Professional Development School - "There's No Place Like Parks & Rec" Sessions

Superb leadership and performance always begins with figuring out how to be stronger at leading ourselves. In this nationally acclaimed session, Michael uses an engaging and entertaining approach to present a practical, “no touchy feely” set of tools to help us take a refreshing and often surprising look at the one essential thing we are rarely trained to do: developing how we communicate with ourselves. This affects our growth, resiliency, and the building of strong relationships. We’ll learn how we unconsciously hold ourselves back and unnecessarily limit our choices. It includes Michael’s “Reverse Engineering” two-step method to identify and expand successful tools to work effectively with others—and you’ll get a resource with 200 specific examples. You will be recharged and revitalized! Learning Objectives: 1. Take more control over our self-communication to make it support our growth and our handling of challenges. 2. Learn Michael’s “Reverse Engineering” two-step method to identify and expand successful tools to develop strong relationships and boost collaboration and service. 3. Replace the less-helpful approach about people’s “styles” with more positive steps to help us be more flexibly effective. 4. Be more flexible and open to change and different approaches.

Embark on a journey down the yellow brick road of self-discovery as we explore the realm of CliftonStrengths. The CliftonStrengths assessment identifies your 34 talent themes and the unique contributions you bring to work and life. Why focus on strengths? Gallup research studies show that people who use their strengths are: • 3x more likely to report an excellent quality of life • 6x more likely to be engaged • 7%-23% higher engagement • 8%-18% greater performance at work In this interactive session, we will celebrate your career success through the language of strengths and the pursuit of excellence with a strengths-based foundation. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe your Top 10 Talent themes, what they each need to thrive, and understand their distinct impact on your success. 2. Identify ways in which your talents are used to build relationships, influence others, accomplish goals and foster critical thinking. 3. Develop strategies to build your talents into strengths, ensuring that you’re not just clicking your heels together, but soaring to new heights of engagement and fulfillment in both your career and life.

Dorthy’s walk down the yellow brick road leads to self-discovery for her and her friends of their own strengths. Great leaders will take this journey on their own so they can continue to grow. The second-year Professional Development School attendees will spend time walking the yellow brick road of self-discovery and learning leadership concepts that will help them grow and learn as well as taking a look to the future to set goals. We will start by exploring the different characteristics of our personalities, and the personalities of those we lead, and move toward innovative thinking about leadership Participants will discover new ways to see the world around them and work on their own personal growth by making plans for continued leadership growth for themselves and those around them. Be prepared for small group work and projects that you will take away from the 2024 Professional Development School. Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify their personality styles and learn how to use those styles to be better leaders. 2. Participants will identify communication pitfall and techniques to help themselves and their teams. 3. Participants will define success for themselves. 4. Participants will create personal and professional goals that will help them map where they are going.

This skill-packed, two-part practical session from a nationally acclaimed, award-winning communication and leadership expert has no “theory.” You will learn and take home original and specific techniques and skills that you will use immediately to build great parks and recreation teams as you continue to develop your own professional leadership and service. The session includes: Developing more open and honest communication, reducing talk behind backs, building greater trust and credibility, enhancing motivation and support, exactly what to say to expertly handle conflict and disagreement in positive ways, and more. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how to increase communication so people are more open, honest, and constructive in talking about what they are really thinking and what’s going on. 2. Increase collaboration and teamwork, creativity and problem-solving by boosting trust and respect and building a work environment where people are more comfortable expressing ideas and solutions when working together. 3. Learn and practice exactly what to say and do to handle disagreement and conflict, and with greater confidence and positive skills. 4. Identify new things to support and motivate others right away.

Embark on a journey down the yellow brick road of self-discovery as we explore the realm of CliftonStrengths. The CliftonStrengths assessment identifies your 34 talent themes and the unique contributions you bring to work and life. Why focus on strengths? Gallup research studies show that people who use their strengths are: • 3x more likely to report an excellent quality of life • 6x more likely to be engaged • 7%-23% higher engagement • 8%-18% greater performance at work In this interactive session, we will celebrate your career success through the language of strengths and the pursuit of excellence with a strengths-based foundation. Learning Objectives: 1. Describe your Top 10 Talent themes, what they each need to thrive, and understand their distinct impact on your success. 2. Identify ways in which your talents are used to build relationships, influence others, accomplish goals and foster critical thinking. 3. Develop strategies to build your talents into strengths, ensuring that you’re not just clicking your heels together, but soaring to new heights of engagement and fulfillment in both your career and life.

Dorthy’s walk down the yellow brick road leads to self-discovery for her and her friends of their own strengths. Great leaders will take this journey on their own so they can continue to grow. The second-year Professional Development School attendees will spend time walking the yellow brick road of self-discovery and learning leadership concepts that will help them grow and learn as well as taking a look to the future to set goals. We will start by exploring the different characteristics of our personalities, and the personalities of those we lead, and move toward innovative thinking about leadership Participants will discover new ways to see the world around them and work on their own personal growth by making plans for continued leadership growth for themselves and those around them. Be prepared for small group work and projects that you will take away from the 2024 Professional Development School. Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify their personality styles and learn how to use those styles to be better leaders. 2. Participants will identify communication pitfall and techniques to help themselves and their teams. 3. Participants will define success for themselves. 4. Participants will create personal and professional goals that will help them map where they are going.

This skill-packed, two-part practical session from a nationally acclaimed, award-winning communication and leadership expert has no “theory.” You will learn and take home original and specific techniques and skills that you will use immediately to build great parks and recreation teams as you continue to develop your own professional leadership and service. The session includes: Developing more open and honest communication, reducing talk behind backs, building greater trust and credibility, enhancing motivation and support, exactly what to say to expertly handle conflict and disagreement in positive ways, and more. Learning Objectives: 1. Learn how to increase communication so people are more open, honest, and constructive in talking about what they are really thinking and what’s going on. 2. Increase collaboration and teamwork, creativity and problem-solving by boosting trust and respect and building a work environment where people are more comfortable expressing ideas and solutions when working together. 3. Learn and practice exactly what to say and do to handle disagreement and conflict, and with greater confidence and positive skills. 4. Identify new things to support and motivate others right away. Contrary to popular wisdom, Corey believes values and character can be taught. For instance, where did you learn to lie or cheat? On the more virtuous end, where did you learn to be kind and thoughtful? From the influential people in your life, of course.

How much could your profit margins increase if you retained twice as many customers? How many more customers could you reach if your customers were marketing FOR YOU? How many more leads could you bring in if every customer told two people about how great your service or product is? In this program, David shares his proven, actionable strategies for creating and simplifying experiences that elicit deep emotional connections…the secret sauce for turning casual customers into faithful fans. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the impact of customer experience on business growth and profitability 2. Learn ways to personalize the customer experience to increase engagement and retention 3. Generate new tactics to build and maintain strong customer relationships 4. Find the best way to measure the customer experience for their unique organization 5. Prioritize effort into 'moments that really matter' 6. Gain insight into the future of customer experience and emerging trends to watch

Dorthy’s walk down the yellow brick road leads to self-discovery for her and her friends of their own strengths. Great leaders will take this journey on their own so they can continue to grow. The second-year Professional Development School attendees will spend time walking the yellow brick road of self-discovery and learning leadership concepts that will help them grow and learn as well as taking a look to the future to set goals. We will start by exploring the different characteristics of our personalities, and the personalities of those we lead, and move toward innovative thinking about leadership Participants will discover new ways to see the world around them and work on their own personal growth by making plans for continued leadership growth for themselves and those around them. Be prepared for small group work and projects that you will take away from the 2024 Professional Development School. Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify their personality styles and learn how to use those styles to be better leaders. 2. Participants will identify communication pitfall and techniques to help themselves and their teams. 3. Participants will define success for themselves. 4. Participants will create personal and professional goals that will help them map where they are going.

Graduate students will focus on advancing three strategic leadership development skills. The first is developing the art of “The Three Levels of Listening” to better foster relationships both internally and externally. The second skill is navigating the complex relationship between the influence of personal values and upholding ethical standards in compromising situations. Lastly, the third skill is understanding the importance of leveraging networks to enhance collaboration, resource-sharing, and community involvement. Through practical case studies, students will be equipped with powerful tools and insights needed to truly transform their roles and continue to make a positive impact on the communities they serve. Learning Objectives: 1. Students will be able to differentiate “The Three Levels of Listening” and when to best utilize each level. 2. Students will discuss and identify their own personal values and recognize how their values play a part in how they respond in various situations. 3. Students will work through a series of interactive scenarios that will demonstrate the vital importance of social capital in parks and recreation.

Year 1 students will begin Empowering Excellence by being introduced to a series of the 10 foundational skills necessary for today’s transformative parks and recreation leader. These highlighted skills cover the key areas of professional courage, authentic relationships, and strategic business strategies. Students will be led through interactive exercises and real-life scenarios that will be used to sharpen their foundational skills and abilities to the point where they can confidently make key decisions as leaders within their organizations. Learning Objectives: 1. Students will conduct a self-evaluation that will allow them to distinguish their current level-level and their desired skill-level. 2. Students will engage in discussion of the 10 foundational leadership development skills. 3. Students will leverage exercises and scenarios to formulate strategies when making decisions.

Dorthy’s walk down the yellow brick road leads to self-discovery for her and her friends of their own strengths. Great leaders will take this journey on their own so they can continue to grow. The second-year Professional Development School attendees will spend time walking the yellow brick road of self-discovery and learning leadership concepts that will help them grow and learn as well as taking a look to the future to set goals. We will start by exploring the different characteristics of our personalities, and the personalities of those we lead, and move toward innovative thinking about leadership Participants will discover new ways to see the world around them and work on their own personal growth by making plans for continued leadership growth for themselves and those around them. Be prepared for small group work and projects that you will take away from the 2024 Professional Development School. Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify their personality styles and learn how to use those styles to be better leaders. 2. Participants will identify communication pitfall and techniques to help themselves and their teams. 3. Participants will define success for themselves. 4. Participants will create personal and professional goals that will help them map where they are going.

'The extent to which you genuinely care for your customers is the extent to which they'll care for your customers and each other.' Employee experience isn't just something 'nice' leaders focus on. It's what SUCCESSFUL leaders focus on. But there are no shortage of levers to pull when trying to improve employee experience. Where do you start? In this interactive session, David breaks down the specific levers leaders can pull to improve their employees' experience and empower them to make magic for the people they serve. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand how improving employee experience can impact customer experience and business results. 2. Generate low cost / no cost ideas to improve their workplace environment. 3. Gain tactics for identifying, hiring and retaining their ideal employee. 4. Learn how to motivate and empower their employees to elevate the level of care they provide customers and each other. 5. Learn strategies to improve workplace culture. 6. Build better relationships and communication lines between leaders, managers and front-line employees.