The Washburn Supervisor Essentials Program is a series of workshops which address topics considered essential to any employee in a supervisory role, regardless of area or level. This series is designed for Washburn University supervisors to acquire the knowledge necessary to effectively administer the policies, procedures and guidelines relative to their department or unit. This program will also address the supervisor's role and responsibilities in the development of their teams as individual contributors to the future of Washburn University.
Scheduled classes are to be held in Morgan Hall, room 202.
2025-2026 Supervisor Essentials Sessions
Making Meaningful Progress: Increasing Team Engagement and Productivity through Purpose
September 16, 2025 3:15-5 p.m.
"Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion." — Simon Sinek
In this session, we'll explore how to connect everyday work to a larger sense of purpose and why that connection increases focus, motivation, and productivity. You'll leave with practical strategies to think about your own leadership through the lens of purpose—and to help your team see not just what they're doing, but why it matters.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Team Meetings with IMPACT: Designing Purposeful Gatherings
September 30, 2025 3:15-4:30 p.m.
How do you create team meetings that draw people in, stay energized and focused, and move your team forward?
In this interactive session, you'll explore how our university's IMPACT values offer practical strategies to design and lead meetings. Through collaborative activities, you'll learn how to address different people's needs and preferences, ensure every voice is heard, and make meetings more engaging and action-oriented—helping your team connect, collaborate, and achieve with purpose.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Leading and Supporting Your Team in Uncertain Times
Virtual Session – October 22, 2025 3:15-4:15 p.m.
In today's rapidly evolving higher education landscape, the pace of change continues to quicken, and much of it is externally driven. Uncertainty is no longer the exception-it is the rule. Campus leaders cannot prevent disruption but must develop the skills and strategies to lead through it.
This fast-paced session will briefly explore shifts in the nature of change and the resulting psychological impact on individuals. We will then share proven leadership practices that can be used to lessen anxiety. As anxiety decreases, morale and the ability to engage in productive work increase. Participants will leave the session better equipped to meet the challenges of the current moment.
(Dr. Fredricka Joyner, Senior Consultant, ModernThink)
Keys to Communication: Clarity, Consistency, and Consideration
November 18, 2025 3:15-5 p.m.
Every strong team runs on strong communication. But being a good communicator isn't just about what you say—it's about essential habits that create trust and help your team feel supported.
In this session, you'll reflect on your current communication style, learn how to better match your message to your team’s needs, and leave with tools to strengthen your leadership through everyday interactions.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
The Essential Elements of Crucial Conversations: Skills to Help You Say the Hard Things Well
December 2, 2025 3:15-5 p.m.
Some conversations feel too important to mess up—and too uncomfortable to begin. In this session, you'll explore the key elements that make difficult conversations more successful:
- Emotional intelligence to guide your awareness of your own and others' responses
- Courage to lean into discomfort with openness and clarity
- A practical framework—HELP (Honesty, Empathy, Logic, and Promptness)—to guide what you say and how you say it
You'll walk away with tools you can apply immediately—because the best way to get better at hard conversations is to start having them.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Team-building, Part 1: Creating a Culture of Trust and Belonging
January 27, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
Great teams are built on trust. When people feel safe, valued, and included, they're more likely to take risks, share ideas, and stay engaged.
In this session, you'll explore ways to build psychological safety, demonstrate care, and create a team environment where voices are heard and people feel like they belong.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Team-building, Part 2: Strengthening Team Connections
February 18, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
Connection is what makes a team thrive. Strong teams know how to collaborate, communicate, and support one another.
In this session, you’ll engage in interactive activities that reveal how your team works together, identify simple ways to build stronger bonds, and explore how intentional connection boosts morale, motivation, and results.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Legally-Sound Leadership: What Every Supervisor Should Know
March 11, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
A team member confides they're struggling with a chronic health condition and may need time off or flexibility. Another employee has questions about overtime pay. Someone else raises a concern that could involve confidentiality laws. How do you respond—and make sure you're doing it right?
As a supervisor, you play a crucial role in shaping a workplace that protects employees' rights, ensures legal compliance, and minimizes risk for the university. In this session, you'll gain essential knowledge of your responsibilities and leave better prepared to lead confidently, avoid common compliance pitfalls, and foster a work environment that supports both people and purpose.
(Teresa Lee, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources)
Knot My Problem: Helping Your Team Untangle What's Holding Them Back
April 29, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
Every team encounters challenges—some within your control as a leader and some outside it. But even in the face of difficulty, purposeful progress is possible. In this session, you’ll explore how to identify your circle of influence, practice tools for collaborative problem-solving, and leave with practical ways to help your team stay motivated and empowered.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
The Leader’s Choice Awards: Practical Tools for Making Win-worthy Decisions
May 6, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
Every decision you make as a leader has a ripple effect—on your team, your workload, and your mission. In this session, you'll explore practical tools and frameworks that help you make thoughtful, confident choices—even when the path isn't clear. You'll consider the impact of your decisions, learn how to balance competing priorities, and leave with strategies that support clarity, collaboration, and consistent progress.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Inside the Mind of a Leader: Building Mental Habits to Lead Well
June 10, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
Leadership isn't just about what you do—it's about how you think. Internal habits help leaders stay steady, think clearly, and lead with purpose.
In this session, you'll explore thought patterns, perspectives, and simple, practical habits that can sharpen your focus and support your mindset. You'll leave with tools to lead yourself as intentionally as you lead others.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
Tools for Growth: Developing Yourself and Your Team
July 8, 2026 3:15-5 p.m.
Great leaders know that growth is a continuous journey—for themselves and their teams.
In this session, you'll explore practical coaching techniques and strategies that help unlock potential, build confidence, and foster ongoing development. You'll learn how to use reflection and feedback as tools to support individual and team growth, turn challenges into opportunities, and create a culture where everyone thrives.
(Christa Beemer, Talent Engagement and Development Partner)
GET IN TOUCH WITH Human Resources
Human Resources
Morgan Hall, Room 118
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
785.670.1538
hr@washburn.edu
