Skip to main content

Workshop Descriptions and Information

Employee Learning & Engagement (ELE) is excited to announce our lineup of professional development experiences!

We believe that every member of the Vanderbilt community can grow and lead, regardless of their title or position. Our goal is to provide you with opportunities and resources that equip you to be your best self while succeeding in your role and as a member of the larger Vanderbilt University community. Whether you hope to develop a new skill for your current role, advance your skills to progress in your career journey, or connect with fellow employees who are focused on professional growth, we are here to support you.

We invite you to engage with us during our live virtual learning experiences, designed exclusively for our Vanderbilt community and led by our ELE team. To register for any learning experience, please visit the links below or search for “ELE” in Oracle Learn.

A special note: Participation levels will guide you in selecting learning opportunities that are a good fit for you, your schedule, and your energy. Our workshops are designated as: Level 1 (Consume & Consider), Level 2 (Comment & Connect), and/or Level 3 (Collaborate & Create). To learn more about our participation levels, please scroll to the bottom of this pace or click here

Upcoming Learning

We invite you to scroll down for additional information.

Our Spring 2024 learning experiences include:

Conversation Circles: A Series for Managers and Leaders (hosted by ELE and HR Consulting):  

Designing Your Life and Career , a small group life design and career coaching experience:  

  • Group 2: Thursdays, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, & 25 (virtual)  
  • Group 3: Mondays, 1-2 p.m., February 19, 26, March 3, 25, April 1 & 18 (virtual)  

Plus, self-paced sessions:

Microlearning Mondays: A Biweekly Boost of Knowledge

Description: Get ready for a bite-sized biweekly blast of learning in our microlearning series.

In each 30-minute session, we’ll listen to or watch short, thought-provoking segment from podcast snippets, TED Talks tidbits, and more. And, we’ll dive into debriefing discussions aimed at fostering intentional development and growth.

In these sessions, you will:

  • Boost your creativity, knowledge, and skills by exploring innovative ideas and perspectives
  • Connect and grow with fellow knowledge enthusiasts

These microlearning sessions are great for employees who want to weave in intentional, professional development, but are feeling crunched on time! Topics will rotate, keeping the excitement flowing and your insights soaring. If you’d like to suggest a podcast snippet, TED Talk tidbit, article, or something else, email Krista!

We invite you to join us for any sessions that align with your interest and availability. We will create opportunities to participate and engage in non-identifying ways, and we also welcome participants who prefer to listen and observe. We strive for an experience where every participant feels included to participate at the level that is most comfortable for them individually.

ELE level 3 ELE level 3

Facilitator: Krista Vaught

Dates and topics:

  • Monday, February 5, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Finding awe in the ordinary and the power of moments
  • Monday, February 19, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Meeting overload - rethinking how we gather
  • Monday, March 4, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Neuroplasticity - what it is and how to leverage it for learning and change
  • Monday, April 1, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Mindfulness and empathy - and how we can use them at work and in leadership
  • Monday, April 15, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. - Work-life balance, integration, and harmony – aka “when work takes over your life”

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat! Enroll here!

*Please note: enrollment within Oracle is for the series - we invite you to join us for any session that aligns with your interest and availability. 

The Productivity Puzzle

Description: Calendar, Inbox, To-Do List Oh My!

Feeling overwhelmed with an endless to-do list and packed schedules? We understand the struggle of juggling tasks, managing overflowing inboxes, and having little room for downtime on your calendars. Join this session to explore popular productivity strategies designed to bring order to chaos and enhance your efficiency. Our goal is not just to keep you busy but to transform that busyness into true productivity.

This workshop will be offered virtually (on 2/8) and on campus (on 2/21). The same information will be offered in each session. Come ready to share your productivity challenges and let's collaboratively tackle the perpetual puzzle of productivity.

ELE level 3

Facilitator: Krystal Clark

Date and Time: Thursday, February 8, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat!  Enroll here. 

Aspiring LeadeReads: Difficult Conversations

Description: Tough conversations are all around us. “We attempt or avoid difficult conversations every day - whether dealing with an underperforming employee, disagreeing with a spouse, or negotiating with a client. From the Harvard Negotiation Project, the organization that brought you Getting to Yes , Difficult Conversations provides a step-by-step approach to having those tough conversations with less stress and more success.”  
 
Aspiring LeadeReads is HR Employee Learning & Engagement’s professional development book club series, and we invite you to join us for our Spring 2024 read: Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most.  

In this four-part series, guided by the book, we will engage in deep discussions, activities, and reflections, around how to start difficult conversations, how to truly listen for what matters, how to stay grounded in tough moments, and how to resolve issues rather than dancing around them.  

*Please note that this is a four-part series, with each discussion session lasting an hour.  Participants who get the most out of our learning experiences are engaged during sessions, and set aside time to read and sometimes re-read the book chapters before each discussion session.   

Past Aspiring LeadeReads participants shared:   

“Aspiring LeadeReads gave me the opportunity to reflect on how I work with colleagues and some specific strategies on how to create more effective communication with my team moving forward. It also allowed me to see how others planned to implement strategies from the book.”  

“The ELE team is engaging and thoughtful in the way they crafted this program to give people time and space to process what they were reading, to think about how the topics in the book have showed up for people in their past, and to help us navigate how to use strategies successfully moving forward. Incredibly thankful for their time and expertise.”  

“Through the Aspiring LeadeReads series, Vanderbilt University has provided another thoughtful and much-needed offering to educate and empower staff and faculty to not only discuss difficult or challenging subjects and learn from peers, but to network and connect with colleagues across campus that we might not otherwise be afforded the time to know. How can I pick a "best part" of these experiences? They're always impressive and worthwhile. Thank you!”  - Heidi Bates, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, PhD in Nursing Science Program Manager.  

ELE level 3

Facilitator:  TaShunda Franklin & Krista Vaught   

Date and Time: Thursdays, February 15, 22, 29, & March 7, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

*Please note that this is a four-part series, with each discussion session lasting an hour.

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat! We anticipate that interest will exceed the number of seats available for this offering. To express your interest, we invite you to complete this interest form by February 1st . Participants can access a free electronic version of the book through the VU libraries, or can request a complimentary hard copy.  

All Vanderbilt University employees are eligible to participate in Aspiring LeadeReads.

The Productivity Puzzle

Description: Calendar, Inbox, To-Do List Oh My!

Feeling overwhelmed with an endless to-do list and packed schedules? We understand the struggle of juggling tasks, managing overflowing inboxes, and having little room for downtime on your calendars. Join this session to explore popular productivity strategies designed to bring order to chaos and enhance your efficiency. Our goal is not just to keep you busy but to transform that busyness into true productivity.

This workshop will be offered virtually (on 2/21) and in person (on 2/8). The same information will be offered in each session. Come ready to share your productivity challenges and let's collaboratively tackle the perpetual puzzle of productivity.

ELE level 3

Facilitator: Krystal Clark

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 21, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Location: Baker Building

Save your seat!  Enroll here. 

The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

Description:  The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace will give you the tools to improve staff morale, create a more positive workplace, and increase employee engagement. How? By teaching you to effectively communicate authentic appreciation and encouragement to employees, co-workers, and leaders. Most relational problems in organizations flow from this question: do people feel appreciated? This session will help you answer “   Yes   !”

ELE level 3

Facilitator: Chance Ryon

Date and Time: Monday, February 26, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Location: Baker Building

Save your seat!    Register here. 

CliftonStrengths

Description:  The  CliftonStrengths   assessment is a tool that provides insight into your natural recurring talents and abilities. In this session, we will provide you with an opportunity to complete the  CliftonStrengths   assessment to unlock your Top 5 Talent Themes, and explore how they impact your work. 

ELE level 3

Facilitator: TaShunda Franklin & Krista Vaught

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 5, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat!    Register here. 

The Search for Motivation

Description: As March unfolds, the quest for motivation to successfully navigate the concluding phase of the spring semester becomes crucial yet challenging. This session delves into the realm of motivation, employing Daniel H. Pink's Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose Framework as outlined in "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us." Participants will engage in self-assessment to gauge their current motivation levels and craft personalized strategies to persevere through the remaining semester.

ELE level 3

Facilitator: Krystal Clark

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 6, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat!    Register here. 

Thriving Together: A Two-Part Series on Psychological Safety

Description: Join us in person for a thoughtful exploration of the key elements that cultivate workplaces where trust and collaboration can thrive. In this two-part series we'll delve into the pivotal role each team member plays in creating an environment that promotes inclusion, risk-taking, and innovation. Psychological safety is a cornerstone for high-performing teams, and understanding how each individual contributes is essential.

In this workshop participants will: 

    • Explore the Concept of Psychological Safety 
    • Learn About Leadership's Role 
    • Be Empowered to Contribute to Team Culture  
    • Learn How to Take Personal Accountability 

Leave with actionable insights to foster a workplace where every individual feels valued, heard, and confident contributing their best. 

ELE level 3

Facilitator: TaShunda Franklin

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 19, & Tuesday, March 26, 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Location: Baker Building

Save your seat!    Register here. 

CliftonStrengths

Description:  The  CliftonStrengths   assessment is a tool that provides insight into your natural recurring talents and abilities. In this session, we will provide you with an opportunity to complete the  CliftonStrengths   assessment to unlock your Top 5 Talent Themes, and explore how they impact your work. 

ELE level 3

Facilitator: Krystal Clark & Chance Ryon

Date and Time: Monday, March 25, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat!    Register here. 

Atomic Habits

Description:  Vanderbilt football coach, Clark Lea, talks about the importance of 'heartbeats and habits' and there's no time like the present to begin building new habits as we approach August.     

Atomic Habits has been called "the most comprehensive and practical guide on how to create good habits, break bad ones, and get 1 percent better every day."  This book, by James Clear, encourages people to think deeply about the systems that need to accompany new habits.      

What new habits do you want to develop for the workplace?   
What old habits are you ready to be rid of in the workplace?     

Come learn about Atomic Habits and leave with an action plan to implement these practices into your work at Vanderbilt.    

ELE level 3

Facilitator: Krystal Clark

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 9, 2:30-4:00 p.m.

Location: Baker Building

Save your seat!  Enroll here. 

The Coaching Lab: A 3-Part Series for Building Coaching Skills

Whether you’re a high-level administrator, people manager, or individual contributor, building your coaching skills can enhance your communication, performance, and success – and that of your team members, whether they report to you or work with you. Infusing coaching skills into your work can transform communication, enhance effectiveness, motivate employees, and strengthen relationships.   

Coaching was the top-ranked skill for leadership development in the 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Leadership Development Survey by Training Magazine. (*The 2022 survey results included feedback from over 820 learning and development experts, including beyond higher education.)  

The best way to develop your coaching skills isn’t just to read about coaching, but to practice in a low-stakes environment where you receive feedback and have opportunities to observe coaching and offer feedback as well. The Coaching Lab was designed to offer you just that – you’ll gain foundational knowledge about what coaching is, explore a coaching framework, and build your coaching skills through observation, practice, and feedback.  

In this three-part series, you will:  

  • Define what coaching is, and differentiate coaching from other styles and supports (like mentoring, advising, etc.)  
  • Identify benefits of coaching for the employee, leader, department, and organization  
  • Evaluate what effective coaching looks like  
  • Assess where your current coaching skills are, and where you would like them to be
  • Identify current and potential opportunities for coaching
  • Practice coaching peers in a triad form, and receive feedback on your coaching
  • Build confidence in your coaching skills
  • Explore and plan for how you’d like to infuse coaching into your communications and/or leadership 

ELE level 3

Facilitators:   TaShunda Franklin, Krista Vaught  

Date and Time: Sessions will be held on:  

  • April 16, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
  • April 23, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
  • April 30, 1:00-3:30 p.m.

Participants should be available to participate in all three sessions. All three sessions will be heavily interactive (Collaborate & Create on ELE’s participation levels ), and participants will engage in discussions and coaching.   

In our summer and fall 2023 cohorts, participants reported increased knowledge and confidence, and shared:

The Coaching Lab series was one of the most beneficial trainings I've participated in at Vanderbilt. It provided a base level of knowledge of what coaching is and different techniques, and then provided the opportunity to practice the skills and receive real time feedback. This was uncomfortable at times, which means I was growing in active development of this skill.” - Andrea Zink  

"Coaching is a skill that involves practice and the lab allows for a safe space in order to do so. The small groups and the instruction provided were all positive interactions. This is a judgment-free zone to really build some technique." - Madeline French  

"This is a great lab. Coaching happens around us a lot, at work, and in life. This lab will help you get better at coaching and be more aware of coaching moments." - Chuane Li  

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat! Enroll here (and note that seats are limited!)

Conversation Circles: A Series for Managers and Leaders

Description:  This peer-to-peer learning opportunity creates an intentional space where supervisors, managers, and leaders can share and discuss insights and best practices while building their peer networks. Each one-hour Circle will offer social learning opportunities and conversations around a particular trending topic or topics among managers at Vanderbilt.   Join us as we explore and discuss common scenarios, challenges, and resources, and spark connections among managers and leaders across the university.    

  • Conversation Circles   are   a space for sharing practical strategies and best practices, for interacting with peers who are in similar roles, and for building your network.     
  • Conversation Circles   are   not   a space for training on specific topics or policies, for talking through or venting about a specific challenge you are facing on your team, or for asking specific HR questions. For these areas, we encourage you to reach out to the  HR Consulting, Employee and Labor Relations team      

Our Spring 2024 topics include:

  • Mid-year Performance Conversations and Calibrating on Goals, February 21, 2-3 p.m. (virtual)
  • Creating a Culture of Learning and Growth on Your Team, March 28, 1-2 p.m. (virtual)
  • A Discussion on Screening Resumes, Interviewing, and Hiring,  April 17, 1-2 p.m. (virtual)

Are you interested in submitting a discussion topic, sharing your strategies and experiences, or facilitating a Conversation Circle? We invite you to email  TaShunda,  Krista,  or your  HR Consultant  , to share your ideas and interest.   

Here's what past participants share about Conversation Circles: 

  • I'll admit, I wasn't sure what to expect from Conversation Circles when I signed up, and I have since discovered that I LOVE them. We get time to work through case studies with colleagues across campus. The case studies are relevant to all departments, and I always learn something from fellow leaders. I highly recommend this series!  - Conversation Circle participant   

ELE level 3

Facilitator: James Blakely, Bari Brooks, Chris Hicks, Deniz Mckelvy  Anita Wilhelm (HR Consulting), Andi Samaniego (Talent Acquisition), TaShunda Franklin , Krista Vaught   

Date and Time: 

  • Mid-year Performance Conversations and Calibrating on Goals, February 21, 2-3 p.m. (virtual)
  • Creating a Culture of Learning and Growth on Your Team, March 28, 1-2 p.m. (virtual)
  • A Discussion on Screening Resumes, Interviewing, and Hiring,  April 17, 1-2 p.m. (virtual)

Location: Hosted Virtually (Zoom link will be provided after registration)

Save your seat!  Enroll here. 

*Please note: enrollment within Oracle is for the Conversation Circle series - we invite you to join us for any session that aligns with your interest and availability.

Previous Events

Curious about learning experiences offered in previous semesters? Check out our workshop archive here!

Participation Levels

Do you prefer learning experiences where you’re expected to participate and connect with your peers via chats, polls, and activities? Or do you silently exit Zoom calls when facilitators mention breakout rooms, as you prefer to engage in learning in a webinar style?  

Employee Learning & Engagement (ELE) is excited to introduce participation levels for our learning experiences. Participation levels will guide you in selecting learning opportunities that are a good fit for you, your schedule, and your energy.   

Let’s face it – we know that on some days, you are ready to fully participate in breakout room discussions and activities with peers from across the university, as you’re craving interaction and connection. On other days, you may experience Zoom fatigue or feel stress from an upcoming deadline, and want to participate more passively. We want you to have the opportunity to participate in the way that is most meaningful, valuable, and growth-focused yet comfortable for you.   

Our learning experiences now offer three levels of participation:  

  • Level 1 : Level 1 workshops involve opportunities to consume and consider new information, concepts, and practices. Your primary method of interaction will be via active listening.   
  • Level 2 : Level 2 workshops involve opportunities to comment and connect, including via chats, polls, and non-verbal Zoom reactions.   
  • Level 3 : Our most interactive learning experiences, Level 3 workshops may involve a combination of breakout rooms, verbal discussions in the larger room, exercises and activities, as well as chats, polls, reactions, and active listening. These workshops involve multiple opportunities to collaborate and create. *For some workshops with breakout rooms, we will offer a silent/reflective breakout room for those who wish to participate in the activity on their own.   

How can you determine the type of participation involved in a workshop? Look for the acorns in our workshop graphics and descriptions.    

ELE workshop participation levels

Whether you hope to develop a new skill for your current role, to advance your skills to progress in your career journey, or to connect with fellow employees who are focused on professional growth, we are here to support you.    We look forward to connecting with you in an upcoming learning experience.