Today's workplace asks leaders and team members to handle tough conversations, build trust and help others grow. This hands-on session teaches a coaching mindset that anyone can use.

You will learn key skills like:

• Listening well
• Asking good questions
• Being present
• Assuming the best in others

These skills lead to more positive, open conversations.

Through group discussion, reflection and role-play, you will practice a new way of talking with others. Instead of jumping straight to answers, you'll help others think through problems, take ownership and grow. This session works for leaders, team members and whole teams. You will gain skills that can be applied in your workplace right away.

Audience: 

Any U-M faculty or staff member who would like to improve communication in their workplace

Program Note:

This session is part of Lead Forward, a webinar series open to faculty and staff across all three campuses and Michigan Medicine.

Presenters:

Jeff Domagala is the senior director of Organizational Learning at the University of Michigan, where he leads enterprise-wide strategy for leadership, career and professional development in support of more than 55,000 faculty and staff. His work focuses on building scalable learning systems that strengthen leadership capability, enable organizational effectiveness, and align talent development with institutional priorities.

A Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation, Jeff brings a strengths-based, systems-oriented approach to leadership development. He is known for helping leaders navigate complexity, translate strategy into action, and create environments where people and organizations can thrive.

In addition to his role, Jeff teaches leadership coaching at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, where he supports the development of emerging and experienced leaders. He holds a master’s degree in college student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University. 

Heidi Sherick has worked in higher education for over 30 years with experience working in a variety of administrative roles including academic affairs, student affairs, and alumni affairs. As the current director of leadership development in the College of Engineering, her primary role is to design and initiate a suite of professional leadership development activities and coaching for faculty and staff. She provides one-on-one coaching for faculty in new executive leadership roles and associate-level faculty in Engineering. 

Before moving to Ann Arbor in July 2016, Heidi lived in Houston, Texas where she consulted at Rice University in the Center for Civic Leadership and the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. While in Houston, Heidi completed executive coaching training through Envision Coaching, at the PCC level of the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She also completed a Coaching Groups and Teams Certification Training through Envision Coaching. Heidi served as the assistant dean for undergraduate programs and diversity in the College of Engineering at Montana State University (MSU) from 2001-2012. As assistant dean, she oversaw all aspects of the undergraduate programs including accreditation, academic policy, curriculum, student organizations, and scholarships. She also served as the director of EMPower, the engineering minority program.  

Heidi earned her Ph.D. in educational leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2014. She studied developmental relationships in higher education and investigated the processes through which higher education leadership is fostered including mentoring, coaching, role-modeling, sponsoring, and networking. Heidi completed the Positive Leadership training at the Ross Executive Education Program in the School of Business. She has been coaching for over 10 years. She describes herself as a connector; she thrives at helping people reach their potential, and believes in “lifting while you climb”.