Practical Approaches to Holding Difficult Conversations
Do you avoid having conversations that are uncomfortable or sensitive with your employees? Are you unable to discuss an individual's poor performance? Often these behaviors are due to a lack of skills. This workshop addresses a variety of effective communication skills and focuses on ways to engage in constructive conversations.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Identify at least three specific tools for effective communication that they will use.
- Explain the importance of procedural fairness in difficult conversations.
- Address difficult behavior effectively.
- Engage effectively in difficult conversations.
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How to Provide Constructive Feedback in a Team Environment
Does your organization require employees to work in teams? One of the keys to effective teamwork is open communication. If your team members could improve their communication skills, this workshop can help by focusing on giving and receiving constructive feedback.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Give and receive positive feedback.
- Give and receive negative feedback.
- Choose phrases and techniques that encourage feedback.
- Utilize active listening techniques.
- Describe how to use a constructive confrontation model effectively.
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Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
What's the difference between addressing workplace problems from a "glass half full" frame of reference versus from a "glass half empty" one? The answer is having a fully engaged and motivated workforce instead of a defensive and competitive one. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a practical, scientifically-based framework for facilitating change in individuals, work groups, and organizations. It has been used successfully for purposes as diverse as goal-setting, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and change management. Beginning with the premise that each individual, group, or organization has done things well, AI focuses on those positive outcomes and asks how they can be repeated in the future. Depending on the level of detail desired, this topic can be presented in a single session (for a general overview) or in multiple sessions designed to provide participants with the skills needed to implement the AI process in their own work environment.
Learning Outcomes*
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Describe the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) process and its practical applications.
- Explain the four steps in AI (4-D cycle).
- Choose relevant topic questions.
- Conduct an appreciative interview.
- Identify themes in interviews
- Write clear provocative propositions.
- Develop an action plan for implementing the AI process in the workplace.
- Facilitate a basic AI process.
* Note: The specific learning objectives for this topic will depend on the desired level of detail and the number of sessions.
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Basic Training Skills for Non-Trainers
Are there employees in your organization whose jobs require them to train others? Do they have the knowledge and skills they need to conduct effective training sessions? If not, this workshop is for them! The purpose of this one-day session is to provide participants who have no training background with the knowledge and skills they need to deliver a basic skills training course or program.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
- Develop an introduction to a given training session that they are comfortable with.
- Incorporate knowledge of adult learning theory and learning style preferences appropriately into a given training session.
- Incorporate relevant active learning techniques into a given training session.
- Demonstrate professional behavior in training sessions.
- Identify the characteristics of effective trainers.
- Provide constructive feedback to trainees.
- Utilize transfer of learning methods in a given training session.
- Encourage trainee questions by asking questions appropriately and utilizing active listening techniques.
- Develop an effective summary for a given training session.
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Training Skills for Trainers (Train-the-trainer)
Is there value for your organization in having your trainers sharpen their existing skills by taking them to the next level? The purpose of the Train-the-trainer program is to provide experienced trainers with the knowledge, skills, and practice they need to improve their existing skills so they can deliver more effective programs. The sessions provide ample time for participants to practice integrating their new skills into current training materials and to get immediate feedback from their peers and the instructor. This program includes multiple sessions, each of which addresses specific aspects of training. Although designed primarily for trainers with some experience, novice trainers will find it provides a sound basis on which to build their skills.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this program participants will be able to:
- Adjust their training style, methods, and techniques appropriately for various audiences and training programs.
- Integrate active learning techniques into their training sessions.
- Deliver effective presentations.
- Provide constructive feedback to trainees.
- Conduct training sessions given prepared materials.
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How to Improve Your Interviewing Skills
How confident are you that the interviews conducted throughout your organization produce information that permit individuals to make sound decisions? Organizations rely on data gathered during interviews for many reasons, such as selecting qualified job applicants, evaluating performance, and obtaining information to take some kind of action. The purpose of this workshop is to provide the knowledge and skills required to enhance individuals' existing interview skills or to develop new skills.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this workshop participants will be able to:
- Identify qualities candidates must have for job success.
- Compare and contrast structured and unstructured interviews.
- Write legal, job-related, behavior-based questions.
- Identify specific techniques that lead to more consistent interviewing.
- Identify interviewer errors and suggest ways to overcome them.
- Evaluate candidates on the basis of the behaviors they describe.
