Online Courses

Course Description: In this training, you'll learn the basics of verbal de-escalation to give you confidence when dealing with difficult people. This includes risk factors/red flags, de-escalation tips, physical warning signs of violent behavior, and scenarios. You'll be equipped with strategies to make you a more confident and assertive communicator, especially when dealing with difficult people!

Course Facilitator: Cindy Holmes and Josalyn Longley, Dane County Sheriff's Department

Course Duration: 2 hours, 8 minutes

Course Resources: Conflict De-Escalation course page & handouts. 

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Course Description: Build awareness on how bias, both explicit and implicit, can impact hiring decisions. Learn how to create an interview process by incorporating job-related behavioral questions with measurable benchmarks to effectively address bias in the interview process and for more objective candidate evaluations.

Course Facilitator: Julie Trimbell and Bill Wick, Human Resources Services Unit

Course Duration: 1 hour, 17 minutes

Course Resources: 

• Creating an Equitable Interview Process course page & handouts. 
• Recording Content Topics Guide (with Time Markers)

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Series Description: 

• Giving and Receiving Feedback, Part 1 is all about Foundational Feedback. The focus of the session is on the value of positive feedback mindset, avoiding common pitfalls, and strategies to give feedback effectively.
• Giving and Receiving Feedback, Part 2 covers Intermediate Feedback. The focus of the session is on ways to give feedback up, down, and sideways. Also explored are practices to receive feedback with gratitude and composure.

Course Facilitator: Cyndi Wentland, Intentional Leaders, LLC

Course Duration: 

• Part 1: 1 hour, 28 minutes
• Part 2: 1 hour, 27 minutes

Course Resources: 

• Giving and Receiving Feedback, Part 1 course page & handouts
• Giving and Receiving Feedback, Part 2 course page & handouts

Access the Recording: Click on the hyperlinked course names under the "Series Description" header. 

Course Description: It’s a candidate’s job market, which means that hiring managers need to be proactive about improving their foundational skills to attract and hire team members. Join our HR Business Analysts as they share best practices for talent planning, writing clear position descriptions, and moving through the hiring and recruitment process.

Course Facilitator: Julie Trimbell and Otis Harris, Jr., Human Resources Services Unit

Course Duration: 1 hour, 13 minutes

Course Resources: 

• Hiring Foundations for Hiring Managers course page & handouts. 
• Recording Content Guide: 
  • Introduction & General Background - Start to 15:16
  • Recruitment Process, Part 1 - 15:17 - 34:59
  • Recruitment Process, Part 2 - 35:00 - 54:30
  • Hiring Manager Steps Following Interview - 55:40 - 1:08:22
  • Additional Hiring Resources - 1:08:50 - End

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Course Description: Join psychologists Jan Stanley and Gloria Park in learning about Hope, Optimism, and Connection. In this course, you'll learn about hope theory, how to use hope to be more resilient, how to identify strategies to be optimistic in challenging times, and how to cultivate high-quality connections and relationships. 

Course Facilitator: Jan Stanley and Gloria Park

Course Duration: 1 hour, 28 minutes - navigate to chapters by clicking the circle with lines icon in the lower left (and return to video by clicking the icon again).

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Course Description: Swamped with way too many meetings? We know that poorly organized and run meetings lead to frustration and disengagement. In this webinar, you’ll learn practical tools to plan and run effective meetings so that you can lead people towards clear and actionable outcomes with greater confidence.

Course Facilitator: Sylvia Larrass, Voice and Leadership Excellence

Course Duration: 1 hour, 9 minutes

Course Resources: How to Run Effective Meetings course page & handouts. 

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Series Description: 

• Session 1: I Feel Safe: Creating Healthy Cultures Where People Thrive
  • Creating safe environments doesn't happen by chance. It requires intentional organizational efforts and investing in our people's voices to drive inclusive change. Presenter Tim Mousseau leads you through the Feel Safe framework to empower you to reimagine a people-centered workplace. (1 hour, 26 minutes).
• Session 2: Because We Matter: Advocating for Each Other to Build Healthy & High-Performing Teams
  • With safety needs in mind, this session encourages folks to enhance work relationships and advocate for themselves and others confidently. (1 hour, 27 minutes).
• Session 3: Alone in a Crowded Office: How Leaders Can Overcome Harmful Behaviors that Foster Isolation
  • Applying the Feel Safe framework, participants will learn a process that empowers them to reimagine a people-centered workplace. (1 hour, 27 minutes).

Course Facilitator: Tim Mousseau, Create Safe LLC

Course Resources: 

• I Feel Safe: Creating Healthy Cultures Where People Thrive course page
• Because We Matter: Advocating for Each Other to Build Healthy & High-Performing Teams course page
• Alone In A Crowded Office: How Leaders Can Overcome Harmful Behaviors that Foster Isolation course page

Access the Recording: Click on the hyperlinked course names under the "Series Description" header. 

Course Description: If you're looking for a structured process to create and communicate an action plan, look no further! Use this plan to communicate with others to achieve personal and professional goals.

Learn More about IDP: Reach out to Jay Winston, Leadership Development Specialist, Human Resources - Organizational Development Unit

Course Resources: Fillable Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Recording: Upcoming recording coming in Summer/Fall 2024. 

Series Description: 

• Lesson 1: Introduction
  • Overview of the external instructor, their system, and methods for work planning. (7:09 minutes). 
• Lesson 2: Defining Productivity
  • Instructor helps staff understand the definition of the components of productivity. (6:52 minutes). 
• Lesson 3: The Reality and the Results
  • Instructor covers the research on planning, productivity, engagement, balance, and likelihood to stay with an organization. (3:45 minutes). 
• Lesson 4: Blueprint
  • Instructor introduces the first component of work planning – the blueprint – to know where you are going. (8:53 minutes). 
• Lesson 5: Building Blocks
  • Instructor reviews the building blocks template for planning project tasks associated with the blueprint created with Lesson 4. (13:23 minutes). 
• Lesson 6: Weekly Planning Methodology Overview
  • Instructor introduces the five steps associated with the work planning methodology. Each step is covered independently in the following videos. (7:06 minutes). 
• Lesson 7: Weekly Planning, Step 1
  • Instructor reviews how to cross off time where you have meetings and commitments.(4:36 minutes). 
• Lesson 8: Weekly Planning, Step 2
  • Instructor reviews how to calculate available time for getting things done. (8:11 minutes). 
• Lesson 9: Weekly Planning, Step 3
  • Instructor reviews how to brain dump all action items (career and whole life). (4:56 minutes). 
• Lesson 10: Weekly Planning, Step 4
  • Instructor reviews how to categorize your tasks in your blueprint. (4:04 minutes). 
• Lesson 11: Weekly Planning, Step 5
  • Instructor reviews documentation, in your calendar and/or planner, knowing your productivity zones, and communicating your plan for accountability. (18:17 minutes). 
• Lesson 12: Weekly Planning Practice
  • Instructor reviews how to use the brain dump (Lesson 9) to practice the planning methodology. Do NOT skip this step. (10:23 minutes). 
• Lesson 13: Conclusion and Next Steps
  • Instructor reviews the action items coming out of this training series. (2:26 minutes). 

Course Facilitator: Nina Ferraro, Boldly & Co.

Course Resources

Start Here - Work Planning Workbooks:

• Individual Work Planning Guide - Employee Workbook
• Individual Work Planning Guide - Supervisor Workbook

Resources Referenced in the Guidebooks & Videos:

• Template: Individual Work Plan
• Template: Agency Work Plan (for Supervisors)
• Handout: Weekly Brain Dump
• Wellbeing Wheel

Access the Recordings: Click on the hyperlinked lesson names under the "Series Description" header or the Lesson Headings in the guide workbooks. 

Course Description: Learn how to connect with an On-Demand interpreter, inclusive practices in working with interpreters, and participate in scenarios to practice learned skills, including communicating with people who use sign languages. Also discussed is the City of Madison’s Language Access Program, services, and compliance requirements. 

Course Facilitator: Kristy Kumar, Rebeca Hoyt, and Kelly Mistry - Department of Civil Rights and LanguageLine Solutions

Course Duration: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Course Resources: Language Access: Using LanguageLine Solutions course page

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Course Description: Do you interact with people who exhibit passive-aggressive behavior? View this video to learn about why people behave this way and gain strategies and tips about how you can deal with them. While the training was developed for Library staff, it is applicable to anyone.

Course Facilitator: Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, LibraryWorks

Course Duration: 1 hour

Course Resources: Passive-Aggressive Behavior: Sources and Solutions slides

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view. 

Course Description: 
This training will teach you how to effectively carry out your responsibilities as a records custodian. You will learn how to communicate with requesters and fulfill requests, as well as how to ensure compliance with public records laws and retention policies.
In accordance with MGO 3.70, Department/Division Heads are the custodian of records for their agency and may designate others in the agency as alternate custodians. Public records custodians are required to be trained as soon as practicable upon receiving these duties, and to keep current with developments in City records policies and the Wisconsin Public Records Laws. Whether you’re a new records custodian or in need of a refresher, this training will teach you how to effectively carry out your responsibilities as a City of Madison Records Custodian. You will learn how to communicate with requesters and fulfill requests, as well as how to ensure compliance with public records laws and retention policies.

• Public Records for Records Custodians - Part 1
• Public Records for Records Custodians - Part 2

Course Facilitators: Leslie Starczewski, Information Technology and Adriana Peguero, City Attorney's Office

Course Duration: 

• Part 1: 8 minutes
• Part 2: 25 minutes

Course Resources: 

• Public Records for Records Custodians
• Link to Public Records for Records Custodians course offering webpage. 

Access the Recording: Click on the hyperlinked course names under the "Course Description" header. 

Course Description: Trauma-Informed Customer Service is offered by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This course will equip you with techniques to better handle challenging customers. 

Note: This course is offered in a live-virtual format as well. Find out about upcoming sessions.

Course Facilitator: Arlyn Gonzalez and Mary Eldridge, Employee Assistance Program

Course Duration: 45 minutes

Course Resources: Please read through the following materials before viewing the recording:

• Handout: Trauma-Informed Customer Service Training
• Handout: Trauma-Informed Customer Service Training Questions

Access the Recording: Click on the course thumbnail above or use this hyperlink to view.