Whenever you're not getting the results you want, it's likely an important conversation either hasn't happened or hasn't been handled well. In fact, both individual and organizational success are largely determined by how quickly, directly, and effectively we speak up when it matters most. Despite the importance of crucial conversations, we often avoid them because we're afraid we'll make matters worse. Mishandled conversations have a huge impact. In fact, they're at the root of most persistent problems in organizations, teams, and relationships. At the heart of healthy and high-performance organizations are people willing and able to hold crucial conversations. Backed by 30 years of social science, "crucial conversations" skills represent the standard in effective communication and the marker of high-performance individuals and organizations. This course will teach you how to engage in those difficult or high-stakes crucial conversations. This course is designed to:Identify the elements of a crucial conversation Demonstrate and prepare to handle crucial conversations effectively Register via TrainTraq by October 23rd. (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=12170)

Whenever you're not getting the results you want, it's likely an important conversation either hasn't happened or hasn't been handled well. In fact, both individual and organizational success are largely determined by how quickly, directly, and effectively we speak up when it matters most. Despite the importance of crucial conversations, we often avoid them because we're afraid we'll make matters worse. Mishandled conversations have a huge impact. In fact, they're at the root of most persistent problems in organizations, teams, and relationships. At the heart of healthy and high-performance organizations are people willing and able to hold crucial conversations. Backed by 30 years of social science, "crucial conversations" skills represent the standard in effective communication and the marker of high-performance individuals and organizations. This course will teach you how to engage in those difficult or high-stakes crucial conversations. This course is designed to:Identify the elements of a crucial conversation Demonstrate and prepare to handle crucial conversations effectively Register via TrainTraq by October 23rd. (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=12170)

This course provides participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to create and implement a personalized Learning & Development (L&D) Plan. Participants will learn how to assess organizational needs, evaluate their current competencies, identify future roles and aspirations, and develop a structured plan to achieve their professional goals. In addition, the course provides step-by-step guidance on how to enter L&D Plans into Workday, ensuring easy access and visibility for both employees and their managers. Designed for both employees and managers, this course supports individuals in building their own L&D Plans while also equipping managers with strategies to effectively guide and support their team members through the development process.Register in TrainTraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=12169) by October 29th.

Performance evaluations begin soon! Join our online workshop on supervisory best practices for the performance management process.Prerequisites: NoneObjectives By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:Differentiate between performance management and performance appraisal Establish SMART performance goals and clarify performance expectations Provide ongoing feedback and support to maintain high performance standards Use Texas A&M University's behavioral competencies and rating criteria while avoiding unintentional rating bias Identify approaches to recognize and reward performance Register in TrainTraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=12161) by October 31st.

Delegation isn't just a time-saver-it's a developmental tool. Explore how to delegate effectively while building team capacity and trust.  Additional topics include:SAP Updates from Classification & Compensation Biweekly Payroll: Timesheet submission/approval, deadlines, pay schedules (Payroll Services) Register HERE (https://tamu.zoom.us/meeting/register/aJTWhaOLRmWHWrqWN5s1Lw). Visit the Managers' Minutes website (https://employees.tamu.edu/talent-management/Managers-Minutes/index.html).

Through interactive activities, real-world scenarios, and practical tools, participants will explore the most common sources of workplace conflict, identify their personal conflict-handling style, and learn how to apply best practices for resolution and prevention. The course emphasizes self-awareness, communication, and proactive problem-solving to foster a healthier, more productive work environment. This course is designed to help participants:Identify their preferred strategy for handling conflict. Understand the characteristics and drawbacks of common conflict approaches. Recognize typical sources of workplace conflict. Apply strategies to resolve conflict based on its source. Practice behaviors that minimize tension and promote collaboration. Proactively address issues before they escalate. Register via TrainTraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=12168) by November 6th.If the registration deadline has passed or the date for this section doesn't work for you, please visit the Course Details (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/CourseDetails.aspx?cnum=2114904) page and click on the Upcoming Sections tab to explore other available options.

Planning for retirement and choosing the right plan for you and your family can be overwhelming. There is a lot at stake, and it is important that you understand all of your options, as well as the laws and regulations governing the distribution of your benefits once you leave Texas A&M University. Make plans to attend one of our group workshops for pre-retirement counseling. These workshops are not one-on-one sessions, but you will have the opportunity to ask questions. As a participant, you will receive information as to what forms you will need to complete to get you started and to better understand your retirement benefits. Registration is required through: Traintraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=11771) Find upcoming retirement events on the HROE webpage. (https://employees.tamu.edu/benefits/retirement/index.html)

Performance management is about addressing behavior routinely and consistently. It's about candidly coaching through challenges and fostering a culture of accountability for lapses in behavior. It's about identifying goals, fast-tracking careers, and in the process, improving the bottom line. The good news is these accountability skills are replicable and learnable. We're all just a few crucial skills away from learning how to manage people and performance daily and directly. Crucial Conversations for Accountability is an engaging classroom course rich with group discussion, real-time practice, and group support and coaching.Register via TrainTraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=11998) by November 10th.Note: You must complete the course Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue before registering for this add-on course.

This Deep Dive session provides managers with essential knowledge and best practices for navigating leave policies, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, and supporting employees effectively while maintaining departmental operations. (Facilitated by Employee Relations) Register HERE (https://tamu.zoom.us/meeting/register/aJTWhaOLRmWHWrqWN5s1Lw). Visit the Managers' Minutes website (https://employees.tamu.edu/talent-management/Managers-Minutes/index.html).

Join Kelly Wellman, Sustainability Director, for an update on sustainability at Texas A&M. At a large university, thousands of small daily decisions—from what we print to how we commute—add up to significant environmental and social impacts. Sustainability doesn't require major lifestyle overhauls; it begins right at your desk, in your office, lab, or vehicle. Join this session to learn about the university's sustainability performance and discover practical, easy-to-implement actions that not only reduce your environmental footprint but also improve efficiency, support university goals, and enhance well-being in your workplace.Kelly Wellman is the Sustainability Director at Texas A&M University (TAMU), where she leads key initiatives, collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to advance a comprehensive sustainability program, oversees the Aggie Green Fund, and guides implementation of the university's Sustainability Master Plan. She holds a BS in Geography with an Environmental Studies emphasis from TAMU (1995), an MBA from the University of Phoenix (2006), and a Master of Jurisprudence in Environmental and Energy Law and Policy from TAMU School of Law (2023).This will be aone-hour presentation before the USC Meeting. The series can be attended in person at the General Services Complex in Room 101A or via Zoom.

Planning for retirement and choosing the right plan for you and your family can be overwhelming. There is a lot at stake, and it is important that you understand all of your options, as well as the laws and regulations governing the distribution of your benefits once you leave Texas A&M University. Make plans to attend one of our group workshops for pre-retirement counseling. These workshops are not one-on-one sessions, but you will have the opportunity to ask questions. As a participant, you will receive information as to what forms you will need to complete to get you started and to better understand your retirement benefits. Registration is required through Traintraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=11750) Find upcoming retirement events on the HROE webpage. (https://employees.tamu.edu/benefits/retirement/index.html)

Staff are encouraged to attend the next University Staff Council (USC) meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 9:30 a.m. (immediately following the Common Grounds Series) in person at the General Services Complex in Room 101 or via Zoom. The vision of the USC is to help staff feel supported, included and valued at Texas A&M University, where we live the Aggie Core Values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. Come to the meeting and let your voice be heard or learn more about what the USC is doing for you. You may access full meeting minutes from previous meetings on the USC website.

Whether you are aware of them or not, emotions are intertwined in everything you think, do, and say each day on the job, in your career and throughout your life. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is how you handle yourself and others on the job. Organizations that embrace EQ development within their workforce experience:Better team collaboration and improved productivity Keen resilience and effective leadership More engagement and increased work satisfaction Improved organizational culture TalentSmart's Mastering EQ® Level 1 will take participants far beyond knowing what EQ is and how they score on their first EQ assessment.Learning ObjectivesDiscover what EQ is, why it matters in all aspects of life, and how to develop it to be more effective. Increase awareness of emotions and the fundamental role they play at work and in life. Explore the four EQ skills in action: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management. Discuss real world examples and experience, what works and what doesn't work, and what to do moving forward. Understand their current level of EQ (strengths and weaknesses) and where to focus their development. Complete an EQ Development Plan to include one EQ goal and specific EQ practice strategies that will help achieve that. Register via TrainTraq (https://traintraq.tamus.edu/SectionDetails.aspx?snum=12166) by November 17th.

University holidays are established by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Qatar campus, School of Dentistry and School of Law, along with other campuses, agencies and universities within the Texas A&M System, have different holiday schedules listed on the Texas A&M System Holidays webpage (https://www.tamus.edu/hr/holiday/). For student-specific holidays and academic breaks, please refer to the Texas A&M Academic Calendar (https://registrar.tamu.edu/academic-calendar).

University holidays are established by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Qatar campus, School of Dentistry and School of Law, along with other campuses, agencies and universities within the Texas A&M System, have different holiday schedules listed on the Texas A&M System Holidays webpage (https://www.tamus.edu/hr/holiday/). For student-specific holidays and academic breaks, please refer to the Texas A&M Academic Calendar (https://registrar.tamu.edu/academic-calendar).

If you've ever questioned your leadership abilities, you're not alone. This session explores strategies for building confidence, quieting self-doubt, and owning your role as a manager. Additional topics include:SAP updates from Classification & Compensation Register HERE (https://tamu.zoom.us/meeting/register/aJTWhaOLRmWHWrqWN5s1Lw). Visit the Managers' Minutes website (https://employees.tamu.edu/talent-management/Managers-Minutes/index.html).

Staff are encouraged to attend the next University Staff Council (USC) meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 2:30 p.m. in person at the General Services Complex in Room 101 or via Zoom. The vision of the USC is to help staff feel supported, included and valued at Texas A&M University, where we live the Aggie Core Values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. Come to the meeting and let your voice be heard or learn more about what the USC is doing for you. The USC Common Grounds speaker series will return in January. You may access full meeting minutes from previous meetings on the USC website.

University holidays are established by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Qatar campus, School of Dentistry and School of Law, along with other campuses, agencies and universities within the Texas A&M System, have different holiday schedules listed on the Texas A&M System Holidays webpage. For student-specific holidays and academic breaks, please refer to the Texas A&M Academic Calendar (https://registrar.tamu.edu/academic-calendar).

University holidays are established by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Qatar campus, School of Dentistry and School of Law, along with other campuses, agencies and universities within the Texas A&M System, have different holiday schedules listed on the Texas A&M System Holidays webpage. For student-specific holidays and academic breaks, please refer to the Texas A&M Academic Calendar (https://registrar.tamu.edu/academic-calendar).

University holidays are established by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. The Qatar campus, School of Dentistry and School of Law, along with other campuses, agencies and universities within the Texas A&M System, have different holiday schedules listed on the Texas A&M System Holidays webpage. For student-specific holidays and academic breaks, please refer to the Texas A&M Academic Calendar (https://registrar.tamu.edu/academic-calendar).