional intelligence.
• Develop strategies for effectively applying emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Evaluating Emotional Intelligence
Topic 1A: Assess Your Self-Understanding
Topic 1B: Determine Your Ability to Regulate Your Emotions
Topic 1C: Evaluate Your Social Recognition Skills
Topic 1D: Assess Your Social Regulation Skills

Lesson 2: Applying Emotional Intelligence In A Business Environment
Topic 2A: Improve Your Emotional Intelligence By Understanding Your Emotions
Topic 2B: Regulate Your Emotions
Topic 2C: Improve Your Social Recognition and Regulation Skills
Topic 2D: Build An Emotionally Intelligent Team

Employee Performance

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course teaches students to develop the skills needed to address a difficult person according to their specific behavior. In a case study, students will have the opportunity to meet with several departmental team members to address their difficult personalities, follow the guidelines for managing difficult people to decrease the department's turnover rate and meet the release date for a new product. Students will also learn how to give constructive feedback-both praise and criticism-to subordinates or peers, and use strategies for effective conflict resolution. Course activities also cover addressing conflict between managers, between employees, and among team members.

Course Content

Unit 1: Managing difficult employees
Topic A: Understanding difficult employees
Topic B: Assessing and identifying difficult personality types
Topic C: Dealing with difficult employees
Topic D: Monitoring behavior

Unit 2: Communication
Topic A: Effective communication
Topic B: Communicating with difficult employees

Unit 3: Feedback
Topic A: Giving and receiving feedback
Topic B: Positive and constructive feedback
Topic C: Monitoring performance
Topic D: Communication styles
Topic E: Difficult feedback sessions

Unit 4: Conflicts
Topic A: Conflicts in the workplace
Topic B: Conflicts and the organization

Unit 5: Resolving conflicts
Topic A: Styles of conflict resolution
Topic B: The process of conflict resolution
Topic C: Resolving team conflicts
Topic D: Communication and conflict resolution

Excellence in Supervision

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course will show you how to gain the respect and support of your employees, use coaching skills to help others excel and accomplish goals, deal effectively with changing times and confusing situations, communicate confidently with your employees, peers, and manager, and establish expectations for high performance. As a supervisor you must lead employees to success and understand that their success is your success. Supervisors need to possess a multitude of skills in communication, performance management, coaching, and flexible decision making. Learning and applying these skills quickly is essential for any supervisor's success.

Course Content

Part 1: Getting Started

• The Opportunity
• How Do You Transition to Supervisor?
• The Definition of a Supervisor
• The Role of Supervisor
• The Responsibilities
• The Supervisor¿s Job Description
• Management Thought: Old versus New
• Case Study 1
• Strategies for Getting Started
• Action Plan: Getting Started

Part 2: Managing for High Performance

• Performance Management
• Setting Expectations and Goals
• Giving Positive Feedback
• Handling Performance Problems
• Supervising with Flexibility
• Case Study 2
• Strategies for Managing Performance

Part 3: Communicating with Others Proactively

• Building Interdependent Relationships
• Communicating One-on-One with Employees
• Communicating with a Team
• Communicating Every Day with Others
• Communicating with Your Manager
• Case Study 3
• Strategies for Proactive Communication

Part 4: Coaching for Excellence

• The Changing Playing Field
• The Best and Worst Supervisors
• The Coaching Process
• Case Study 4
• Strategies for Effective Coaching

Part 5: Dealing with Change Positively

• A New Paradigm
• Organizational Change
• The Impact of Change
• Communicating Change Effectively
• Change-Management Skills
• Brainstorming Change Ideas
• Problem-Solving Techniques
• Case Study 5
• Strategies for Managing Change

Feedback Skills for Leaders

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

People crave feedback. Leaders who learn how to provide effective feedback create opportunities for employees to grow, become motivated, and make positive contributions to their organizations. FEEDBACK SKILLS FOR LEADERS shows new and even experienced managers the benefits of developing this critical skill, both in giving and receiving feedback. Readers will learn specific techniques for receiving and responding to critical feedback and will learn the positive impact of praise and positive messages. This edition includes new information on how gender and generational differences can impact employees' expectations and how well feedback is received.

Course Content

Part 1: Understanding Resistance to Criticism

• What Is Critical Feedback?
• The Impact of Gender on Feedback
• Gender Communication and Leadership Effectiveness
• Generational Differences in Feedback
• Influence of Parental Messages
• Critical Feedback Messages to Watch Out For
• Counteracting Self-Criticism and Past Messages
• Changing Your Beliefs About Critical Feedback

Part 2: Responding to Critical Feedback

• How We Perceive Critical Feedback
• Types of Critical Feedback
• Three Stages of Response
• Assertive Techniques to Deal with Criticism
• Technique 1: Fogging
• Technique 2: Admitting the Truth
• Technique 3: Requesting Specific Feedback
• Ten Tips for Handling Feedback

Part 3: Giving Constructive Feedback

• Barriers to Giving Constructive Feedback
• Overcoming Obstacles
• Benefits of Voicing Feedback Regularly
• Understanding Constructive Feedback
• Step 1: Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
• Step 2: Research the Facts
• Step 3: Choose Your Timing
• Step 4: Be Specific, Using the DASR Script
• Providing Feedback with "I" Statements
• Step 5: Monitor and Follow Through
• The Impact of Technology on Feedback
• Critiquing Your Manager or Colleague
• Using the DASS Script
• Providing Unsolicited Feedback
• Turning Complaints into Proposals

Part 4: Giving Positive Feedback

• The Powerful Impact of Praise
• Rethinking Barriers to Praising Others
• Guidelines for Giving Positive Feedback
• Public vs. Private Praise
• Praising Upward

Part 5: Handling Recurring Problems

• Five Steps in Discussing Recurring Problems
• The Importance of Follow-Up

From Technical Specialist to Supervisor

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

This course is designed to help you make the transition from technical expert to people management. The basic building blocks of communicating, motivating, and delegating are clearly presented. In addition, completing the Technical Supervisor Action Plan will help you implement your new supervisory skills on the job.

Course Content

Introduction: Why Technical Supervising Is Unique
Part 1: The Transition: Getting Off to a Good Start

• Make the Transition a Manageable Process
• Before You Begin the Transition
• Starting the Transition Process
• Avoiding Predictable Trouble Pockets
• Understanding the Technical Types
• Proactive Management
• Technical Supervisors, Transition Lessons

Part 2: Communication: Skills for Technical Supervisors

• Communication Challenges Facing Technical Supervisors
• Challenge 1: Understanding Your Personal Style
• Challenge 2: Meeting Interpersonal Communication Demands
• Challenge 3: Developing Situational Strategies
• Technical Supervisors¿ Communication Lessons

Part 3: Motivation: Creating Incentives

• Motivational Issues
• Motivational Theories
• Motivational Basics
• Unique Motivation Needs of Technical Experts
• What Motivates Technical Supervisors?
• Motivational Challenges Facing Technical Supervisors
• Challenge 1: Overcoming Trouble Pockets
• Challenge 2: Creating a Positive Climate
• Challenge 3: Finding Incentives for Your Technical Team
• Challenge 4: Managing Change
• Technical Supervisors: Motivation Lessons

Part 4: Delegation: Learning to Let Go

• Delegation Skills Overview
• Delegation Challenges Facing Technical Supervisors
• Challenge 1: Determine with Whom You Can Let Go
• Challenge 2: Select the Appropriate Strategy
• Challenge 3: Be Sensitive to the Needs of Others
• Challenge 4: Manage Performance and Monitor Progress
• Technical Supervisors: Delegation Lessons

Part 5: Planning for Further Development

• Develop a Plan of Action
• Manage Your Job and Advance Your Career
• Politics Can Be Fun
• Technical Supervisors: Final Recommendations

Frontline Leadership

Course Length: ½ Day

Course Description

This course teaches students how to deal with difficult employees. Students learn about the characteristics and sources of difficult behavior, effective techniques to prevent difficult behavior, and effective communication methods. Students will learn the importance of managing knowledge, conducting assessment interviews, asking for employee input, and providing continuing education opportunities for employees. Course activities also cover the affects technology has on the exchange of knowledge and how to use different types of communication technology. Finally, students examine workplace culture and how to lead employees through culture changes as well as tips for fostering a positive work environment, addressing negativity, and inspiring employee innovation.

Course Content

Unit 1: Frontline leadership
Topic A: Learning organization
Topic B: Roles of a frontline leader
Topic C: Frontline leadership skills

Unit 2: Managing knowledge
Topic A: Knowledge management
Topic B: Knowledge exchange
Topic C: Technology used to exchange knowledge

Unit 3: Workplace culture
Topic A: The workplace
Topic B: Styles of frontline leadership
Topic C: Innovation

Getting the Results Without the Authority

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

In today's business culture, there are circumstances in which a person who possesses no formal authority is required to accomplish a task or complete a project. Perhaps you will recognize a problem or a business need, and you will assume responsibility to resolve the issue. Or your manager may direct you to complete a task in which you will need to solicit the help of others in order to complete the task. This course offers strategies to build relationships, identify the key people you will need to help complete your project, ask them for the assistance that you need, and orchestrate the process of moving your project forward to completion.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Build relationships with associates.
• Justify the business need, navigate your company's culture, and develop a resolution strategy.
• Get what you need from business associates to complete your task.
• Complete a task or project without assistance.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Building Relationships
Topic 1A: Lay Groundwork
Topic 1B: Establish Rapport With Associates by Helping Them
Topic 1C: Establish Your Credibility

Lesson 2: Creating a Strategy to Get Results
Topic 2A: Justify a Business Need
Topic 2B: Build a Plan Around Your Company's Culture

Lesson 3: Getting What You Need from Others
Topic 3A: Prepare to Approach Others for Help
Topic 3B: Ask for What You Need
Topic 3C: Orchestrate Your Plan
Topic 3D: Reward Contributors

Lesson 4: Completing the Project by Yourself
Topic 4A: Justify Completing the Project by Yourself
Topic 4B: Manage the Consequences of Completing the Project by Yourself

Goals and Goal Setting

Course Length: 1 Day

Course Description

Goals provide a sense of purpose as well as a reason to strive for meaningful results. This course helps you define goals and set measurable objectives to achieve them, whether the goal is one you have set for yourself or one that is assigned to you. Discover how to handle obstacles that may stand in your way and how visualizing your goals can turn your mind into your biggest motivational tool.

Course Content

Introduction

• The Purpose of Goal Setting
• Why Set Goals?

Part 1: What Is a Goal?

• Definition of a Goal
• Goals Must Be Written!
• Missions
• Objectives
• Goals and Objectives Pyramids

Part 2: Who Sets Goals?

• Who Sets Goals Is Important
• Management's Role
• The Three-Step Process
• Communication
• Bottom-Up Goal Setting
• Top-Down Goal Setting
• Adopt and Adapt the Goal

Part 3: How Are Goals Set?

• A Four-Task Process
• Task 1: Identify Opportunities for Goals
• Task 2: Write Goal Statements
• Task 3: Develop Goals
• Task 4: Formulate Action Plans

Part 4: Goal Achievement

• The Foundation and Support for Goal Achievement