It takes a strong team to do the important work we’re tasked with in higher education. With that in mind, UIS launched the Rise initiative in Fall 2023. Rise is focused on lifting up the UIS community through intentional engagements for professional development, culture-strengthening and belonging.
Spring 2025 Rise Professional Development Retreat: Workplace Communication
Friday, Jan. 31, 2025
Sponsored by O'Shea Builders and the Chancellor’s Fund for Innovation and Opportunity
Mirrored morning and afternoon sessions are available with a box lunch in between to accommodate all schedules. The retreat will feature workshop sessions led by UIS and community experts and an engaging keynote presentation, “Essential Focus,” by Ashley Lang, Ed.D, who has nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, leadership, retail and marketing. She will share her perspectives on essentialism to stop doing it all and how to zero in on the contributions that really matter.
Keynote: Essential Focus – Ashley Lang, Ed.D.
Less but better! Essentialism is about giving yourself permission to stop doing it all and making your contribution to what really matters. Using extreme criteria participants will learn how to further focus in on the mission, vision, and values of the university and consider what really matters in their role. The group will zero in on what really matters in an effort to create a vision and actions to work toward achieving their vision of success.
Workshop 1: CAN DO: Collaborative Alliances Nurturing Developmental Outcomes
Description: In this interactive session, you’ll learn about some of the collaborations/partnerships others are doing. You’ll also work through a process to determine how you might use collaborations to maintain or enhance your level of excellence. Whether you want to enhance departmental, divisional, or your own developmental outcomes, collaborations might help. Themes and skills addressed in this session include communication, strategic thinking, and mental health.
Facilitators: Kathyy Battee-Freeman, M.Ed., M.A.; Jessica Flynn, Ed.D.; Kristin Nisbet-White, M.A.; and Steven Johnson Jr., Ed.D.
Workshop 2: Managing Power and Politics in the Workplace
Description: In this highly interactive session, we will learn the significance of managing power and politics effectively in the workplace. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for the well-being of both employees and organizations. Power and politics are often perceived as negative concepts, and many leaders hesitate to acknowledge their presence in the workplace. However, we all recognize that they exist and are inevitable. Employees who possess power or engage in workplace politics often deny it, while those who seek power tend to disguise their ambitions. Similarly, individuals who want to participate in workplace politics may be discreet about it. Furthermore, employees who excel at navigating power and politics tend to keep their strategies secret. Researchers found that employees who struggle with power and politics typically experience lower job satisfaction, increased anxiety and stress, higher rates of withdrawal behaviors, and decreased job performance. In this session, based on behavioral and organizational research, we will briefly explore our natural relationship with power and politics, highlight various tactics used in the workplace, and discuss practical tools to help you address these issues effectively.
Facilitator: Sudeep Sharma, Ph.D.
Workshop 3: Communicate with Confidence: Exploring DiSC Styles in the Workplace
Description: Join our professional development workshop on workplace communication styles based on Everything DiSC. This session will explore the four primary DiSC styles—Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness—and how they impact workplace interactions. Participants will gain insights into their own communication preferences and learn strategies to effectively engage with colleagues who have different styles. The workshop includes an interactive activity where attendees will practice these skills by interacting with others who have contrasting communication styles, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives.
Fill out the survey in advance to determine which style(s) you primarily operate from.
Facilitator: Ann Comerford, M.Ed.
Workshop 4: Reimagining Work with AI
Description: In this session, participants will gain practical tips for integrating AI tools into daily workflows to enhance productivity. Attendees will also learn how AI can offer intelligent insights to inform decision-making and assist in generating creative solutions to complex challenges. Additionally, the session will address the ethical implications of AI in the workplace, offering guidance on how to navigate these considerations responsibly.
Key Takeaways:
- Transformative Potential: Understand how AI is changing the nature of work and job roles.
- Practical Implementation: Gain practical tips on integrating AI tools into your daily workflow to boost productivity.
- Intelligent Insights: Discover how AI can provide actionable insights to inform decision-making.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Discover how AI can assist in generating creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Ethical Considerations: Discuss the ethical implications of AI in the workplace and how to address them responsibly.
Facilitators: Kara McElwrath, M.S.; and Layne Morsch, Ph.D.
Workshop 5: Thriving Through Strategic Conversations
Overview:
This interactive session will equip participants with practical strategies to enhance communication and partnership. Grounded in the principles of positive psychology, this training focuses on leveraging strengths and maintaining resilience during prosperous and challenging times. Participants will learn how to approach strategic conversations with confidence and purpose, fostering a culture of growth and collaboration.
Key Objectives:
Explore Positive Psychology in Action
- Understand how positive psychology principles can enhance strategic thinking and communication.
- Learn techniques to stay solution-focused and resilient in difficult conversations.
Develop a Game Plan for Strategic Conversations:
- Identify personal and professional goals for upcoming strategic conversations.
- Create a tailored action plan that incorporates positive psychology practices.
Session Activities:
- Warm-Up
- Mini-Lecture
- Reflection Exercise
Takeaways:
- A deeper understanding of how positivity and resilience can drive success in strategic conversations.
- A personalized, actionable game plan for navigating future discussions effectively.
- Deeper appreciation for the collective strengths and achievements of the campus community.
Facilitator: Josh Frye, M.S.; O'Shea Builders
Workshop 6: Resolution Ready: Resolving Conflict with Confidence
Description: Conflict is inevitable in any interpersonal relationship – both personal and professional. And, although conflict often has a negative connotation, conflict can have many positive outcomes if handled effectively. Through this interactive session, participants will explore common sources of conflict, personal conflict styles, and how to increase communication confidence and develop an action plan to resolve conflict more effectively.
Facilitator: Beth Ribarsky, Ph.D.
Recordings
- Fall 2024 Employee Info Session (10/16/2024)
- Fall 2024 UIS Faculty-Staff Academic Year Kickoff (8/22/2024)
- Spring 2024 Employee Info Session
Please see our list of past events.