Alice Waagen's Workforce Learning
Workforce Learning LLC is a leadership development company that provides managers and C-level executives with the skills and knowledge they need to build a more productive work environment. Since founding the company in 1997, owner Alice Waagen, PhD, has developed highly effective leadership programs and coaching workshops that teach the people in charge how to motivate and inspire employees.
“Research shows that the single reason most organizations fail to thrive is a lack of strong people skills among those at the top,” Alice says. “We work to ensure organizations are healthy from the top down, and ultimately if an organization has happy, energized, effective employees they find it reflected in the bottom line.”
For more information, and to book a workshop or training session, contact Alice:
- By Phone: 703-834-7580
- By Email: alice@workforcelearning.com
RESTON VA, November 15, 2008 — For an article on HSRM.com, eporter Lin Grensing-Pophal talked extensively to HR expert Alice Waagen, PhD, about “HR Consultants’ Outsider Status Opens Facilitator Roles.”
“Because organizations often look for non-biased, third-party perspectives to address issues that impact their workforces, the outsider status of HR consultants provides them with opportunities,” Lin writes, noting that “not all organizations value the role of the outside facilitator, and some firms might believe it to be an unnecessary expense.”
Here’s what Alice had to say:
“The main value that outside facilitators provide to an organization is objectivity. Since facilitators are not part of the contracting organization, facilitators are believed to be objective third parties who can keep things on track and ensure that all voices are heard, she says.
While a prior relationship with a client can help the consultant get hired, it can create a situation where the client expects preferential treatment, Waagen says. For the facilitation services to be successful, the consultant needs to make clear to the client that the facilitator’s role is that of impartial “traffic cop.” As “traffic cop,” the facilitator sets the meeting’s agenda, reviews it with the participants and guides the meeting. If side conversations or hidden agendas arise, the facilitator needs to verify with the group that they have consensus to go down those paths, she says.
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