Find and register for upcoming classes on our calendar of events.
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EMERGING LEADERS
Session 1: Gaining Respect as a New Leader Transitioning into a new management position can be a difficult task. Whether promoted from within or recruited by the organization, the new supervisor is placed in the position of earning respect from their employees and peers. This workshop will discuss how new supervisors can gain respect by laying a foundation of consistency, fairness, professionalism and integrity. Session 2: Developing yourself as an Effective Leader All managers have the opportunity to become great leaders. This workshop will help managers discover how they want to lead and how they are likely to make use of a leadership opportunity. Managers will learn what kinds of leaders they want to follow and discover what kind of leadership people will support. Managers will also determine what types of leaders are needed by the organization. Session 3: Setting Expectations, Goals and Objectives The most important step in the performance management process is involving the employee in setting clear expectations and goals for performance. This workshop will provide new managers with the necessary steps to set SMART goals and communicate clear expectations in order to put the employee on the right track for success. Session 4: Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback This workshop emphasizes the importance of communication in today’s high-paced and constantly evolving professional environment. It offers a process for communicating critical information in a way that supports ongoing learning and mutual respect. Managers will learn why everyone in the organization needs to be able to give and receive constructive feedback in a spirit of openness and mutual respect, as well as how to constructively give and receive feedback. Session 5: Analyzing and Correcting Performance Problems Managers need to know when and how to conduct a discussion about the need to improve performance and use discipline effectively. This workshop provides participants with techniques they can use to get individual performance back on track while sustaining morale and commitment. It also shows how thorough preparation lays the groundwork for a constructive discussion about performance, and the importance of effective, accurate, and honest documentation. Session 6: Conducting an Effective Performance Review Performance discussions - including the mid-year and annual performance review - can be an excellent opportunity for supervisors to communicate with employees, to set goals, provide valuable feedback, analyze career development, evaluate employee satisfaction, and much, much more. This workshop will help new managers understand the performance discussion, not as an isolated event, but as an ongoing process that takes place throughout the year. With this understanding, they can use this formal meeting to provide the feedback, direction, and leadership that employees need to remain focused and committed to their jobs. |
EXPERIENCED LEADERS
Session 1: Understanding Yourself and Others to Increase Effectiveness The foundation of personal and professional success lies in understanding yourself, others, and realizing the impact of personal behavior on others. Using the DISC© Behavioral Preferences Tool, this course helps managers understand their behavioral profile, how it differs from others and the environment they can create for maximum productivity and success. Session 2: Handling Conflict with Confidence Conflict is any disagreement between people over methods, results, attitudes, or perceptions. This course gives participants the skills they need to turn conflicts into opportunities to achieve positive, productive results. Participants identify their typical approaches to conflict using the Thomas-Kilman Instrument© or TKI; explore the pitfalls common to dealing with conflict in today’s organizations; and practice the specific skills they can use on the job. Session 3: Building a High-Performing Team The key to getting the job done and reaching departmental goals is overall team effectiveness. A healthy team environment provides team members the opportunity to contribute their knowledge, skills and abilities in order to reach a common goal. This course will give new managers the tools necessary to develop a shared sense of vision with their team, as well as how to clarify the roles and responsibilities of all team members. Session 4: Moving Your Team and Organization Forward The relationship between “Leadership” and “Change” is critical, especially as organizations turn to leaders for more than just the vision for change, but also for their active involvement at all levels of the organization in championing change and moving the organization forward. If leaders do not demonstrate their involvement in the change, the change will slow if not stop to occur. This course helps managers discover a collaborative planning process that taps into everyone’s expertise, creativity and enthusiasm so people can decide how to adapt the work they do to support the goals, strategy, or direction of the organization. Session 5: Managing & Measuring Work Anyone who understands management or supervision knows the importance of monitoring and delegating work. When supervisors learn how to delegate properly, they can teach their employees new skills and expertise to make them more productive, and instill a sense of self-reliance in their staff, thereby improving morale and increasing their motivation. When each team member understands what is expected of him or her, and how to measure success, they can become more self-directed in their day-to-day activities. Therefore, by providing clear direction and the appropriate level of support, leaders can manage and measure the work completed by the team as individuals, but also as a whole. Session 6: Improving Performance Most organizations are looking for ways to respond to one or more critical performance demands, such as quicker turnaround times, budget cuts, increased competition, changing customer needs, and new technologies. To succeed, the organization must adapt quickly and effectively to these demands. Everyone – not just senior management – must think in company-wide terms and assume responsibility for the success of the whole organization. Therefore, leadership and performance improvement skills are no longer required only of people on the top levels of a rigid structure. Everyone needs to be a leader and be able to adapt to constantly changing roles and responsibilities. This course will provide managers with a working model to discover and analyze performance gaps, select and implement the right solutions to fix the problems, and evaluate the results of their solutions. |
“I highly recommend this class to anyone who is in a leadership position. The Leadership 2 class provides an abundance of management tools for everyday situations. Kon has a knack for engaging the class for a highly interactive experience that results in a lot of learning. It was well worth the time!”
- Allan, Project Manager
"Attending the Leadership Development Academy Level 1 and 2 has provided me with extremely valuable leadership skills and tools that have improved my department’s efficiency and effectiveness. I now have the confidence needed to face the toughest leadership challenges including handling constructive feedback and conflict. Through the classes I feel I have now empowered myself to be a motivating leader that inspires others through setting expectations, goals and conducting effective performance reviews all resulting in overall improved performance."
- Kelly, Manager of Sustainability, Roche Constructors
- Allan, Project Manager
"Attending the Leadership Development Academy Level 1 and 2 has provided me with extremely valuable leadership skills and tools that have improved my department’s efficiency and effectiveness. I now have the confidence needed to face the toughest leadership challenges including handling constructive feedback and conflict. Through the classes I feel I have now empowered myself to be a motivating leader that inspires others through setting expectations, goals and conducting effective performance reviews all resulting in overall improved performance."
- Kelly, Manager of Sustainability, Roche Constructors
INSTRUCTOR BIO
Kon Apostolopoulos
Founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions, LLC
Kon Apostolopoulos is an experienced facilitator, consultant, and trainer who works with business leaders and functional experts to translate strategic vision and business priorities into clear and achievable tactical plans. He uses his working knowledge and experience in developing and implementing training solutions, designing custom human resource and organization development programs, and deploying company-wide change efforts and technology-based programs for diverse audiences and industries. He also has experience in coaching individuals and teams in Transactional Six Sigma (Black Belt) and Design for Six Sigma.
Kon has facilitated hundreds of workshops, presentations, and executive meetings to participants in the US, Canada, and Europe. As a guest speaker, he has presented to graduating classes at the University of Northern Colorado, Johnson & Wales University, and Ball State University on the topic of Human Capital Management.
He has almost 20 years of experience in adult education, a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Education, and a number of certifications in best-in-class Training, Behavioral Assessment, and Performance Improvement programs.
Founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions, LLC
Kon Apostolopoulos is an experienced facilitator, consultant, and trainer who works with business leaders and functional experts to translate strategic vision and business priorities into clear and achievable tactical plans. He uses his working knowledge and experience in developing and implementing training solutions, designing custom human resource and organization development programs, and deploying company-wide change efforts and technology-based programs for diverse audiences and industries. He also has experience in coaching individuals and teams in Transactional Six Sigma (Black Belt) and Design for Six Sigma.
Kon has facilitated hundreds of workshops, presentations, and executive meetings to participants in the US, Canada, and Europe. As a guest speaker, he has presented to graduating classes at the University of Northern Colorado, Johnson & Wales University, and Ball State University on the topic of Human Capital Management.
He has almost 20 years of experience in adult education, a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Education, and a number of certifications in best-in-class Training, Behavioral Assessment, and Performance Improvement programs.