May Member of the Month

Steve Holt

Please tell us what you do professionally?

I supervise a fantastic team of trainers and developers who support VSP’s Customer Care division.  Before that, I was a corporate trainer for VSP delivering a wide range of corporate training including classes in leadership, communication, critical thinking, conflict resolution and a variety of technical skills.

What do you find most rewarding about your career?

My greatest motivation as a trainer and supervisor of training is to see transformation take place.  This can happen in the classroom or in coaching conversations.  While it’s fun to see the light-bulb go off in someone’s head because they learned something new, the greater motivation is see and hear about those moments that helped someone see the world in a different way than they did before.

Would you mind sharing one of your favorite training and development tips or techniques?

Based on my personality preferences, I am highly relational and love having in-depth conversations with other people.  I look at training as an opportunity to engage in a conversation with everyone in the class.  By sharing stories and encouraging others to do the same, training becomes engaging and fun.  Mastering story-telling techniques and knowing how to ask the right questions are key.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

My wife and I have four children, which leaves very little spare time.  However, I love music and the arts.  It’s not uncommon to drive by our house and hear live piano, guitar, or drums reverberating through the windows.  My background also includes a Master of Divinity in Worship, Theology and the Arts.   When I find time, I enjoy exploring how faith and art intersect our human experience.

What was the last book you read?

The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey.  What I enjoyed about the book is that it takes the ambiguity in defining trust and makes it practical.  While we may believe that we are trustworthy individuals, the book encourages the reader to perform some honest self-reflection regarding their behaviors.  For those whose task it is to develop others, this book is a must read.

April Member of the Month

Kathleen Barton

Kathleen, please tell us what you do professionally?

I’m an independent trainer and coach with expertise in employee, management and leadership development.  I’ve worked with a variety of corporate and government clients, and specialize in career transition and work/life integration.

What was your key take away from the March 19^th presentation, Humor, The Secret Ingredient of Great Trainers?

I especially liked how the presenter used the “call-back” technique – that is, referencing humor used earlier in the presentation.  I’m going to try to incorporate that into an upcoming presentation to bring more laughter and make it more memorable.

 

What do you find most rewarding about your career?

I love the freedom and flexibility of being in business for myself, but especially love doing something that I’m passionate about – and that’s helping people achieve their potential.  I enjoy developing long-term relationships with my clients.  When coaching clients, I get excited when I see them achieve their goals.  It’s rewarding to know that I had a part in their success.

 

Would you mind sharing one of your favorite training and development tips or techniques?

I love to use props in my presentations and training seminars.  I find it grabs attention and increases retention.  Participants always remember the oxygen mask example from the airlines when they think of the importance of taking care of themselves. 

 

I also love to use stories and examples.  I’ll incorporate personal stories as well as examples from the audience.  Typically, I will interview a few participants prior to the seminar regarding their challenges and successes with the topic.  Then, with their permission, I’ll share their real-life example.  I find that participants can really relate to their colleagues’ examples.

 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love spending time with my husband and two children.  I’m very active and enjoy Zumba Fitness classes, tennis, and hiking.  I’m also very active in my church as a leader in Women’s ministry and singing on the worship team.

 

What was the last book you read?

Too Busy for your own Good: Get More Done in Less Time – Even with More Energy.  It’s a very practical book on dealing with the busyness of life.  I actually read this as part of my research for my new book.  I’ve been busy these past months writing my book, Passport to Priorities: Your Roadmap to Balanced Living.  It’s targeted to busy, harried working women who want to regain control of their life.  I provide practical strategies and tips to help women focus on their most important priorities.

 

March Member of the Month

Martie Goodson

Motivator | Advocator | Connection Maker

 

Martie, please tell us what you do professionally?
I am a Workforce Development Specialist at the Sacramento Superior Court.  I have worked in training and development at the court for 10 years, with an emphasis on soft skills training.  My personal quest is connecting staff with the tools necessary to build confidence and promote excellence in customer service to court users.   I act as a consultant to management regarding training issues in addition to designing, developing, and delivering courses. I was very fortunate to transition into a training career after working for many years as a Courtroom Clerk, with 27 years total service to the court.

What was your key take away from Tuesday evening’s presentation, The Science of Emotional Prosperity (for Trainers)?
Wow!  I was very interested in the topic and already recognize what thankfulness and gratitude can do for me personally.  The information was in alignment with some current research I am doing for a graduate course.  I will be making a proposal to my manager to design and develop a course for our employees regarding Emotional Prosperity and Happiness in the Workplace. 

What do you find most rewarding about your career? I am  proud of the work I have done at the Court, especially in the area of providing motivation and skills to staff in order to fulfill the mission of the Court. It is important to me that the members of the public who come to the court for services are treated with respect and dignity, no matter what brings them through our doors.  I like to think that I am being of service to my community when I can share knowledge and information with our employees in a fun and effective manner regarding skills to practice when serving court users.  Of course, I also feel very rewarded when I can see a light bulb go off in a class and observe an employee in the workplace with renewed motivation to be a productive public servant.

Would you mind sharing one of your favorite T&D tips or techniques?
I enjoy fun, laughter, and color and try to incorporate those elements along with teaching moments into courses I design.  I like to create relevant games, easy to follow slide presentations with minimal words, and colorful handouts to guide the learners through the material.  I believe happy learners will be  more likely retain information and have a willingness to apply the new techniques acquired.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Lifelong learning has become my mantra.  After many years of dabbling as a college student, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Career and Technical Studies in 2009.  I recently advanced to candidacy for a Master of Arts degree from the College of Education in Workforce Development Advocacy.  I plan on completing the degree in December of this year.  Both programs are housed in the College of Continuing Education at Sac State and accommodate students who work at full-time jobs.  When I schedule free time, I enjoy watching my high school age daughter play softball, trips out of town to explore new territory, attending various live music events, and coffee dates with my friends.

What was the last book you read?
My reading is guided by professors these days!  One of the books required for a current course that I am enjoying is Salsa, Soul, and Spirit by Juana Bordas.  The author examines leadership principles from Latino, Black, and American Indian communities and suggests that the multicultural approach should be used in today’s leadership models.  Bourdas asserts that, “Multicultural leadership encourages synergy, innovation, and resourcefulness.”  Isn’t that what we would all like to see in our workplaces?

 

February Member of the Month--Tim Crowley

 

Tim, please share with us what you do professionally.

Following 30 years of working in the field of landscape horticulture (contracting; resource conservation; and park and recreation management), I am currently focused on the fields of education and workforce training and development.  Serving on the education committees of multiple professional landscape organizations, I work to develop programs to support certification and professionalism.  I also act as an advisor to Regional Occupational Programs, local high schools and community colleges to strengthen industry and academic relationships.

 

What do you find most rewarding about your career?

In addition to having spent most of my career as a ‘practicing horticulturist’, I have had the privilege of working as adjunct faculty for four local community colleges teaching various aspects of horticulture.  My personal experience has also included a great deal of public outreach on water conservation and other ‘Green Industry’ topics.  It has always been rewarding to share information with others.

 

What is one of your favorite training and development tips or techniques?

I have always found that establishing an initial rapport with ‘learners’ is most helpful.  Understanding their expectations, background, and interest in a subject establishes a basis for open communication and dialogue.  So, I always try to arrive early to a training event and learn more about the audience so that I can personalize the training or presentation.

 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I would have to say that I am inclined to do a fair amount of gardening.  Over the years, I have managed to create quite a horticultural collection of greenery that provides both exercise and enjoyment.  Since I also enjoy reading I have designated one shady section as The Garden of Readin’. 

 

What was the last book you read?

The Checklist Manifesto-How to Get Things Right, by Atul Gawande.  The book recounts the personal story of how Dr. Gawande, a physician and surgeon, found that the use of a simple tool – the checklist – is often the most overlooked and under-utilized approach to preventing errors.  From the surgery room to high-rise construction and even airplane cockpits, the book illustrates how any endeavor can benefit from the low-tech use of a checklist.

January Member of the Month--Tom Moore

 

I created an ice breaker called "The Magic Cauldron." In this scenario, each person is looking for new band members for an imaginary English folk group of the same name. The premise is that band members have been disappearing mysteriously, thus the need for more members. There is a list of common attributes that participants must look for (i.e., plays an instrument, has a hobby, has met someone famous, believes what goes around comes around, etc.) in order to complete the exercise. I like it because it encourages everyone to talk to everyone else in the room. The great equalizer to this activity is that all this must be done with a British accent. No matter how separate you feel starting out, trying to talk with an accent makes everyone realize they are all in this together! 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time I teach Business courses at the University of Phoenix. I am also an Elvis tribute artist. This is distinct from an Elvis impersonator by the fact that I play the guitar at a professional level and by the quality of my excellent band! I am also in a top 40's cover band called "Group Therapy." Last and definitely not least, I am also a dedicated husband and father of two wonderful daughters.