Free Self-Improvement Topics in Chicago

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  • Interpersonal Skills

    Bette Lawrence-Water, Founder and Principal Consultant, Spectrum Strategic Solutions

    We've all met that dynamic, charismatic person that just has a way with others, and has a way of being remembered. Participants will identify ways of creating a powerful introduction, remembering names, and managing situations when you’ve forgotten someone’s name.
    The Interpersonal Skills discussion will help participants work towards being that unforgettable person by providing communication skills, negotiation techniques, tips on making an impact, and advice on networking and starting conversations. Bette will help audience to identify skills needed in starting a conversation, moving a conversation along, and progressing to higher levels of conversation. MORE >

    Discussion Objectives:
    • Understand the difference between hearing and listening
    • Know some ways to improve the verbal skills of asking questions and communicating with power.
    • Understand what is ‘non-verbal communication’ and how it can enhance interpersonal relationships.
    • Identify the skills needed in starting a conversation.
    • Identify ways of creating a powerful introduction, remembering names, and managing situations when you’ve forgotten someone’s name.
    • Understand how seeing the other side can improve skills in influencing other people.
    • Understand how the use of facts and emotions can help bring people to your side.
    • Identify ways of sharing one’s opinions constructively.
    • Learn tips in preparing for a negotiation, opening a negotiation, bargaining, and closing a negotiation.
    • Learn tips in making an impact through powerful first impressions.
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  • The New American Dream

    Marcus Carter, Marcus Carter, Carter Property Solutions LLC

    This presentation spans the fabric of our most polarizing attitudes on health, family, wealth, career and romance. Learn to identify, compartmentalize and execute personal goals through a hands-on examination of the process of self-fulfillment.

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  • Success: Why Character Counts

    Ted Williams III, Political Science Faculty, City Colleges of Chicago/WYCC PBS

    Many factors lead to success, but none is more important than character. In an age where personal indiscretions consistently destroy the careers of leaders in all fields, commitment to character and integrity is crucial. Ted will discuss how this transformative trait may be the greatest secret to success.

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  • Moving Forward During Turbulent Times

    Jay Kurtz, Chaplain, Chaplain in Action

    I take folks on a journey during the conflict and chaos in their lives. It’s about giving - of yourself - for the greater good. It seems simple, but it takes a great deal of energy and engagement to achieve a framework of commitment, intra-personal awareness and personal sacrifice.

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  • Where Are You Growing? Cultivating a Growth Mindset

    Susan Neustrom, Ed.D., Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker, Educator, Leading to Action

    Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Your mindset determines your behavior and thoughts leading to your success, your performance and your impact on staff, co-workers, family, and friends. There are two mindsets, fixed and growth. If you have a fixed mindset you believe abilities and intelligence are determined early in life. Therefore, challenges and failure only serve to support your belief. In contrast, if you have a growth mindset you view challenges and obstacles as opportunities to develop skills and continue growing and learning. Most individuals exhibit a combination of a fixed and growth mindset but intentionally cultivating a growth mindset results in enhanced resilience, increased accomplishments and expanded potential. In an organization, a growth mindset leader creates a culture of innovation, risk-taking, teamwork, and trust enabling others to adopt a growth mindset. MORE >

    In this interactive session, Dr. Susan Neustrom explores how mindsets are formed and the dynamics and strategies involved in shifting mindset to optimize positive impact both personally and professionally. Using the theoretical framework of mindset, grit, and mental contrasting this session will engage participants in a new approach to decision-making, problem solving, teaching, and learning.
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  • The Science and Fun of Hypnosis

    Joe Rosner, Sales Success Trainer, 1st Ayd Corporation

    Key Learning Points include-
    What is Hypnosis?
    What Hypnosis is not.
    The Human Brain Consciousness, Unconscious and Focused Attention
    Practical Benefits of Hypnosis.

    Willing participants will have an opportunity to experience hypnosis in a fun, entertaining experience.

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  • Speaking with Confidence in any Situation

    Suzanne M. Bracken, Managing Director, Ludicrous Theatre Company

    This lively presentation will address the causes of fear associated with speaking when we are not comfortable doing so. Learn how to make those butterflies in your stomach "fly in formation," so you can get your point across in a confident and effective manner.

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  • The Power of Networking

    Bette Lawrence-Water, Founder and Principal Consultant, Spectrum Strategic Solutions

    According to Merriam Webster networking is “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business”. These and other events can become more easily managed with this great workshop. During this lively, and interactive Power of Networking (Outside the organization) discussion, participants will begin to see how important it is to develop a core set of networking skills to get things done. By managing and looking at the way people interact and seeing things in a new light, participants can improve on almost every aspect of their networking strategy.
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  • The Comfort Zone Illusion-Solving the Mystery

    Susan Neustrom, Ed.D., Leadership Coach, Author, Speaker, Educator, Leading to Action

    Are you ready for change? Are you a leader embarking on change within your organization? Whether change is planned or unplanned, more than likely you and your team need to step outside your comfort zone and do something different. However, leaving your comfort zone is frightening and fear can stifle growth, halt progress, and negatively impact behavior making you feel as if you lost control, stuck, and not moving forward. When implementing transformational change in an organization leaders are challenged with getting everyone excited and motivated about new ways of working. Often times, leaders are met with resistance, complaints, and frustration because people are being asked to step outside their comfort zone. Change upsets routine and structure and opens the door allowing fear to enter and demonstrated in thoughts and action. Of course, it doesn’t need to be this way because the comfort zone is really an illusion. MORE >

    This presentation unravels the mystery of the comfort zone to expose the stark reality of the discomfort of change. Therefore, enabling leaders to discover why leaving your comfort zone is so difficult, what creates fear during times of change, and how to develop strategies for engagement and empowerment that eliminate the fear of leaving your comfort zone and to view change through a new lens.
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  • Communicate with Credibility

    Jeff Hornstein, President, The Speaker's Choice

    Perception is everything, especially when it comes to public speaking. Learn the secret to what audiences use as their “credibility meter” when they listen to you speak.

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