University Human Resources
Date January 28, 2025
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February Professional Development Updates

As February begins, it's a great time to focus on building connections—whether with others, your professional goals, or new opportunities for growth. This month, we encourage you to strengthen relationships with colleagues, enhance your communication skills, and engage with the broader Brown community.

Whether you’re looking to connect with others to share knowledge, or with resources to grow your skills, take this opportunity to make February all about building meaningful connections that foster success.

Embracing Change: Strategies for Success in February

This February, take a step toward mastering change with our self-paced LDE Next Level courses: Coping with Workplace Change and Change Management Fundamentals. The Change Management Fundamentals course will help you navigate the challenges of change initiatives by teaching you essential strategies to manage and implement change effectively. Meanwhile, Coping with Workplace Change focuses on understanding the emotional impact of change and provides practical tools to embrace transitions with resilience. Whether you're navigating small adjustments or bigger transitions, these courses provide gentle guidance and practical strategies to help you adapt and grow in a changing work environment.

Essential Reads from the LDE Lending Library

Learn from great authors to help you better connect with others. For February's Essential Reads, we've selected four books that explore the relationship between you and those around you. Check out these insightful reads:

  • “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection” by Charles Duhigg: Duhiggs uses research and vignettes to teach readers how to connect with anyone in conversation.
  • “The Connect Effect: Building Strong Personal, Professional, and Virtual Networks” by Michael Dulworth: This selection reveals the components and importance of a strong network and offers insight into creating your own.
  • “The Art Of Connecting: How To Overcome Differences, Build Rapport, And Communicate Effectively With Anyone” by Lara Ewing and Claire Raines: A guide on expanding your perspective to connect with a diverse array of people. 

Go to our LDE Lending Library to find more engaging books!

 

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Coaching: Move People Forward - Virtual (LCP)

Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

As part of the Leadership Certification Program (LCP), this training teaches four key coaching techniques to help leaders manage proactive and reactive coaching discussions. Leaders will gain practical tools to enhance coaching agility, make interactions meaningful, and provide timely, impactful insights.

 

Resolving Workplace Conflict - Virtual (LCP)

Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

As a part of the Leadership Certification Program (LCP), this training highlights the importance of leaders supporting employees in taking responsibility for resolving workplace conflicts, using coaching and mediation as key intervention strategies. Leaders also learn to identify early signs of conflict to address issues proactively and ensure timely resolution

 

Addressing Poor Performance - Virtual (LCP)

Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

As a part of the Leadership Certification Program (LCP), this training equips leaders with the skills and confidence to manage chronic performance issues by addressing specific operational and behavioral concerns. Leaders will learn to handle defensive reactions, set clear expectations, and encourage accountability, ultimately improving team productivity and fostering ownership of performance.

 

Developing Yourself and Others - Virtual (LCP)

Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

As a part of the Leadership Certification Program (LCP), this training empowers leaders to recognize the crucial role they play in driving employee engagement and retention. Leaders will learn how to identify the key drivers of engagement, conduct impactful conversations with their team members, and implement meaningful, no-cost recognition strategies to foster a more engaged and motivated workforce at Brown.

 

Management Essentials - Virtual Weekly Series 

February 5, 2025 - March 12, 2025 | 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Managers become equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to cultivate success in the workplace.

 

Management Essentials - In-Person Weekly Series

February 25, 2025 - April 1, 2025 | 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Managers become equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to cultivate success in the workplace.

 

View our future instructor-led offerings here.

 

Earn Recognition with Credly

This month, as we emphasize connection, we’re excited to spotlight Credly, LDE’s digital badging program. Earning a badge not only connects you to your achievements but also lets you share your professional development journey with the Brown community. Showcase your accomplishments and connect your learning to future opportunities. Badges include detailed information about your credential and can be easily shared via your email signature, LinkedIn, and other social media platforms.

Below are the Credly badges you can earn:

  • Leadership Certification Program Badge: Recognizes completion of foundational leadership training.
  • Leading from Where You Are Badge: Acknowledges skills for leadership at any level.
  • Management Essentials Badge: Awarded for mastering essential management tools and techniques.
  • Excellence Awards Badge: Recognizes outstanding contributions across various categories, including efficiency, rising potential, customer or team service, workplace community, sustainability, innovation, leadership, and diversity and inclusion.

Start earning and showcasing your badges today by engaging with LDE programming! Learn more about Credly here.

 

LDE Book Club

Want to connect with others around powerful ideas? Start a book club with a book featured in the LDE Book Club! The LDE Book Club offers self-paced learning courses based on popular self-development books. You can access these courses for free through Workday Learning, and if you're inspired to go further, borrow the full reads from the LDE Lending Library. Use our book discussion templates to start your own group discussions this month.

 

LDE’s Quick Tip of the Month

This month, make connection a priority by reaching out to colleagues across departments! Consider hosting a lunch-and-learn, joining an affinity group, or attending a community of practice to expand your circle and build relationships. Even small efforts to connect with others can lead to new collaborations and creative ideas that drive success.

Remember, connection is the key to creating a strong support network, finding new opportunities, and making a lasting impact. Start this month by fostering connections that will inspire and support your growth in 2025!