As part of a larger effort and several new initiatives to provide greater access to management and leadership development opportunities on campus, the Organizational and Employee Development (OED) team in the Department of Human Resources has spent the past year designing and implementing two new training courses for supervisors on campus, Managing the CU-麻豆影院 Way and the Highly Effective Manager. Managing the CU-麻豆影院 Way is a two-day intensive course and prerequisite for the Highly Effective Manager. The focus is for supervisors at all levels of management to better understand and learn applicable skills to foster a culture of employee engagement and navigate the often unique HR processes associated with managing employees on the CU-麻豆影院 campus. The Highly Effective Manager gives participants the opportunity to really start refining and developing some of the most important skills to be effective as a manager. Participants have been very receptive and continue to provide excellent feedback regarding the content of these trainings.
Since its inception in December 2013, Managing the CU-麻豆影院 Way has reached over 150 supervisors on campus. The new structure has quadrupled the number of supervisors that will be able to attend annually compared to past management trainings that OED has offered. There is excitement about all of the networking and idea sharing that is taking place from professionals around campus. Natalie High, Coordinator of Student Employment in the Office of Financial Aid, and James 鈥淛im鈥� Hayden, a Facilities Management Supervisor, have both completed Managing the CU-麻豆影院 Way and The Highly Effective Manager. Natalie really valued the opportunity to gain 鈥渋deas and tools that have been helpful for the entire management chain鈥� in her department. Natalie explained that she is now able to utilize the skills that she learned with her direct reports, but also with her manager and colleagues as well.
In the Highly Effective Manager, participants can expect to be presented with best practices and facilitated discussions around setting expectations, working through change, utilizing the strengths of their management style, communication as a supervisor, creating an inclusive working environment, navigating conflict in the workplace and team building. In addition to those sessions presented by OED, Natalie shared that she believes the sessions presented by other offices on campus such as the one on conflict presented by the Ombuds office, are very valuable aspects of the course. 鈥淚 would be more likely to avoid [conflict] if I was not constantly learning about it. Talking about this topic in a group who are all sharing, gives you words and helps to train yourself on how to work towards a productive outcome.鈥� OED has also partnered with the Interactive Theatre Project to provide expertise on the topic of diversity and inclusion in a dynamic learning environment.
Natalie shared that collaborating with and listening to other people in the group has been one of the greatest experiences during these courses. There is a sense of understanding that others on campus experience similar things as a manager and it matters that her colleagues are engaged in their work. 鈥淚 remember distinctly having a moment in class where I was thinking that I wish every single supervisor on campus could do this.鈥� Natalie explained, 鈥渋t is actually sitting in a room and hearing from other people and sharing ideas, that is where real development happens.听 It is absolutely worth my time and I have already encouraged other colleagues to attend.鈥� James 鈥淛im鈥� Hayden has also completed both of these trainings and continues to utilize the skills and material covered, 鈥淚 am constantly relying on my notes and the class workbook to steer myself in the right direction, and I constantly try to empower my employees to 鈥渙wn鈥� their work.鈥� Jim also values the new perspective he has gained with working with staff, and is planning to support his lead supervisor in enrolling in future OED trainings as well. 鈥淭he interaction of the classroom really creates a much better learning environment,鈥� encourages Hayden.
It has been a pleasure for the OED team to develop and facilitate these trainings. 鈥淲orking with supervisors and managers such as Natalie and Jim to really understand and meet the needs of our campus supervisors have been the most fulfilling part of the process for the OED team鈥� explains Megan Bohn, Sr. Communications and Engagement Specialist for the Department of Human Resources. 鈥淲e have seen great engagement in these programs which is credited to the supervisors and managers that attend.鈥� In addition to these trainings, OED will continue to develop new programs with the goal of enhancing employee engagement and providing development opportunities for our campus community.
Managers and supervisors that would like to register for the management or have questions can contact Organizational and Employee Development at (303) 492-8103. Once a supervisor completes , they will be invited by OED staff to participate in the
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