This course geared toward women interested in honing their leadership skills to excel in the workplace.
There are no prerequisites.
This class is taught in workshop format with interactive exercises and class discussion.
Session one - 9/17
Introduction and assessment
Amy Levine, EdD
Session two- 9/24
Organizational Politics: Avoiding Political Blind Spots
Mary Ann Rettig-Zucchi, PhD
Blind to power relationships, hidden agendas, and organizational politics, women short-change themselves out of career opportunities and diminish their influence and impact. This dynamic session will help you to adjust your attitudes about power and politics, confront your own naiveté' about organizational dynamics that are often swept under the carpet, and recognize "tip-offs" that you may be vulnerable. You will be introduced to "street smart strategies" to prevent you from being passed over, under-estimated, rendered expendable, or even purposely blocked from implementing your ideas or being promoted.
Session three- 10/1
Your 6 Sources of Power
Denise Brouillette, MBA
Every organization and institution has its unique challenges regarding power - who has it, how it's used, when it's best used. We are not always aware of the power that we have, and because of that, we may give up or give away our power unknowingly. You have power that derives from six sources, all of which are readily available to you. Find out what those six power sources are and how you can benefit from using them in the right way, at the right time and in the right circumstances. And once you do, you'll know how to never give your power away again.
Session four- 10/8
Non-Defensive Leadership Power for Women
Sharon Ellison
Traditional communication patterns can cause defensiveness. In this session, you will discover how to maximize your capacity as a wise leader with Powerful Non-Defensive Communication skills. You will learn how to ask disarming questions that stimulate sincere responses, give honest feedback that others want to hear, express your opinions with clarity and confidence, and set boundaries to enhance the respect others have for you. This session will afford you the opportunity to learn practical skills and have dynamic impact in any environment.
Session five - 10/15
Networking: Making Connections That Count
Vanessa George, MBA
How many of us find it difficult to take the lead in cultivating new relationships through networking? Critical connections provide influence for us in several ways, including getting a new job, advancing our careers and providing personal support. Careers are often made and advanced through networking, but many fear the process and believe it's just an insincere exercise in "schmoozing" just to get what you want. So we stay within our comfort zone and wonder why others are succeeding so well! This session will help you assess the state of your networks, and teach you the secret about changing the way you think about networking so you can make connections that truly count. Learn how to network with ease and forever eliminate the fear of "schmoozing."
Session six - 10/22
Don't Ask, Don't Get: Effective Negotiation Techniques
Amy Levine, EdD
You have opportunities to negotiate every day in your professional and personal life. Whether it is, "Where do you want to have dinner tonight?" or "I'd like to discuss my salary," if you don't ask for what you want and deserve, you'll never get it. In this session, you will learn how to prepare to negotiate, build your case, present your request, and clinch the deal. You will gain practical skills to achieve negotiated outcomes that will leave both parties feeling satisfied.
Session seven - 10/29
Public Speaking with Ease - How to Be a Compelling Speaker Every Time
Caterina Rando, MA, MCC
Do you know that most people are more frightened of standing up at the podium to give a speech than they are of standing in front of a firing squad? As a result, many people make it to the end of their careers having avoided numerous opportunities to speak in public.
This session will provide a safe and supportive environment to allow everyone an opportunity to experience being successful in front of an audience. You will learn:
- The importance of speaking up
- How to successfully think and speak extemporaneously
- How to prepare and write a successful speech
- How to overcome nervousness
- How to deal with a challenging audience
- How to field questions
Session eight - 11/5
Power of Personal Accountability
Jamie Woolf, MS
In this session you will be challenged to rethink the way you respond to challenges and hold yourself and others accountable. You will be introduced to strategies, skills and new ways of responding to situations that will create greater accountability with co-workers, customers, and yourself. The session provides an opportunity to:
- Learn a questioning strategy for coaching yourself and others in making improvements.
- Practice a process for shifting from victim to more accountable behaviors and attitudes.
- Apply methods for holding others accountable in a supportive manner.
- Better understand the role of a personal vision.
Session nine - 11/12
The Solution Method: Skills to Become Wired for Joy
Laurel Mellin, PhD
Use this new method to identify your brain state throughout the day on a scale of 1 to 5, from well-being to being stressed out. Then use the skill that mirrors natural brain processing for that state to switch your brain from stress toward joy and experience immediate relief. Use it over time to rewire your brain from stress - overeating, depression, anxiety, overspending, overworking and more - to well-being. Enjoy this lively and fun introduction to The Solution Method, named "One of the 10 Top Medical Advances of the Year" by Health magazine.
Session ten - 11/19
Wrap-up
Amy Levine, EdD
