“Communication Skills” Series
(A series of workshops addressing critical skill need areas such as listening,
learning styles and communication, gossip prevention, and handling difficult conversations.)

Strengthening Workplace Civility & Handling Difficult Conversations (workshops 3 & 4 of Series)

Wednesday, March 4, 2009
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location:
The 2100 Building
2100 24th Avenue S.
Seattle, WA 98144

 

Morning Session: STRENGTHENING WORKPLACE CIVILITY

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

Workplace incivility can be defined as a rude or discourteous act, and/or the practice of behaviors that undermine the credibility and productivity of others. A workplace bully subjects the target to unjustified criticism, destructive gossip, and trivial fault-finding. In addition, he or she humiliates the target, especially in front of others, and ignores, overrules, isolates and excludes the target. Finally, workplace bullies intimidate or subject co-workers to hostility or ill treatment. These actions cause another person to feel afraid, humiliated, embarrassed, threatened or shamed.

A recent U.S. study estimates 1 in 5 American workers has experienced destructive bullying in the past year.

Strengthening Workplace Civility training is a comprehensive training designed to foster understanding, meaning, and clarity as well as the legal ramifications regarding the topics of workplace incivility, bullying, and violence. Workshop participants will learn about the causes of, and damaging effects of, negative workplace behaviors and actions. 

Participants will also learn powerful tools, tips and techniques that can be applied immediately to confront and address these behaviors and to confidently combat workplace incivility and bullying, thereby building a respectful, safe and accountable culture at work.

Workshop Objectives:

The objective of this training is to assist participants in addressing workplace incivility issues and combating workplace bullying:

• An introduction to workplace civility (and online harassment) including definitions, constructs and effects of such behaviors will be discussed. 
• Tools for employees to recognize, confront, and work-through negative or destructive workplace behaviors will be described. 
• Tools for employees and supervisors to positively address and implement effective solutions and interventions for destructive workplace behaviors (such as gossiping) will also be addressed. 
• Policy and procedure for confronting and documenting such behaviors will be offered. 

As a result of participating in this workshop, participants will:   PART I:  Introduction to Workplace Incivility and Bullying Be able to define and identify examples of workplace incivility and bullying Be able to identify, address and combat workplace gossip Be able to define, identify and address cyber-bullying PART II:  Destructive Workplace Incivility and Bullying Be able to identify the effects and consequences of workplace incivility and bullying Be able to define the motivators of workplace incivility and bullying PART III:  Combating Workplace Bullying Be able to identify 4 steps to combat workplace incivility and bullying Be able to identify 6 steps to build a civil workplace culture Be able to identify policies and procedures to effectively address workplace incivility and bullying

(This workshop has been designed for all staff).

TRAINER:    Dr. MICHELLE BENNETT

 

Afternoon Session: HANDLING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

Life is certainly not static.  We change, our co-workers change, other things change.  People don’t always do what we want them to do. Issues surface.  Learning to positively navigate the issues as they come up is a lifelong process.  Very often we know we need to do something but we don’t have the behavioral skills or process tools to move ahead.  As a result, we feel stuck and that leads to distress. It also leads to reduced productivity, performance and morale.

Every person needs to develop core competencies to communicate with and influence others, and to be able to address and resolve difficult and/or emotional interactions in their life quickly and effectively.

In this highly interactive workshop, participants will learn and practice behavioral skills to effectively influence others, build trust, and how to strategize, plan, and engage others in difficult conversations.  They will learn and practice how to do this without conflict or making their relationships worse.  

This is a skills based training.  All skills are based on a foundation of honesty with a balance of respect and accountability.  Participants will learn and practice specific skills, and walk away understanding the thought process behind the skills so that they can immediately apply what they have learned.

Workshop Objectives:

1. Learn how to identify three generic options to deal with most issues in life.
2. Understand how and why your behavior and the delivery of your message have such high impacts on trust and defensiveness.
3. Learn how to prepare for a difficult conversation to reduce risk and potential conflict, and be able to confront three different ways, without creating conflict.
4. Be able to maintain respectful control during an emotional interaction.
5. Learn how to give effective feedback so that it truly influences performance and / or behavior.
6. Be able to set a positive tone non-verbally.
   
   

Participant Outcomes:  Improved ability to positively and proactively deal with conflict and issues that come up in the workplace and life. Improved abilities to communicate with a specific goal. Improved effectiveness, productivity and resilience in all workplace interactions and relationships. Be better at reducing defensiveness and increasing trust in relationships.

 

(This workshop has been designed for all staff).

TRAINER:    WENDY BARRY, Principal, Effective Options LLC

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WORKSHOP FEE

Coalition Member Organization:
$90 per participant   [for 1-5 staff from member organization]
$80 per participant   [6 or more staff from member organization]

Non-Member Organization:
$120 per participant

Lunch will be on your own.

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Continuing Education Units/Clock Hours
Participants can register for Highline Community College Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
The cost is $10.00 per course. CEU forms are available at the workshop.

Free Clock Hours available at the workshop.

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Cancellation Policy:

The cancellation fee is $25. If you must cancel your registration, you may request a refund minus the $25 fee up to 3 working days prior to the event. After this date, no refunds will be issued; you can make substitutions. "No-shows" will be charged the full workshop fee.

Note: All fees must be received within 90 days after event or a service fee of $25 will be added.

Please inform Anna McCain at 206/870-5908 or amccain@highline.edu if you need to cancel.

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Click here to go to Coalition Member Organizations list

Click here to go directly to the King County Non-Profit Staff Development Coalition Project home page.