Book and Learning Circles

Becoming an Impactful and Influential Leader [Learning Circle]

Unlock your full leadership potential. Get insights on how to build your character and influence in this course adapted from the podcast How to Be Awesome at Your Job. Ron Price explains how to grow your character by identifying your key values and practicing them. Ron also shares how to gain the perspectives of others by soliciting honest feedback from trusted colleagues. Plus, learn how to guarantee follow-through by asking your collaborators the right questions, approach new situations with the humility of a student, and more.

• Facilitators: Andrea King, Employee and Organization Development
• Time and Dates: 11:30 – 1:00 pm on January 26
• Location: Zoom Meeting

How to Make Stress Your Friend [Learning Circle]

Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.

• Facilitators: Li Guan, Employee and Organization Development
• Time and Dates: 11:10 am – 12:00 pm on January 27
• Location: Zoom Meeting

Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling [Book Circle]

Communication is essential in a healthy organization. But all too often when we interact with people we simply tell them what we think they need to know. To generate bold new ideas, to avoid disastrous mistakes, to develop agility and flexibility, we need to practice Humble Inquiry. Author Ed Schein defines Humble Inquiry as “the fine art of drawing someone out, of asking questions to which you do not know the answer, of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person.” In this seminal work, Schein contrasts Humble Inquiry with other kinds of inquiry, shows the benefits Humble Inquiry provides in many different settings, and offers advice on overcoming the cultural, organizational, and psychological barriers that keep us from practicing it.

How to Access the Book: Cal Poly has provided a complimentary digital copy of the eBook and audio book that you can access through the Learning Hub. Click here for step-by-step instructions to access your eBook or audio book on Learning Hub.

• Facilitator: Andrea King, Employee and Organization Development
• Time and Dates: 12:00 – 1:00 pm on February 2, February 9, February 16, and February 23
• Location: Zoom Meeting

The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir [Book Circle]

Co-facilitated by EOD and APIDA FSA. This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Thi Bui documents the story of her family's daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves. With haunting, poetic writing and breathtaking art, she examines the strength of family, the importance of identity, and the meaning of home.

The Asian Pacific Desi American Islander Faculty & Staff Association (APIDA FSA) is committed to supporting Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Desi Americans (APIDA) in higher education to become stronger leaders and to creating networking and social opportunities. Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cpapidafsa and sign up for our email list apidafsa-members@calpoly.edu for updates!

• Facilitator: Li Guan, Employee and Organization Development and Nisa Morey, APIDA FSA
• Time and Dates: 12:00 – 1:00 pm on February 3, February 10, and February 17
• Location: Zoom Meeting