This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

The book club is open to faculty and staff. This is part of the TRAIL Leadership Development program in the “Engager” track. Participants must register in Talent Management and attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions to receive credit toward TRAIL certification.

Each session = 1 Staff Professional Development Credit.

Attendance at least 6 of the 7 sessions = 1 TRAIL credit.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

Learn how to create narratives, metaphors, and visualizations from data to make the complex more simple and to give it an emotional immediacy.

Professional Development Credit: 1.25

Core Competency: Innovative in Thinking

Availability: All Faculty and Staff

This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

The book club is open to faculty and staff. This is part of the TRAIL Leadership Development program in the “Engager” track. Participants must register in Talent Management and attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions to receive credit toward TRAIL certification.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This session on crisis communication is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to strengthen their ability to manage communication during crises within their team, organization, or community. Through real-world examples and interactive exercises, leaders will learn to maintain transparency, mitigate rumors, and prioritize the safety and well-being of their community. Participants will develop essential skills for crisis response, including identifying key stakeholders, crafting clear and timely messages, and selecting the right communication channels. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped to navigate high-pressure situations with confidence and clarity.

TRAIL DESIGNATION = Influencer Track*

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Effective Communication

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

Roses are red, violets are blue, I’ve fallen for functions—and I hope you do too! In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate the hidden magic in Excel’s formulas and functions.

In this ‘Falling in Love with Function’ Excel session, participants will learn how to use essential Excel functions to streamline data analysis and calculations. The session will include hands-on practice, step-by-step examples, and tips on combining functions to solve real-world problems efficiently. By the end, participants will have the confidence to leverage Excel functions to enhance productivity and accuracy in their work.

Professional Development Credit: 1.5

Core Competency: Dedicated to Life-Long Learning

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

The book club is open to faculty and staff. This is part of the TRAIL Leadership Development program in the “Engager” track. Participants must register in Talent Management and attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions to receive credit toward TRAIL certification.

The sessions will be led by Dr. Rob Bittick, Associate Professor, SHSU Dept of Political Science. Dr. Bittick’s sub-fields include public administration, national security, and political philosophy. In these workshops, Dr. Bittick will tie Dr. Zak’s findings to themes in organizational behavior.

The book club meets from noon – 1 pm via Zoom.

Each session = 1 Staff Professional Development Credit.

Attendance at least 6 of the 7 sessions = 1 TRAIL credit.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

Description: As a supervisor or manager, you need to know the most up-to-date information on employment law to deal ethically and legally with your employees. For this Management Academy session, Jeff Farrell, Associate General Counsel for the Texas State University System, provides legal advice to managers to implement best management practices and departmental operations to put the University in the best position to defend itself against employment claims arising from your employment actions.

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Comply Legally and ethically

Availability: Managers Only

This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. In Trust Factor, economist and neuroscientist Paul Zak reveals the key to transforming toxic, stagnant workplaces: trust. By understanding how neurochemicals like oxytocin influence behavior, Zak shows how fostering a culture of trust can naturally boost happiness, productivity, and employee engagement. Through scientific insights and real-world examples from companies like The Container Store, Zappos, and Herman Miller, Zak offers practical strategies for cultivating a positive work environment.

Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

The book club is open to faculty and staff. This is part of the TRAIL Leadership Development program in the “Engager” track. Participants must register in Talent Management and attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions to receive credit toward TRAIL certification.

The sessions will be led by Dr. Rob Bittick, Associate Professor, SHSU Dept of Political Science. Dr. Bittick’s sub-fields include public administration, national security, and political philosophy. In these workshops, Dr. Bittick will tie Dr. Zak’s findings to themes in organizational behavior.

The book club meets from noon – 1 pm via Zoom.

Each session = 1 Staff Professional Development Credit.

Attendance at least 6 of the 7 sessions = 1 TRAIL credit.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This training will equip supervisors with practical tools and models to deliver constructive feedback that fosters employee growth and enhances team success. Learn techniques for framing feedback to encourage employees to make meaningful adjustments, meet expectations, and reach their full potential.

Participants will gain insights into effective communication strategies, methods for setting clear performance goals, and approaches for addressing challenges.

TRAIL DESIGNATION: *Core Course Engager or Influencer Track

Professional Development Credit: 1.5

Core Competency: Manage Performance

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. In Trust Factor, economist and neuroscientist Paul Zak reveals the key to transforming toxic, stagnant workplaces: trust. By understanding how neurochemicals like oxytocin influence behavior, Zak shows how fostering a culture of trust can naturally boost happiness, productivity, and employee engagement. Through scientific insights and real-world examples from companies like The Container Store, Zappos, and Herman Miller, Zak offers practical strategies for cultivating a positive work environment.

Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

The book club is open to faculty and staff. This is part of the TRAIL Leadership Development program in the “Engager” track. Participants must register in Talent Management and attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions to receive credit toward TRAIL certification.

The sessions will be led by Dr. Rob Bittick, Associate Professor, SHSU Dept of Political Science. Dr. Bittick’s sub-fields include public administration, national security, and political philosophy. In these workshops, Dr. Bittick will tie Dr. Zak’s findings to themes in organizational behavior.

The book club meets from noon – 1 pm via Zoom.

Each session = 1 Staff Professional Development Credit.

Attendance at least 6 of the 7 sessions = 1 TRAIL credit.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This course is designed for faculty and staff who want to build a strong personal brand within higher education. This course will provide a comprehensive understanding of personal branding in academia, drawing inspiration from the personal brands of leaders in the field.

Participants will learn how to identify, refine, and communicate their unique personal brands to establish themselves as dynamic leaders in higher education.

TRAIL DESIGNATION: Influencer Track

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Effective Communication

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

When the heat is on, how do you show up? This course focuses on strategies for making the best possible decisions under difficult circumstances.

Presented by Bobby Williams, Jr., Athletic Director. Bobby will bring his 40-plus years of working with athletes, leaders, fans, and followers to the table and show how building trust, relationships, and humility can help prepare you for the moment when it is up to you to make that final call.

TRAIL DESIGNATION: Engager Track

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Provide Leadership

Availability: Staff and Faculty

Not all leaders lead the same. Discover what strengths you bring to the table, and how you can craft your leadership philosophy to reflect the values that guide you.

This course uses the CliftonStrengths assessment to provide insight into your talents and how you communicate, connect, and work with others.

TRAIL DESIGNATION: *Core Course Engager or Influencer Track

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Provide Leadership

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

The book club is open to faculty and staff. This is part of the TRAIL Leadership Development program in the “Engager” track. Participants must register in Talent Management and attend at least 6 of the 7 sessions to receive credit toward TRAIL certification.

The sessions will be led by Dr. Rob Bittick, Associate Professor, SHSU Dept of Political Science. Dr. Bittick’s sub-fields include public administration, national security, and political philosophy. In these workshops, Dr. Bittick will tie Dr. Zak’s findings to themes in organizational behavior.

Each session = 1 Staff Professional Development Credit.

Attendance at least 6 of the 7 sessions = 1 TRAIL credit.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

Description: Spring is in the air, and so is your chance to refresh your Excel skills! Join us for a fun and interactive workshop where we’ll help your spreadsheets blossom with powerful Excel functions. Just like flowers need sunshine and rain to thrive, your data needs the right formulas to grow! In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to:

• Sprout essential functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and IF
• Shine with advanced formulas like VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, TEXT, and date functions
• Buzz through common pitfalls and troubleshoot errors
• Branch out into combining multiple functions for efficiency

Whether you're an Excel seedling or a seasoned data gardener, this workshop will help your skills bloom! Bring your enthusiasm and get ready to cultivate some serious spreadsheet magic.

No prior experience needed—just curiosity for Excel and a love for learning!

Professional Development Credit: 1.5

Core Competency: TBD

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

In the ever-changing landscape of the higher education workplace, supervisors must balance the demands of leadership with the boundaries of our institutional culture, policies, and best practices. This one-hour interactive training session empowers leaders to address workplace challenges effectively without veering off course.

Through scenario-based engagement and practical examples, participants will explore tools for navigating conflicts while fostering a positive and productive team environment. Walk away with the skills and confidence to lead within the guardrails and drive success for your team and organization.

TRAIL DESIGNATION = *Core Course Engager or Influencer Track

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Committed to Vision & Mission

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

This book club features Paul Zak’s book Trust Factor: The Science of Creating High-Performance Companies. Participants must purchase their own book prior to attending the meetings. Please complete the reading for each session prior to the meeting.

Professional Development Credit: 1.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

How leaders can motivate others through influence, persuasion, and inspiration. This session, presented by Dr. Shani Robinson, Senior Associate Dean of COBA, will provide a mix of engaging activities, academic insights, and practical strategies that leaders can apply right away, making it interactive and actionable.

Key Objectives:

• Discuss strategic influence and its role in impactful leadership.
• Explore key principles of teamwork that amplify influence.
• Offer actionable strategies to implement these principles.

TRAIL DESIGNATION = Influencer Track

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Empower Others

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

How to create your Leadership Presence by enhancing your presentation skills, from managing anxiety, preparing effectively, and using compelling storytelling.

TRAIL DESIGNATION = *Core Course Influencer Track

Professional Development Credit: 1.5

Core Competency: Effective Communication

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

In today’s dynamic workplace, trust is the foundation of high-performing teams and resilient leadership. Join this interactive session to explore the essential elements of building—and sometimes rebuilding—trust within your team. Whether you’re a new leader or seasoned professional, you’ll gain practical strategies to foster trust, enhance team cohesion, and strengthen relationships in varied work environments.

Through real-world scenarios and actionable insights, we’ll dive into the key behaviors and practices that create a culture where trust thrives, empowering your team to reach new levels of collaboration and success.

Delivered via Zoom, this course is eligible for all SHSU faculty and staff, providing the flexibility to connect and learn from any location. Presenter: Dr. Ruth Chisum, Asst. VP for SHSU Online Operations.

TRAIL DESIGNATION = Engager Track

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

Conflict is a normal part of human interactions. Everyone faces conflict, and how we handle it can improve our relationships by making them more productive and united. Conflict also gives us a chance to evaluate the way things are and find better ways to improve our work and home lives. This seminar teaches basic conflict management skills to help participants communicate better and build stronger relationships both personally and at work. Presented in partnership with the SHSU Ombuds Office. Presenter: Kevin Coonrod, JD, Auburn University Ombudsperson. Mr. Coonrod is a member of the International Ombudsman Association and the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. He is a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner and a member of the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster.

Delivered via Zoom, this course is eligible for all SHSU faculty and staff, providing the flexibility to connect and learn from any location. Presenter: Kevin Coonrod, Auburn Universoty Ombudsperson. Mr. Coonrod is a member of the International Ombudsman Association and the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds. He is a Certified Organizational Ombudsman Practitioner and a member of the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster.

Professional Development Credit: 1.25

Core Competency: TBD

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

As a leader, your written communications reflect your professionalism, build trust, and influence your team and stakeholders. This interactive TRAIL session is designed to help you craft messages that are clear, concise, and impactful.

Real-world examples and practical exercises will ensure you leave with tools to write emails, memos, and other documents that achieve their purpose while fostering trust and collaboration.

TRAIL credit: 1

TRAIL DESIGNATION = *Core Course Engager Track

Professional Development Credit: 2.0

Core Competency: Effective Communication

Availability: All Staff and Faculty

An interactive TRAIL session in which you will learn about interpersonal- and technology-based tactics for fostering stronger connections with co-workers. You will also learn strategies for developing a workplace environment that fosters a culture of strong relationships.

Presenter: Dr. Ashly Smith, COBA, Dept. of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship.

Staff Professional Development Credits = 1.5

TRAIL Certification Credit = 1 elective credit, Engager Track

Core Competency: Build Trust

Availability: All Staff and Faculty