DFK/USA Leadership Symposium

Leadership Symposium | 24-26 June | Kansas City, MO
Who to send: DFK Managers and Partners
Registration available early 2019

The DFK/USA Leadership Symposium is designed to bring soft leadership skills to the current managers and partners of DFK/USA. For two days, expert speakers will cover key leadership topics along two concurrent learning tracks – one for managers and one for partners. The program also features joint networking time to enjoy Kansas City’s greatest charms and the company of other DFK Leaders.

To Register, click HERE

Preliminary Agenda

Monday, June 24th

6:30 – 9:30 PM
Welcome Reception and Dinner

Tuesday, June 25

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Managers Track
6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team – Patrick Patterson
     First-level leaders make a significant impact on every metric in your business: employee productivity and engagement, customer satisfaction and loyalty, innovation, and financial performance. They are the creators and carriers of culture for their teams and directly influence whether top talent stays or leaves. They are frequently responsible for the quality of the customer experience, and first-level leaders and their teams are the biggest source of product and process innovation. Your first-level leaders are the “Difference-Makers” in your business.
The role of the first-level leader has always been tough and today’s realities make the role even tougher. People skills typically account for 80 percent of success in this role. Yet many people are promoted because of their technical capabilities. Both new and experienced first-level leaders can struggle when it comes to excelling at leading teams in today’s workplace.
This solution equips first-level leaders with the essential skills and tools to get work done with and through other people. The program is ideal for new first-level leaders who need to transition successfully from individual contributors to leaders of others. It also applies to leaders who have been in their roles for some time, and are looking for practical and relevant guidance on how to effectively lead and manage their teams.

Partners Track
5 Dysfunctions of a Team – Karen Durkin
     In Patrick Lencioni’s groundbreaking book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Lencioni identifies five dysfunctions which consistently prevent teams from reaching their full potential. During this workshop participants learn how to apply the insights offered by Lencioni within their own team.Understanding Teams and the Five Dysfunctions features  experiential and interactive activities that serve as a basis for discussion on the following topics:
• Team characteristics
• Team formation and development
• Team paradigms
• Disadvantages of a team
• Advantages of a team
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
» Absence of Trust
» Fear of Conflict
» Lack of Commitment
» Avoidance of Accountability
» Inattention to Results
The workshop concludes with planning for next steps based on the results of a pre-class survey given to team members.

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Group Networking Dinner Event

Wednesday, June 26

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Managers Track
Coaching & Mentoring – Karen Durkin
       Have you ever been told that you are a leader who made a difference in someone’s life? One coaching conversation, one coffee chat with a mentee, or a development discussion with a direct report could offer them a perspective that could change their career. We will distinguish the rolesof coach, mentor, and manager relationships and how each can support someone’s development.
Every leader should continuously improve their skills as they inspire others to bring their best every day. Building a development plan allows you to use the forward thinking that we are asking our staff to do as they own their own growth. We will be examining the critical steps in designing a career plan and exploring how to coach another through this discovery.
Employing, retaining and utilizing talent is also critical for the success of any business. It takes value focused leaders and managers to understand that leveraging the talent of our staff is the key to profitable engagements and to business growth. This session will provide insights and tools to effective talent management programs and strategies for your firm.
As a result of your active participation in this session, you will:
• Be able to differentiate the roles of coach, mentor, and manager and
determine which is the best resource for different situations.
• Be able to compile a personal development plan and experience the
value of each component to design a path for your future and the future
of those you lead.
• Learn and practice coaching skills that will make you an empowering
catalyst for change and growth for your coachee.
• Explore different Talent Management strategies available for your firm to
utilize to promote retention and employee engagement.

Partners Track
5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity – Patrick Patterson
     The 5 Choices® to Extraordinary Productivity process measurably increases productivity of individuals, teams,  and organizations. Participants make more selective, high-impact choices about where to invest their valuable time,
attention, and energy.
The barrage of information coming at us from multiple sources coupled with the demands of our careers, are overwhelming and distracting. The sheer volume of information threatens our ability to think clearly and make wise decisions about what’s important. If we react to these stimuli without clear discernment, we fail to accomplish the goals that matter most in our professional and personal lives.
The 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity solution inspires participants to apply a process that will dramatically increase their ability to achieve life’s most important outcomes. Supported by science and years of experience, this solution not only produces a measurable increase in productivity, but also provides a renewed sense
of engagement and accomplishment.

3 PM
Adjourn