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Robert L. Harris regularly presents keynotes
and workshops on current topics of interest which require
him to apply his own experience and knowledge to emerging
organizational and client needs. These topics include:
Change Leadership; Negotiating and Influencing;
Conflict Resolution; HR and Leadership Best Practices;
and Career Management.
Click on the tabs at the top of this page if you want
to be quickly directed to a specific topic area, or
to get the fullest representation of topics, simply
scroll down through the page.
Robert can also customize presentations different from
what is listed on this web page. Click
here for Client Testimonials.
STRATEGIC CHANGE LEADERSHIP
– BRIDGING THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN CRUSADERS AND
RESISTERS
Research shows that over 2/3 of all change initiatives
fail. A big reason is the “disconnect” between
those pushing for change, and everyone else. Robert presents
a proven model for turning employee apathy and resistance
into understanding and commitment. He highlights 5 key
strategies that are simple to implement, and highly
successful, but invariably neglected by organizations.
Robert will make linkages to workplace examples of change
success.
MANAGING DURING TIMES OF
ONGOING CHANGE – MOTIVATING STRATEGIES THAT WORK
During times of constant change, managers often feel
like the “ham in the sandwich”. Not only
are they personally dealing with the challenges of change,
but they must also manage and motivate others who are
struggling to succeed. Robert presents a dynamic model
demonstrating how to “transition” during
change. The audience learns how to motivate “the
unmotivated”, improve morale, and achieve results
exceeding expectations, through a lively, experiential
and insightful presentation.
DELIVERING DIFFICULT NEWS
– HOW TO FOSTER BUY-IN ON IMPORTANT CHANGES INITIATIVES
All of us, at some point in our lives, have to deliver
difficult messages. Most of us dread what reaction this
will cause in our audience and the implications to our
own integrity and credibility. Robert presents a simple
yet highly innovative 4-part model for planning, designing
and then delivering difficult news. This model has been
used by hundreds of Robert’s clients with outstanding
results. It can be applied for large-scale communication
efforts during organizational change, small-group presentations,
or one-on-one meetings.
INFORM, INVOLVE, IGNITE!
– THE 3 “ I’S” OF CHANGE LEADERSHIP
People can’t do what they don’t understand.
People can’t do well what they have no involvement
in. And people won’t do what they have no commitment
to. Far too often, organizational leaders get far too
focused on designing a good change plan, and then pay
little attention to engaging people in this plan. As
a result, many change initiatives fail. Robert speaks about
how to ignite your employees and other stakeholders
in taking joint accountability for change success.
NEGOTIATING FOR “WIN-WIN”
RESULTS
We don’t have to be a professional negotiator
to get involved in negotiations. In reality, we “negotiate”
every day with our children, spouse, extended family,
friends, colleagues, and local merchants. All too often,
we don’t get the results we anticipated, or the
relationship suffers in the process. Robert presents the
secrets to “win-win” negotiating, demonstrating
how to achieve positive substantive and relationship
outcomes. He highlights the 4 primary negotiating styles
along with how to use each style for maximum results.
INFLUENCING SKILLS –
HOW TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE TO IMPORTANT ORGANIZATIONAL
INITIATIVES
Robert presents a proven influencing model which allows
sales representatives, internal consultants, managers,
leaders, and others to “connect and convince”.
All too often, people start with the “convince”
and only later on think about the “connect”…with
the inevitable poor outcomes. In this highly practical
presentation, Robert demonstrates a compelling influencing
model which significantly lessens resistance to important
organizational goals and objectives.
“BEST PRACTICES”
IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Conflict is natural and even useful. The key is how
we deal with it. Robert presents the 5 “root causes”
of conflict along with an innovative approach for dealing
with individual or team conflicts. Robert demonstrates
the 3 contributors to conflict escalation and shows
how to resolve disagreements early in preventing mild
irritations from becoming “1st degree burns”.
Invariably, the audience gains practical “takeaways”
that they can use for everyday professional and personal
conflicts.
MANAGER AS MEDIATOR
One of the most challenging and yet needed skills for
any manager is how to mediate or play a role in resolving
conflicts and disagreements among one’s staff
members. We examine the 5 keys to effective “mediation”
for the everyday manager. This presentation is particularly
helpful to new managers who have to move from being
a colleague to a supervisory role.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE –
WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO GET IT
Research is clear. Work-life conflict is on the rise.
A 2003 Canadian study of 31,000 Canadians indicates
that over 60% of today’s work force are experiencing
moderate to high work-life conflict (up from 38% in
1991). Robert highlights the key reasons for work-life
conflict and what needs to be done to achieve work-life
harmony. Robert makes recommendations from 3 perspectives:
(i) what the organization needs to do (ii) what the
individual needs to do and (iii) what others (colleagues,
supervisors, etc) need to do. The Conference Board of
Canada has identified work-life balance as a key requirement
for becoming an “employer of choice”. Robert’s
presentation highlights “balance” as a route
to competitive advantage.
NAVIGATING YOUR CAREER IN
TODAY'S ECONOMY
Robert presents the 11 fundamentals of career management
in today’s economy and shows how these benefit
both employer and employee. The reality is, the old
employer/employee contract of security for loyalty has
been replaced by a new bond which links contribution
to employee growth and opportunity. Robert highlights emerging
trends and changes in the field of career planning and
explains how these can enhance an organization’s
recruitment and retention strategies. This presentation
is adapted from Robert’s recently co-authored (with
Joan Hill) workbook entitled Navigating
Your Career.
INTERVIEWING FOR RESULTS
Interviewing for Results: This presentation examines
recent changes to the science of interviewing which
can lead to making better selection and hiring decisions.
Robert specifically explores behavioural-based (competency-based)
interviewing techniques and outlines the interviewing
“do’s and don’ts”. Robert also
outlines the 7 most common interviewing mistakes or
“traps”. This topic is of interest to both
interviewers and interviewees alike.
PERSONAL STYLE…WHAT’S
THAT GOT TO DO WITH IT? EVERYTHING!
All too often, we function with certain “blind
spots” that impede our overall effectiveness in
achieving results and relating to others. Using a simple
yet proven style indicator, Robert highlights typical style
differences and, in a completely safe way, provides
individual and group feedback on style preferences in
the audience. Invariable, participants gain valuable
insights both in terms of key strengths that they can
leverage and developmental needs that they can work
on. This session is fun, informative, and very applicable
in everyday life.
ENHANCING INDIVIDUAL AND
TEAM EFFECTIVENESS
Using the Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) as the
basis for individual and group understanding, Robert helps
participants develop insights into strengths, motivators,
de-motivators, values and needs. This session tends
to be both fun and insightful as participants gain insights
and knowledge that can provide benefits both in their
work and personal lives.
BECOMING AN “EMPLOYER
OF CHOICE”
Today, more so than ever, organizations are struggling
with key people issues related to employee attraction
and retention. The Conference Board of Canada, along
with other studies, has identified what “ingredients”
employees seek in today’s world of work. Robert presents
the themes from “Canada’s Top 100 employers”
as reported in Maclean’s magazine and distills
these into 10 practical strategies and actions for becoming
an employer of choice.
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