Developing Leaders Courses

High expectations are often placed on first-time managers. Along with these expectations comes the pressure to succeed and the need to prove you belong in a management position. Establishing credibility early and building new working relationships can go a long way in helping a first-time manager succeed in adjusting to his or her new responsibilities. This course describes ways to establish credibility and manage former colleagues effectively.

Most people picked up language naturally as children, learning vocabulary, framing sentences, and expressing thoughts or needs. Effectively communicating as adults, however, requires a bit more effort. The words we choose, tone of voice, facial and body movements – all this contributes to the ultimate message that must be spontaneously translated by the listener. This course examines the fundamentals of interpersonal communication, including verbal, para-verbal, and non-verbal dynamics.

• Handout

Performance review is a key component of employee development. However, the benefits of the performance review are generally realized only after first acquiring a working knowledge of Position Descriptions and Performance Expectations. Properly written and updated, these documents provide the foundation for effective performance management.This course provides a basic introduction to the criteria of well-written position descriptions and performance expectations, as well as the successful application of the performance review. It is intended for employees aspiring to leadership positions at WSU.

• Presentation Notes
• PowerPoint Presentation

What is a WAC? An RCW? A BPPM, a bargaining unit, a layoff unit, etc., etc., etc.?  This course provides an overview of the rules, regulations, and policies that govern WSU employment. It defines basic terms and concepts along with some of the background that has led to the development of current practice. The goal of the course is to help all employees experience greater success through clearer understanding of the employment systems in place. Additionally, it is a recommended course for employees aspiring to leadership positions at WSU.

• Presentation Notes
• PowerPoint Presentation

This course outlines the role of the team leader on a high-performance team and highlights the importance of taking steps to develop the team culture early on during team formation. It offers methods used to encourage team participation and provides some key strategies used to build a cohesive team culture by encouraging social interactions, establishing team member competencies, and promoting interdependence.

This course provides an overview of the importance and benefits of developing direct reports, and tactical strategies for doing so. Specifically, this involves an examination of the steps required to assess the development needs of your employees by differentiating individual requirements. Also covered is the importance and methods for creating a development plan with your employees based on their individual requirements, and ways to support the development plan by creating opportunities for practice and growth in skills and abilities.

No supervisor is a super hero, unfortunately. Even the best supervisor requires help to get things done and, without a well-performing staff, will ultimately fail. One of the best ways to accomplish departmental goals is through effective delegation. Not only does it yield production results, it also grooms employees for advancement and higher level tasks.This course examines the criteria of effective delegation in the workplace.

• Handout

Creating an engaged and motivated workforce can help make an organization more innovative, productive, and profitable. This course reviews the benefits of having an engaged workforce and defines the attributes and actions of engaged employees. It also explores employee motivation and commitment challenges and examines how employee engagement links to the bottom line.

This course focuses on what fairness means in the relationship between managers and their direct reports. It discusses the benefits of treating employees fairly and examines areas where showing fairness is most essential – for example, when dealing with different groups and individuals, when distributing information, and when applying standards.