Management Matters Workshops

Managing people is sometimes the hardest and most stressful part of any job. Whether it is managing “up” (e.g., working with one’s thesis adviser or future boss), “across” (current and future coworkers) or “down” (people whom you directly supervise), the challenges can be enormous. Typically, the necessary skills are learned "on the job," an imperfect and sometimes painfully slow method that can involve much stress for all concerned. But, managing people doesn’t need to be that hard! There are many simple principles and guidelines that, once learned, can make the process of working with others far more enjoyable and effective. In this workshop series, we will focus on three topics that represent a sequence.

First is “working with different styles.” The truth is we are all different and this needs to be understood when working with or managing others. In this first session, we use an assessment tool to help you identify your primary behavioral style and then expand your repertoire of interacting modes so you can deal with other styles effectively.

Second will be “making expectations clear.” This is the basis for all effective management and, remarkably, it is as crucial to managing “up” as it is to “down.” We will build on the first session to determine how to establish clear expectations with people of different styles and in different roles.

Third is “giving and getting feedback.” No-one is perfect in their job and the art of providing and soliciting effective feedback is again crucial to all work relationships. This is as much true of “feedback for continuation” (when the behavior is one you want to encourage) as it is of “feedback for change.”

Dates and times are listed below. Application is now CLOSED.**

This series complements two related offerings, Negotiation and Influence and Communication Matters.

Winter Quarter 2012 Workshops