The most difficult part of a job is often the interpersonal relationships, rather than specific work skills. These courses focus on enhancing your ability to deal with conflict, work with difficult people, and think creatively.

Communicating Across Cultures

Many of us strive to find practical tips and specific skills for being more effective in our communication with people from different cultures. Offered in partnership with International Student and Scholar Services, this session provides an opportunity to:

• Discuss four common cultural differences
• Learn tips for communicating with non-native English speakers
• Gain confidence for dealing with difficult communication situations

top

Enhancing Individual and Group Creativity

This course will provide simple and highly effective tools to enhance your creative thinking. Participants will apply methods that assist in ordering, evaluating, and selecting the best ideas to be implemented.

Participants will:

• Explore how different thinking styles impact creativity and innovation
• Apply five divergence methods to increase idea generation
• Use four convergence tools to evaluate and select the best idea

top

Influencing Without Authority

In our collaborative environment, much of the University's work is done in project teams and other work groups. This means that employees need to be effective communicators, able to have influence even when they don't have formal authority.

This session will provide tools to help participants:

• Learn ways to use their preferred communication styles to communicate
• Identify behaviors that enhance and limit their ability to listen effectively
• Create an environment in which team members can discuss work issues and share feedback in a supportive manner

top

What's My Type

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is one of the most commonly used tools to help better understand personality type and work style. This course will supply you with the information needed to understand your personality and those of others. You will complete the MBTI Step II prior to the course; it is a useful way to understand your personality and how that impacts your work. This workshop will explore the issues around personality, as well as provide tips for ways to flex your personality and work better with others.

Participants will:

• Learn about personality theory and how it applies to them
• Identify their personality type and how it impacts their life
• Identify ways they can flex their preferences to their benefit

There is a $34 fee for this course, payable by EFS# or check.

top

Working Across Generations

With people living longer, healthier lives, workplaces are experiencing a workforce with over a 60-year age span. Understanding the differences that exist between the generations can make for a more productive and harmonious work environment. Armed with this information, managers can see what leadership styles, training methods, motivation, and rewards best fit their employees.

Participants will:

• Identify potential points of disagreement and learn effective practices for working with each generation
• Create an action plan for applying generational knowledge and skills at work

top