Professional Development Courses Come In New Forms
New Duke Learning and Organizational Development offerings include short lunchtime workshops
The latest crop of professional development opportunities from Duke’s Learning and Organizational Development (L&OD) includes new ways to experience the classes.
Registration is open for 130 courses and certificate programs that are scheduled from July through December 2017.
In addition to adjusting the list of courses based on feedback from employees and supervisors, L&OD has changed how employees at the University and Health System consume lessons. It will offer a series of 30 to 50 minute courses titled “Learning Bursts!” Covering themes such as coaching, communication, innovation and technology, the courses will come in the form of webinars or lunchtime gatherings.
“We’re trying to reach a variety of audiences, using diverse methods of learning,” said Keisha Williams, L&OD’s assistant vice president. “I know there will be great interest in those classes.”
L&OD, which is a unit of Duke Human Resources, offers courses and other training that span leadership and management development, professional development, and computer software and systems.
Other changes in July-December include more seats in the popular two-day “Crucial Conversations” course and a name change to the “Customer Service Excellence” class, which is now “Winning Clients and Influencing People.” And there are three new courses available:
Situational Leadership II
Previously part of a larger, multi-day “Guide to Managing at Duke” program for new managers, this class earned positive reviews for the way it taught supervisors how best to relate to staff. It is now its own course. This class will be offered in September and October.
“This course provides the concept that leadership is not just one way, it is situational,” Williams said. “It will vary given the task. It is our model of learning at Duke.”
The Art of Delegation
This new course is aimed at helping managers master the balance between challenging and overburdening employees. This class will be offered in October.
Administrative Assistant Certificate Program
The program was a response to a voiced desire to build a series of classes around developing administrative assistants, a position that’s grown more multi-faceted over time. The program runs from August to November.
Sign up for classes by visiting the L&OD website.