2014 Leadership Forum Building a Culture of Employee Engagement
Tues., May 6, 2014 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Angus Bruneau Lecture Theatre EN2006 S.J. Carew Building
Research has shown, time and time again, that employees who are engaged significantly outperform workgroups that are not engaged. Maintaining high levels of engagement is one of the most challenging issues leaders are faced with today. This forum will create awareness and provide education around what drives employee engagement and why it matters, including effective leadership strategies for creating a more engaged workforce. Nurturing a culture of engaged employees will enhance the excellence of our people, resulting in high performing employees who are aligned with Memorial’s vision, mission and values.
This program is being offered by Learning & Development through the Department of Human Resources. For additional information, please contact Heather Stamp Nunes, Manager, Learning and Development, Department of Human Resources, at 864 8364 or by e-mail: hstampnunes@mun.ca.
AGENDA 8:30 a.m. Registration 8:45 - 9 a.m. Welcome and Introduction, Mr. Stephen Dodge Director of the Department of Human Resources 9 - 11 a.m. KEYNOTE SPEAKER David Zinger Facing Up to the Age of Engagement: Achieving Results While Building Strong Relationships “Keep an open mind – but not so open that your brain falls out.” Employee engagement is sweeping across the workplace landscape like a dust storm racing across the desert. There is great potential and promise and value in engagement but how do we face forward into an engaged way of working, managing and leading when there are already so many people and things demanding our attention and efforts. David Zinger offers a 10-block pyramid of engagement infused with questions, practices, strategies and tactics to improve employee engagement for the benefit of all. Based on evidenced-based practices and the criterion of strategic, small, simple and significant; David outlines tactical and practical approaches to: achieve results, maximize performance, path progress, build relationships, foster recognition, master moments, leverage strengths, make meaning, enhance wellbeing and enliven energy. 11 - 11:30 a.m. Networking and Nutrition Break 11:30 - noon International and Intercultural Engagement at Memorial Sonja Knutson and Bill Chislett Sonja Knutson, acting director, International Centre and special advisor to the President on International Affairs, and Bill Chislett, director, MI International, Marine Institute, will lead a discussion on employee involvement in international and intercultural activities. Discussion will focus on sharing examples of employee experiences, as well as challenges and opportunities, in becoming engaged with diversity at home or abroad.
Noon - 1 p.m. Taking Stock: Employee Engagement at MUN Roundtable Session This moderated roundtable session will provide an opportunity for forum delegates to participate more actively in the discussion of employee engagement at Memorial. A facilitator will present the topics and questions to be discussed, and team notes will be captured with group thoughts and ideas. The information gathered will be used to identify and review emerging themes and opportunities specific to employee engagement at Memorial. The breakout session will have clear and realistic objectives for taking stock of Memorial’s culture of employee engagement as well as an opportunity to discuss and share experiences amongst colleagues. 1 - 1:45 p.m. Lunch 1:45 - 2 p.m. Taking Stock Part II: Emerging Themes and Opportunities 2 - 3 p.m. Mastering Difficult Conversations Heather Peters All leaders and their teams struggle with having the ‘difficult’ conversation in a timely and effective manner thereby forestalling conflict and disengagement. These conversations are never easy but are critical to the development of the individual and the team. The goal of this session is to give participants strategies and tips to master these difficult conversations. During this session participants will have the opportunity to: • consider what is a difficult conversation and what makes one successful; • understand why leaders avoid difficult conversations and the resulting impact and • become more self-aware of what gets in our way of being successful. Also to better understand: • planning an approach to a difficult conversation; • questioning and listening; • giving and receiving constructive feedback and • ensuring follow-through.
3 - 4 p.m.
Panel Discussion
This panel discussion will be lead by select university and community representatives. The discussion will have a focus on what stands out in terms of employee engagement from various perspectives, followed by an open Q&A session. *Roundtable participants will have 5-10 minutes to discuss employee engagement from their perspectives and a larger group will engage in a larger questions/ answers discussion. 4 p.m.
Closing Remarks Mr. Stephen Dodge Director of the Department of Human Resources
SPEAKERS The Leadership Forum features speakers and panelists with diverse backgrounds in organizational engagement. These presenters will discuss the importance of an engaged workforce. David Zinger has taught Educational Psychology, Counselling Psychology and Extended Education for 25 years at the University of Manitoba. He left when he was offered more money. David was the employee assistance counsellor and career development coach for Seagram Ltd., in Gimli, Manitoba. The Gimli plant is responsible for the world production of Crown Royal. David founded and hosts the 6300-member Employee Engagement Network. He’s written three books on engagement and has authored over 2500 blog posts on engagement, management, leadership and work. David is the leading global, independent expert on employee engagement and was recently referred to as “the Switzerland of engagement” and “the Michael Jordan of employee engagement” even though he can’t yodel or perform a reasonable jump shot. Visit David Zinger at www.davidzinger.com or visit his community at www. employeeengagement.ning.com .
Sonja Knutson is the director of the International Centre and special advisor to the President on International Affairs at Memorial University of Newfoundland. As such, she develops and coordinates the deepening of partnerships with institutions and organizations within Canada and around the world. She has an M.Ed. in post-secondary education (Memorial University) and a B.Ed. in teaching English as a second language (Concordia University). She has been working in international education for 20 years and is currently responsible for leading, partnering and supporting internationalization initiatives and strategic planning at Memorial. She also leads cross-cultural diversity training for faculty, staff and students through collaboration with Human Resources and Student Affairs and Services. Sonja began working for Memorial in 1999 as an English as a Second Language teacher, and has taught courses for both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. She is an instructor with Queen’s University’s (Ontario) International Educator’s Training program, is serving a second term on the board of directors of the Canadian Bureau for International Education, and a two-year term with the NAFSA International Education Leadership Knowledge Community. Bill Chislett is the director of MI International, the international arm of the Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland. His involvement in the international field has included experience in more than 70 countries over the past 15 years. He is a tenured teacher with several years of experience in Canada and overseas. Work and research experience has included assignments in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Central America. After several years overseas, he began at the Marine Institute in 1997 as International Program Officer. He accepted the position of Director of MI International in April 2000. His position involves responsibility for strategic planning, project development, proposal writing, project management and international contract negotiation. MI International is also responsible for international contract training, international student recruitment and mobility initiatives for faculty and students. The unit is currently engaged in projects in Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. He holds a Masters in International Development from the University of East Anglia (UK), a Bachelor of Arts (French & English / Political Science), a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Physical Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Heather Peters As an insightful leadership coach, solutionsdriven consultant and energetic and engaging facilitator, Heather has helped hundreds of leaders and professionals engage teams and maximize performance in Canada and beyond. Don’t let that energy fool you—she is an attentive listener with the ability to ask the right questions to stimulate dialogue, uncover obstacles and drive success. As a Senior Consultant & Coach, Heather can easily switch hats to deliver distinctive leadership, career and HR solutions. She attributes this ability to over 20 years in leadership, entrepreneurial and strategic HR roles in the insurance, IT, health care and financial industries. Heather’s hands-on business experience helps her connect with her clients and create long-standing relationships based on trust and exceptional service. Being a coach, Heather has a deep curiosity about her clients and their organizations. She has a passion for helping leaders create environments that inspire collaboration, creativity and innovation. Heather knows that the leaders of today must, first and foremost, be true leaders of people to deliver business results and ensure sustainability. Heather is passionate about learning and has completed her Master of Employment Relations (MER) from Memorial University, a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Comm.) from the University of Ottawa, coach training with Adler International Learning (AIL), is a Certified HR Professional with IPMA (IPMA-CP) and is a member of the International Coach Federation. This commitment to lifelong learning, coupled with ‘in the trenches’ experience, allows her to translate academic theory into relevant, impact driven solutions for her clients.
The Leadership Forum on “Building a Culture of Employee Engagement� is offered by the Department of Human Resources. Thank you to everyone involved in making this forum possible.