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Administrative Professionals Conference

Professional headshot of Tim Dalby Headshot of Jim Thompson

Things Can Only Get Better: Process Improvement and Process Mapping

April 15 | 9:45a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Union South


Presented by Tim Dalby, senior project manager, and Jim Thompson, senior internal consultant

This session will explore the fundamentals of continuous improvement and process improvement and how they can be combined to bring about lasting changes to existing business processes. Using case studies and examples, we will explore how to create process maps and how to use them to identify areas for improvements and remove the frustrations caused by outdated activities.

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Headshot of Crystel Anders

“Both/ And” Thinking: How Understanding Polarities Can Help You Foster More Effective Teams

April 15 | 1-2:15 p.m.

Union South


Presented by Crystel Anders, internal consultant

Administrative professionals often juggle competing priorities, differing expectations, and the complex dynamics of supporting teams. Many of these tensions aren’t problems to solve, but polarities to manage – pairs of values or goals that may look like opposites but actually need each other to create sustainable success.

This session introduces Both/And thinking as a practical tool for navigating those tensions. You’ll learn how to recognize, map, and manage polarities to reduce friction, enhance collaboration, and support healthier and more effective teams. Through examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain strategies for moving beyond “either/or” thinking and fostering balance and clarity in your workplace.

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Headshot of Kelvin Alfaro

Leading with the Brain in Mind: Managing Emotional Energy in Meetings

April 15 | 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Union South


Presented by Kelvin Alfaro, internal consultant

Even the most well-designed meetings can derail when emotions rise, power dynamics surface, or participants disengage. Great facilitation requires more than managing an agenda; it requires actively managing the emotional energy of the group. Drawing from the NeuroLeadership Institute’s SCARF model (Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness, Fairness) and the Organizational Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) frameworks, this session explores how you can create psychologically safe, adaptive spaces for better group collaboration and decision-making.

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