The Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement has a large variety of workshops that we will come and facilitate for your student group, free of charge. To request a workshop, fill out the form linked below. Please schedule workshops at least two weeks in advance. We try and respond to all requests within two business days.
Workshops are offered both in person (anywhere on the University of Oregon campus) and virtually (on Zoom). We are happy to host workshops for groups of 20 or less in the Holden Center. If your group has fewer than four members, please request a personal development coaching session.
If you have any questions about any of our workshops, please email holdenleadership@uoregon.edu to schedule a brief consultation. We can work together to identity the best workshop(s) to meet your group's goals.
“Thank you so much, this was the best leadership training I’ve received in over four years!”
“Your workshop helped facilitate conversation that helped us grow to be a more inclusive and strong organization. This was the best Zoom training I’ve ever been to.”
“I think these workshops should be required for all leaders on campus. Honestly is was great. Loved all of it. And the facilitators are amazing!”
Workshop Categories
Our workshops are sorted into the following categories:
FUNDAMENTAL — These workshops cover what we consider to be the most essential leadership skills. These workshops primarily focus on personal growth, examining our identities, and reflecting on how we show up in group spaces.
INTERMEDIATE — These workshops are designed for people to build upon essential skills to develop more well-rounded and culturally conscious leadership practices. These workshops focus on continued personal development and implementing change on a group level.
ADVANCED — These workshops are designed for students who want to build upon their established leadership skills and experience and are very action-oriented. These workshops focus on implementing change on a group and community level.
IDENTITY-BASED — While most of our workshops include identity-based conversations, these workshops are specifically designed for group members to explore their various social identities, and how their identities influence their approaches to leadership.
“The facilitator was amazing—engaging and very knowledgeable, understanding, and prepared. For only a 60-minute presentation it held a lot of valuable information for such a short time.”
“The Inclusive Leadership workshop conducted by a Holden student staff member late in spring term is still one of the most insightful and transformative experiences of 2020.”
Workshop Topics
Balancing Life and Leadership (60 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL
Leadership can be many things—challenging, rewarding, inspiring, time consuming—yet it’s important to make sure that we never sacrifice our well-being for a leadership role. This workshop will prompt participants to reflect on the ways that their leadership role(s) is impacting their personal, professional, and academic life. We will then share strategies for bringing balance to any leadership role or position. Participants will finish the workshop by setting a tangible goal to empower them in their position.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Students will have an increased awareness around their empowering/disempowering emotions associated with their leadership role.
- Students will learn strategies to advocate for their well-being within a leadership role.
- Students will create a PACT goal to address a disempowering emotion they have related to a leadership position.
Great for groups…
- Seeking to prioritize wellness, self-awareness, goal-setting, and habit building
- That have, or are preparing for, a high level of responsibility
- That have been facing challenges within their leadership roles
BIPOC Leadership: Examining the Influence of Culture (90 minutes)
IDENTITY-BASED
This workshop was intentionally designed by our BIPOC staff and is intended to be facilitated for BIPOC students. The workshop will reflect on how our considerations of traditional leadership are based on White culture and the impact this has on BIPOC individuals and communities, while also considering how the term BIPOC itself comes with its own benefits and considerations. Participants will then explore how their own beliefs, passions, values, and identities can be used to challenge leadership stereotypes and myths. We will end the workshop by discussing strategies to navigate these challenges and support fellow BIPOC students.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will be able to identify how leadership is influenced by whiteness.
- Participants will define leadership in their own terms and how to use that definition to step into leadership roles with confidence.
- Participants will learn strategies for supporting and empowering BIPOC leadership.
Great for groups…
- Consisting of BIPOC individuals
- Wanting to engage in identity-based discussions related to leadership
- Wanting to look critically at the connection between White culture and leadership
Building a Community: For New Groups (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
This workshop is designed for groups who are just beginning to work together and would like to learn strategies for building a healthy, collaborative, and productive community, including the nine components of highly successful teams.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn the nine components of highly successful teams.
- Participants will learn several strategies for building a strong and healthy community.
Great for groups…
- That will work closely together on goals and projects
- Willing to have an authentic conversation and think critically about their group’s culture
- Wanting to learn tangible strategies for enhancing community and connection
Building a Community: Strengthening Our Team (90 minutes)
ADVANCED
This workshop is for established groups who know each other well and would like to reflect on ways they would like to increase their connection and collaboration. Team members will reflect upon how well their team practices all nine components of highly successful teams.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn about and reflect upon the nine components of highly successful teams.
- Participants will learn several strategies for strengthening their community.
Great for groups…
- That work closely together on goals and projects
- Willing to have an authentic conversation and think critically about their group’s culture
- Wanting to learn tangible strategies for enhancing community and connection
Civic Engagement as Activism (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
So, you voted ... what do you do next to engage in democracy? Activism, service, and civic engagement are so closely intertwined, and it’s time we examine how we can more meaningfully engage and work within systems through community building and activation. Participants will be able to identify realistic action steps that are related to the passions they already have.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will discuss the connection between service, activism, and civic engagement.
- Participants will learn strategies for effective civic engagement.
- Participants will discuss how they can use civic engagement as a tool for making change.
Great for groups...
- Wanting to identify tangible ways to serve and civically engage in their community
- Wanting to connect their group’s mission and passions to service and activism
Discovering Your Leadership Style (60 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL
This workshop will allow every member of your team to identify their unique leadership style and strengths through a quick activity. We will explore how everyone can utilize their leadership styles together to collaborate effectively, maximize results, and build lasting relationships. This is one of our most popular workshops. If you aren’t sure where to start, this may be the place!
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will know leadership style and the strengths of their style.
- Participants understand how they need support from others.
- Participants will learn about other leadership styles on their team.
Great for groups...
- Searching for an introductory leadership workshop
- That work closely together
- Wanting to learn how they can best utilize each other's strengths and support one another
Identifying and Exploring Your Personal Values (60 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL
This workshop will give insight into the core values that drive our lives and equip participants with skills that will allow them to live and lead in accordance with their personal values. We will also discuss how our identities influence our values, and how we can work well with others who hold different values.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will identify their three core personal values and how their values show up in day-to-day life.
- Participants will understand how their identities influence their values.
- Participants will identify at least one way that they can live more in alignment with their values.
Great for groups…
- With any level of leadership experience
- Desiring to increase their team’s connection through sharing and personal reflection
- Wanting to understand how their values show up in their roles (and daily lives)
Identifying and Overcoming Imposter Feelings (60 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL
This workshop discusses what imposter feelings are and how they show up in our day-to-day lives. Participants will take a quick assessment to learn about their unique “imposter type” to better understand when and how they experience imposter feelings and how they impact us. Next, we will discuss the interconnectedness of identities, environment, and imposterism. Lastly, participants will also engage in discussion to create strategies that allow them to overcome their imposter feelings.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will identify their imposter type and how it shows up in their lives.
- Participants will understand how their identities influence imposterism.
- Participants will identify strategies to overcome imposter feelings.
Great for groups…
- With any level of leadership experience
- Desiring to boost confidence and promote authentic conversation
- Comfortable engaging in a vulnerable and productive discussion surrounding imposter feelings and overcoming those feelings
Intersection of Identity and Leadership (60 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL, IDENTITY-BASED
This workshop allows participants to examine how their leadership styles are influenced and impacted by the identities most important to them, and how they can use their identities to inspire and empower their leadership. We will also discuss why cultural competency and taking an identity-based approach is an essential leadership skill; including the ability to create inclusive spaces and collaborate effectively with people from all different experiences.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will reflect on how their intersecting identities influence their leadership approach.
- Participants will identify aspects of their identities they are proud of.
- Participants will identify how they can empower themselves and others.
Great for groups…
- With any level of group familiarity
- With beginner or intermediate levels of leadership experience and/or identity-based discussions
- Wanting to understand how identities influence leadership
Introduction to Inclusive Leadership Practices (90 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL
This workshop will cover the most essential elements of prioritizing equity and inclusion from a leadership lens. Participants will begin the workshop by engaging in critical self-reflection, including reflecting on their biases and knowledge of various identity groups. Next, participants will learn strategies for responding to harmful and exclusive behavior. Lastly, participants will learn proactive strategies for creating more inclusive group environments.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn proactive and reactive practices for creating inclusive group environments.
- Participants will identify areas for continued learning and education.
- Participants will reflect on why fostering equity and inclusion is an essential leadership skill.
Great for groups…
- With any level of group familiarity
- Wanting to prioritize inclusivity and cultural competency
Leadership and Improv: Developing Adaptability and Trust on a Team (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
This highly interactive workshop explores the three foundations of improvisation and how they can be applied as a framework for leadership. We will practice improvisation activities with partners, small groups, and large groups.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will understand the connection between leadership and improv.
- Participants will learn how improv is used as a method for developing leadership in the professional world.
- Participants will recognize one way that they can apply improv to their role.
Great for groups…
- With any level of familiarity with leadership experience
- Who want to build community with each other
- Who want an engaging, interactive experience
Leadership and You: Understanding Our Purpose as Leaders (60 minutes)
FUNDAMENTAL
This workshop is designed to help participants understand how our identities and our lived experiences influence how we perceive leadership and how we show up within a leadership role. Participants will reflect upon their identities, values, and passions to identify their own leadership intention and inspiration. This workshop helps make the jump between leadership as a theory to leadership as a practice.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will be able to connect their passions to their leadership intentions.
- Participants can define leadership in their own words.
- Participants are able to articulate how they practice leadership in their daily lives.
Great for groups…
- With limited to intermediate leadership experience
- Wanting their members to understand how their leadership philosophy guides and influences their practice
- Hoping their members will self-identify as leaders
Leadership Escape Room (90 minutes)
ADVANCED
Designed to foster a sense of teamwork, encourage effective communication, and test your existing leadership skills, this workshop challenges you to unravel a series of puzzles, riddles, and challenges within a time-sensitive environment. Engaging discussion and reflection will reinforce the learning experience, helping you draw connections between the scenarios in the room and real-life leadership situations. Please note, this workshop MUST take place in the Holden Center (EMU 047), and has a capacity of 6-15 people.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Groups will reflect on their strengths and areas of growth in working together as a team.
- Participants will self-reflect on their critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills.
Great for groups…
- Wanting to do something fun and challenging together!
Leading Your Peers: Balancing Friendship and Responsibility (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED
This workshop is designed for students who currently hold or will hold leadership positions that oversee their peers – including in work, academic, and co-curricular environments. Participants will be given suggestions on how to navigate their leadership role while maintaining professional and personal relationships. The workshop will end with group-specific scenarios to understand how they can apply peer leadership skills.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn about unique challenges associated with leading peers.
- Participants will learn various strategies for overcoming these challenges.
Great for groups…
- Wanting to elevate their performance within a leadership role, or prepare for an upcoming leadership role
- Currently overseeing peers or will oversee peers in the future
- Are interested in balancing personal and professional relationships within a leadership context
Planning and Executing Effective Group Facilitation (60 minutes)
ADVANCED
This workshop is designed to help individuals maximize their effectiveness as a facilitator, including both intentional planning and successful execution. Skills covered in this workshop include developing agendas, using inclusive language, guiding group discussions, managing time, and boosting engagement. By the end of this workshop participants will have a better understanding of their strengths as a facilitator as well as discover potential areas for improvement.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will identify their strengths and areas of growth as a facilitator.
- Participants will learn how to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity as a facilitator.
- Participants will identify at least one way they can improve their facilitation.
Great for groups…
- With any level of facilitation experience
- With individuals who are responsible for planning and executing meetings, discussions, and/or events
- Wanting to improve the effectiveness of their meetings
Project Management: Strategies for Successful Team Projects (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
This workshop is designed for groups who would like to learn general strategies for working effectively on group projects. In this workshop, participants will also reflect on their own strengths and areas for support within a team environment.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants can identify their strengths and areas of growth while working on a group project.
Great for groups …
- Working collaboratively on large projects
- Wanting to reflect on their strengths and areas of growth while working on a team project
Project Management: Creating a Project Plan (60–120 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
This workshop is designed to be a consultation-oriented session for groups who already have a project in mind. We will walk you through our project management framework, and you will leave the workshop with a plan of what needs to be done, when it needs to be done by, and how you can make it happen! For this version, you can select your preferred duration. The longer the workshop, the more likely it is your group will complete the project management framework.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will leave the workshop with a detailed action plan for implementing their project.
Great for groups …
- Working collaboratively on large projects
- Wanting to reflect on their strengths and areas of growth while working on a team project
Public Speaking Skills: Increasing Your Confidence and Effectiveness (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
Although many may find it intimidating, public speaking is an important leadership skill, and we will tell you why! Participants will learn the most common mistakes made while public speaking as well as strategies for addressing them. In the second half, participants will identify their biggest area of growth and participate in an activity intentionally designed to practice developing that skill.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn the most common mistake made when public speaking.
- Participants will learn strategies for boosting confidence and effectiveness as a public speaker.
- Participants will reflect on their own public speaking habits, and identify areas for growth.
Great for groups...
- With public speaking as part of their role, and want to increase their effectiveness and comfortability when speaking
- Looking for ways to be influential and motivating speakers when providing important messages
- Willing to be vulnerable and fully engaged during the workshop
Strategies for Collaborative Conflict Resolution (90 minutes)
ADVANCED
We acknowledge that in any group setting conflict will at some point arise, so it is essential to know how to manage and resolve conflict in healthy and constructive ways. In this workshop participants will identify their personal conflict resolution style, have conversations around turning unhealthy conflict into health conflict, and learn how to respond to various situations of conflict in group settings or 1:1.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will be able to distinguish unhealthy and healthy conflict.
- Participants will learn strategies for turning an unhealthy conflict into a healthy conflict.
- Participants will identify their conflict style, and the tendencies of that style.
Great for groups…
- With any level of group familiarity
- Regularly working together to solve problems and/or wanting to strengthen their team members’ relationships
- Wanting to develop their conflict resolution skills in a safe and supported space
Team-Building Activities (30–90 minutes)
In this workshop, we will design a series of team-building activities specifically selected to create a more connected and comfortable environment within you group. Activities will be chosen and tailored based on your group’s goals, number of participants, level of familiarity, and desired duration.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn more about the members of their group.
- Participants will feel more connected to their group/team members.
Great for groups…
- Just getting to know each other, or existing groups who want to increase their sense of connectedness
- Wanting to provide a workshop that is fun and engaging
Unconscious Bias in Leadership (90 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE
This workshop helps participants discover how unconscious bias is relevant in their personal and professional lives. Members of your group will learn what unconscious bias is and how it works, why it is important to recognize, and how to work against it.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will learn about how unconscious biases are developed.
- Participants will explore how their own unconscious biases show up in their day-to-day life and their leadership practices.
- Participants will understand the roles that identity and lived experiences play in unconscious bias.
Great for groups…
- With any level of group familiarity
- Wanting to prioritize inclusivity and cultural competency
- Committed to examining and exploring their own privileges and unconscious biases
Women in Leadership (60 minutes)
INTERMEDIATE, IDENTITY-BASED
Individuals will participate in conversations designed to bring awareness to the challenges faced by women in leadership roles, both historically and personally. This workshop will consist of strategies and discussions for overcoming these challenges and how to build an effective support system of allyship across all identities.
Workshop learning outcomes:
- Participants will recognize the challenges specific to women in leadership.
- Participants will identify ways to support women in leadership roles.
Great for groups…
- Wanting to create and sustain community around being a woman or gain/provide information centered around women in leadership
- Who predominately identify as women, however this workshop is not exclusive to women
We also offer the following workshop topics:
- Identity and Society: An Introduction to Privilege, Oppression, and Intersectionality (90 minutes)
- Leadership Fundamentals: Understanding Leadership and Its Preconceptions (60 minutes)
- Queer Leadership (60 minutes)
- Radical Empowerment: Strategies for Inspiring and Empowering Others (60 minutes)
- Recruitment and Retention: How to Build an Organization (90 minutes)
- Taking a Critical Lens to Service (60 minutes)
If you would like additional information about any of these topics, please email us at holdenleadership@uoregon.edu.