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Professional Development and Electives

Please note: Professional development courses are open for all to register. You do not have to be enrolled in a specific program to register for a professional development/elective course.
Mississippi Certified Public Manager Program (CPM)
One You, Multiple Priorities

Multi-tasking is a learned skill that can lead to increased productivity and greater confidence in one’s job duties. This class teaches participants how to balance multiple tasks, even during periods of high stress.
Objectives:
•    Identify and develop methods to prioritize tasks
•    Recognize the importance of communication in achieving maximum productivity in a multi-tasking world
•    Develop strategies for maintaining positive relationships during high stress periods
TARGET AUDIENCE: All staff 
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit 

Performance Review System

It is the duty of MSPB to “provide a uniform system of personnel management that enhances efficiency and effectiveness with regard to the use of personnel resources.”  Effective January 1, 2021, the uniform system changed from the Performance Development System (PDS) to the Performance Review System (PRS). 
A performance review system serves several distinct purposes and functions, including aligns, corrects, and leverages the performance of each employee; allows managers to make effective decisions regarding workforce performance issues; and promotes quality services. Annual performance reviews must be administered in a fair manner and in compliance with state and federal laws. 
•    Performance Factors
•    PRS Scoring
•    PRS Process
•    Documenting Job Performance
•    Addressing Unsatisfactory Job Performance
•    Important Dates to Remember

Preventing Workplace Harassment Claims

This session will review:

  • MSPB’s policies on management’s obligation to prevent and effectively respond to workplace harassment. 
  • The EEOC’s latest guidance and regulations on appropriate measures to prevent and respond to harassment claims
  • Best practices in conducting a thorough and appropriate workplace harassment investigation
  • Documenting the investigation
  • Common mistakes made by management and HR
  • Best practices for presenting the agency’s investigation and personnel action to the EEOC 
Protecting the Public Trust

Management (not an auditor) is responsible for designing the internal control structure of the agency to protect assets and data from fraudulent activity. Managers need to know how to assess fraud risks, have an understanding of preventative and detective controls, and know how to stay on top of the control and fraud issues facing government financial management leaders. Also in this session, In this session, participants will take an in-depth look at deception and receive insight into determining truth from fiction in verbal and written accounts of events. The class is facilitated by a Certified Fraud Examiner. Objectives:
•    Determine whether or not an investigation is necessary
•    Identify the scope, goals, and timeline of an investigation
•    Identify interviewing techniques and questions the EEOC recommends asking third parties and witnesses
•    Determine the appropriate recommendations and actions and how to conclude the investigation
•    Learn how the human brain is wired  to release physical cues as a lie is told 
•    Learn what details reveal in a story, and what to know when details are omitted
•    Participate in a mock investigation 
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
 Those who are on a management track,
 Those who deliver critical services, 
 Those who manage people, projects, or programs, or
 Human Resources professionals

Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking.

Objectives:

  • Understanding emotional quotient
  • Understanding social awareness
  • Understanding relationship management

TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track
Those who manage people, projects or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Respect in the Workplace

In this class you will understand the role respect in the workplace plays in every aspect of your organization. You will learn to differentiate between the cultures of respect and cultures of disrespect. Objectives:
•    Identify the connection between respect, culture, and unleashing potential
•    Become aware of conscious and unconscious behaviors as it relates to respect
•    Understand the need to disagree constructively
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Succession Planning

Succession planning is the ongoing process of systematically identifying, assessing and developing organizational leadership to enhance performance.
Participants will learn to:
•    Understand the similarities between strategic planning and succession planning
•    Identify different approaches to succession planning
•    Learn the basic succession planning process
•    Identify specific areas of weakness and mistakes to avoid
•    Understand the value of measuring results
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®

Known as the world’s premier personal leadership development course, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People aligns timeless principles of effectiveness with modern technology and practices.
Training that helps an organization achieve sustained superior results focuses on making individuals and leaders more effective. Participants gain hands-on experience, applying timeless principles that yield greater productivity, improved communication, strengthened relationships, increased influence, and laser-like focus on critical priorities.
A completely new app, Living the 7 Habits™, has been developed to support ongoing learning about and implementing the 7 Habits, and is available to those who attend.
Participants will learn to:
•    Focus and act on what can be controlled and influenced, instead of what can’t
•    Define clear measures of success and create a plan to achieve them for both life and work
•    Prioritize and achieve the most important goals instead of constantly reacting to urgencies
•    Develop innovative solutions that leverage diversity and satisfy all key stakeholders
•    Collaborate more effectively with others by building high-trust relationships of mutual benefit
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
12 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Workplace Generations

Several recent studies have cited conflict between different generations as a main contributor to relationships being negatively impacted in the workplace.  Learning to respect generations and the diversity each brings to the workplace improves productivity, communication, and customer service.
Objectives:
•    Recognize and identify the strengths each generation brings to the workplace
•    Commit to seeing generational respect as a diversity issue, rather than an age issue
•    Develop skills to open dialogue between generations
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit