Sharpen My Saw
“This is an excellent program for anyone… whether they are just starting out, or have been working for a while. Highly recommended!”
-past Sharpen my Saw participant
We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year.
Join our mailing list to stay informed about future programming.
This cohort program provides strategies to help you and others flourish at work along with opportunities for practice and discussion of current challenges with colleagues from across campus.
Over 8 months, engage with a group of 6-8 people and:
- Strengthen your ability to work with and lead others
- Solve problems and identify possibilities
- Deepen your emotional intelligence
- Discover practical tools you can use right away
Topics include:
- Understanding the importance of psychological safety
- Using a strengths-based approach to leadership
- Leading with the brain in mind
- Giving and receiving feedback effectively
- Harnessing the power of inclusion
- Motivating yourself and others
- Attending to subconscious bias
- Creating a practice of appreciation and recognition
Each month, you:
- receive a 20-minute video packed with content to review prior to your group meeting
- meet in-person with your group for 2 hours to discuss, make connections, and apply the concepts to work and life
- have the opportunity to take advantage of a monthly 60-minute coaching session with your group facilitator
Meetings will occur November 2024 through June 2025. Specific dates and times are decided jointly by members of each group.
Learning communities are formed based on years of supervisory experience and the types of roles and responsibilities people currently have.
Prerequisite: The philosophy of CliftonStrengths is woven throughout the Sharpen My Saw curriculum. To participate in Sharpen My Saw, you must have taken Gallup's CliftonStrengths assessment and know your Top 5 strengths. If you do not know them, you must attend one of our Start with Strengths sessions in October or November 2024.
What past participants are saying:
“I believe anyone who truly cares about our work environment and wanting to see success within themselves and their teams should take advantage of this opportunity.”
“I learned more about myself as a manager and how I can push myself to tackle the tough questions. I also learned to take my time to get to know my team; their strengths and their weaknesses.”
“Thank you for creating one of the most satisfying and supportive communities I have been a part of in my 18 years at Maryland!”