Workshop

Thursday, January 22, 2026 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)

Discovering Your Purpose

Format: Online workshop

What is "purpose?" How do our purpose and values affect how we live, work, and interact with others? In this workshop, we will explore the concept of purpose by mapping out our accomplishments, interests and values using the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which means "a reason for being." We will then gain practical tips for finding and discovering our purpose using our personal aspirations. At the end of this workshop, we will develop a personal “Purpose-for-Now” statement that aligns with and reflects our values and goals. 

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Leadership Lab: People Leadership

Format: In-person workshop

The theme for spring 2025 is: 
Leading Through Uncertainty: Navigating Invisible Forces

Leadership Lab: People Leadership offers comfortable and supportive space for managers, supervisors, and folks leading people at the University to co-create an informal peer community. Using the Circles of Influence Framework to guide the conversation, participants will reflect on their leadership style and practices, identify where their control and influence lie with respect to the session’s specified theme, and learn from each other how to approach various challenges.   

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 8:45 am - 12:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

New Employee Orientation

Format: In-person 

As a new employee at the University of Waterloo, you are encouraged to participate in New Employee Orientation. The University of Waterloo is much more than a place to work, and we want to take this half-day to get to know you and share the Waterloo story with you along with the many supports, resources and development opportunities our diverse and exciting community has to offer. 

Thursday, September 19, 2024 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Keeping Well at Work: Self-Care Strategies - Helpful Now and Always

Format: Online workshop

We often hear people say “take care of yourself.” What does this really mean? This one-hour virtual session will increase participants’ awareness and understanding of self-care and highlight the factors that can promote and preserve their health and well-being – now and always. Participants will gain practical tools and resources to activate their own personal self-care practice. 

Monday, July 21, 2025 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Leadership Lab: Personal Leadership

Format: In-person workshop

In a work environment as big as University of Waterloo, we want to offer intentional space for employees in non-supervisory roles to come together to collectively think through how broader university culture and direction impacts them. Leadership Lab: Personal Leadership aims to bring individual contributors together to explore how they can lead themselves, and others by example, all while receiving and providing each other with compassionate care. 
 

Spring 2025 theme - Thinking Creatively about Career Development 

Friday, September 20, 2024 9:30 am - 4:30 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)

Facilitating with Confidence

Format: In-person workshop

Are you looking to improve your facilitation skills - either for the presentations you do or for the meetings you lead? This workshop is ideal for those already facilitating and those looking to hone their skills while preparing to facilitate more.  

Through demonstration and experiential opportunities, tangible tips for tailoring facilitation to your specific audiences, increasing participation and discussion, and for addressing potential challenging behaviours will be provided via a hands-on, supportive workshop.