Overview

Organizational Development and Learning offers a wide-range of services and programs for the staff of Wright State University.  From one-on-one coaching sessions to consultation services and programs that affect an entire department/school/organization, we are here to serve your individual and organizational needs.

Instructors

Services

Programs

On-Line Learning

Instructors:

Jenny 'Alex' Alexander

'Alex' currently teaches at Wright State in the Communication department and is the director of the Business Communication course. She is the previous director for the Interpersonal Communications course and has also taught Small Group / Team Communication, Public Speaking, Communication for Teachers, Effective Listening, and Health Communication.

A magna cum laude graduate from Wright State (BA in Communication and a MS in Counseling), Alex has been listed in Who's Who Amongst America's Teachers twice and was voted 'Faculty member of the Year' in 2002-2003, 2005-2006, and 2007-2008 by the Greek Affairs Council at Wright State. Voted one of the top five faculty members by the students of WSU, she also received the 'Outstanding Alumni Award' by the College of Education and Human Services in 2003. Alex also does training and consulting with non-profit organizations and Fortune 500 companies.

Albert Bondurant

Albert, Wright State's Executive Director of Organizational Development and Learning and Staff Liaison, has worked in Human Resource Development / Organizational Development and Education for more than 25 years. His experience in both the public and private sectors includes work with organizations in Education, Government, Service, IT and Manufacturing. Albert has held numerous positions, including teacher, developer, facilitator, adjunct faculty, corporate training manager, independent contractor and leadership coach/consultant. During the course of his career, he has led teams and projects, coordinated assessments, analyzed performance and led reengineering and culture-shift initiatives.

Albert has a MA in Education (Adult Education and Workforce Development) and a BA in Communication and has extensive development and presentation experience (creating more than 50 courses while accumulating an excess of 15,000 'classroom' hours conducting programs on more than 125 topics.) He is a certified Master Trainer with Achieve Global, a certified facilitator with DDI (Development Demensions International), a qualified facilitator and administrator of the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) instrument and a former instructor of the comprehensive Certified Manager Program from the Institute of Certified Professional Managers.

George Frey

George has been at Wright State for over 23 years. He has served as the Director of the Television Center and as an Associate Director of The Center of Teaching and Learning. Since October 2009, he has been the Director of the Division of Professional Development for the College of Education and Human Services. He teaches a number of classes each year as an adjunct instructor for the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education and Human Services and for University College.

In addition to his full-time job and teaching, George does numerous presentations each year on the topic of Media Awareness and Literacy at local schools. He has conducted workshops in Creativity, Motivation in Instructional Design, Train the Trainer, and various instructional technologies. He is a recipient of the 'Learning Communities Award for Overall Excellence in Learning Community Instruction,' advisor to WSU's Colleges Against Cancer chapter and a member of the Greene County Board of Advisors for the American Cancer Society.

Sue Polanka

Sue is the Head of Reference and Instruction at the Wright State University Libraries. During her career as a librarian, she has developed a variety of continuing education workshops for librarians and has moderated and facilitated conference sessions. While employed with the University of Dayton Roesch Library from 1999-2004, she also taught Public Speaking and Interviewing courses in the Department of Communication.

Sue received a BA in Communication from the University of Dayton and a Master of Library Science from Kent State University. Sue moderates an award-winning blog about libraries and ebooks, No Shelf Required, and edited a book of the same name. Sue was recently honored for her efforts to connect libraries and ebooks, being named a 'Library Journal 2011 Mover and Shaker.'

Services

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New Employee Orientation (NEO: Wright...from the Start) *

*This program is now available via Human Resources:

Offered on the first Monday of every month, this one-day program includes an array of presentations from various departments, as well as an opportunity to complete essential paperwork from HR.  The program concludes with an extensive tour of our main campus.

OJT (On-the-Job Training)

Coming in 2012, this one-day program will offer organizational tools and processes to use for those who train others within their department/school/organization.

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WSU Leadership Academy

Services

Executive Coaching is available upon request.

Strategic Planning is available upon request.

Programs

Cornerstones of Effective Leadership

This multi-part series of group offerings provides Leads, Supervisors and Managers with essential skills.

• The Performance Appraisal: An Obligation

• The 'Art' of Coaching

• Performance Issues/Improvement

• Setting Performance Expectations: Providing Direction and Influence

• Providing Effective - and Constructive - Feedback

The Performance Appraisal: An Obligation

This course looks at:

• defining Performance Management (PM)
• PM as an on-going process
• the importance of documentation
• the 'benefits' of a performance appraisal
• how you're being perceived
• key 'ingredients' in the process
• why focusing on core competencies is vital
• the importance of effective communication
• the 'seven solutions' to a successful performance appraisal

"Excellent!"

". . .provided concrete examples and practical application to completing a performance appraisal."

"As a new employee, this was very helpful in understanding WSU appraisal culture."

"Interactive elements very helpful."

"I thought it was excellent, for both new supervisors and ones who have done many evaluations."

"Excellent - unteractive."

"Very effective."

"Extremely effective."

". . .should be required for all supervisors."

". . .very effective - was presented w/new ideas!"

"Great course!"

"Very beneficial."

". . . gave great points that I will be able to use."

"Excellent quality with applicability to my work."

"This program is a great resource for anyone looking to develop their performance evaluation skills."

The 'Art' of Coaching

This program looks at coaching as an essential skill that should be in every supervisor/leader 'toolbox' - focusing on the finesse necessary to effectively coach, use proven coaching techniques, a coaching 'process' and the opportunity to 'test' coaching skills while receiving immediate feedback.

Performance Issues/Improvement

This program from Human Resources (facilitated by Emily Hamman and Latricia Milhouse) looks at:

• how to identify and best define behavior/performance issues
• coaching and documenting performance
• a full understanding of the processes in place
• identifying the tools and resources available
• guarding against common errors
• effective use of the steps to correct performance issues
• 'not-for-cause' terminations
• what's meant by 'just cause'
• the avenues of appeal that are available - all via discussion, exercises and case studies

". . .gives me more information and supporting documentation. Great material! Needs to be mandatory for ALL supervisors!"

"It will definitely help me to address employee performance problems in a more effective, positive manner. . . has provided me with tools and processes to use everyday in my supervisory duties. Please continue to build on these programs/skills we have learned by offering programs in the future. Thank you!"

"I learned of many resources that will be helpful for me and my staff. I feel more empowered as a supervisor to better assist my staff in improvement. I thought the case studies, verbal examples were excellent; in addition, the manual is such that I can easily pick it up as needed months from now and truly understand and remember what was said. I learned so much I didn't know, including resources to pass onto staff. This was a FANTASTIC training!"

". . . has given me a "starting point" to deal with a problem employee. Has also given me a plan. . .how to proceed. The instructors were very knowledgable and presented the information clearly. Should be required of all supervisors."

"The training enhanced my knowledge of how to deal with difficult situations/staff in the workplace. It will help me in becoming more effective as a manager. Great job!"

"Good overall presentation for better day-to-day management. Good for multiple supervisors in the same department to attend. Would like all other supervisors in our office to attend and hope it will be offered again soon!"

". . . will assist me in the overall understanding of the PIP and other performance related issues. I wish this was available before I became a supervisor! Very thorough and detailed -- keep the series going!"

". . .helps reinforce the training I had and increases my confidence."

". . . knowledge of proper procedures in dealing with situations of an employee. Material is excellent; very good explanations. All supervisors should be requred to take these classes."

"I'm better prepared to take action when confronted with unsatisfactory behavior."

Setting Performance Expectations: Providing Direction and Influence

This interactive program looks at:

• the major outcomes you expect
• the specific criteria that needs to be met
• how each person's responsibilites tie to major outcomes
• the importance of explaining 'why' instead of just telling
• the link between seeking input and gaining commitment
• the impact of communicating clearly and honestly
• establishing priorities
• clarifying job responsbilities
• correcting misunderstandings about what's expected
• why staying on 'message' - with consistency - is essential
• listing your expectations
• effective delegation

". . . very detailed in building an effective performance plan and going through it with the employee."

". . . helps to structure a necessary task, turn it into a powerful tool for increasing performance."

". . .will help me communicate with my team/staff members on what is expected of each of them."

"This is one of the best sessions. . ."

"Extremely well prepared, very engaging and provided great tools to set expectations. Wonderful initiative; very needed."

"Phenominal - very effective. Keep the Leadership programs coming!"

"Workbook will be helpful tool to guide myself to influence staff outcomes. Excellent presentation; good resource. I look forward to additional workshops."

"Will help me in setting expectations for my staff that report to me. Would recommend to others to attend."

"It will allow me to be better prepared to set expectations with my employees and team. It also allows me to better motivate my employees as we set expectations. Finally, it reminded me to clearly express/communicate those expectations. . . very effective; answered questions, provided examples; the video was very effective in exemplifying the content. I would recommend to other supervisors. Thank you for offering this program!"

"Gave me a deeper understanding of successful leadership and practical examples of how I can apply it with co-workers and employees. I learned a great deal and can readily apply this information to my personal and professional life."

Providing Effective - and Constructive - Feedback

This course looks at:

• why feedback is important
• the importance of assessing yourself
• ensuring the feedback is constructive
• how to use effective communication techniques
• how to provide oral and written feedback
• the importance of developing a personal action plan
• characteristics of quality feedback
• the process of making observations and giving feedback. 

Executive Education

Available in 2012, this series of offerings will provide Directors, Chairs, and above, with key components to complement their existing skill-sets.

Women's Leadership Institute

Available Fall, 2012 - Specifically focused on the unique needs and challenges faced by women in a university setting, the WSU Women's Leadership Institute will draw from and serve women who are either currently in supervisory/leadership positions or with interest or potential to advance into such positions. 

Leadership :  The Wright Way

Available in 2012, this two-day program will focus on the needs of those either new to a leadership position or already in a leadership position but, new to WSU, or those individuals viewed as potential candidates for a future role in leadership.

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WSU Professional Development Alliance

These programs, are a multi-part series of grouped offerings, focused on the needs of non-management staff.

Services

One-on-one coaching is available upon request for non-management staff when requested through department/school/organization administration.

Programs

Available in 2011, these programs, offered as a multi-part series of grouped offerings, will focus on the needs of non-management staff.

 

Unlocking Your Potential

Unlocking Your Potential is a five session series designed to help individuals maximize their interpersonal skills to positively impact productivity and enhance professionalism.

Understanding Ourselves/Understanding Each Other

This program allows each participant to better understand their individual preferences and those of others to improve their effectiveness with supervisors, co-workers and teammates. Insight, from how we gain energy, to how we gather and process information, to our need for closure, allows a better understanding of how essential it is for a team to have a mixture of individuals, each with their own unique strengths, all working toward a shared goal.

Definition of ‘Team’

Essential ingredients for teamwork

Strengths/Challenges

The MBTI and Teamwork

• Extravert/Introvert: Energy
• Sensing/Intuition: Gathering Information
• Thinking/Feeling: Processing Information
• Judging/Perceiving: Need for Closure

". . . help me with my interpersonal relationship skills. Excellent material; instructor facilitated the class very well; kept us on track nicely. Great program; great instructor."

"It will help me communicate with and understand my team members better. I realize I must let others know and understand me . . . it made me think and gave me many ideas to improve."

"I know that people are different; today's program will help me realize, as an extrovert, that I shouldn't always think that introverts are uncomfortable with silence."

"The program helped me analyze some of my preferences, and I realized that people with different preferences are necessary . . . a nice presentation."

"It gave me a perspective of how to work with other people and how other people might think and act. This will help me get to know more about myself and how to work with others. Really great facilitation skills - guided the group very well."

"It will help me keep in mind that a good team consists of diversity and difference in thought. It will also help me keep in mind which situations best suit my preferences. I thought it was a very good presentation with some helpful material. The presenter was engaging and the exercises were helpful."

"To find other methods of communicating and working with people different from you. To empathize with others and find more effective ways to work together to identify strengths and weaknesses in others. Very effective and interactive; interesting."

"Allow me to be more open and reflective concerning others I will work with especially in a team. Very interesting; very professional and skillfully presented."

"Helps me to understand how I am perceived to better manage my talents. Great program; I look forward to future programs."

Effective Communication: Essential to Success

• Introduction
  1. Definition/Purpose/Key Components
  2. Three Steps to Effective Communication
     1. Prepare Yourself and the Receiver
     2. Send Your Message
     3. Check for Understanding
• Prepare Yourself and the Receiver
  1. Know Your Goal
  2. Practice Positive Intent
  3. Understanding Assumptions
  4. How to Avoid Harmful Assumptions
  5. Self-Talk
• Send Your Message
  1. Characteristics of a Clear Message
  2. Building Rapport/Showing Empathy
  3. Understand your Non-verbal ‘Messages’
  4. Credibility
  5. Be Direct without being Rude
  6. Communication Styles
  7. Expressive and Receptive ‘Language’
  8. Mirroring Messages
• Check for Understanding
  1. Ask Clarifying Questions
  2. Active Listening
  3. Listen with Interest
  4. Positive Phrasing
  5. Paraphrasing Statements
  6. Enhancing Your Communication

Evaluation Comments:

". . . will make me more aware of my communications with co-workers and attempt to be more effective."

"I speak with students regarding difficult concepts and processes daily. This will help me to streamline my conveyance."

"It was very good. Lots of information."

"It will be very helpful as communication is a barrier for me; English is not my first language."

". . .valuable for nurturing healthy team building!"

"The program was very good. I look forward to putting my new skills and awareness to work."

"Excellent material; well researched and well conducted."

"It will help me to make sure I am really being understood the way I want to. . . will help me to communicate better without making people defensive."

"I was reintroduced to good personal habits and introduced to the necessity of polish."

" Great! Appropriately paced."

"Great material often overlooked in other presentations."

Resolving Conflict: Dealing with Difficult Behavior

• Keys for improving relationships at work
• Understanding styles of behavior
• Analyzing your relationships
• Resolving conflict constructively and productively
• Knowing what works - and, what doesn't
• The process of conflict resolution
• Coping with rocky relationships
• Dealing with difficult team members
• Following through with consistency

 

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On-Line Learning

There are a wide range of highly interactive courses that you can take entirely over the Internet. All courses include expert instructors, many of whom are nationally known authors. These online courses are affordable, fun, fast, convenient, and geared just for you. Ready to explore our catalog? On-Line Learning

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