Join the the Alumni Association for a series of leadership sessions to help Redbirds develop and expand their tool kits. These sessions are designed for all alumni to learn key takeaways to implement in their work spaces.

Humor and leadership: How might it matter?

Appropriate humor might play a vital role in leadership effectiveness.  There are certainly “interpersonal” benefits to humor.  For example, humor can be useful in reducing and managing conflict, reduce barriers to open communication, and facilitates stronger interpersonal relationships. This session will focus on the types of humor that are beneficial to leaders and those that are not, how humor can provide interpersonal benefits to leaders and the organization, and how humor might be indicative of other key leadership traits.

When: noon-1 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, November 11
Where: Join via Zoom on any mobile device or computer

This is a complimentary event but advance registration is required due to limited space. Please register online until November 11 or until capacity is reached.

Virtual leadership: Is that even a thing?

Prior to March 2020, the mention of a surprising fad called virtual leadership would be met with the questions, “Is that actually a thing?” or “When did that become a thing?” However, recent events have dramatically increased the percentage of Americans working from home and those involved with remote or virtual teamwork.

Therefore, when managers emerge into the new normal, they should expect digital, virtual, and agile working practices will remain a part of the manager’s responsibilities. By incorporating the latest research/perspectives, this session will provide participants with important insights into the skills that will be necessary to manage in today’s constantly changing world.

When: noon-1 p.m. (CST), Wednesday, November 18
Where: Join via Zoom on any mobile device or computer

This is a complimentary event but advance registration is required due to limited space. Please register online until November 18 or until capacity is reached.

Power and politics in organizations: Is it really that bad?

Most of us think that “office politics” are bad and that political behavior is harmful to organizations. Some behavior that we consider political— backstabbing, deviousness, dishonestly, etc.—is wrong and can harm organizations.

However, not all political behavior in organizations is “devious” and wrong. In fact, not only is political behavior a normal aspect of social systems, but it also can play a vital role in productive organizational outcomes. This session will provide participants with a much deeper and useful understanding of political activity in organizations as well as insights regarding how they can enhance their own individual political acumen.

When: noon-1 p.m. (CST), Tuesday, December 8
Where: Join via Zoom on any mobile device or computer

This is a complimentary event but advance registration is required due to limited space. Please register online until December 8 or until capacity is reached.