Explore the diverse range of courses available, each tailored to cater to various aspects of professional growth. Discover the path to professional excellence through our comprehensive self-directed trainings.
University Human Resources
Self-directed Training
While change initiatives may be necessary, they’re not easy. Thankfully, understanding how best to manage change can help smooth out the rough spots. In this course, you’ll learn to do just that by mastering the basics of change management.
You’re unlikely to see a job description without these words: “Must have excellent communication skills.” But have you ever found yourself wondering what that means—or how to demonstrate you’re a good communicator? In this course, you’ll learn how to define communication, the types of communication we use at work, how to choose the right delivery method for your message, and how to remove barriers to having it understood.
Change takes on various forms. Whether it involves modifications to projects, adjustments in organizational objectives, or restructuring of job roles and teams, the impact on individuals' emotions remains significant. So, how can you make the transition as smooth as possible? In this course, you’ll explore five common reactions to change and identify your emotions. From there, you’ll learn four strategies to embrace change, roll with the punches, and focus on the things within your control. While you can’t always predict or prevent change, you can manage your response.
Networking, often hailed as the secret ingredient to advancing your career, is a topic that receives significant attention. It serves as the gateway to coveted opportunities, opening doors that may otherwise remain closed. But what does networking truly entail, and why is it worth your investment? More importantly, how can you kickstart your networking journey at Brown University? In this course, we will delve into these questions, unraveling the power of networking and equipping you with the skills to make lasting impressions as you cultivate your professional connections.
Empathy—the ability to understand and share others' emotions—is crucial at Brown University. Staff, faculty, and students all want to feel valued and recognized, whether they're navigating challenges or celebrating successes. In this course, you'll begin by exploring what empathy is and why it's an essential skill. Next, you'll learn how to communicate with empathy and navigate common obstacles. Finally, you'll develop strategies to strengthen your empathetic abilities.
Do you enjoy helping others? Do you have the time, energy, and desire to take on a new challenge? Are you highly experienced or skilled at your job? If you answered “Yes,” to all of these questions, then you may be a good candidate for mentoring. In this course, you’ll find a complete guide to mentoring others. You'll learn who a mentor is and what they do, the qualities to look for in an ideal mentee, how to lead productive mentoring sessions, and the do’s and don'ts of becoming an effective mentor. You’ll also learn five common challenges in a mentoring relationship, along with strategies to overcome each.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to get the most out of your one-on-one meetings. You only get what you give, so take advantage of the unique opportunity and value that one-on-ones can offer you with these tips.
Have you ever known someone who seems to have an answer for any challenge? No matter what life throws their way, they take it in stride. While some people may just have a knack for it, the truth is that anyone can develop strong problem-solving skills. In this course, you’ll start with a five-step problem-solving process anyone can use. Then, you’ll learn some strategies and behaviors to make problem-solving easier. Finally, you’ll get tips for overcoming challenges and barriers that will inevitably come your way.
There are many reasons why you might need help to make one-on-ones productive. For example, your direct report might have little to talk about, your meetings might veer off-topic, or you might need to understand the purpose of a one-on-one meeting fully. One-on-ones may even be the first meetings you postpone when work gets busy. In this lesson, you'll learn everything you need to know about conducting effective one-on-ones.
Getting along with coworkers can be tricky—but not impossible. This course guides you on how to work through conflict with coworkers to achieve positive outcomes. You’ll discover why workplace conflict can actually be a good thing, how to have a difficult conversation, and how to seek help when progress is at a standstill or you’re dealing with an abusive coworker.
A good mentor offers an empathetic ear, encouraging words, and a wealth of professional knowledge, experience, and expertise. They can advise you, challenge you, and connect you with development opportunities to reach your goals. In short, having a good mentor in your corner can boost your confidence and accelerate your career. But where do you find one, and how do you cultivate a positive and mutually beneficial mentoring relationship? In this course, you’ll first discover what mentoring is and how a great mentor can vault your career to the next level. You’ll then learn how to find a mentor and adopt the attitudes and behaviors you need to be a model mentee.
This course comprises four separate lessons about maximizing career growth at Brown University: A Manager's Role in Career Development; Getting to Know Employee's Strengths, Interests, and Values; Improving Employees' Job Satisfaction to Increase Motivation; How to Conduct Effective One-on-Ones
Lewis Carroll wrote: “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” The Alice in Wonderland author meant that without a goal and a plan, you’ll wander aimlessly to nowhere. This wisdom rings especially true when it comes to career advancement, where an undeveloped idea won’t get you to your goal. In this course, you’ll learn how to map your career development plan, track progress with your manager, and add value to your role.
It’s a perennial dilemma: How do we make the most of the time we have? Time is both precious and fleeting, and many of us feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. This course offers essential strategies to address the problem at hand. Initially, you will acquire fundamental principles of time management and gain insight into identifying symptoms that indicate inefficient time utilization. Subsequently, you will explore techniques for tracking and analyzing your time, thereby enhancing productivity in your role at Brown. Lastly, you will receive seven valuable tips to effectively manage your time and initiate positive changes.
Your manager determines a lot about your work life. They communicate organizational and project goals, facilitate teamwork, and remove roadblocks. They also support you by providing coaching and feedback—and even advocating for your needs. So, what can you do to help your manager help you? And what part do you play in ensuring an effective, collaborative relationship at Brown? In this course, you’ll explore the answers to these questions by learning the art of “managing up”—making your employee-m relationship the best and most effective it can be.
As a manager, it’s up to you to bring your team together so that everyone can reach their highest potential. Teams don’t gel overnight. This course will help you facilitate optimal performance—together as a team. You’ll learn how to take your team through four development stages—from the first meeting to a well-oiled performance machine. Also, discover how to overcome differences and harness team members’ strengths. By stage four, you’ll understand how the process inspires competent and committed achievement.