FOCUS AREAS

Every day, we move in one direction or another. We’re free to choose from endless possibilities. Only you can choose the direction for the rest of your life. Whether you are a seasoned executive, emerging leader, stay-at-home parent, or college student, frustration is inevitable. Now is the time for you to SHIFT from, “I’m so busy and stressed,” to, “I’m living my ideal life right now.” In this presentation, Derek will teach you a 5-gear process that you can apply in your personal and professional lives. Each gear will uniquely move you from frustrated to fulfilled. Through powerful questions and effective exercises, you’ll discover how to make today the day you are inspired to change. It’s your next move!

Learning Outcomes

✓ Discover who you are -- confront your fears & form your core values

✓ Decide where you are going -- pursue personal growth & visualize your preferred future

✓ Design how you will get there -- adopt a positive mindset, personalize your ambitions & exercise meaningful action

✓ Fulfill your ideal life -- build an aligned life for personal & professional success

✓ Inspire fellow travelers -- become a leader worth following

For too long, our recognition of leadership has been narrowly defined to a select few –– presidents, CEOs or historical icons. We have been captivated by charismatic figures on the cover of Forbes or viral sensations on social media. But what about the everyday leaders who have shaped us on a personal level? The parents, mentors, teammates and family members who have left an indelible mark on our lives? It's time to reimagine leadership, to celebrate the silent influencers and to recognize that each one of us possesses the power to lead. Are you ready to step into your role as an everyday leader?

Learning Outcomes

✓ Understand the difference between micromanagement and everyday leadership as well as the importance of empowering and nurturing others.

✓ Recognize the value of stepping outside one's comfort zone to facilitate personal and professional growth.

✓ Seek discomfort to lead to greater growth over time -- with strategies for gradually expanding one's comfort zone through small, everyday actions.

✓ Appreciate how individuals can have a profound impact on those around them, regardless of their position or title -- and show appreciation for those people in your life.

✓ Discover the importance of finding one's "why" or purpose as a leader, beyond just pursuing victories or accolades.

✓ Understand how prioritizing the needs, growth and happiness of others is a key aspect of effective everyday leadership. (It's not about you)

Do you always wait until the annual performance review to give any feedback? In this workshop, you’ll learn that feedback is a tool for appreciating, coaching, developing, and empowering employees all year long. Feedback is NOT punishment, it's a gift. Derek will facilitate conversations and activities on how feedback can be helpful or harmful depending on how it’s delivered. You’ll walk away knowing that frequent informal feedback positively impacts productivity, morale, and results.

Learning Outcomes

✓ Understand why you should give feedback

✓ Prepare for and deliver feedback using the SBI-3 process

✓ Stop avoiding difficult conversations once and for all

✓ Show empathy and make room for the possibility that you might be wrong

✓ Learn how to ask for and receive feedback

✓ Manage up and give feedback to your boss

Delegation is a critical skill to help time-starved managers expand their range of responsibility, empower others, and create higher performing teams. For many leaders, however, it's a difficult transition from doing it yourself to getting the work done through others. Expectations offer direction, create accountability, and unite a team around shared goals. Lack of clarity around expectations is a fatal flaw in management. If people aren’t sure what to work on, you leave success up to chance. During this workshop, you'll learn that assigning work and setting expectations is an ongoing process, not a single event.

Learning Outcomes

✓ Identify roadblocks to delegation

✓ Execute the steps to effectively engage and create buy-in when delegating

✓ Determine what tasks should and should not be delegated

✓ Link delegation tasks to development and people's strengths

✓ Ensure that employees understand what's expected of them at work

✓ Create a culture of accountability when setting expectations

The “A” word can be intimidating. It often prompts feelings of micromanagement. But without accountability, the organization will suffer. If someone is late for work, there are gaps in production. If team members submit poor-quality work, the brand becomes damaged. If a safety issue isn’t raised, it can have devastating consequences for the company. In this workshop, you'll learn how to create a culture in which employees take personal ownership for results. You’ll walk away more comfortable and confident holding employees accountable. Accountability isn’t an "old-school" or a mean-spirited approach to managing. It's a crucial component of success!

Learning Outcomes

✓ Distinguish between responsibility and accountability

✓ Understand why workplace accountability is important

✓ Identify the right ways to drive accountability

✓ Practice with the Accountability Planning Worksheet and DASCIO Method

✓ Boost employee morale and productivity with a culture of accountability

According to Gallup, only 2 in 10 employees strongly agree that their performance is managed in a way that motivates them to do outstanding work. Given this statistic, it’s easy to see why so many organizations are evaluating and rethinking their approach. The good news is that reviews don’t have to be a dreaded “check it off the list” process. In this workshop, you’ll learn actionable ideas on how to create an effective performance management system that your people will love. You’ll walk away inspired to make progress and impact results through small steps, rather than a once-a-year conversation. Employees who understand the power and purpose of performance discussions will buy in, approach them with a positive mindset, and embrace them as growth opportunities. Performance management is a critical factor in helping you and your organization succeed.

Learning Outcomes

✓ Understand the qualities and benefits of effective performance management

✓ Recognize the difference between performance and development

✓ Eliminate biases affecting performance reviews

✓ Use the self-reflection worksheet and review templates to prepare for conversations

✓ Apply tips to create a rating scale that works for your organization

✓ Integrate ongoing Quarterly Conversations and Stay Interviews into the employee lifecycle

The role of a manager must be that of a coach. Coaching involves unlocking people's potential to maximize their own performance. An effective manager-as-coach asks questions instead of providing answers, supports employees instead of judging them, and facilitates their development instead of dictating what has to be done. Development opportunities are everywhere. Employee development is a mutual responsibility of the employee and the leader. In this presentation, you'll learn what a development plan is, why they’re important, and how to create one. Development plans clearly outline an employee’s career goals along with the tangible steps the employee can take to achieve their goals. Managers are forgotten quickly. Coaches are remembered forever.

Learning Outcomes

✓ Know that the role of a good manager must be that of a Coach.

✓ Practice the GROW coaching model.

✓ Recognize that performance reviews & development discussions are different.

✓ Learn that development is the mutual responsibility of the employee & leader.

✓ Understand that development plans must be customized for each person.

✓ Apply the 4-step Individual Development Plan (IDP) process.

You’re smart and capable, but are you emotionally intelligent? The pressure of deadlines and interpersonal conflict can cause employees and managers to react negatively toward each other. Emotionally charged interactions can lead to workplace sabotage. In this workshop, you’ll become aware of emotional habits, strengths, and limitations. You’ll learn how to lead constructively in stressful situations. You'll walk away knowing how to make your emotions work for you, not against you.

Every leader encounters challenges where the right solution isn’t always clear. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll build skills to face those moments with boldness and strategic clarity. Discover approachable tools and adaptable frameworks that’ll help you not only solve problems but create opportunities for growth and progress. You’ll leave with a toolkit for turning challenges into meaningful action, giving you and your team the power to move forward with confidence and resilience.

Learning Outcomes
✓ Analyze challenges to uncover the root issues that need addressing.
✓ Apply flexible frameworks to create effective, innovative solutions.
✓ Make decisive choices with confidence and clarity.
✓ Establish a team culture that prioritizes proactive problem-solving.
✓ Strengthen resilience to lead confidently through changes and setbacks.
✓ Design actionable plans that ensure accountability and measurable progress.

Great teams thrive on trust and open communication, and it all starts with psychological safety. This workshop gives you the skills to build a team culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to speak up, share ideas, and learn from one another. By creating space for open dialogue, encouraging vulnerability, and reinforcing mutual respect, leaders can unlock higher collaboration, creativity, and resilience. Get ready to transform your workplace into a space where feedback is welcomed, ideas flourish, and the team thrives together.

Learning Outcomes
✓ Implement strategies that make psychological safety the foundation of high performance.
✓ Create a culture where open communication and honest feedback are the norm.
✓ Build trust and respect through proven methods for authentic team connections.
✓ Identify and address obstacles that hinder psychological safety.
✓ Develop tools to strengthen team resilience through challenges.
✓ Foster an inclusive environment where every voice is valued and empowered. 

Change doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can be the key to growth, innovation, and progress. This workshop equips leaders with practical tools to build a resilient, future-ready culture where teams not only adapt but thrive through change. Discover proven strategies to inspire flexibility, strengthen morale, and foster a mindset that sees every transition as a new opportunity. By the end, you’ll be ready to lead with confidence, turning each shift into a powerful move forward.

Learning Outcomes
✓ Identify key phases of change to guide teams through transitions smoothly.
✓ Apply clear communication techniques to address concerns and build trust.
✓ Cultivate team commitment and engagement to gain buy-in for change.
✓ Promote adaptability, empowering teams to approach change as growth.
✓ Create structured action plans that provide clear steps through change.
✓ Establish a culture that embraces change as a driver for progress and impact.

Meetings are essential, yet they often feel like a drain on time and energy. Why? Too many lack clear goals and direction, leading to endless, unproductive discussions. This workshop equips you with the skills to turn meetings into engaging, results-driven sessions that people actually look forward to. Discover practical strategies to create focused, efficient, and impactful meetings that drive meaningful progress. Meetings take up a big part of our workdays—let’s make each one count!

Learning Outcomes
✓ Define clear objectives and purpose for every meeting to stay on track.
✓ Create effective agendas that prepare participants for meaningful contributions.
✓ Facilitate discussions that are focused, balanced, and engaging.
✓ Apply time-saving methods that keep meetings concise and productive.
✓ Assign actionable items with deadlines to ensure accountability and follow-through.
✓ Build a collaborative atmosphere that promotes teamwork and respect.