Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams is a hands on journey to a better understanding of generational differences.
Using our innovative, and proprietary, Generational Game Board, participants will explore the various social, political, and economic influences that shaped the working attitudes of the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Generational X, Millennials and now Generation Z. Our game creates interesting, and informative, conversation among participants from various generations.
This workshop will equip participants to be more effective communicators and leaders through understanding the various generations in the workplace today. Our goal is to create “win-win” solutions that promote inter-generational understanding and result in positive workplaces and communities.
Meet Our Facilitators:
Tisha Gierhart
Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners. Read More »
Mitch Isaacs
Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings and leading the organization in meaningful ways. Read More »
Dave Sternberg
Dave Sternberg is a Senior Partner of the Indianapolis and Ft. Lauderdale-based firm of Loring, Sternberg & Associates, which provides fundraising and governance consulting services to nonprofits. He does training and speaking nationally and internationally. Dave is a member of the faculty at The Fundraising School at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and a Governance Consultant for BoardSource.
Complete Program Catalog:
MOVEMENT: EXPLORING LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE ART OF TANGO
(4-hour workshop)
This program is designed to increase your understanding of leadership, following and two-way communication using the dance form of tango as a metaphor and teaching tool. This is not a dance class, though the fundamentals of the art will be explored and demonstrated. Participants will be expected to move and interact.
Learning Objectives
- Clear understanding of the difference between management and leadership
- Recognizing the two-way nature of communication in all forms of leader and follower connections
- Tools to diagnose breakdowns in communication between leaders and followers
- Active advice on how to re-establish trust and confidence in team members, and build up communication
in the group
SPELLBOUND: MASTERING THE MAGIC BEHIND SEEMINGLY COMPLEX NONVERBAL MESSAGING
(half day or full day workshop)
Just like any good magician, we can learn to shape what others see. When communicating there are two conversations going on and the nonverbal components can mesmerize or destroy the show. This interactive program exposes the secrets of effective nonverbal communication and teaches you the skills to implement those tricks to improve your leadership.
Learning Objectives
- Increase self-awareness of nonverbal habits
- Increase the ability to read others’ nonverbal communication
- Recognize nonverbal communication styles of men and women
FUSION: LEADING MULTIGENERATIONAL TEAMS
(half day or full day workshop)
Fusion: Leading Multi-Generational Teams is a hands on journey to a better understanding of people and what makes them think and act the way they do, especially as it relates to their generational background. This workshop will equip participants to be more effective communicators and leaders through understanding the various generations in the workplace today. This is session is ideal for participants who manage a multi- generational workforce.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will gain an appreciation of major generational groups active in the workplace today
- Participants will explore the challenges and opportunities multi-generational teams present
- Participants will receive Insights regarding the world views, needs, and skill sets of various generations (inparticular the Baby Boomers and Millennials)
- Participants will gain an understanding of how to facilitate effective collaboration among multi-generational team members
THE IM’PERFECT LEADER
(1-hour workshop)
“In a world where we are expected to do everything, it sometimes feels like we can’t accomplish anything.” Drawing from the concepts in Tal Ben-Shahar’s book “The Pursuit of Perfect: How to Stop Chasing Perfection and Start Living a Richer, Happier Life” this session will explore the value of making mistakes, the seductive (yet unattainable) dream of perfectionism, and why optimalism may help us accomplish just enough to be happy. This session is ideal for participants who are seeking a healthy method to manage expectations of their self and others.
Learning Objectives
- Participants examine how mistakes have played a role in their personal development
- Participants will understand the differences between “optimalism” and “perfectionism”
- Participants will learn about various notable figures who have achieved success in the face of failure
- Participants will understand the role risk plays in achieving success
THE “BOMB SQUAD”
(1-hour workshop)
The “Bomb Squad”: is an intentional team building activity. This session will introduce you to an innovative method to better understand the people you work with and the true meaning of teamwork. This workshop is designed to put teams under a high stress activity to illuminate group dynamics. This is ideal for participants who are looking for creative ways to facilitate teambuilding, and explore communication styles, within their organization.
Learning Objectives
- Participants gain a better understanding of how to lead (and to be led!) in a tense situation
- Participants will have the opportunity to meet and work together in a team setting with other conference
- attendees
- Participants will have the opportunity to explore an innovative teambuilding activity and evaluate its
- usefulness for their organizations
BUILDING TRUST
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will understand why members of great teams trust one another on a fundamental, emotional level, and the importance of being comfortable and vulnerable with each other about our weaknesses, mistakes, fears, and behaviors. We will discuss how to get to a point where we can be completely open with one another, without filters.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the meaning of the term “Vulnerably – Based Trust”
- State the reasons that the Fundamental Attribute Error can destroy teamwork
- Explain the factors that influence the way people behave in certain situations
MASTERING THE ONE ON ONE MEETING
(90-minute workshop)
Regular one on one meetings with team members provide rich opportunities to understanding that team member’s challenges and successes. When used effectively, the “one on one” facilitates opportunities for the supervisor and team members to review present priorities, discuss expectations, better understand each other, and ultimately build trust. This session will describe what a “one on one” is, explain why it is useful, and provide a method for effectively implementing it with your team.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the purpose of the “one on one”
- Discuss the timing of a one on one
- Learn how to prepare for a one on one
- Understand how learning styles influence the one on one
- Explore how one on ones build trust
- Review strategies for setting exceptions and instilling accountability
MASTERING THE GROUP MEETING
(90-minute workshop)
Meetings can be a vehicle for change or a burial ground for new ideas. Join us to explore why meetings fail and to explore the fundamental elements of successful meetings. We will discuss how to set an agenda, how to keep people on topic (but still feel heard), how to prioritize items, and how to commit the group to action.
Learning Objectives
- Explore the different types of meetings
- Understand how to build an actionable agenda
- Learn what to do before the meeting begins
- Examine the different types of difficult people and how to handle them
- Discuss how to appropriately conclude a meeting
- Understand the steps to take after a meeting
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will learn the importance for leaders to search for opportunities to change the status quo. They look for innovative ways to improve the organization. In doing so, they experiment and take risks. And because leaders know that risk taking involves mistakes and failures, they accept the inevitable disappointments as learning opportunities.
Learning Objectives
- Search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change and improve
- Experiment and take risks by generating small wins and learning from mistakes
EMBRACING ACCOUNTABILITY / FOCUSING ON RESULTS
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will recognize why teams that commit to decisions and standards of performance do not hesitate to hold one another accountable for adhering to those decisions and standards. Teams that trust one another, engage in conflict, commit to decisions, and hold one another accountable are very likely to set aside their individual needs and agendas and focus almost exclusively on what is best for the team.
Learning Objectives
- Explain reasons team members often have difficulty holding one another accountable
- Give one another useful feedback on behaviors related to the functioning of the team
- Describe actions the team can take to improve accountability
- Describe the use of a scoreboard to help keep the team focused on its thematic goal
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will discuss as leaders how to foster collaboration and build spirited teams, actively involving others. Leaders understand that mutual respect is what sustains extraordinary efforts; they strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity. They strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful.
Learning Objectives
- Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust
- Strengthening others by sharing power and discretion
ENCOURAGE THE HEART
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will discuss that accomplishing extraordinary things in an organization is hard work. To keep
hope and determination alive, leaders recognize contributions that individuals make. In every winning team, the members need to share in the reward of their efforts, so leaders celebrate accomplishments. They make people feel like heroes.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence
- Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will explore why leaders passionately believe that they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future.
Learning Objectives
- Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities
- Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations
LEARNING STYLES – UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF / ADAPTING TO OTHERS
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will explore our individual learning style which is the foundation for all effective leadership. Once we have this understanding, we can recognize our own strengths along with the strengths of those we lead. We will begin to identify why we work and think the way we do and how to build an effective team.
Learning Objectives
- Introduce, discuss and experience working, thinking, learning styles
- Gain an understanding of one’s own personal learning style
- Understand learning styles in the team building process
- Learn why leaders need to adapt to members of their team
MASTERING CONFLICT
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will work to understand why teams that trust one another are not afraid to engage in passionate dialogue around issues and decisions that are key to the organization’s success. They do not hesitate to disagree with, challenge, and question one another, all in the spirit of finding the best answers, discovering the truth, and making great decisions.
Learning Objectives
- Gain an understanding of your own and your team’s feelings about conflict
- Describe your team’s collective norms around conflict
- Apply the conflict resolution model to a current team conflict
- State some strategies for handling conflict in your team
LEARNING STYLES – UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF / ADAPTING TO OTHERS
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will explore our individual learning style which is the foundation for all effective leadership. Once we have this understanding, we can recognize our own strengths along with the strengths of those we lead. We will begin to identify why we work and think the way we do and how to build an effective team.
Learning Objectives
- Introduce, discuss and experience working, thinking, learning styles
- Gain an understanding of one’s own personal learning style
- Understand learning styles in the team building process
- Learn why leaders need to adapt to members of their team
MODEL THE WAY
(3-hour workshop)
Together we will understand the importance of why leaders establish principles concerning the way people should be treated and the way goals should be pursued. They create standards of excellence and then set an example for others to follow. Because the prospect of complex change can overwhelm people and stifle action, they set interim goals so that people can achieve small wins as they work toward larger objectives. They unravel bureaucracy when it impedes action; they put up signposts when people are unsure of where to go or how to get there; and they create opportunities for victory.
Learning Objectives
- Find your voice by clarifying personal values
- Set the example by aligning actions with shared values
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE – DISCOVERING YOU
(7-hour workshop)
Emotional Intelligence: Discovering You is a venture of personal growth. This session begins with the opportunity for personal reflection to gain a greater understanding of your ideal self – the person you would like to be. By examining the concepts and the tools that will guide you further down the path of self-awareness we will identify your real self through self-assessment and feedback from others.
Learning Objectives
- Understand your personal Emotional Intelligence
- Develop your Emotional Intelligence to increase your personal growth
- Develop your self-awareness of your Emotional Intelligence
- Manage your personal emotions to improve communication and relationships
MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONAL BANK ACCOUNT
(90-minute workshop)
Our emotional energy, like our money, is limited. Everyday we make deposits into other people’s emotional bank account, while others are making deposits and withdraws in our own. Join us for this session as we explore how to maintain a healthy account, for healthier relationships!
Learning Objectives
- Gain awareness of how deposits build and repair trust in a relationship while withdrawals lessen trust in relationships
- Define an emotional withdrawal and deposit and what it takes to build up your account as well as the account of others
- Understand that every interaction with another human being may be classified as a deposit or withdrawal
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
(half day or full day workshop)
Inclusion is an opportunity for teams to tap unreached potential. This session begins with an overview of the benefits of having diverse teams and explores the common barriers to full realization of these strengths. By examining common patterns of thinking that limit inclusion, participants will learn the value of diversity and inclusion and develop strategies that they can apply to their daily work habits.
Learning Objectives
- Explore your personal diversity story
- Develop your understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Identify the cognitive and perception errors that impact the way you see others
- Leverage the strength of diversity in your team for greater outcomes
- Identify ways you can support inclusion in any setting
IMPROV YOUR TEAM
(half day or full day workshop)
Workplaces require us to build relationships. It is important to find ways to get along with those we work with, or we may miss what they contribute or what we could be contributing. This session will introduce some key principles of Improvisational Performance to find agreement and enhance our workplace relationships.
Learning Objectives
- Learn to use improvisational performance principles to enhance workplace performance • Understand how to give and gain acceptance within a group dynamic
- Explore the power of “Yes and…”
MYERS – BRIGGS
(half day or full day workshop)
Where you do you draw your energy? How do you make sense of the world? How do you make decisions? How do you like to live your life? The Myers Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI) is an exploration of preferences. Join us for this interaction as we explore the different types and talk about what those preferences mean for how we relate to others at work and in our personal relationships.
Participants will need to complete the free MBTI assessment before attending.
Together We Will Answer
- What is my MBTI?
- What does my MBTI mean for how I work?
- How does my MBTI influence how I can work more effectively with others?
THE 7 HABITS
(half day or full day workshop)
Based on the world renown book, this one day workshop provides practical insight, intentional activities, and targeted conversation around Covey’s now timeless habits. A habit is defined as the intersection of knowledge, skill, and desire. Knowledge is understanding what to do and why to do it; skill is knowing how to do it; desire is motivation or wanting to do it. With each one of the seven habits, we will explore all four levels of leadership: personal, interpersonal, managerial and organizational.
Learning Objectives
- Learn to be proactive
- Understand the importance of beginning with the end in mind
- Strategic thinking by putting first things first
- Build relationships that collaborate thinking win – win
- Communicate in a way that you first seek to understand and then to be understood
- Collaborate and embrace diversity and synergize
- Continue learning to sharpen the saw
CUSTOMER SERVICE
(two – 2-hour workshops)
This session is best delivered using two workshops, each consisting of an approximate two-hour time period of participant involvement. Ideally, the first and second workshops should be facilitated approximately 30-60 days apart, to allow participants time to develop situational experiences between each workshop. Participants will team build and learn customer service skills to improve their performance, and to present a professional and knowledgeable image that reflects well on the organization. Participants completing the training successfully should be able to:
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize barriers to providing outstanding customer service
- Identify the benefits of outstanding customer service
- Effectively describe outstanding customer service
- Situationally adapt to customer service styles
- Describe techniques for addressing angry or upset customers
- Develop a personal action plan to continue improving customer service skills
INTROspective: Discovering the Power of Introverts
(90 minute or 3-hour session)
Introverts have amazing strengths, but they can often be overshadowed in a fast-paced society focused on energy and charisma.
This session is useful for all personality types – whether you are more of a listener, a talker, or somewhere in between, learning about personality preferences can help us become more meaningful communicators. Introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between are welcome!
Learning Objectives
- How to own your introversion- discover the strengths and attributes of introverts
- Learn how to most effectively connect and communicate as an introvert or with an introvert
- Gain awareness of how you can be the best version of yourself when communicating with others
