With the rise in workplace incivility, harassment, and bullying, it is more important than ever to design organizations where employees feel safe and can thrive.

Research by Google indicates that psychological safety – the feeling that we will not be punished for expressing our thoughts and ideas – is the #1 characteristic of high-performing teams. When we feel psychologically safe, we are willing to stick our neck out, take risks, and be more creative. When we are free to express ourselves in constructive and productive ways, we are more likely to be engaged and less likely to leave, thereby boosting retention and performance.

What can we do as individuals and as leaders to foster greater psychological safety in our organizations to allow for greater creativity, connection and collaboration?

Learning Objectives:
*Discover the two key factors necessary for high-performing, generative teams
*Explore the three steps you can take to increase self-awareness, so you can lead by example (and even connect with the most difficult people!)
*Experience a simple technique to build trust and connection with colleagues and clients

Unemployment is at its lowest level in nearly 50 years. Most firms are trying to figure out what they can do to recruit, engage and retain talent. In the midst of perks, policies and procedures, many firms are missing the secret ingredient to retention. We overlook it because it seems too obvious. But it could be the key reason why your people stay or why they leave.

Gratitude.

From increased job satisfaction, performance, morale and happiness to reduced stress and improved immunity, the impact of gratitude on workplace culture and wellbeing is far-reaching. Since we spend at least 1/3 of our waking hours at or on work, focusing on gratitude and giving back is one of the best things we can do to transform our workplaces. In this interactive session, we’ll explore specific strategies to shift our culture to boost morale and retain talent.

Learning Objectives
• Identify practical ways to foster a culture of appreciation at your workplace
• Differentiate between the power of bucket fillers and bucket dippers
• Explore a simple formula for fostering trust and connection in relationships
• Learn from other organizations that prioritize giving back and putting their people first

We were born for connection and are hardwired to be in community with other people. But let's face it. Sometimes relationships can be difficult...frustrating...and stressful! Few of us have ever learned practical skills to help us show up more intentionally in our relationships, so we can feel more connected and effective in our interactions with people at work and at home.

In this energizing keynote or interactive workshop, we will explore specific strategies to become better friends, family members and colleagues through the power of relationships. You'll walk away feeling equipped and confident to take action to improve your relationships across all areas of your life.

This session is particularly useful for technical professionals who want to improve their relationship and communication skills.

In this empowering and refreshing keynote, which can be extended into a longer workshop, strategic human resources professionals and people leaders will learn what drives recruitment, employee engagement and retention. Organizations eager to establish themselves as a best place to work will benefit from the lessons in this session. Managers who are leading teams of people and are tasked with influencing workplace culture will walk away equipped and empowered to improve the culture of their organization.

The audience will leave with five key strategies to engaging and retaining employees; clarity around what makes a healthy workplace culture and what the evidence says about what employees want; knowledge of the three things employees want most from work; and innovative, practical and actionable strategies for fostering connection and engagement at your workplace, so you can become an employer of choice.

I've delivered this session to hundreds of human resources professionals, Chief People Officers, insurance brokers, and consultants and they leave the session invigorated AND equipped to positively impact their workplace culture.

This transformational leadership program is the perfect workshop for leadership teams struggling with disconnection that are looking to build trust and improve communication​.

The audience will leave with and understanding of their own character strengths and how they can use them to be a more effective and connected leader; clarity about how to leverage three character strengths most linked to fulfillment and wellbeing; and specific strategies for how to collaborate more effectively and foster trust and connection among their teams.

​The most validating feedback I received from delivering this program was from a male anesthesiologist, who is often turned off by the words, "interactive activities". He left the session saying, "This was awesome! I'm excited to bring what I'm learning back to work, but - selfishly - it's going to make me a better husband!"

This session has been delivered to technical professionals and customer service professionals, including industries like tech, engineering, and internet security. It's highly interactive and engaging and includes multiple opportunities for connection and reflection.

Imagine a world where women feel seen, heard, and valued in the workplace. A world where they have the courage to come off mute and step into their power with confidence and courage. While more women are earning college degrees than ever before, they are often underrepresented in leadership and don't always feel like they have a voice.

They feel muted.

What can women do to be more effective, influential leaders? To advocate for themselves? To step into their strengths? To build confidence and expand impact?

What skills and tools do they need to come off mute?

In this inspiring keynote session, attendees will discover the power of illuminating their strengths, so they can be a more transformational leader at work and at home; advocate for themselves and their value; uncover their blind spots, so they can be more effective in their relationships; and be empowered to foster connection and community by finding their tribe, so they can do more good together.

This workshop has been delivered as a keynote and workshop to women's leadership teams in technical professions like accounting, engineering, construction, and architecture and design.

In May 2019, the World Health Organization identified "burnout" as an official medical diagnosis. Marked by such behaviors as exhaustion, increased negativity and cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy, burnout is taking a toll on us both personally and professionally. In our "always on" society, many of us dismiss such symptoms as "normal", not realizing they are signs that our lives need to change before we crash and burn.

When we proactively address the signs and symptoms that lead to burnout, we can live happier, healthier and higher performing lives. We can experience benefits like increased physical and mental wellbeing, greater engagement at work, and better relationships with our loved ones and colleagues. It's possible to perform at a high level professionally and prioritize taking care of ourselves and our wellbeing.

In this session attendees will identify the root causes of burnout and how to know if you or a team member is at risk; discover the impact of burnout on retention, relationships, and engagement; and explore a transformational three-step process rooted in positive psychology to boost resiliency and protect yourself from burnout.

This session as been delivered as a motivating keynote for healthcare engineers, architects, human resource professionals, Chief People Officers, leadership teams, and women's leadership groups. It can be expanded to be a more interactive workshop as well.

This program is perfect for teams struggling with trust, collaboration and creativity. It empowers and equips leaders who are highly technically skilled but lacking in "human" skills and emerging leaders who want to be more successful in the future. It has been delivered as an opening keynote and can be expanded into a longer workshop or leadership retreat.

The audience will leave with three key skills necessary for effective, future-ready leadership, a three-step process for becoming an empathetic, engaged listener and communicator; a simple framework for feedback - whether it's a confrontation or an appreciation - to create safety and lower defenses; and strategies for building trust, fostering collaboration, and improving relationships at work and at home.

I've performed this program to technical professionals like account​ing professionals, medical professionals, scientists, and engineers as well as leadership teams and human resources leaders. It's always a crowd-pleaser. It makes power skills (AKA "soft skills") needed for future-ready leaders accessible and non-threatening. People leave equipped with skills to lead better at work and at home. They have followed up with me months after the session to tell me there's still buzz about what they experienced and learned.