March 2024 

Staff Development Opportunities 

 

A person and person standing on a cliff Description automatically generatedUnderstanding your Individual Conflict Dynamics Profile 

March 6 2-3:30 pm Online 

From the Office of Ombuds UT 

Have you felt uncomfortable in conflict? Feel like you want to lash out or avoid the situation altogether? Most people would say yes, and that is absolutely normal. Did you know that not all conflicts lead to destructive outcomes? Instead, many conflicts—when managed well—can lead you and others to growth, innovation, and improvement.  Note that space is limited, but there is another offering in May.

This 90-minute workshop is designed to enhance your personal ability to navigate conflict. You will learn about both helpful and unhelpful behaviors in conflict as well specific “hot buttons” that tend to draw out unhelpful behaviors. This online interactive session provides both in-depth information as well as an interactive debriefing of your CDP survey results.  Register on the Ombuds Website

Registration Closes one week before the workshop date. Starting two weeks before the workshop, registrants will receive an email invitation to take the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) survey for free . Complete this 20-25 minute online survey no later than the Sunday BEFORE the workshop. (You will receive your digital survey profile report & a Zoom link the morning of the session). 

 

 

A group of people with speech bubbles Description automatically generatedNavigating Difficult Conversations: Turning Tension into Progress

Thursday, March 7th 3-4pm Online

Training Magazine Network

According to a recent study, 65% of people worry about how the other person will react to having a difficult conversation. It’s common for people to avoid difficult conversations or handle them poorly because they feel unprepared or afraid to address challenging issues.
While avoiding difficult conversations may lead to temporary relief, the true underlying issues persist, eventually building into larger problems. Growth happens in effectively addressing challenging issues—both for individuals and organizations.  Register HERE

  

A collage of people working in an office Description automatically generatedBest Practices for Hybrid Working 

March 21 9-10am Online  

Optum 

The working-from-home revolution has been accelerated by the pandemic and most organizations now report that they will implement new policies allowing hybrid remote and on-site working. This seismic move to hybridize working is not straightforward and is not always universally beneficial. People can be greatly affected by remote working in both good and bad ways. There is the allure of productivity gains, but everyone needs to adapt their working practices to reap these gains without excluding or favoring some colleagues. Fortunately, there is now some good research from which we can learn.  Register HERE

 

 A hand holding a megaphone Description automatically generatedSpeaking Up: Communicating More Assertively 

Wednesday, March 27th 2-3:30 pm Online  

From the Office of Ombuds UT 

Struggling with how to effectively assert your needs, opinions, and boundaries? 
Worried you'll sound rude? Or maybe not be firm or clear enough? 
Don’t know how to say “this is not OK with me” or feel guilty when you do?

During this virtual session we will: explore a continuum of communication styles, discuss the benefits of assertive communication and examine common barriers to communicating assertively. The goal is to empower you to honestly communicate what you think, feel, and want in a way that honors dignity and contributes to psychological safety. Register via link on the workshop calendar HERE

  

A close-up of a couple of speech bubbles Description automatically generatedCommunication: Beyond the Basics 

March 29 2-3pm Online 

Optum  

Every day, there are more and more ways to communicate but that increase in quantity does not always mean an improvement in quality. Quite the opposite, as we get more hurried so too do our meetings, emails, phone calls, texts, and posts. Whether communication is virtual or face to face there are some golden guidelines that help ensure people understand us and we have the desired impact. Learning to think, speak and write effectively is a life skill that underpins all successful careers. In this program, Optum offers a second-level training, suitable for people who have already gained a basic understanding of the principles of communication. Register HERE

 

 

 A hand touching a search bar Description automatically generatedHighlighted articles and resources: 

Crucial Conversations Miniseries: Disagree Better and Dialogue More. 4 short video lessons highlighting skills emailed to you. Crucial Learning. 

Hinting Won’t Cut It – Ask for What You Want  Candid Culture Blog 

WorkLife Podcast with Adam Grand: A TED Original Podcast: Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to explore the science of making work not suck. From learning how to love criticism to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again. 

 Courses available in K@TE 

All are self-paced and HR 0128 eligible:  

 

 Register for TIAA’s live webinars!   

Each month, TIAA hosts several live webinars.  You can also view recordings of past webinars.   

Find the topics and register here. 

 

You can also visit the UTC Training Calendar by clicking here or visiting the HR Professional Development webpage. 

There is NO cost to attend any of the above trainings and events.