Karen Smolarek, Director of TRIO Student Support Services at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, shared her experience with the Supervisor Strengths Institute. She discussed how the Institute helped her and her team become more effective and productive.
Key Takeaways and Benefits
● Energy Management: Karen shifted her focus from time management to energy management, leading to increased productivity and well-being.
● Stress Management and Self-Care: She became more mindful of self-care and monitored her energy levels to prevent burnout.
● Managing Up: Karen learned to communicate more effectively with her supervisor to get what she and her team needed.
● Leveraging CliftonStrengths: She utilized her team's diverse talents to achieve greater success.
● Coaching Your Team: Karen created a shared one-on-one meeting agenda to improve communication and leadership.
● Powerful Cohort Experience: The Institute provided a supportive community of peers.
Benefits for Karen and her team included:
● Improved communication and collaboration
● Increased productivity and efficiency
● Enhanced team morale and well-being
● Greater effectiveness in managing stress and energy
Additional Insights
● The importance of self-awareness: Karen emphasized the value of understanding her own strengths and weaknesses to become a more effective leader.
● The power of a supportive community: The Institute provided a network of peers who shared similar challenges and experiences, offering valuable support and guidance.
● The potential for personal and professional growth: Karen's experience demonstrates how the Supervisor Strengths Institute can help individuals and teams develop new skills and achieve their goals.
Overall, the Supervisor Strengths Institute provided Karen with valuable tools and support to maximize her team's performance and her own well-being.
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