Hickok & Boardman

Below are some of the leadership development courses we offer for your emerging leaders to your most senior executives. We can customize any course or program depending on the needs of your organization. Choose one course or offer a series of training and coaching sessions over the course of a year. We work with you and your team to provide an interactive learning experience which builds confidence and the relationships of the participating leaders, to the benefit of the organization.

Respect in the Workplace – Preventing Harassment & Discrimination

Organizations and all members of the team own the workplace culture. Workplace discrimination can infect every aspect of an organization, such as recruitment, retention, engagement and productivity. Further, discrimination impacts teamwork, demoralizes individuals and can create a toxic working environment. In this workshop participants will:

• Develop a greater understanding of the interaction between discrimination and the role of unconscious bias, differences amongst people and poor communications
• Become familiar with the legal framework that governs workplace harassment and discrimination at both the Federal and State level as well as a review of particular employer policies and standards
• Receive particularized instruction on the issue of sexual harassment, including identifying examples of inappropriate behavior, reporting mechanisms and bystander strategies

Navigating Conflict – Engaging in Difficult Conversations in the Workplace

As a manager, you sometimes need to have conversations with people that you’d rather not. Whether it is an employee with a difficult personality, dealing with performance concerns or patterns like chronic lateness, these conversations can be challenging and may stir up emotions. A good leader knows that these conversations are necessary in the workplace and need to be handled in the right way. This practical workshop will help you plan and manage these conversations and will provide an opportunity to practice using techniques to build your confidence. Participants will walk away with how to:

• Manage difficult behaviors to achieve a positive outcome
• Plan and prepare effectively prior to delivering feedback
• Learn how to deal with high emotions and frame conversations for the best outcomes

Developing Employee Performance through Coaching

Being a leader means getting things done through others. The best leaders know how to manage the performance of their employees in a way that is constructive and supportive. That means creating and communicating objectives and development plans, explaining the “why”, having frequent two-way discussions, coaching actively, and involving the employee at every step. Participants will walk away with how to:

• Understand the true impact of performance management – the benefits of coaching and feedback
• Improve coaching to reinforce and redirect

Unconscious Bias, Diversity, & Inclusion

Unconscious bias is everywhere, impacting our day-to-day choices, actions and our relationships. The impact of these biases can become particularly pronounced when faced with the diversity amongst individuals. The workplace is not immune from its impacts – from recruitment, compensation, performance management, training and development, and retention decisions, our individual biases and those of the organization as a whole, impact our decision-making processes, often to the detriment of the workplace and success of the organization. Developing an awareness of how these biases permeate our lives is key to moving forward with strategies to minimize their impact. In this workshop participants will:

• Develop a working definition of unconscious bias and a greater ability to identify the areas in which it is prevalent
• Explore how to be more intentional about our thinking and habits to challenge our own biases

Balancing Demands of a Multi-generational Workforce

Intergenerational differences are evidence our working culture is in transition, with each generation having unique needs and perspectives and placing more demands on leaders. The differences between the five generations found in today’s workplace can be identified by factors such as norms, beliefs, values, and the historical influences that shaped each generation. In this session, participants will walk away with how to:

• Identify the different generations in the workplace
• Leverage market forces in recruitment and retention as it relates to different generations

Connecting the Dots to Organizational Purpose

Individuals want to be connected to something that is larger than themselves. Applicants and employees want to know how they help make a difference for the organization. Leaders are key to explaining the “why” and helping the team and individuals to understand the bigger picture, organizational strategy, and path to success.

• Explore how the organization currently connects the dots to organizational purpose
• Consider ways to be intentional about telling the story and tying organizational purpose back to daily activities and desired

Developing a Meaningful Compensation Philosophy

Why is an intentional approach to compensation important? Labor costs are typically an organization’s largest expense (employee pay and benefits). Clear communication about an organization’s compensation practices and philosophy can improve morale, engagement, and productivity for current employees. Transparency about pay practices is also important for an organization looking to attract the right talent. Potential applicants are looking to understand the full picture of what an employer offers and whether it is competitive to other employers. Bring together your senior leadership team for this workshop on developing a compensation philosophy that resonates.

Coaching and Resilient Leadership

As we move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders report feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and unsure about how to navigate the next phase and the changing nature of work. In this session, we will explore how leveraging emotional intelligence, building resilience, and recognizing the signs of unproductive stress will help you personally and professionally to lead calmly and effectively during times of crisis, change, and uncertainty. Participants will:

• Consider the impacts of stress in the workplace.
• Understand the role of stress as it relates to high performance.
• Consider the Fight, Flight, Freeze responses.
• Communicate more effectively as a leader.
• Understand principles of resilient leadership.

Developing High Functioning Senior Level Leadership Teams

It is imperative that Senior Leadership Teams (SLT) are connected, on the same page, and communicate effectively to lead the organization. This team is typically made up of the seniormost leaders and decision makers in the organization. Members of the SLT often have little time to spare. This team is much more than just a collection of senior leaders, it is a microcosm of the organization. Participants in this workshop will:
• Articulate the shared purpose and strategy of the SLT
• Review effective SLT leadership competencies
• Identify challenges, blind spots