South Cook Area Wide Institute Day 2026

In today's ever-changing, volatile, and multigenerational workforce, navigating relationships with complicated individuals is a critical skill for professional success. This interactive workshop, drawing from Ryan Leak's book "How to Work with Complicated People" and John Maxwell’s "High Road Leadership," offers participants practical tools to address this challenge.
Through activity-based learning, attendees will explore:

• The three core assumptions about working with complicated people.
• Three actionable strategies to effectively manage these interactions.
• A framework for teaching these skills to staff preparing for the workforce.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities designed to foster deeper understanding and retention, empowering them to create actionable plans for both personal and professional growth.
 

In today's ever-changing, volatile, and multigenerational workforce, navigating relationships with complicated individuals is a critical skill for professional success. This interactive workshop, drawing from Ryan Leak's book "How to Work with Complicated People" and John Maxwell’s "High Road Leadership," offers participants practical tools to address this challenge.
Through activity-based learning, attendees will explore:

• The three core assumptions about working with complicated people.
• Three actionable strategies to effectively manage these interactions.
• A framework for teaching these skills to staff preparing for the workforce.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities designed to foster deeper understanding and retention, empowering them to create actionable plans for both personal and professional growth.
 

This session invites participants to explore their "connection mindset," inspired by James Kouzes' philosophy that leading effectively into the future requires deep connections in the present and works by Dr.Timothy Elmore and Dr.David Yeager. Educators preparing students for today's workforce face unique challenges, including navigating a volatile workplace and managing a multigenerational workforce comprised of 4-5 generations with diverse skills, backgrounds, and expectations. Addressing these challenges requires intentional reflection on personal expectations and mindset.
 
Through interactive activities and practical strategies, this session will help participants answer the essential question: What is your connection mindset? Attendees will gain tools to foster meaningful relationships across generational divides and adapt to dynamic professional environments.
 
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
 
Understand the concept of a connection mindset and its relevance in leadership.
 
Identify challenges in multigenerational workforces and volatile workplaces.
 
Develop actionable strategies to enhance connection and collaboration.
 

This session invites participants to explore their "connection mindset," inspired by James Kouzes' philosophy that leading effectively into the future requires deep connections in the present and works by Dr.Timothy Elmore and Dr.David Yeager. Educators preparing students for today's workforce face unique challenges, including navigating a volatile workplace and managing a multigenerational workforce comprised of 4-5 generations with diverse skills, backgrounds, and expectations. Addressing these challenges requires intentional reflection on personal expectations and mindset.
 
Through interactive activities and practical strategies, this session will help participants answer the essential question: What is your connection mindset? Attendees will gain tools to foster meaningful relationships across generational divides and adapt to dynamic professional environments.
 
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
 
Understand the concept of a connection mindset and its relevance in leadership.
 
Identify challenges in multigenerational workforces and volatile workplaces.
 
Develop actionable strategies to enhance connection and collaboration.