Campus & Community

2 ‘Crucial’ Training Programs Offered to Faculty and Staff Leaders This Fall

Wednesday, August 30, 2023, By News Staff

The University’s Office of Human Resources is pleased to announce two upcoming professional development opportunities to faculty and staff leaders. The popular Crucial Conversations program—a deep dive on how to communicate effectively, especially in high-stakes situations—returns to campus Sept. 8-Oct. 20.

Later in the fall, Crucial Influence, a new program from the creators of Crucial Conversations, will be offered on campus for the first time. To participate in Crucial Influence, you must attend the upcoming Crucial Conversations session (or have attended the series previously). Further details are as follows.

Crucial Conversations

Crucial conversations take place in organizations every day. They include:

  • conversations where stakes are high, emotions are strong and opinions differ;
  • conversations around work quality, time management, productivity, performance, customer satisfaction, sensitive issues, conflict or a strained relationship; and
  • conversations that are often avoided and/or not handled well, leading to poor outcomes.

Workshop participants will learn how to spot when conversations become crucial, avoid repeating the same conversation, separate facts from stories and emotions, and make clearer decisions and commitments, among other skills.

The Crucial Conversations is available to faculty and staff. Those in a leadership position—supervisors, managers, directors and above—are encouraged to attend.

Dates: Fridays, Sept. 8-Oct. 20

Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location: In-person, North Campus location TBA

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Crucial Influence

Crucial Influence teaches leadership skills for behavior change through hands-on instruction, practice and application. In this course, leaders will learn how to:

  • influence other’s behavior to make big and small changes inevitable;
  • identify the behaviors that will generate desired results;
  • use six sources of influence to diagnose problem behaviors and identify why people struggle to change;
  • motivate by tapping into personal values;
  • help others learn new skills;
  • harness the power of social influence; and
  • correctly incentivize behaviors.

Crucial Influence will be held in the mid-to-late fall semester and more details are to come. Faculty and staff in a leadership position who have previously participated in Crucial Conversations or are enrolled in the September/October course will be eligible to enroll. Those interested can and you will be notified once the dates are finalized.

For both programs:

  • Skills learned each week build upon concepts from prior lessons, so it is critical participants are able to attend and be present for all sessions.
  • Because there is a cost of $350 per person for program materials, departmental approval is necessary. The fee will be charged to participants’ budget centers and approval from your supervisor and budget manager is required.
  • The programs provide experiential learning through exercises, practice with real issues and group discussions.
  • With questions, email Pam Gavenda, associate director of organizational development and training, at pegavend@syr.edu.