Interested in becoming a more effective problem solver in your work setting? Learning about the mediation process can help. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third-person assists parties in reaching a voluntary agreement. This seminar will introduce you to the seven-stage mediation process, and through interactive exercises will help you to develop the skills necessary to be an effective mediator.

Identify the cause of dispute
Recognize stakeholder's interests and positions
Frame the issues to be addressed
Encourage stakeholders to explore mutually-acceptable solutions

A. Introduction Mediation: Principles and Processes
B. Mediator Skills and Qualities
C. Skills Practice: Identification of Interests
D. Skills Practice: Impartial Listening and Effective Summarization (including identification of interests) When the Disputing Parties are Present
E. Skills Practice: Promoting Self-Determination in Decision Making
F. Reference Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators

Planning for planning's sake can generate cynicism and can demoralize employees. However, when approached strategically and with purpose, planning can uplift an organization and propel it forward. Explore the purpose and process of effective strategic planning, how and when to involve external and internal communities, and what to avoid. You will learn how to develop an organizational vision, mission and value statement.

Understand the components of the strategic planning cycle
Understand the value of strategic planning in an organization
Avoid the common pitfalls

A. Why or Why Not Do Strategic Planning?
B. Strategic Plan Method
C. Strategic Issue Identification
D. SWOT Analysis
E. Model for Evaluating and Selecting Strategies
F. Strategic Planning Pitfalls
G. Implementation Guidelines

Clear and meaningful performance goals benefit both employees and organizations. Goals provide guidance, personally and professionally, and can motivate and empower individuals to achieve amazing results. Helping employees to set and achieve goals can, however, be a challenging process. This seminar will provide managers at all levels with practical steps for working with employees to develop and attain goals that can improve both individual and organizational performance.

Set understandable goals with employees
Engage employees in the process
Understand how to motivate positive behaviors
Help employees achieve success

A.Meaningful Goals
-Setting performance expectations
-Inviting commitment
-Link goals to consequences
B.Motivational Goals
-Assessing motivation
-Connecting with employees
-Understanding the employees perspective
C.Measurable Goals
-Balancing support and direction
-Evaluate effectiveness
-Use tools that measure what they are supposed to

What does it take to be a Best Boss? This interactive seminar will give you the leadership tools and techniques needed to be a Best Boss. Participants will complete a self assessment instrument to better understand their leadership style and will learn Best Boss practices, including how to focus their leadership efforts on Smart Work, encouragement of ownership, building employee competence, and connecting people with a purpose.

Identify your areas of leadership strength
Identify the areas of leadership which need development
Learn new tools and techniques to enhance your leadership ability
Discover new ways to recognize and motivate as a leader

A. Determine What it Takes to be a "Best Boss"
B. Identify Ways to Improve Personal Performance
C. Connect People with a Purpose or Cause
D. Encourage Employees to Take Ownership
E. How to Focus Efforts on Smart Work
F. How to Build an Employees' Competence
G. Recognize Achievements

Working in public service can often put you in situations where you encounter difficult people and difficult situations. Learn to identify and manage challenging behaviors and situations through hands-on practice with tools and techniques for improving interpersonal communication, defusing problematic behaviors, and resolving thorny situations.

Recognize challenging behaviors
Identify strategies to manage and neutralize difficult behaviors
Increase productivity when dealing with difficult behaviors
Discover your default behaviors when under pressure

A. Identification of Behavior Types
B. Strategies and Tools for Defusing Difficult Behaviors
C. Understanding the Four Primary Interactive Styles
D. Exploration of Tools and Strategies for Effective Communication
E. Practice and Application
F. Next Step/Action Plan

Workplace relationships are more than the superior subordinate relationship. They involve working with persons from other areas of your own organization as well as employees from outside organizations. Participate in self-assessment and skill-building activities to help you build positive working relationships in a variety of work situations.

Reach consensus and increase collaboration
Fundamentally understand the value of negotiation
Understand and compliment different leadership styles
Explore different types of working relationships

A. Handling Your Relationships with Others
? Identifying your major work relationships and Strategies for improving them
? The problems involved in working with other sections/departments
B. The Art of Negotiating
? Why negotiating skills are essential to success
? Power and its misuse
? Steps in preparing for a negotiation and effective negotiating techniques
C. How to Sell Ideas and Change Within Your Organization
? Checklist for proposing change and requirements to sell change
? Essential steps when selling a change to colleagues/superiors
D. Working Effective With the Boss
? Analyzing the style of the boss and understanding the viewpoint of the boss
? Devising ways to capitalize your strengths to work effectively with the boss
? Guidelines for communicating upwards