Kathy Peterson, CSP, SPHR, SPHR-SCP

A difficult person can really test your limits (if they’re related to you, it can be worse!). However, in order for you (and your operation) to be successful, you need to learn how to more effectively communicate with “problem” people. This program will explore the tools and techniques you can use to have those difficult discussions effectively and to enhance your relationships with even the most problematic people.

OBJECTIVES:

This program will help you learn how to: 

• Ensure you are having the right conversation with the person who is “killing” you, always keeping in mind the result you desire.
• Separate facts from your stories.
• Approach a person who is “killing you” so they will listen to you.
• Use a proven strategy/model for having a productive conversation about the things that are driving you crazy.
• Get buy-in for change by effectively asking for the other person’s point of view.
• If the other person takes the conversation down a destructive path, feel confident you can pull it back.
• Focus on developing solutions to improve.

OVERVIEW:

We all know that staying motivated and positive each and every day can be tough. This interactive and upbeat keynote is what you need NOW to get recharged and re-energized!

You rock because:

• You are amazing moms, grandmas, wives, aunts, sisters, friends…  (& it’s not always easy wearing all those hats). 

• You make a difference in your field/industry/world (& you must keep educating others all along the way). 

• You know exactly how things should be done (& sometimes you wonder why everyone else doesn’t get it)! 

This interactive keynote is filled with stories, learning, fun, and even a few volunteer opportunities.  The message is all about how appreciated you are in the lives of so many – even if they don’t tell you, and also includes some key reminders of steering clear of the things that keep you from your best self.  Women in (your group) ROCK!

Being happy is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves AND those around us. Yet, for most people, the goal of being happy can seem an unrealistic pursuit.

In this inspirational and insightful presentation, you will be reminded that greater happiness and increased energy have been found to be the result of specific beliefs and behaviors.  We’ll talk about what the research says makes you happy and the habits of happier people.  We’ll also discuss the five things that you can do, despite the craziness in your life, to find happiness too!

The word accountability sometimes makes people run for the hills. If things turn out well, the employee is accountable, if things turn out poorly, the employee is not accountable. Part of this is because people misunderstand what accountability is. First, what accountability is NOT: blame, fault, red tape, or a way to control other people. Holding people accountable is a process that will discuss in this program: setting expectations, gaining commitment to the expectation, taking ownership/responsibility to do what it take, giving feedback, and of course, accountability.

OBJECTIVES:

As a result of this program, participants should be able to:

• Learn what holding others accountable really means – what accountability is and what it isn’t, and who can hold who accountable.
• Determine the difference between a victim thinking mentality and an accountability mentality.
• Describe the difference drama makes in the value an employee brings to the job – and a framework for you to use to discuss this with your team.
• List the important factors in setting expectations effectively, so accountability is front-loaded.
• Explain what it means for you/your team to take a problem solving response vs. an emotional response when the going gets tough (or it looks like you might not get the desired results).
• Remember to recognize when someone has met or exceeded expectations (accountability is not just when things go wrong).  It is fair to reward your best!

OVERVIEW:

Over 60% of farming operations said they are seeing conflicts between generations. Why? Because for the first time in American history, we have five different generations “mixing” side-by-side in our workplaces. It is essential to your success to understand what each generation looks like and what it means for your future. We won’t stereotype, but we will provide you with some research-based understanding of each generation. Today’s farming operations require you to relate well to different generations–each at different life stages, each with different perspectives, expectations, and needs. Come to this program to learn the best practices for dealing with other generations by fostering understanding, leveraging strengths, avoiding clashes, improving productivity, and maximizing teamwork. Turn generational differences into a strategic advantage for you!

OBJECTIVES:

As a result of this training, participants should be able to: 

• Increase his/her understanding of the characteristics, attitudes, expectations, values, and motivations of each of the five generations.
• Appreciate why generations think differently and what each generation contributes to the workplace and future.
• Describe how to communicate and work more effectively with those of other generations.
• Focus on what all the generations have in common and build mutually supportive relationships with people from every generation.

Overview:

When business is going well, when you have a great team, and when everything’s running smoothly, it’s easy to lead.  Your leadership is put to the test when things aren’t perfect (which, for some of us, is a majority of the time!).  There are some common traps that hold us back from getting amazing results and hold our team back from peak performance.

In this program, we will cover how to avoid the following traps:

• Talking with employees based on stories vs. facts.
• Allowing poor behavior or performance because it’s easier to deal with “known” issues/problem people vs. someone new who might bring different problems/issues.
• Thinking that being fair and consistent means treating everyone exactly the same (Let’s get pizza for the whole team!).
• Coming around only when something has gone wrong (Do employees cringe when your name appears on the Caller ID?).
• Allowing team members to have meetings after meetings to avoid conflict during the meetings.
• Leading performance as a once a year event. (You have a “real” job and lead people, too.)
• You and your employees spend most of your time “playing not to lose” rather than “playing to win”.
• Thinking employee beliefs don’t really impact actions, results, and goal achievement.

Length:

60 Minutes to 3-4 Hours

Let’s face it.  Life isn’t always easy. We all experience daily hassles, ongoing difficulties, and even traumatic events.  When life throws those curve balls, do you bounce back or do you fall apart?  There’s no magic that will make bad things disappear and we may not be able to change everything in our lives, but we CAN learn to cope better with stressful events and those bad things that may be inevitable.  To be more effective, we have to get better at bouncing back – examining how we think and react, making a commitment to take action, and taking control of what we can.

Objectives:

After attending this program, participants should be able to:

• Describe what it means to be resilient when experiencing stress and change.
• Explain how to take a problem-solving approach vs. an emotional response when dealing with negative people or events.
• List at least two ideas for how to choose to stay positive and motivated, even when bad things happen or the people around you are difficult.

Length:

45 Minutes to 2 Hours

Overview:

Today, we’re told to do “more with less”.  How can you achieve this sometimes seemingly daunting task?  One way is to fully utilize all of the skills and abilities of the people you do have.  Be the leader that builds the genius of your people (don’t just be a genius yourself).  If you want to motivate, engage, retain, and truly utilize the skills/talents of the people you have on your team, it is imperative to understand WHAT motivates, engages, and keeps them. In this session, we’ll give you everyday tips (and some tools, too) that you can use to provide a more motivational and engaging working environment.

Objectives:

As a result of this program, you should be able to:

• Understand that retention is a serious and costly issue.
• Describe the difference between leaders who are geniuses and those who are genius makers (and why this is so important).
• Use the Q12 Gallup survey questions to get better productivity, profits, customer satisfaction, and employee retention.
• Identify no-cost or low-cost ways to motivate and recognize employees.
• Understand what it takes to keep employees and why they leave.
• Explain how to inspire people to go the extra mile.

Length:

3-4 Hours