WOMEN LEAD

CURRENT COURSE OFFERINGS

 DYNAMIC PUBLIC SPEAKING

Most of us can identify great speakers we've witnessed -- we just haven't analyzed what they're doing that draws us to them. This program will identify the specific elements that are the building blocks of effective public speaking, such as: use of the voice, hand gestures, facial expressions, audience contact, and audio-visual aids. Participants will deliver short speeches (which will be provided) and will learn to give as well as seek constructive feedback from each other to practice their newly acquired skills.

EFFECTIVE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

Since most people are visual learners, "talking head" presentations are not the most effective. PowerPoint is a dynamic visual aid that can enhance your message. Learn to create a PowerPoint presentation that is in sync with your oral remarks and to pace your presentation to the ability of your audience to absorb your material. This program will demonstrate dismal as well as dynamic presentations, discuss the components of effective ones in detail, and offer formatting tips.

LEADING AND FACILITATING MEETINGS

We call meetings for a variety of purposes: to announce decisions, to discuss issues and brainstorm possible solutions, to share knowledge, to report on projects. Most meetings can be conducted more efficiently with the use of agendas. Some meetings benefit from the use of "ground rules" to enhance participation from all members of the group and to promote optimal operation of the group. Other meetings are more hierarchical and less participatory. Learn how to determine in advance the best means of conducting your meeting and how to expand your own repertoire to include both leading and facilitating skills.

NEGOTIATIONS WORKSHOP

The most successful businesswomen are those who can effectively negotiate everyday situations. And yet, women are pre-programmed to avoid negotiations. In this workshop, participants will first learn the fundamentals of successful negotiating. They will then engage in role-playing with prepared scripts to re-program their thoughts as well as their feelings about clearly stating what they want and then negotiating to get it. Role-playing will progress to more difficult situations, in which the participants will create their own scripts. This workshop is designed to deal with anxiety and build effective negotiating skills.

MEDIA SKILLS WORKSHOP

In our media conscious culture, rising leaders are frequently called upon to provide media interviews. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how media interviews are conducted, practice being the subject of a media "profile piece," and interview another participant for a profile piece. They will also learn the key terms used by journalists ("off the record," "on background," etc.) as well as the conditions under which journalists work (deadlines, etc.). Each participant will provide a copy of their bio in advance, which will be forwarded to another one of the participants. Prior to the first session, each participant will prepare a list of interviewing questions, based on the bio they receive.

Workshop on delivering Testimony

Ably testifying before administrative and legislative bodies is a crucial skill for rising executives. This workshop is designed to simulate the experience of testifying and will give participants the opportunity to rehearse in a non-threatening environment. Participants will alternate between two roles – that of the person testifying and that of the administrator/legislator questioning the witness. Advance preparation outside of the sessions will be required of the participants.

 Workshop on Handling Press Conferences

Senior executives are frequently required to deliver information in a press conference format for their agency, company, or association. This workshop is designed to simulate the experience of leading a press conference -- and will give the opportunity for participants to try out these crucial leadership skills in a non-threatening environment. Participants will alternate between two roles – that of the executive delivering the statement and responding to questions and that of the reporters quizzing the speaker.

 GET THAT PROJECT DONE!

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO PRODUCTIVITY

Why are some writers able to budget their time carefully and produce a piece of their project each day, while others procrastinate until three days before the final product is due and then suddenly generate the entire project in a burst of creative energy? How do we encourage our staff to tackle the most difficult assignment early in the day, so that the remainder of the day can be devoted to the less important tasks? What techniques do others use when they find themselves seemingly unable to get started on a long-term project? These will all be addressed in this practical program.

 ACTIVE LISTENING SKILLS

"Due process" is a fundamental of our legal system because it responds to a basic human need: the need to be heard. In our fast-paced society, though, we tend to be too busy talking, to listen. Crucial to our success as professionals is our ability to listen. In this program, participants are divided into trios with pre-determined scripts: one talks, one listens, and one observes. The scripts are designed to provide examples of effective listening as well as studied indifference. The emotions which emerge serve as the basis for a discussion of the often very visible effects of ignoring others and the need for improved active listening skills.

 COMMUNICATING ACROSS THE GENDER GAP

Deborah Tannen, professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, opened our eyes to the very different communication styles of men and women in such books as You Just Don't Understand: Men and Women in Conversation and Talking from 9 to 5. Whether we like it or not, these differences are played out daily in miscommunications in the office. This program will discuss such topics as: tolerance for interruptions; speaking up in groups (or not); and the use of qualifiers. The exercises will demonstrate how our unconscious communication styles can enhance or undermine our effectiveness. No one style is superior to others. The power behind Professor Tannen's studies comes from understanding the differences and using that understanding to expand our own palette of styles and bridge the communications gap.