Schedule for Fall 2025
All programs will take place from 12:10 - 1 p.m. in the Leach Dining Room in Peirce Hall. Lunch is provided for in-person attendees. Students, faculty and staff are all welcome to attend. Please register in advance.
- Wednesday, Sept. 24: The Science and Art of Great Conversations
Inspired by Alison Wood Brooks’ book "Talk," this workshop explores how curiosity, listening, and warmth can transform interactions with colleagues, students, and community members. Through interactive activities and practical strategies, you’ll leave with tools to build stronger connections and make every conversation more meaningful. - Thursday, Oct. 9: Shatterproof: Building Everyday Resilience
Resilience isn’t about being tough — it’s about learning how to bend without breaking. Inspired by Tasha Eurich’s "Shatterproof," this session highlights habits and mindsets that help people recover from setbacks, manage stress, and adapt to change. With reflection, discussion, and real-life strategies, you’ll walk away with practical, science-backed tools to strengthen your resilience at work and beyond. - Thursday, Nov. 20: Professional Communication Skills for the Workplace (An Ombuds Office and Human Resources Collaboration)
Strong communication is at the heart of a healthy workplace. This interactive workshop will cover verbal and nonverbal communication strategies to build clarity and connection, guidelines for professional appropriateness, and frameworks for giving and receiving critical feedback. Participants will leave with tools to foster respect, effective interactions and enhance collaboration across campus.
Previous Presentation
- Less Stress and More Resilience? Yes, please! (slide deck only) (2025)
- Gathering with Purpose: Applying Priya Parker's Human-Centered Approach (slide deck only) (2025)
- Leading with Radical Candor: Building Stronger Relationships and Workplace Culture (slide deck only) (2025)
- Strategies for Constructive Conversations on Divisive Topics (slide deck only) (2024)
- Dealing with, and Leading Through, Change (slide deck only) (2024)
- Nine Principles for Getting Along with Anybody (slide deck only) (Nov. 16, 2023)
- Why Work Relationships are Worth the Trouble (closed captions) (Oct. 19, 2023)
- Tips on Receiving Feedback Well (closed captions) (Sept. 20, 2023)
- Conflict Entrepreneurs and Others Fanning the Flames (slide deck only) (April 18, 2023)
- Recognizing High Conflict in the World and Yourself (March 23, 2023)
- Using Empowerment and Recognition to Lessen Destructive Conflict (slide deck only) (Feb. 2, 2023)
- Preparing for the End of the Semester (Nov. 30, 2022)
- Assertiveness Doesn't Have to Be Scary (slide deck only) (Nov. 8, 2022)
- Boundaries Don't Have to Be Scary (slide deck only) (Oct. 18, 2022)
- Hard Conversations Don't Have to Be Scary (Oct. 4, 2022)
- How Do You Tend to Respond to Conflict? (slide deck only) (March 22, 2022)
- Dealing with Angry and Irritated People, While Not Becoming One Yourself (slide deck only) (Feb. 15, 2022)
- Questions of Persuasion & Questions of Curiosity: How the Type of Questions We Use Impact the Kind of Conversations We Have (Feb. 5, 2021)
- "Where's the Lack?" (Sept. 17, 2020)
- "Change Your 'Should' to 'Could'" (Oct. 8, 2020)
- "Own Your Real Estate" (Nov. 12, 2020)
- Developing Trust in Teams (slide deck only) (March 10, 2020)
- Become a Better Listener (slide deck only) (Nov. 19, 2019)
- What is Workplace Bullying? (slide deck only) (2015)