Leadership Workshops and Experiences
The Leadership and Organizational Development Office is dedicated to offering high quality workshops and experiences that invite and challenge participants to explore and further develop their leadership potential as individuals and members of the UConn community and beyond. To learn more about the various leadership workshops and experiences that we offer, browse the topics and descriptions below. Workshops are facilitated by our dedicated staff, and we are happy to consult with you a customized learning opportunity around these topics.
Steps to request a leadership workshop or experience:
- Submit your request at least 30 days in advance of your requested date.
- Click on the “Request a workshop” button to the right.
- Fill out the form completely. The more information we have, the better.
- Click “Submit”.
- Allow up to two weeks for our staff to review your request. We will reach out to you via the email you provided in the form to confirm details.
Questions? Email us at studentleadership@uconn.edu and we’d be happy to help you.
Leadership Topics
Get Involved
Introductions to the various involvement opportunities at UConn, including student organizations, university programs and resources for exploring additional opportunities for co-curricular participation.
Suggested Time: 30 minutes
Facilitation Fees:
- Students and Student Groups- $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)-
Introduction to Leadership (What is Leadership?)
Explore the commonalities and differences between individual definitions and characteristics of leadership and work to create a common definition of leadership. Discussions will include personal and group collaboration and a critical analysis of the perception of leadership in society.
Suggested Time: 45 minutes-1 hour
Facilitation Fees:
- Students and Student Groups- $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)-
Personal Leadership Plan
Participants will explore their personal values, and identify what is important to them (e.g. honesty, integrity, family, success). They will begin to understand how their core values may affect their decisions and future leadership goals. Participants will execute a mini plan (personal, educational, or professional) using the S.M.A.R.T. goal method.
Suggested Time: 1-1.5 hours
Facilitation Fees:
- Students and Student Groups- $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)-
Exemplary Leadership
Bring your leadership potential to the next level by exploring the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. This workshop is ideal for those who know and can execute introductory leadership skills and have a desire to build upon that. Through activities, engaging discussions, and reflection, participants will walk away with the motivation, tangible steps, and vision to pursue exemplary leadership.
Suggested Time: 1-1.5 hours
Facilitation Fees:
- Students and Student Groups- $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)-
The Dynamics of Conflict
Everybody experiences conflict differently and individually. There are numerous human needs while in conflict- what are yours? Workshop participants will learn about how to best manage conflict as it relates to their individual needs plus some key de-escalation strategies like the P.A.U.S.E. method. We empower participants to be able to move more confidently through conflict situations in diverse situations and environments.
Suggested Time: 1 hour
Facilitation Fees:
- Students and Student Groups- $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)-
Personality and Leadership Inventories
True Colors (Communication)
Do you aim to increase the effectiveness of your organization’s communication? According to the True Colors personality methodology, people fall into four different temperament categories – adventurous Orange, organized Gold, personable Blue and analytical Green. Each personality type has its own way of listening and speaking. When your group understands individual differences and preferences, it can make their communication techniques more effective.
Suggested Time: 1 hour
Ideal Group Size: 15-30 (larger groups can be accommodated)
Associated Fees:
- Students and Student Groups: $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)- ___facilitation fee
StrengthsQuest
Participants will complete the Gallup StrengthsFinder Instrument that will provide insight into their top 5 strengths, explore their personal talents, and how investments of time and knowledge into talents can create strengths. They will begin to understand the philosophy of StrengthsQuest and the power being StrengthsBased Leadership.
Suggested Time: 1.5 hours
Ideal Group Size: 25 participants or established group of 5-30. This workshop can be designed for individual needs OR established groups (organizations, staff and/or teams).
Associated Fees:
- Students and Student Groups: $0
- UConn Staff/Faculty (all campuses)- ___facilitation fee plus ___ per code/person.
Four Arrows – Experiential Programs
Challenge Course at Four Arrows
Our perspective of a Challenge Course is providing groups an experience requiring the efforts of everybody, that engages hands-on problem solving and is deeply rooted into the process of learning. Learning about yourself, learning about others, and learning that transfers into other areas of life after the program. Our experiences are innately FUN but that is just an additional benefit to the adventure-based style of programming. Our program utilizes the available high and low elements to intentionally increase engagement that is intrinsically unique. (Sonja, feel free to update language!)
Suggested Time: 2-4 hours (contact make “contact” a link to the Four Arrows website our dedicated staff to see what fits best for the goals of your group!)
Ideal Group Size: minimum of 12 participants. This workshop can be designed for individual needs OR established groups (organizations, staff and/or teams).
Mobile Programming with Four Arrows
Suggested Time: 1 -3 hours
Ideal Group Size: 10+ participants
Four Arrows now offers “on-the-go” team building directly to your group, anywhere on campus. Whether you’re a newly-formed cohort looking to jumpstart your connections with a 45-minute introductory session or an established group or learning community aiming to enhance communication and conflict management, we’ve got you covered.
Our offerings include:
- Introduction Programming: Perfect for groups that are just forming, this 45-minute session is designed to foster initial connections and set the stage for effective teamwork.
- Full Value Contract Building: Create a shared commitment to teamwork and respect, establishing a strong foundation for collaboration. Perfect for cohort models and learning communities.
- Targeted Team Building: Tailored programs focused on key areas such as communication, conflict management, and more, ensuring your team thrives. Reach out to us to learn more!