LEAD Manager Training Series

When it comes to change, two things are certain: 1) Hope is not a strategy for change, and 2) We often underwhelm overwhelming problems. Essentially, we try a couple of things and then give up in frustration when they don’t work. When you combine at least 4 or more sources of influence your chances for success go up ten times! 10x!!!!!! In this course you will learn how to get clear about what you want, focus on a small number of vital behaviors to get you there, and overdetermine change by amassing six sources of influence that motivate and enable behavior change.

Preparation: 

1. Watch this short video.
2. Think about a real-life change effort to which you can apply the skills you will learn.  If you answer yes to the following this course will help!
   1. Are there results you’d like to achieve that you’re not?
   2. Does your challenge require someone to change behavior (you or others)?
   3. Would resolving the challenge produce improved results?
   4. Is the challenge persistent or ongoing?

Proactive Employee Engagement

In this session, we utilized an employee engagement framework to define the “ideal state” of engagement and determine actionable steps leaders will take in the pursuit of that vision. 

Emotional Intelligence

May 17, 2023, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

The May L.E.A.D. Series manager training focused on Emotional Intelligence and provided some practical exercises we can all use to increase this important skill (refer to the self-assessment (.docx) and Participant Guide).  The session was our first via Zoom, and the recording can be found here (Passcode: f#wP8LLU).

To dig in deeper on this topic:

• UVA Learning and Development’s microlearning series
• Learn Emotional Intelligence, the Key Determiner of Success  
• 3-minute video on Empathy vs Sympathy

Leveraging Vulnerability as a Leader

April 19, 2023, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

Vulnerability is the emotion we feel when we are faced with uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Vulnerability is not winning or losing.  Vulnerability is having the courage to show up when you can't control the outcome or what people think.  How do you lean into uncertainty, tough conversations, difficult feedback, and hard decisions with confidence rather than tapping out?

Download Participant Guide

To prepare for this workshop, please complete the following ahead of time:

• Watch these two Ted Talks (re-watch even if you have viewed them before):
  • https://brenebrown.com/videos/ted-talk-the-power-of-vulnerability/
  • https://brenebrown.com/videos/ted-talk-listening-to-shame/
• Reflect on how vulnerability plays out in how you show up at work. 
• Be prepared to lean in and discuss.

Core Values & Anatomy of Trust

March 15, 2023, 2 - 3:30 p.m.

As human beings we are wired for connection. When we feel disconnected is can feel like we are at risk. We become uncertain and emotionally exposed. In other words, it feels vulnerable. Yet, to be vulnerable with another we need to trust – trust and vulnerability are a slow stacking motion (like the game Jenga). When we trust one another, we are braving connection. Most people believe they are completely trustworthy, yet they trust only a handful of their colleagues. Believing we are trustworthy and being perceived as trustworthy by others are two different things. Conversations about trust can go sideways fast. We avoid them because we don’t have the tools, the language, or the skills to talk about trust. That leads us to talking about people rather than talking to them. Trust is a non-negotiable for leading. Learning how to build trust from a place of curiosity is the skillset we will cover in this workshop. But first, we will start with values.

When we talk about the topic of trust, it is a good idea to start by identifying our personal values first. If you don’t understand what your values look like in terms of specific behaviors, you’re just left with empty words. Especially in the workplace, we need to operationalize our values into behaviors that we hold ourselves accountable for. And these behaviors need to be measurable and observable. In other words, you can't live into values that you can't name and describe. 

To prepare for this workshop, please complete the following ahead of time:

1. Listen to:
   • MicroLearning titled Values: Identifying & Operationalizing (15 minutes)
     OR
   • Unlocking Us podcast Living Into Our Values (34 minutes - available exclusively on Spotify)
2. Complete:
   • Pages 2 & 3 of the Participant Guide and be prepared to share your two values and when you realized each were a core value. Then we will sort through the topic of Trust.
3. Print:
   • A copy of the Participant Guide. We will use it extensively during our time together.