Course Categories: Webinars

Assertive communication isn’t just knowing what to say, but how to say it; it has to do with the words you use, the clarity of your thinking, and being able to express your thoughts to others. In this dynamic webinar with Joan and Lisa Olsen will cover:

• Weighing the risk in being assertive
• The difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive
• Starting with the end in mind to achieve your goal
• Communicating in a relational style
• The importance of tone of voice and body language
• Assertive non-verbal communication

I’d be willing to bet, as an assistant who seeks out professional growth and development resources, that your email inbox has been filled to the brim with messages containing some of these buzz words, especially over the last year. That ever-growing list has proved both confusing and misleading for many who are simply eager to learn. What do those buzz words really mean? Do the approaches work? Are they all the same? How do you weed through the options effectively? In this illuminating webinar, Joan will discuss:

• Defining and understanding online learning options
• Identifying your learning style
• The benefits of live instruction
• The future of virtual learning
• Selecting an online option that’s right for you

During our Assistants Learning in a Modern World webinar, Joan will dive headfirst into the wild world of virtual learning to help you navigate the choices and employ the one that works best for you.

In this International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) hosted webinar, Claudia St. John of Affinity HR Group talks about behavioral styles and emotions, with a focus on women, and how they fit together. Body language, tone of voice, and words all contribute to how we communicate. Marston’s DISC model serves as a personal assessment tool for behaviors. Learn how the four personality types may impact what happens in the workplace. Emotional intelligence is being able to recognize and control your emotional state. Understand how your brain works under stress and the science behind it.

The business world is very interconnected. A change in one part of your organization, for example, may have a ripple effect and cause changes in other parts. Likewise, the things you do (or don’t do) can ripple out and create all kinds of consequences for others. Understanding these interconnections and how things impact one another is an important skill known as “Systems Thinking.” Unfortunately, this is one area where administrative professionals tend to struggle. Without strong Systems Thinking skills, it’s easy to develop tunnel vision, which can negatively impact your ability to make decisions, solve problems, anticipate needs, and more. Those who want to excel in the administrative field must learn to recognize the systems that surround them and master the critical skill of Systems Thinking.

• What is a System? (This might be a different definition than you’ve heard previously)
• What is Systems Thinking and why is it useful for admins?
• The potentially disastrous consequences of not leveraging Systems Thinking
• Specific strategies to enhance your Systems Thinking capabilities

The world we live in today can seem like a head-spinning, unpredictable, always-on space. We’re steadily bombarded from every angle. That affects not only our personal lives but also our professions. Executives have been taught how to deal with what experts call, “VUCA” for years. It’s well past time for assistants to be given the same valuable tools and techniques so you too can better deal with the insanity that surrounds us. There’s no escaping the craziness, but there’s certainly a better way to handle it. In this impactful webinar, Joan will discuss:

• What VUCA means
• How to calm the chaos
• How to gain clarity
• Why staying stable is important
• How to adapt on a dime

During our Understanding VUCA for Assistants webinar, Joan will address the state of our profession and help guide how to handle constant change and the unpredictable nature of our surroundings with rationality, focus, and calm.