Dave Urso :: Leadership Educator and Consultant

Defining Everyday Heroes

Dave — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:09:24 +0000

In April, we will begin the process of identifying and recognizing 12 everyday heroes and thanking them for their service to the community. First, we need to get to work and define the traits that distinguish individual leaders as “Everyday Heroes.” For the next week, we will collect thoughts from YOU about what makes someone an everyday hero. Then, the complete list will be compiled and criteria set for nominations.

What specific traits do you believe everyday heroes display?

Bowling Alone

Dave — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:54:35 +0000

Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam is a great exploration of the decline in societal participation in America today. The first half of the book works to identify specific factors that have led to this point, and the second half of the book begins to spark ideas and recommendations about what responsibilities we all have to accept in order for the situation to be restored.

Approaches to Motivation

Dave — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:39:50 +0000

During tough economic times, many companies are forced to ask fewer staff members to complete more and more work. In these cases, motivations becomes vitally important.

What are some of the avenues you have used or would use to motivate a group of overworked and stressed out coworkers?

Administrative Professionals Retreat

Dave — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:32:44 +0000

Title: Administrative Professionals Retreat
Location: Rappahannock Community College
Link out: Click here
Description: Give ‘em the ACT Inspirational program addressing attitude, communication and teamwork
Date: 2009-04-24

A Fun 45 – Critical Thinking and Teamwork

Dave — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:53:33 +0000

Title: A Fun 45 – Critical Thinking and Teamwork
Location: LFCC Professional Development Day
Link out: Click here
Description: A critical thinking team-oriented activity designed to expand approaches to thinking and challenge participants to effectively work with one another
Start Time: 08:45
Date: 2009-03-18
End Time: 15:45

Workshop Discount

Dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:14:08 +0000

Is YOUR team ready for a workshop filled with laughter, inspiration and teamwork development?

The upcoming workshop schedule is filling up fast! Don’t miss your opportunity to get some face-time. Anyone who books a session by April 1 and mentions the password “believe” will get a 10% discount off your session fee.

Building Rapport with Different Personalities

Dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:06:15 +0000

Do you know who the power junkie, the withholder, and the eager puppy are? Sarah Fenson does. Fenson lays out who these three groups of “difficult people” are, as well as strategies that may come in handy as you try to deal with them. As far as usability, reading through these tips could help you think, but the article lacks the real-life application factor. Overall, this remains a useful article to remind you about the way you are approaching working with tough colleagues.

Varsity Blues

Dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:05:44 +0000

In Texas, high school football is life. This movie explores the impact of football on a group of high school students as they experience the phenomenon during their senior year of high school. This movie is offered as a leadership recommendation because the characters, on many occasions, find themselves in tough situations. As you watch the movie, focus on the prioritizing that the players partake in. Watch as they decide between friends and football and between school and football. Watch the mental polarization that “Mox” experiences as he is forced to decide what sacrifices and risks he is willing to make. The answers may surprise you.

Failing Forward

Dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:04:40 +0000

Enhancing your ability to handle failure and turn it into opportunities for future successes ranks near the top of the absolute most critical skill set that I believe exceptional leaders commonly share. In this text, Maxwell offers 15 strong tips to consider as you look back over the failures that have been most trying in life personally. More importantly, you are also challenged to push this mentality into the methods you use as you approach leading your organization. Maxwell’s writing style has a religious undertone to it. This element is obvious throughout the text, but does not overtly impact the message. Advanced readers will easily be able to follow along. This book is easy to read and has a conversational flow to it.

Testimonial: Exchange Student

Dave — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:58:30 +0000

Thank you and your family so much for allowing me to live with you guys during 1997 School Year. I learned a lot from you and it allowed me to learn a different language that has change my life completely and in so many ways. Dave you where a great brother to me and I miss you and your family very much.

Oscar Espronceda