Professional Development Programs

An Inclusive Approach to Leadership 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Cultivating an inclusive approach to leadership moves the participant beyond seeing diversity and inclusion as a separate subject, or to-do item, toward embedding equitable practices into their everyday leadership style regardless of the field they work in or what their job title is. By both understanding and expanding their impact and role as a leader and examining their leadership style through the lens of inclusion and equity, participants will sharpen their ability to manage individuals and teams. In this session, participants will actively engage with one another to explore how to tangibly apply an inclusive approach to demonstration the Cornell Leadership Skills for Success.

• Being able to see how diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts support departmental/organizational effectiveness.
• Identifying what can get in the way of employees being able to effectively work with people who are different.
• Understanding the ways people leaders impact employee experiences and intentions to remain at Cornell.
• Developing specific strategies to incorporate an inclusive approach to the Cornell Leadership Skills for Success can look and sound like in everyday practice.

Facilitated by Erin Sember-Chase, Diversity and Inclusion Learning Consultant, Department of Inclusion and Belonging

Engaging the Strength of Connection 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Engage the strength of connection as we provide participants with practical insights and actionable strategies to enhance connectivity within your workplace. Inspired by the book “Connectable” by Ryan Jenkins, we draw from the core principles outlined in the research to engage in dynamic discussions and foster authentic connections. This class is a golden opportunity for those interested in boosting their interpersonal skills, adapting to changing work landscapes, strengthening collaboration, and increasing business success.

• Explore key principles of connection
• Build practical skills for authentic connection
• Understand how connection boosts individual and team productivity
• Understand how to cultivate a culture of collaboration and belonging

Facilitated by Ari Mack, Senior Management Consultant, Organizational Development & Effectiveness (ODE)

Talent Acquisition: Best Practices for Recruitment and Retention 9:00 am – 11:00 am

In any organization, your people are your most important (and costly) resource.

As a people leader, knowing how to successfully attract and retain talent is vital to your success. This session is designed to provide an overview of the recruitment and selection planning processes.

• Importance and Purpose of a Position Description
• Develop a Recruitment Strategy & Timeline• Competencies and Skills
• Create an Inclusive Hiring Process – Screening, Interviewing and Selection
• Understand Staff Compensation at Cornell University
• Learn Components of Performance-Based Pay

Facilitated by: Recruitment & Employment Center, Sonja Baylor, Director, Talent Attraction and Recruitment, Carolyn Chow, Talent Acquisition Partner and Kim Swartwout, Assistant Director, Workforce Planning and Compensation 

Talent Acquisition: It Depends on the Lens: Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Staff Search Process 9:00 am – 11:30 am

The Cornell Interactive Theater Ensemble and the Cornell University Recruitment and Employment Center worked very closely to develop this interactive scenario on unconscious bias in the staff search process. In this workshop for hiring managers, people leaders and search committee members, participants watch a filmed scenario of a search committee meeting, as five staff members begin to articulate their opinions about candidates for the short list. Following the scenario, the participants have an opportunity to ask one of the characters questions about the meeting. The CITE facilitator conducts a guided discussion of the participants responses to the scenario and the characters. This discussion is followed by a research talk on unconscious bias, describing the studies used to develop the interactions depicted in the scenario. The session concludes with a discussion of best practices for combating unconscious bias in searches.

The objective of this scenario is to depict a complex, realistic, group interaction in order to stimulate group discussion about:

• The behaviors, perspectives, emotions, assumptions and biases of the members of the staff search committee as they evaluate applicants during a discussion of materials submitted for review.
• Unconscious bias which undermines fairness in the search process because of the tendency to evaluate applicants in a way that puts ‘minorities’ at a disadvantage.
• The onus of responsibility for recognizing racial, gender and other forms of bias in the evaluation of applicants and for challenging our implicit hypotheses about applicants.

Facilitated by the Cornell Interactive Theater Ensemble (CITE)

Giving and Receiving Feedback 9:00-10:15 am

Learn Cornell's expectations on giving and receiving feedback and strategies to do that well.

Facilitated by Marcus Brooks, Senior Management Consultant & Trainer, ODE

Project LIFE: Embracing Inclusive Language and Calling IN 8:30 am – 12:00 pm

In-Person located at 102 EHOB (East Hill Office Building), 395 Pine Tree Rd.

Unlock the power of words with the Project LIFE program on embracing inclusive language and the art of calling in! Join us and discover how inclusive language fosters a culture of respect, understanding, and equal opportunity for everyone. In this program, you will explore the nuances of microaggressions and learn to address them effectively. Guided by the LARA model of communication, developed by Bonnie Tinker in 1992 and utilized by the Intergroup Dialogue Project, you’ll practice engaging in meaningful conversations that build a community of respect and genuine inclusion. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference and champion a culture of belonging.

• Explore the importance and impact of using inclusive language, focused on neurodiversity and disability, to create a more respectful and supportive environment.
• Identify and understand the impact of microaggressions.  
• Learn a process to facilitate inclusive conversations and foster a supportive, respectful community.

Facilitated by Kirsty Lauder, Post Dr Assoc, Lab of Ornithology and Jennifer Fonseca, Senior Management Consultant, Organizational Development & Effectiveness (ODE)

Project LIFE: People Leaders for Project LIFE 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

In-Person located at 102 EHOB (East Hill Office Building), 395 Pine Tree Rd.

In this in-person session you will explore disability, neurodiversity, and an inclusive workplace by making practical applications through dialogue, scenarios, and reflection. You will critically investigate misconceptions and stereotypes that create barriers which inhibit the employee and create challenges to effective teams. You will explore and utilize resources that foster a supportive and inclusive environment with the goal of obtaining inclusion for all.

Facilitated by Kirsty Lauder, Post Dr Assoc, Lab of Ornithology and Jennifer Fonseca, Senior Management Consultant, ODE

Harold D. Craft Leadership Program  Registration Fee: $355

The 5-day, Harold D. Craft Leadership Program (HDCLP) is the first session of a 9-day leadership program. The second 4-day advanced session is Building Teams & Leading Change. HDCLP focuses on individuals as leaders, individual effectiveness, the power of dialogue and communication, personal mastery, & leadership within the Cornell culture. Executive HDCLP is for Band H, I, and unbanded staff. This course requires supervisor approval to register.

Program Goals

• Realize the importance of your role as a leader, developer, and coach of individuals.
• Maximize the potential of the individuals you lead, creating a culture where they can thrive personally and professionally.
• Experience an evidence-based, highly interactive curriculum involving an array of learning formats in a safe and trustworthy space.

Objectives

Lead Self 

• Expand awareness of your leadership style and behaviors and how they contribute to who you are as a leader.
• Take inventory and reflect on yourself as a leader, developer, and coach to understand your impact on others.

Lead Connection

• Learn how to listen deeply, ask open, honest questions and build more trustworthy relationships and teams.
• Participate in meaningful interactions with others that honor differences.
• Deepen your understanding of how psychological safety, communication skills, and conflict management contribute to strong relationships.

Lead Belonging 

• Learn actions, behaviors, and skills to create and lead a culture of belonging and inclusivity where all individuals can thrive.
• Engage in peer-to-peer collaboration, network and community building, teamwork, and reflective practice.