Essential Skills for the Technical Professional

15 Lessons to Accelerate Your Career

Problems Are Rarely 100% Technical

They require communication, connection, self-management, teamwork and collaboration

Learn the essential skills which are often overlooked. These skills are not taught in school. Improve your ability to solve problems, thrive on teams and lead others.

This course is taught through the lens of the technical professional. Learn from three instructors with a combined 65 years of professional experience.

Watch Intro Video

Check Out The Highlights

Part 1: Communication and Connection

No matter the problem, we are always working with others

Learn to build connection, make requests, engage in conflict management and negotiate. Build your Emotional Intelligence. Communicate and collaborate with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in mind. Learn the art of public speaking and body language.

Part 2: Self-Management Skills

We can always improve

Evaluate your time, improve efficiency and prioritize what matters. Establish a positive frame of mind and set goals in your career and life. Learn a framework to make decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Prioritize your ethics and integrity to build trust.

Part 3: Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership

We are almost always part of a team

Plan and conduct meetings to build collaboration using a tested framework. Learn principles to thrive as a team and make decisions as a group to move forward. No matter which position you hold in your organization, inspire others by applying fundamentals of leadership.

Course Content

1

Introduction to the Course Series
- Introduction - Course Summary
  FREE PREVIEW
- Introduction - Course Details
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2

Part 1 Introduction - Connection and Communication
- Part 1 Introduction - Connection and Communication
  FREE PREVIEW
3

Communication for Connection
- Introduction
- What is Communication for Connection?
- The 5 C's of Communication
- Myth Busting and Connecting with Senior Leaders
- Self Application
- Next Steps and Conclusion
- Quiz - Communication for Connection
4

How to Make Requests
- Introduction
- Why is it important to make requests?
- Case Studies of Efffective Requests
- Why do you resist making requests?
- Framework - Know what you want and make a clear request
- Framework - Appreciate and Acknowledge
- Framework - Be with any outcome
- Conclusion
- Quiz - How to Make Requests
- Resource - How to Make Requests Worksheet
5

Challenging Conversations and Conflict Management
- Introduction
- #1 - Everyone is Right or No One is Right
- #2 - Getting It
- #3 - What is Your Bigger Commitment?
- Checklist and Conclusion
- Quiz - Challenging Conversations and Conflict Management
6

Negotiation
- Introduction to Dispute Avoidance and Negotiation
  FREE PREVIEW
- Dispute Avoidance
- Key Points in Negotiation
- Negotiation Techniques - Preparation, Emotion
- Negotiation Techniques - Connection, Aggression, Teamwork
- Negotiation - What Works For Me
- Conclusion and Key Takeaways
- Quiz - Negotiation and Dispute Avoidance
7

Emotional Intelligence
- Introduction - What is Emotional Intelligence?
  FREE PREVIEW
- Four Main Components
- Self Awareness and Self Management
- Social Awareness and Relationship Management
- Benefits of Emotional Intelligence
- How to Increase Emotional Intelligence, Examples and Conclusion
- Quiz - Emotional Intelligence
8

Communication for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
- Introduction to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Diversity
- Equity
- Inclusion
- Importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Tools for Communication and Expanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Reflection and Practice
- Putting it All Together and Conclusion
- Quiz - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
9

Public Speaking and Body Language
- Introduction and Purpose of Public Speaking Engagements
  FREE PREVIEW
- Preparation - Do Your Homework
- Preparation - The Details
- Preparation - Practice
- Delivery
- Body Language Introduction and Your Eyes
- Body Language - Arms
- Body Language - Hands
- Body Language - Solution, Reading Your Audience. Public Speaking Conclusion.
- Quiz - Public Speaking and Body Language
10

Part 1 Conclusion - Connection and Communication
- Part 1 Conclusion - Connection and Communication
11

Part 2 Introduction - Self-Management Skills
- Part 2 Introduction - Self-Management Skills
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12

Time Management and Establishing Priorities
- Introduction
  FREE PREVIEW
- Evaluate your time
- Establish your priorities
- Simplify, Reduce, Eliminate
- Scheduling Priorities
- Revise your calendar
- Create and plan tasks
- Execute tasks
- Productivity, efficiency, quality, perfection
- Conclusion
- Quiz - Time Management
- Resource - Weekly Calendar (Blank)
13

Mindset and Goal-Setting
- Introduction and a Primer on Your Brain
- What is Mindset?
- Mindset - Belief Connection
- How to Change Your Mindset
- Mindset Foundations, Balance, and Resilience
- Design Methodology
- Goal Setting
- A Vital Daily Habit and Conclusion
- Quiz - Mindset and Goal-Setting
14

Decision-Making
- Introduction to Decision-Making
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- How We Think
- How We Make Decisions
- Five-Step Decision-Making Process
- Part 1 - Pitfalls of Decision-Making and Mitigation Techniques
- Part 2 - Pitfalls of Decision-Making and Mitigation Techniques and Conclusion
- Quiz - Decision-Making
- Resource - Guide to Evaluate Options
15

Ethics and Integrity
- Introduction
  FREE PREVIEW
- Ethics and Example Code of Ethics Statements
- Integrity
- Significance in Your Career and the 4R Framework
- Examples - Design vs. Reality, Opinion, Mistake
- Examples - Company Vehicle, Lunch, Excursion
- Examples - Dollar Equivalent, Side Hustle
- Safety Examples and Conclusion
- Quiz - Ethics and Integrity
16

Part 2 Conclusion - Self-Management Skills
- Part 2 Conclusion - Self-Management Skills
17

Part 3 Introduction - Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership
- Part 3 Introduction - Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership
18

Meetings and Collaboration
- Introduction to Collaboration
  FREE PREVIEW
- Qualities of a Successful Meeting and Three Stages of a Meeting
- Stage 1 - Preparation
- Stage 2 - Conducting the Meeting
- Stage 3 - Follow-Up
- Tips for Successful Meetings
- Virtual Meetings and Conclusion
- Quiz - Meetings and Collaboration
- Resource - Meeting Agenda Template
- Resource - Meeting Leader's Checklist
- Resource - Meeting Minutes Template
19

Teamwork and Team-Building
- Introduction and Groups vs. Teams
- Phases of Team Development
- Team Roles and Dynamics
- Qualities of High-Performing, Cohesive Teams
- Part 1 - Trust and Teams: Trust Fundamentals
- Part 2 - Trust and Teams: Relational Trust
- Teambuilding Fundamentals
- Tools to Facilitate Teamwork
- How to be a Good Teammate and Conclusion
- Quiz - Teamwork and Team-Building
- Resource - Team Roles
- Resource - Team-Building Process
- Resource - Being a Good Teammate
- Resource - Virtual Teamwork Tools Checklist
20

Team Decision-Making
- Introduction to Team Decisions
- Avoiding Groupthink
- Achieving Buy-In
- Team Decision Dynamics and Process
- Core Values for Team Decision-Making
- Team Decision Tools and Techniques
- Quiz - Team Decision-Making
21

Leadership
- Introduction. Leaders and Managers. Are Leaders Born or Made?
  FREE PREVIEW
- Bend Nails with the Troops
- Build a Following and Knock Down Barriers
- Lofty Goals. Simplify the Message. Empower People. Everyone is Different
- Humility. Decisive. Attitude.
- Calm Demeanor. Do the Work. Integrity. Excuses.
- Drive Hard, but be Flexible. Celebrate Victories. Follow.
- Continuous Improvement and Conclusion
- Quiz - Leadership
22

Course and Part 3 Conclusion - Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership
- Part 3 Conclusion - Teamwork, Collaboration and Leadership

Your Instructor Team

Over 65 Years of Combined Professional Experience

Coach, Trainer, Mentor

Sage Hobbs

Sage’s passion for maximizing human potential and cultivating collaborative organizational cultures has led to over 20 years of experience working in both the public and not-for-profit sectors, as well as global companies. Her specialty is relational leadership and communication, enabling leaders and team members to create positive relationships and organizational cultures that ensure greater success and satisfaction. Sage holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor’s Degree with honors from the University of Pennsylvania. With extensive study of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sage brings an equity lens to all of her work. She’s comfortable facilitating uncomfortable conversations in order to support the growth and impact that her clients seek. Sage has quick ability to identify underlying challenges of an organization, which supports leaders and teams to make an even bigger impact in their communities, organizations, and the broader world. She’s also a mom of two, a cancer survivor, and a “retired” school counselor.

Retired Army Engineer, Program Manager and Instructor

Jason Toth

Jason Toth is a retired U.S. Army Engineer Officer with 20 years of experience as a combat and civil engineer leading infrastructure and heavy civil works projects. Jason led several US Army engineering organizations in rebuilding host-nation infrastructure overseas and partnered with federal, state and local government leaders to plan, design, build and repair infrastructure across the United States. As a professor at the United State Military Academy at West Point Jason taught eight courses and developed future engineer leaders of character. He has a passion for the leadership role that engineers have, infrastructure sustainability and resilience, building collaborative teams, and engineering education. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and master’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford University and geological engineering from University of Missouri-Rolla. Jason is a registered professional engineer and is currently the program manger for an international construction firm.

Senior Instructor

Matt Morris

Matt Morris is a registered professional engineer and has extensive experience in many aspects of the engineering and construction industry. He holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In his roles as a civil engineering officer in the U.S. Air Force and a project manager for a major commercial general contractor, Matt has led over 160 projects totaling nearly $1 Billion. As a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado School of Mines, Matt has taught over 2,000 students through 16 different university courses plus thousands more students online. Matt’s experience spans across many markets, including federal government, public works, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, manufacturing, laboratory, pharmaceutical, corporate, heavy civil and water conveyance. Additionally, Matt’s varied roles have enabled him to manage every phase of a project as an owner, contractor and designer. Matt is currently a Senior Instructor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder.