How can we use emotionally intelligent communication strategies to future-proof leaders and teams in the face of ubiquitous uncertainty?

Register now to join Think Again Training and Consulting's Rachel Briggs, PhD for a virtual session!

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Session Overview

In this session you will learn how to:

• Integrate the dialogue/discussion/debate communication model into workshops or programs at your own organization to help teams recognize and apply the appropriate communication style for different workplace situations.
• Implement a personal action plan to increase your own dialogic communication to boost emotional intelligence and create more inclusive, reflective, and adaptive workplace cultures.

This workshop offers learning and development professionals a practical framework to cultivate emotionally intelligent communication styles by introducing a communication model that differentiates debate, discussion, and dialogue. Through interactive activities and self-reflection, participants explore their own communication styles and examine which types of communication are most useful in differing workplace contexts.

Dialogue is emphasized as a relational and inclusive communication method that can enhance emotional intelligence through communicating with empathy, listening without judgement, and collaborative problem-solving. During the workshop, participants identify opportunities to apply dialogic techniques to foster more inclusive, reflective, and adaptive workplace cultures. Participants create personalized action plans to practice and improve their own dialogic communication skills—as well as generating ideas to bring the communication framework to learners in their own workplace context.

Attendees should expect to utilize their mobile phone and/or browser to participate in shared documents, polling apps, and other virtual interactions to support workshop topics, as well as accessing a reference guide to download and keep for future use.

About the Presenter

Rachel Briggs, Ph.D., is a seasoned Learning and Development leader with over 15 years of experience designing and managing impactful training programs across diverse industries. A skilled facilitator, instructional designer, and program manager, she brings expertise in emotional intelligence, adult learning, and strategic communication. Rachel has led high-visibility onboarding, e-learning, and professional development initiatives in both corporate and academic settings. She is also a published author and editor with a strong record of collaborative leadership. Rachel holds advanced degrees in Communication and Diversity Education and excels in using data-driven strategies to foster workforce engagement in remote and hybrid environments.

Cancellation Policy: A full refund will be issued if the cancellation request is made on or before 5 calendar days before the scheduled program. Please email events@tdmaine.org with your inquiries.

When we celebrate L&D milestones, like program launches or completions, are those celebrations warranted, or premature? If you're on the hunt to uncover L&D impact, what should you celebrate?

Register now to join David Rosenfield, Instructional Design Manager, for a virtual session.

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Session Overview

In this session you will learn how to:

• Reflect on the risks and realities that exist in your business when it comes to evaluating program impact
• Choose a strategy to apply with your team or your work

Just as investors can have their financial plans derailed by fear, and how scientific conclusions can be weakened by hastiness, good L&D evaluation has its own guiding emotions and pitfalls. The best intentions, industry models, and data collections tools can only take us so far, as we encounter the realities of work: behaviors, incentives, and culture.

To protect ourselves from shortcomings like pride, bias, and even just fatigue, we should establish guardrails for our evaluation strategies. This can be done by carefully observing our audiences and work context, and by providing clear expectations, establishing operational discipline, and most importantly, just having an open mind.

Come hear how an instructional designer, straight out of school, tested out different approaches over 8 years on the same team, and leave with ideas for fortifying your evaluation strategies to protect your team's most valuable insights.

This session is for:

• L&D people frustrated when evaluation best practices don't seem to work in the context of their business
• L&D people frustrated when they know their evaluation strategy works well, but it goes under appreciated

About the Presenter

David Rosenfeld is a Senior Manager of Instructional Design at athenahealth, a healthcare tech company, where he's supported the growth of a commercial enablement team since 2017. He leads an ID 'center of excellence', serving strategic initiatives, employee onboarding, sales enablement, product education, marketing, HR, and compliance via technology, design solutions, and learning analytics. David holds a Master of Education from Northeastern University.

Cancellation Policy: A full refund will be issued if the cancellation request is made on or before 5 calendar days before the scheduled program. Please email events@tdmaine.org with your inquiries.

Experience a high-energy, engaging training that brings mindfulness to life. In this 3-part extended session, you'll discover that mindfulness isn’t a buzzword—it’s a skill you can learn and practice every day. Learn how to apply both inner and outer mindfulness to your daily life and walk away with the clarity, inspiration, and tools you need to cut through judgment and false perception—so you can see life as it truly is.

Click see details below to learn more!

Session Overview

How can a leader effectively guide others if they lack a clear understanding of their own values, biases, and impact on those they lead?

In this session you will learn to:

• Identify your emotions
• Unhook from unhelpful though patterns
•  Manage behaviors that can lead to poor professional outcomes

This interactive self-awareness workshop is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their self understanding and leadership effectiveness. Participants will explore the dynamic connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, learning how each influences the other and impacts workplace interactions and decision-making. Through guided reflection, group discussion, and practical exercises, attendees will develop skills to identify their internal responses in real time and recognize patterns that may hinder growth or performance. Emphasis will be placed on increasing emotional intelligence, understanding triggers, and developing healthier, more intentional responses. By fostering a deeper awareness of self, participants will gain greater control over their reactions, improve communication, and strengthen professional relationships. This workshop empowers individuals to lead with clarity, manage stress more effectively, and navigate challenges with confidence. Ideal for managers, team leads, and professionals at any level, the session provides actionable strategies to support ongoing personal and professional development.

This workshop is typically $300; make sure to register for this exclusive Maine ATD offering to save over 50%! 

About the Presenter

I’m Emily Bottino, founder & CEO of DaZyne. I’m an inspirational speaker, trainer, and consultant passionate about helping individuals and organizations discover and embrace their true selves. My work focuses on leadership development and executive coaching, particularly within the health and human services sector. I specialize in fostering authentic, empathetic leadership to enhance communication, employee engagement, and organizational culture. Through my signature program, the DaZyne Leadership Lab (DLL), I support leaders at all levels in creating meaningful, measurable, and lasting transformation.

Cancellation Policy: A full refund will be issued if the cancellation request is made on or before 5 calendar days before the scheduled program. Please email events@tdmaine.org with your inquiries.

Gen Zs are changing expectations in the workplace, and organizations must decide if they will adapt to retain them. So, will you lead them, or will you lose them?

Register now to join Julie Guerette-Vafaee, CEO and Founder of Humanalyze Consulting, for a virtual session.

Click see details below to learn more!

Session Overview

In this session you will learn how to:

• Recognize Gen Z’s learning preferences and apply them to your organization's culture.
• Identify organizational improvement opportunities by engaging directly with early-career employees.
• Connect employee engagement initiatives to measurable business outcomes such as retention and performance.

Today’s early-career employees are asking more of the workplace than any generation before them. By 2030, Gen Zs will make up one-third of the workforce, and companies will need to adapt quickly.

For this generation, work isn’t just a “job” - it’s a place to contribute to society, make an impact, and be continually challenged to learn. If they don’t see a path for advancement, they won’t hesitate to move on.

Learning isn’t just central to workforce development - it’s also one of the most effective strategies for retention.

In this session, we’ll explore five initiatives that both engage and create meaningful impact for early-career professionals:

• Team Off-sites
• Focus Groups
• Culture Committees
• Reverse Mentorship Programs
• Town Halls

Each initiative comes with a ready-to-use template that you can bring back to your own organization. Retaining Gen Zs is less about perks and more about embedding growth opportunities into all aspects of their work.

About the Presenter

Julie Guerette-Vafaee is the CEO and Founder of Humanalyze Consulting, a firm specializing in workplace culture and leadership development. With cross-industry experience spanning national security, technology, and global consulting, Julie helps organizations uncover the “why” behind workforce challenges, navigate change, and ensure every employee has a voice - and a seat at the table.

Previously, Julie worked as an external consultant at The RepTrak Company, advising global clients such as Lenovo, AT&T, and Cargill on employer brand and organizational reputation. She also held an in-house consulting role at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, where she partnered with engineers and scientists to improve team dynamics, culture, and workforce effectiveness.

In addition to consulting, Julie lectures at Suffolk University, teaching a course on professional development.

Julie holds a B.S. in Journalism from Suffolk University and an M.S. in International Politics from Trinity College Dublin, and a Chief Learning Officer Executive Certificate from George Mason University.

Cancellation Policy: A full refund will be issued if the cancellation request is made on or before 5 calendar days before the scheduled program. Please email events@tdmaine.org with your inquiries.