The most effective managers create conditions where employees can do their best work, stay engaged, and contribute to organizational success. These skills can be learned and strengthened through practice. While not required as a prerequisite, this learning series offers managers an opportunity to build on skills learned in the Principles of Supervision and Management (PSM) program.
Participants will develop leadership skills to support employee retention, foster healthy team environments and psychological safety, manage performance effectively, and navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
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Questions?
Please contact the Supervisor Development Team.
What to expect when attending a professional development course
Course Format
EYSM courses are highly interactive and include small groups. Participants will work together to explore techniques, share best practices, and foster a collaborative environment for leaders to thrive. As these courses are not part of a certificate program, participants are welcome to attend one, some, or all courses in the series in any order.
Who Should Attend?
EYSM participants must manage people. This includes UW–Madison supervisors or managers of employees who:
- Conduct performance conversations
- Oversee the work of others
- Hire new employees
- Onboard new employees
- Make decisions about the time and work of others
- Encourage professional development of others
Courses
You are welcome to attend one, some, or all of the courses in the series. It is not a sequential curriculum, and it is not associated with a certificate.
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Adaptive Leadership
Leadership in today’s dynamic environments requires more than a fixed set of skills. Effective leaders are self-aware, recognize different situations call for different approaches, and can adapt their style to meet the needs of the moment. This course explores common leadership styles and helps participants identify their natural leadership tendencies while strengthening their understanding of when and how to adopt their leadership approach to meet a variety of workplace challenges.
Upcoming Sessions
- May 13, 2027, 9–11 a.m., Zoom
- July 16, 2027, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Zoom
- November 17, 2027, 1:30–3:30 pm, Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Coaching Employees for Retention
Retaining employees is critical to your team’s success and to achieving the university’s mission. In this course participants will focus on the benefits of prioritizing employee development, use effective coaching strategies to engage employees in development conversations, and identify ways to develop employees using on-the-job experiences.
Upcoming Sessions
- March 18, 2027, 1–4 p.m., Zoom
- December 2, 2027, 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Creating and Supporting Healthy Teams
Teams and teamwork are critical to the overall success of UW–Madison. What makes a team healthy? What makes a team effective? What kind of team environment enables members to truly thrive and contribute to a high-performing team?
Team development is an ongoing process. Any change, no matter how big or small, can shift the evolution of a team. In this course, you will review and reflect on the characteristics of a healthy team, the stages of group development, and resources you can use to support your team through the issues you may face at every stage of group development.
Upcoming Sessions
- May 4, 1:30–3 p.m., Zoom
- July 29, 10–11:30 a.m., Zoom
- November 5, 9–10:30 a.m., Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Creating Psychological Safety
Psychological safety provides a critical foundation for high-performing, engaged teams. In this 90-minute professional development session, participants will explore what psychological safety means, why it matters, and how their leadership behaviors directly influence it. Participants will create an action plan during the course.
Upcoming Sessions
- February 23, 2027, 9–10:30 a.m., Zoom
- April 28, 2027, 1:30–3 p.m., Zoom
- September 9,2027, 10–11:30 a.m., Zoom
- October 13,2027, 2–3:30 p.m., Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Documenting Performance
A key element of performance management is documenting expectations, accomplishments, strengths, and development opportunities. This course explores the STAR method for documenting performance using specific examples. Participants will learn effective practices for documenting employee performance, explore resources for gathering performance data, and practice writing performance evaluation summary statements.
Upcoming Sessions
- January 7, 2027, 1–3 p.m., Zoom
- June 18, 2027, 9–11 a.m., Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Everything DiSC Workplace for Managers
Individual differences inform how we interact with others at work. This includes interpersonal preferences and motivation.
The Everything DiSC Workplace for Managers course is designed to provide managers with one practical approach to gain greater awareness of themselves and their employees’ interpersonal tendencies and motivations. This allows managers to discover new and inclusive ways to engage, motivate, and lead a team.
A $72 fee covers the cost of the online Everything DiSC Workplace assessment. The registration deadline is 11 business days before the workshop.
Upcoming Sessions
- April 9 and April 23, 2027, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., In Person at 21 N Park
- August 9 and August 23, 2027, 1–3 p.m., In Person at 21 N Park
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Managing Performance with Purpose
Performance management is more than the required Human Resources tasks that occur a few times a year. Having regular, intentional performance conversations is a powerful leadership practice that builds strong, engaged teams that deliver results. This course you will discuss key types of performance conversations, refine and practice performance conversation skills, and explore tools and practices to make your role as a supervisor easier and more effective.
Upcoming Sessions
- January 21, 2027, 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Zoom
- June 8, 2027, 1–3 p.m., Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Effectively navigating difficult conversations is a crucial skill that can positively impact workplace culture and relationships. In this session, participants will get clarity about what differentiates these conversations. Participants will discuss how to approach, rather than avoid, these conversations in a healthy, well-prepared way. The course will offer a framework for planning the conversation and allow you time to practice.
Upcoming Sessions
- January 26, 2027, 9–11 a.m., Zoom
- July 20, 2027, 1–3 p.m., Zoom
- December 15, 2027, 1:30–3:30 p.m., Zoom
Register for This Course
Note: To access the interest form, you must be logged into Google with your campus NetID.