Professional and Personal Development

Open to faculty and staff. 

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

Psychology of Job Performance; 9/10; 12:30-1:30 p.m. Successfully overcoming performance issues in the workplace requires a basic understanding of how the human mind works. In this hour-long session, we will discuss how job performance intersects with concepts within the field of psychology, such as behavioral science and motivation. We will discuss how these concepts form a framework that can be used to diagnose performance issues and realize the most efficient and effective ways to overcome them.

Art of Effective Communication; 9/12; 12:30-1:30 p.m. The skill of effective communication is at the forefront of a successful work environment. We utilize these skills to keep projects on task, convey responsibilities, and work with individuals of all hierarchy levels and backgrounds. Learning to develop a personal communication plan, recognize different communication styles, and utilize tools to facilitate effective communication can help individuals to better their working relationship and project plans.

Creative Problem Solving; 9/12; 9 a.m.-noon, $75. While problems come in all shapes and sizes, knowing how to overcome them in a creative way can help find new solutions in various situations.  This program will identify roadblocks that prevent creative thinking, rediscover your creative ability, learn techniques to recognize and identify problems, and explore ways to manage creative people.

Assertiveness Skills; 9/18; 12:30-1:30 p.m. You may experience situations when you need to utilize assertiveness to complete a task, goal or project. In this class, we will identify personal blocks to assertiveness, identify both assertive and non-assertive language and behaviors,and learn ways to use assertiveness in everyday situations.

How to Nominate a Staff Member or Team for a Models of Excellence Award; 9/30; 3-4 p.m. Do you work with someone who shows special initiative or demonstrates outstanding leadership? Have you noticed that a colleague or team excels at fostering workplace collaboration or shows an especially deep commitment to service? If so, then recognize them as a Model of Excellence. The Selection Committee depends on the content of the nominations to make its decisions. Therefore, nominations submitted should be as detailed and descriptive as possible in order to convey a nominee’s exceptional performance. Be sure to attend this workshop and learn about how best to write your nomination.

Work-life Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. 

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Introduction to the Mindfulness in the Workplace Program; 9/5 and 9/11; noon-1 p.m. This one-hour presentation will provide an introduction to the practice of mindfulness and how it can be utilized as a tool to manage stress in personal and professional settings. Attendance at one of the one-hour presentation sessions is required for acceptance into the eight-week Mindfulness in the Workplace program which begins in October.

Mindfulness; 9/10; 12:30-1:30 p.m. This monthly 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 of our session 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.

Positive Momentum: 4-Week Mindfulness Course; 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/17; 12:30-1:45 p.m. This 4-session mindfulness course offers participants an opportunity to practice calming and effective awareness activities adapted by Jennifer Schelter (Best of Philly, Radiant Retreat—your fullest gifts, self-care and creativity retreat). Sessions will begin with a brief guided meditation to feel present. Following this mediation, participants will experience a short journaling exercise to clarify your most cherished gifts or current goals (health, career, community, relationship, etc.). The group will also discuss how to apply mindful awareness to everyday life for greater ease, natural evolution, and self-development. The session will conclude with a simple body scan, visualization of successes and communal gratitude circle. No experience necessary. Participants must attend all four sessions to earn 30 Be in the Know Bonus Action Points. 

Stress Management; 9/24; 12:30-1:30 p.m. It is natural to become stressed when the demands on time and energy have become too great. This can happen both at home and at work, and can severely limit productivity and effectiveness. This workshop shows the physiological stages of stress development and its harmful effects on the body. It also addresses the defining symptoms and different sources of stress. This useful information is incorporated with helpful stress relievers and imagery techniques.

Thinking About Retirement; 9/25; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Each concurrent Thinking About Retirement’s information session focuses on one of these topics: Retirement Plan Income, Social Security and Penn Benefits & Medicare. At Retirement Plan Income, a retirement plan counselor from Vanguard will discuss retirement plan distributions. At Social Security, a representative from the Social Security Administration will share valuable details about this program. At Penn Benefits & Medicare, representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, along with Benefits Specialists from Human Resources, will explain your retirement healthcare options. Penn Benefits Specialists will also be available throughout the event to answer your questions about retirement savings, healthcare,and other aspects of retiree benefits for you and your dependents.

Guided Meditation; 9/27; noon-1 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.

Investing 101 Workshop; 9/30; noon-1 p.m. Join our speaker, Albert Corrato, Jr., Certified Financial Planner Professional from Creative Financial Group, MassMutual, for this financial wellness learning opportunity. This workshop will provide a basic overview of investing that explains the difference between saving and investing, asset classes and investment styles, stocks and bonds and types of mutual funds.

Penn Healthy You Workshops

Open to faculty and staff. 

Register at www.hr.upenn.edu/registration

Gentle Yoga; 9/5 and 9/26; 11 a.m.-noon. Let your body reward itself with movement! Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. And as an added bonus, you’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

Spinning; 9/11; 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Pedal your way to a fantastic workout indoors! With the use of stationary cycles, each class is led on a “virtual” outdoor road, complete with a variety of exercises. This class will give you an energizing, calorie-burning, fun workout and it is great for all fitness levels because you will always ride at a self-directed pace.

Wellness Walk; 9/13; 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 at noon in front of College Hall by the Ben Franklin statue. The walk will be approximately two-miles and we will inform you when we have reached the one-mile mark in the event that you need to exit the walk 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!

Chair Yoga; 9/18; noon-1 p.m. Interested in trying yoga but don’t know where to start? Join us 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 even better your breathing and teach you how to relax your mind and improve your wellbeing.

Healthy Aging: Eating to Stay Young Workshop; 9/19; noon-1 p.m. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans present a general outline for a healthy diet. But as you age, some foods may be better than others for staying healthy and reducing your chance of illness. This presentation includes the following topics: important nutrients to know, plans for healthy eating, healthy lifestyles, shopping tips and food safety. MyPlate for Older Adults highlights the unique nutritional and physical activity needs of people as they age. Join Patti Skahan, MS, RDN, LDN, for this workshop on smart food choices to promote healthy aging. 

Zumba; 9/20; 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.

—Division of Human Resources