PD Wednesday Webinars

Join us once a month as our instructors discuss a variety of topics.

• Wednesdays, 11:00am-12:00pm
• $15/Free for U of R Alumni*
• Presented over ZOOM
• Registration required

Leadership Impact Through Acountable Communication

September 16
Facilitated by Laura Soparlo

Have you ever experienced giving a message or some instruction to your colleagues, friends or even family members only to realize later, nothing was done or the recipients of your message did not do as you asked? We as humans are quick to blame, pointing the finger and accusing others “for not listening or doing their part”. In reality, more times than not, our message was not clear and our true intent muddled at best. Accountable communication is being very clear about your intent and being 100% responsible for the impact your words have on others. This does not come naturally to many of us, and is a skill that needs to be learned and practiced. In this session, you will learn some key concepts and tools that will make your communication more effective with a positive impact on others. These same tools can be shared with others to build stronger teams and interpersonal relationships within any group.

Optimizing Project Management: Project Management Professional (PMP®) Designation & Benefits Explained

October 21
Facilitated by Shari Hildred

Project management is increasingly becoming a predominant mechanism used by organizations to implement their business plans. Projects respond to delivering on the strategic goals and targets of an organization, ranging from small, in-year initiatives through to major, multi-fiscal projects. Projects and project management methodology are becoming more prevalent, recognized and sought-after, as are those who choose to obtain formal designation in the field.

This webinar describes the potential and power of the project management discipline and the related designations in the professional practice, including PMP ®. It explains why project management is a valuable profession at any time in one’s career, from entry-level to mid-career changers as well as for those looking to leverage robust career expertise into an expanded professional platform.

Empathy, The Foundation Of Interpersonal Relationships

November 4
Facilitated by Laura Soparlo

Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and appreciate the way others feel. It is your ability to “tune in” to the thoughts and feelings of others and show that you care. Empathy is a crucial component in building strong relationships. Being empathic is our ability to emotionally read other people and be sensitive to their needs. It is so much more than just being nice.

Empathy is a critical leadership skill and the foundation of all interpersonal relationships; however, it does not come naturally to many of us. Expressed well, it enables the leader to build collaborative relationships rather than adversarial ones. When we are stressed, threatened or defensive, we tend to adopt a less empathetic approach, making decisions without considering the needs or feelings of others causing alienation and resentment.

By the end of this webinar, you will:

• Understand why empathy is the foundation of meaningful interpersonal relationships and an essential skill for leaders.
• Learn about the three different kinds of empathy.
• Differentiate between sympathy and empathy.
• Learn techniques to enhance your empathy and your emotional intelligence skills.
  
  

Project Management: A Necessary Business Skill - The Must-Know Basics

December 9
Facilitated by Shari Hildred

Project management is quickly being considered a necessary general business skill. Its application can be seen from small initiatives such as conference planning to unique applications such as policy development through to large construction projects. Project management is at the heart of defining and ensuring completion of temporary endeavours.

This webinar is designed for those who are interested in learning more about the ubiquity of projects and project management in business and organizations today and is targeted to anyone interested in starting to build project management skills while considering proven methodology that is scalable to all sizes and types of projects.

Essential Ingredients Of Innovation: How To Generate Ideas And Engage An Entire Workforce In Experimentation

January 13
Facilitated by Dan Florizone

A workforce of problem-seekers and problem-solvers is key to creating a culture of innovation. There is a discipline to nurturing curiosity, idea generation and problem solving. Everyday small tests of change have a transformative effect. This one-hour webinar will provide insight into the necessary ingredients to creating a culture of innovation through everyday engagement, experimentation, and learning; and the impact on performance is profound.

Defining Y.O.U.R. Leadership (Your Own Unique Roadmap)

February 3
Facilitated by Cristine Saxon

If you were to ask respected leaders about their own leadership roadmap to success, you would probably get some good advice. You would also likely find that no two paths look the same. What if it turns out that the best place to search to find the roadmap to develop your leadership potential is within yourself?

Defining Your Own Unique Roadmap (Y.O.U.R.) starts with self-awareness to create a plan that is purposeful and personalized. You can then focus on building upon your strengths, improving your weaknesses, and filling any gaps by trying new things. In this webinar, we will explore the importance of uncovering what matters to you and what motivates you on the path to fulfillment and success, to allow you to lean fully and authentically into your leadership sweet spot.

Change In Uncertain Times

March 3
Facilitated by Dan Florizone

The list is long: a novel virus, economic uncertainty, an organizational crisis, shifts in technology, changing roles, re-organization…Organizations and individuals react to external and internal uncertainty in different, but often detrimental ways. The need for organizations to be flexible, resilient, and nimble are more important than ever. In the spirit of Churchill “Never waste a good crisis”, this webinar will provide participants with insight into our individual response to change, and the tools available to teams and organizations to both cope and ultimately thrive in turbulent times.

Conflict Resolution On Projects: Help Your Project Team Thrive During Tough Times

April 7
Facilitated by Elias Rizk

Projects as change vehicles commonly introduce conflict on the project team. This webinar will provide participants a refresher on identifying sources of conflict on projects, and will offer pointers and suggestions on how to help the project team thrive and grow as a result.

Participants will learn about:

• Different types of conflicts.
• Different approaches to handling conflict.
• Different techniques to manage conflict.
• Different techniques and tactics to work through conflict.