Education and Training :: Interpersonal Dynamics – Teaming Workshops

Creating Shared Values / Norms / Code of Conduct

Creating Team Norms / Code of Conduct Through Shared Values
All groups go through the same stages: forming—storming—norming—performing. They become a successful, cohesive work "team" when they have been thoughtful in each of these stages. "Norming" seems to be the most tested component—too much lip service and a lack of strength to really dig into the true issues. Then, when the team is faced with a difficult situation in the workplace, how to fix it is elusive and uncomfortable, but not doing so can result in disaster. Successfully norming allows the group to share in a non-threatening environment (not under the pressure to resolve an issue) how they will deal with potential challenges when back in the workplace. This provides a great opportunity for groups, as well as individuals, to identify key strengths and weaknesses that will help them to develop into a more successful team (member) by:

Recognizing the impact of key values on our ability to team
Making EVERY person an integral team member
Enhancing communication capabilities
Advancing the role of planning in team success
Valuing each member's differences and contributions
Making a personal commitment to the team

Communication

Sharing the Right Information—the Right Way, the Right Time, the Right Audience
This essential-communication-skills workshop strengthens interpersonal relationships and overall organizational effectiveness by helping attendees grow beyond simply understanding communication theories to incorporating the techniques. The ultimate basis of all business interactions and personal relationships is clear, effective communication. Success in today's interdependent workplace depends on the ability to communicate. This NCSA workshop is especially applicable for individuals who have struggled with their ability to communicate effectively. Participants will:

Gain the lifelong advantages of a deeper understanding of effective communication and its four functions.
Enhance communications with clients and customers, supervisors, and peers based on the results of a communication assessment.
Improve speed, accuracy and impact by recognizing and addressing adopted communication patterns.
Build relationships by removing barriers to effective communication.
Effectively employ nonverbal communication methods.
Understand the need to be appropriately assertive—avoiding a passive or aggressive communication style.
Become "active listeners" with a new understanding of typical listening problems.
Bridge gender communication differences.
Overcome habits that block effective communication.
Glean the full value of e-mail and other electronic communication in the workplace.
Benefit from hands-on experience through in-class exercises in communicating effectively.

Conflict Management

Successful Conflict Resolution Strategies
At the heart of conflict management resides the ability to communicate effectively with everyone—employees, supervisors, colleagues and customers. Most of us have an intuitive understanding of the basics of conflict management concepts—we know what we should do, and sometimes we even know what we aren't doing. However, practically applying effective conflict management techniques—comfortably and consistently—requires security in our own communication strategies and the patience to be aware of our dialogue partner—where they are coming from, and why. In this workshop, participants will:

Discover the common sources and types of workplace conflict.
Identify what drives our behavior—good and not so good—and what causes dissatisfaction.
Understand why conflict occurs and the common sources and types of negative workplace behavior.
Discover why people behave in a negative manner—the cause(s) might surprise you.
Learn why we use avoidance strategies and how that empowers continued negative behaviors.
Understand why we must resolve differences with others—individual and organizational costs.
Discover how maintaining your "locus of control" is essential to proactively reducing conflict.
Learn how to work with individuals who do not want to clear issues.
Learn the simple 7-step approach for effectively managing conflict and building stronger relationships.

E-Mail Communication

Effective E-Mail Communication Course
This workshop is designed to significantly enhance the effectiveness of overall e-mail communication skills for attendees. The curriculum content is comprehensive and will ensure participants are exposed to the critical skills required for managing effective e-mail communication. In this workshop, participants will:

Readily identify and understand when e-mail communication is appropriate.
Learn when you should and should not send e-mail.
Recognize how communication richness is impacted by different communication mediums.
Understand the potential professional and legal implications of certain e-mail content.
Discover how to make the e-mail subject line contribute to overall e-mail efficiency and effectiveness.
Determine how and why to limit e-mail recipients—maintaining a "need to know" strategy.
Know when to use "To," "Cc" and "Bcc"—fight the urge to "blanket."
Learn techniques to avoid sending reactive e-mails—the kind you really wish you hadn't sent.
Dialogue recovery strategies for those e-mails that should have never been sent or were misunderstood.
Understand a consistent e-mail structure necessary to ensure message clarity.
Learn how e-mail language is different from other forms of communication—what works—what doesn't.
Discover e-mail organization techniques that help you manage your inbox and follow-ups.
Develop "beyond the workshop" strategies and commitment for enhanced and effective e-mail communication.

Teaming

Excellence in Teaming
Teaming is virtually a flagship product of NCSA. Our years and years of research and practical application have allowed us to develop a teaming approach for groups of all sizes. Whether it is disadvantaged youth in need of creating personal confidence or highly seasoned business leaders wanting to strengthen their team bond, NCSA has the experience and skills to get the job done effectively. We customize the teaming approach that is right for you. Our facilitators are seasoned veterans who will ensure your group a teaming experience to remember. In this workshop, participants will:

Understand why people want and need to work on teams.
Learn the process of team development and how to smooth the transitions.
Review attributes of positive and negative team members and how they impact all team members.
Share our similarities and differences—and why it is important to value these differences.
Learn what drives team member behaviors and what that means for our own behaviors.
Learn how we create "team glue"—the stuff that causes us to want to support one another.
Learn successful "evergreen" teaming strategies for long-term teaming success.
Grow individually and collectively.

Diversity

Valuing Our Differences
Promoting and accomplishing a diverse workplace goes beyond simply communicating between groups. Enhancing diversity awareness enables us to work successfully in a cross-categorical–based culture to improve our business as well as personal success. For legal, ethical and moral reasons, we must become more diverse in our attitudes and practices. But this workshop takes us beyond those requirements to embracing a gratifying understanding of diversity and why we must capitalize on it. In this workshop, participants will:

Recognize the true nature of diversity in today's workforce.
Discover how we are alike and different and yet are a necessary "fit" for each other.
Understand how diversity brings real value to the organization—individually and collectively.
Learn "who we are is where we were when" to understand our current paradigms on diversity.
Discuss the real consequences of when we feel avoided or tolerated vs. when we feel truly appreciated and accepted.
Understand positive steps we can take to update or change our paradigms relative to how we view those who are different than us.
Discover how to be a positive change agent for ourselves and others around us.

Generational Differences

Working with a Multigenerational Workforce
For the first time in history, the U.S. workforce is made up solidly of four generations and in some venues, up to five. People are staying in the workforce longer out of financial need as well as personal desire. The nature of work itself continues to evolve, and members of the different generations have subtle and not-so-subtle differences in how they go about accomplishing their work-related tasks. By exploring workforce generational diversity, learning how to appreciate one another, and capitalizing on what each naturally and comfortably brings to the table, we greatly enhance the likelihood we will enjoy our work life personally and be more productive. In this workshop participants will:

Recognize the true nature of diversity in today's workforce.
Identify and understand the four (and in some venues, five) generations or "work cohorts" in the modern workplace.
Appreciate that "who you are is where you were when"—understand the impact of major events on a given generation's development.
Review the characteristics of generational members to better appreciate differences.
Understand the workplace contributions and challenges for each work cohort.
Identify techniques and strategies for working successfully with a multigenerational workgroup.