OVERVIEW

As organizations understand the complexity of diversity, they are realizing that an environment that supports the development and performance of all people requires a commitment to build a well developed work force. This commitment means encouraging individual ownership and responsibility for development and performance. The focus is on developing the awareness and skills needed to go beyond traditional career development models. The basis of professional development is personal effectiveness. The success of organizations requires individual effectiveness and leadership based on the individual's sense of self, interactions with others, and their contributions to the objectives of the business.

The key to effectiveness and empowerment is understanding the dynamics of performance and development at three levels:

Individual responsibility and effectiveness are enhanced when one learns to navigate the organizational terrain for personal and professional success. As organizations begin to act on diversity, tradition and inertia guard the status quo. All employees, especially nontraditional employees need to understand and manage the obstacles they face on a personal and interpersonal level. They must commit to positively influencing and impacting the culture change required on the organizational level. This workshop is designed to assist employees in further developing the skills, confidence and awareness necessary to manage the obstacles that often hinder development and performance.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to: •Describe the ways in which individual development and performance are negatively and positively influenced by a variety of factors. •Utilize tools and information to manage obstacles to development and performance for all people. •Devise strategies for sustaining continual high performance using personal and professional strengths.

•Contribute to the organization's diversity efforts and support of multiculturalism by recognizing the roles that individuals, groups, and traditions play in creating high performance diverse climates. •Understand the importance of their role in cultivating supportive, win-win relationships.