Professional and Personal Development Programs

Open to faculty and staff. 

Register at http://knowledgelink.upenn.edu/

Navigating Difficult Conversations; 11/5;
9 a.m.-noon, $75. Difficult conversations are inevitable in any workplace. Those conversations can create unhappiness, stress and tension. While you can’t avoid these conversations, you can learn how to handle them more effectively. Developing the ability to handle these challenges will offer increased confidence, improved relationships, higher productivity and better career opportunities.

The Gift of Feedback; 11/5; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Feedback can be an amazing gift that helps improve performance, but many managers feel challenged by giving and receiving feedback. Managers will learn how to frame feedback as a gift that creates productive dialogue and improved performance. We will cover how managers can solicit feedback from staff in order to become a more effective leader.

How to Make Yourself Indispensable; 11/6; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Indispensable employees perform with a mindset that drives them to think, act and behave differently. You’ll learn how to: take ownership of your responsibilities and results, take initiative to go above and beyond what is expected of you, expand your sphere of influence, perform well under pressure, adapt to changing situations and avoid being “irreplaceable.”

Connection and De-escalation in Communication through Crisis or Conflict; 11/8; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Participants will learn about the significance of making connections with people when not in crisis or conflict.  They will learn about de-escalation and how to help bring a conflict to a halt and key strategies to help should one arise.

Ted Talk—How to Train Employees to Have Difficult Conversations; 11/19; 12:30-1:30 p.m. The information we use to effect change and help others comes from everyday employees asking everyday people questions that may not be easy to ask or answer. Thorough, in-person training is necessary for employees to be prepared to navigate questions about race, gender, ethnicity and more in a respectful and engaging way. That’s why Tamekia MizLadi Smith came up with “I’m Graced” training, guiding employees through difficult conversations face-to-face.

Work-life Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. 

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Money is Emotional: Prevent Your Heart from Hijacking Your Wallet: 11/1-11/30; ongoing. This webinar pulls back the curtain on why we do what we do with our money. Christine Luken’s “Mindful Money Management” approach to personal finance is unique in that it harnesses the power of positive thought and emotions—and short circuits the negative ones. Participants will learn how to navigate emotional money situations with purpose and confidence, so you can ensure that your heart won’t hijack your wallet.

Mindful Communication; 11/4; 12:30-1:45 p.m. Mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” said Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindful communication practices shine awareness on our intentions in communication. We learn how to be intentional, stay present, observe our thoughts and manage our feelings for both listening and being heard—true communication. In this experiential workshop, you’ll see how mindful communication can help you become more intentional, engaged and effective both at home and in the workplace. No prior meditation or mindfulness experience necessary.

Maximizing Quality of Life as You Age Webinar; 11/5; 1-2 p.m. Whether retirement seems far away or just around the corner, it’s important to maximize quality of life as we age. In order to do that, it’s helpful to consider how best to enhance wellbeing, independence and social connection. This seminar will cover topics such as livable communities, in-home supports, technology resources and the cost of long-term care.

Important Resources for Family Caregivers; 11/12; 12:30-1:30 p.m. As family caregivers, we are often confronted with a confusing array of choices. How can you sort out the various senior living arrangements, in-home services and care options, so you can determine what’s best for your loved one? How do you find the right support for yourself so you can handle your care-giving responsibilities along with everything else? Learn about the long-term care landscape, including resources and costs so that you can be an informed and proactive caregiver.

Lactation Support Group; 11/13; noon-1 p.m. This interactive discussion will be led by Jabina Coleman, a licensed social worker and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Guided Meditation; 11/15, 11/26; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.

Mindfulness; 11/20; 12:30-1:30 p.m. This workshop will offer participants an opportunity to practice awareness activities adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. During the first part of our practice, we will begin with a guided meditation focusing on the breath. The second half will focus our attention on a guided exploration of the body, bringing awareness to the different areas of the body and allowing ourselves to experience how each part feels, without trying to change anything. No experience necessary. All warmly welcome.

Understanding Life and Disability Income Insurance Workshop; 11/25; noon-1 p.m. Having the proper protection is important. In this workshop, you will learn the benefits and different types of life and disability income insurance, which types are best suited for different situations, and how to determine how much insurance is needed.  Our speaker is Albert Corrato, Jr., certified financial planner professional from Creative Financial Group, MassMutual.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. 

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration 

November Wellness Walk; 11/1; noon-1 p.m. Our wellness walks encourage participants to increase their physical activity by stepping outside to pump up their heart rate by walking through Penn’s beautiful campus. What better way to get motivated and gain energy for the day. Meet the Center for Public Health Initiatives staff in front of College Hall by the Ben Franklin statue. The walk will be approximately 2 miles and we will inform you when we have reached the 1-mile mark in the event that you need to exit early. We hope you will be able to join us. Bring your water bottle and don’t forget to bring along a colleague and your sneakers.

Zumba; 11/8; noon-1 p.m. Perfect for everybody and every body. Each Zumba® class is designed to bring people together to burn calories. We take the “work” out of workout, by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Once the Latin and World rhythms take over, you’ll see why Zumba® Fitness classes are often called an exercise in disguise.

Flu Vaccine Clinic; 11/12, 11/18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hall of Flags, Houston Hall; 11/22, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Alumni Hall, New Bolton Center. The Penn community is encouraged to get the flu vaccine this season. All full-time and part-time benefits-eligible faculty and staff can attend one of Penn’s free, on-campus flu vaccine clinics. Advance registration is required at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Chair Yoga; 11/13; noon-1 p.m. Interested in trying yoga but don’t know where to start? Join us on for a wonderful class of chair yoga. You get the same benefits of a regular yoga workout (like increased strength, flexibility and balance) but don’t have to master complex poses. Chair yoga can improve your breathing and teach you how to relax your mind and improve your wellbeing.

Gentle Yoga; 11/14; 11 a.m.-noon. Let your body reward itself with movement. This session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. You will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. You’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

—Division of Human Resources