Helping Managers Become More Effective Communicators:
Effectively Engaging Employees in Times of Change and Uncertainty

We live in a wired, 24/7 world that's often cycling between "do more with less" or "lean-and-MEAN" reorganizing and ever faster upgrading while demanding higher levels of transparency and accountability.  And these days, especially, it can feel like we are spinning scarily out of control.  Hey, today it’s less a matter of “downsizing” or “rightsizing” than it is of sheer “frightsizing!”  Not surprisingly, managing morale and uncertainty, while maintaining high performance along with productive team communication and cooperation is on the mind of every effective leader, manager and supervisor.  And of course, this is especially vital when companies and organizations are undergoing significant transition or are grappling with challenging operational, policy and budgetary issues.

Have no fear...Mark Gorkin, the "Stress Doc" ™ is here with his dynamic and interactive, inspiring and FUN-filled presentation and small group/team-building exercises.

Learn concepts and models, tips and problem-solving exercises for both controlling stress and communicating understanding and objective optimism, especially during times of change.  Discover the Stress Doc’s CPRS Method for truly engaging, connecting and winning over employees.  Gain “empathically assertive” tools and techniques for managing anger and defusing self-defeating conflict or disarming dysfunctional power struggles with a variety of difficult personalities.  Let the author of the books Practice Safe Stress and The Four Faces of Anger guide you in the process of channeling transitional stress and tension into individual and team hardiness.  You and your team, department or division will transform frustration into safe sharing, cooperative action and playful and high performing teamwork.

Objectives

A.  Understanding the Dynamics of Change and Uncertainty

1. How Transitional Stress Impacts Manager Empathy and Communication Skills
2. Recognize the “Six ‘F’s of Loss and Change”:  Psychosocial Dynamics and Exercise
3. Discover the Danger and Opportunity in Major Change:  Discussion & Exercise

B.  Grasping the Foundation of Effective Communication and Empathic Connection

1. Learn the CPRS Method of Active Listening and Empathic Engagement
2. Practice the Difference between Assertive “I” and Blaming “You” Messages
3. Discover an IDEAL Method for Constructive Confrontation

C.  Practicing “Assertively Empathic” Listening and Feedback Skills

1. Practice Active Listening Using Real Manager-Employee Scenarios
2. Learn to Transform Self-Defeating Power Struggles into Trust-Building Encounters
3. Disarm a Critical Aggressor with Integrity and Empathy Exercise

D.  Developing Team Hardiness and Harmony through Creative Diversity in Turbulent Times

1. Discover the Four “C”s of Hardiness:  Commitment, Control, Change and Conditioning
2. Engage in Team Building and Solo-Silo Busting through “Purposeful Play” Exercise
3. Understand the link between Diversity and Creativity and Participation and High Performance

Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is an acclaimed keynote and kickoff speaker and "Motivational Humorist" known for his interactive, inspiring and FUN speaking and workshop programs.  In addition, the "Doc" is a team building and organizational development consultant for a variety of govt. agencies, corporations and non-profits and is AOL's "Online Psychohumorist" ™.  Mark is an Adjunct Professor, No. VA (NOVA) Community College and currently he is leading "Stress, Team Building and Humor" programs for the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry Divisions and Brigades, at Ft. Hood, Texas, Ft. Carson, CO and Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  A former Stress and Conflict Consultant for the US Postal Service, the Stress Doc is the author of Practice Safe Stress and of The Four Faces of Anger.  See his award-winning, USA Today Online "HotSite" -- www.stressdoc.com -- called a "workplace resource" by National Public Radio (NPR).  For more info on the Doc's "Practice Safe Stress" programs or to receive his free e-newsletter, email stressdoc@aol.com or call 301-875-2567.