Managing Change: The Human Factor

Change is a permanent feature of most organizations, including Saint Mary's College. Whether change is self-initiated or mandated by others, a manager must know how to handle the human side of change, along with the technical. In this course, you will learn realistic techniques for communicating about change, responding to resistance, and maintaining employee morale in the face of ongoing change. Program participants will:

• Discuss how to communicate change effectively to employees
• Review the key stages of any change process
• Recognize why people may resist change and explore appropriate responses

• Identify methods to help your team transition through the stages of change

When:            Thursday, September 26, 1:30—4:00 PM

Where:            Lafayette, SODA Center

Open to:         Supervisors and Leaders

Presenter:      Sunny Bradford, Director-Learning & Org. Effectiveness

Register here for Managing Change

 

How to Run Effective Meetings

We all attend meetings which are not the best use of our time.  Many of us also lead meetings that could be more productive and effective. This workshop is for anyone who facilitates meetings. The primary ingredients of effective meetings will be discussed. In this workshop, participants will:

• Learn the key elements to facilitating productive meetings
• Discuss the obstacles which make facilitating meetings challenging
• Practice dealing with these obstacles
• Create agenda templates for commonly held meetings

When:             Tuesday, October 1, 10:00 AM—12:00 PM

Where:            Lafayette, SODA Center

Open to:         All SMC employees

Presenter:       Howard Miller, Fulcrum Point Partners

Register here for Effective Meetings

The Manager as Coach

Being a “manager” does not, necessarily, equate to being a “coach.” That is, there are many reasons why managers may not coach. Good coaching requires a “coaching” mindset, along with skills practice. This workshop is not focused on handling performance issues or taking corrective action. Instead, we will explore the value of coaching for engaging employees and releasing their performance potential, as well as the types of situations in which coaching is best used.

• Explore the benefits of coaching
• Recognize the mindsets and behaviors of successful manager-coaches
• Understand the art of asking questions
• Identify a potential coaching opportunity in your department

When:             Thursday, October 10, 10:00 AM—12:00 PM

Where:            Hagerty

Open to:         Supervisors and leaders

Presenter:       Sunny Bradford, Director-Learning & Org. Effectiveness

Register here for Manager as Coach

Campus of Difference

The Campus of Difference workshop is a day designed to create community among faculty and staff and to begin conversations about what it means to be a diverse community. This workshop is required for all faculty and staff, at least once every three years.

This is a highly interactive day (no lecturing!) with lots of time to talk with other staff and faculty from across campus that you probably don't know. You will also come away with a resource book for future reference!

When:             Friday, October 18, 9:00 AM—4:00 PM

Where:            Hagerty

Open to:         All SMC faculty & staff

Presenters:     SMC COD Facilitators

Register here for Campus of Difference

Caring for Aging Parents - Session 1

In this workshop on legal and medical issues related to aging parents, we will discuss various legal forms that can be used to ease the transition from your parents to you regarding financial and health matters. We will also talk about how to advocate for your parent in the medical world and how to interact with doctors to get the information you need to support your parents. As a program participant you will:

• Understand your options for gaining legal status to make financial and medical decisions and how to access these options
• Develop a set of skills to interact with doctors and hospital personnel more effectively

When:             Thursday, October 22, 12:00—1:15 PM

Where:            Lafayette, SODA Center

Open to:         All SMC employees

Presenter:       Mary McCall, Acting Director of Faculty Development

Register here for Caring for Aging Parents - Session 1.

 

True Colors: A Tool for Self-Awareness

This hands-on, interactive workshop will guide you on a personal adventure that will help you build self- confidence through a better understanding of yourself and others. True Colors is a practical and useful tool for identifying personality characteristics in a format that is fun, easy to remember and apply.  You will leave the workshop with new communication skills that will enhance your personal and professional relationships. In this program you will:

• Identify your own personality traits and characteristics
• Explore the joys, values, needs and stressors of your personality
• Discuss how to identify the personality styles of your colleagues, friends and family
• Learn ways to enhance your personal and professional communication skills with ease

When:             Friday, November 1, 9:15 AM—12:00 PM

Where:            Hagerty

Open to:         All SMC employees

Presenter:       Michael Viola, Asst. Director of Facilities Services

Register here for True Colors

Performance Management Best Practices

We all work in a complex environment that is only partially within our control. If the environment supports our best efforts, performance will improve. Supervisors and leaders play a pivotal role in creating an environment for high performance. This workshop offers an overview of best practices in managing performance. This includes topics such as setting expectations, analyzing performance, and giving feedback. As a program participant, you will:

• Discuss the core elements of performance management
• Clarify methods for setting expectations and observing performance
• Follow basic guidelines for giving feedback effectively
  

When:             Wednesday, November 13, 9:30 AM—12:00 PM

Where:            Orinda, SODA Center

Open to:         Supervisors and leaders

Presenter:       Sunny Bradford, Director-Learning & Org. Effectiveness

Register here for Performance Management

Holiday Stress Hardy

As joyous as the fall and winter holiday season can be, it also comes with the potential for enormous pressure and stress. Whether the celebrations are religious or secular, they bring with them expectations that may be difficult to meet. Family gatherings may be enjoyable or fraught with problems.  Being alone at the holidays also has its emotional ramifications.  There are often too many things required of you and not enough energy or time to do them. This workshop discusses the source of some of the stressors that can interfere with the enjoyment of the season. Participants in this program will:

• Explore how to minimize self-imposed stress  
• Discuss their holiday “Bill of Rights”
• Discuss holiday stress management and ways to deal with feelings of loss or grief

When:             November 19, 12:45—1:45 PM

Where:            FAH 205

Open to:         All SMC employees

Presenter:       Victoria Brown, Health Net                   

Register Here for Holiday Stress Hardy

 

Campus of Difference Workshop

The Campus of Difference workshop is a day designed to create community among faculty and staff and to begin conversations about what it means to be a diverse community. This workshop is required for all faculty and staff, at least once every three years.

This is a highly interactive day (no lecturing!) with lots of time to talk with other staff and faculty from across campus that you probably don't know. You will also come away with a resource book for future reference!

When:            Thursday, December 5, 9:00 AM—4:00 PM

Where:            Hagerty

Open to:         All SMC faculty & staff

Presenters:     SMC COD Facilitators

Register here for Campus of Difference                          

 

Exploring Generational Diversity

We function in a multi-generational workplace that encompasses at least four different generations. Generational categories are often defined by significant societal and technological shifts that result in differing values, beliefs, and traditions. As people work in cross-generational departments and committees, communication, respect, and trust issues may surface. In this highly interactive workshop,  participants will:

• Explore key differences and similarities among generational groups
• Define what respect means from different vantage points
• Discuss strategies for effective communication across the generations

 When:             Monday, December 9, 2:00—4:00 PM

Where:            Lafayette, SODA Center

Open to:         All SMC employees

Presenters:     Sunny Bradford, Director-Learning & Org. Effectiveness

Register here for Generational Diversity