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                                                                                                               Meet Nancy, a working mom and recent earner of our Certificate in Building Positive Workplace Cultures. We had theopportunity to chat with her and learn how the training empowered her with the knowledge and tools to foster a more positive and productive work environment while maintaining her own positivity and mental strength in her high-stress leadership role.

Follow Nancy's inspiring journey and discover how investing in your own professional development can transform your career.

    1. What was your job before enrolling in the certificate?

I am a Laboratory/Pharmacy Manager at Timmins and District Hospital in Timmins, Ontario, I took on this leadership role more than 3 years ago. I oversee the operations of the pharmacy and laboratory departments which includes approximately 70 employees.

    2. Did the program fit your existing career path? What were you hoping to gain from enrolling?

Yes, the did fit my existing career path, but not in the way I had anticipated when I enrolled. I registered thinking this would help me create a more positive workplace culture within my teams at the hospital, but I was not anticipating gaining the additional knowledge and tools around helping me as a new leader gain resilience and ensure I had a positive mindset. It really helped with both, I was able to gather tools to help me stay healthy in a high stress leadership position and I also gained the knowledge and tools to become a better leader for my team.

I learned the importance of listening in conversations instead of trying to find immediate solutions.

I learned ways to provide feedback it being positive or negative, and the importance of regular feedback for your team members.

I learned the importance of taking care of myself, which includes tools to keep a positive mindset but also the importance of getting adequate exercise, sleep and following a healthy diet.

    3. What were the instructors like?

The instructor, , was very knowledgeable and had great personal stories to integrate into the course. As I have a science background, I really enjoyed reading about the evidence-based research that he presented with his various concepts. 

    4. How was the course format? Did the flexibility accommodate your work and personal commitments?

The courses did accommodate my busy work and personal life. If you were unavailable to attend one of the live sessions, you could view it afterwards and provide the instructor with a synopsis of the class. I also found the workload manageable, with my young family and my demanding position at work, because it can be difficult to incorporate learning into my schedule. 

    5. What was the overall learning experience like?

The overall experience was very positive, I really enjoyed learning from my peers in the class as they shared some of their experiences. The topics presented in this course do not only apply to your professional life but can be applied to your personal life including the relationships with yourself, children, and/or your partner. It doesn’t matter your career aspirations, I believe everyone could gain a lot from taking this certificate program. 

    6. What specific skills or knowledge did you gain from the program? Did any courses stand out to you?

The first course, , was great as we were introduced to the PERMA model. This model can be applied easily and help put you in a more positive mindset. 

    7. How have you applied these new skills or knowledge to your work?

I apply the skills that I learned in situations when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed and in conversations and everyday interactions with my team members. Many of the tools I’ve learned, I try and practice regularly in my day to day, to keep myself in a positive mindset. I incorporate the PERMA model whenever I can which includes positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishments. I also practice gratitude and savouring regularly, I enjoyed learning about the evidence-based research surrounding these concepts. I include the growth mindset in my daily life. There were many concepts that we learned throughout the courses that I use in both my professional and personal life.

    8. Do you have any advice for those looking to develop their career?

Don’t let fear stop you from asking for help. As a new leader, we often feel like we have to prove ourselves but asking for help when you need it will help you build those relationships that will help you grow in your career. Always remember to take care of yourself first, you can’t give from an empty glass, and as a new leader, it’s easy for our glass to become empty. Always be true to yourself and your values, this will help you lead with your best self forward. One of the most important pieces of advice is learn not to take things personally, it’ll be alot easier to move forward from difficult situations. Finally, try and learn from every situation that presents itself, and every opportunity. Enjoy this new challenge in your career.

Let’s take a moment to congratulate Nancy on all her career success, her experiences exemplify the power of continuous learning and professional development. By investing in her own career development, she not only gained valuable skills in leadership, but was also able to cultivate more fulfilling and positive relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. Her journey serves as an inspiration to anyone seeking to enhance their career.

Ready to start exploring your professional development opportunities – click here to explore our courses.