Presentation: Problem-Solving at Work

We've all been there: a tense meeting, a disagreement with a colleague, or a conversation that spirals into frustration. When people work toward a common goal, different values, communication styles, and priorities can create friction—and before you know it, emotions take over and cloud our best judgment. 

The good news? Science shows us there's a better way. 

Drawing on brain science and social intelligence research, this interactive course will equip you with practical tools to handle difficult conversations, manage your emotional responses, and build stronger working relationships. 

What You'll Learn: 

• Understand your brain under stress – Why conflict triggers fear, freeze, flight, or fight responses, and how to recognize these patterns in yourself 
• Prepare before challenging conversations – Identify your personal triggers and enter high-stakes discussions with clarity and composure 
• Stay calm when emotions run high – Techniques to regain rational thinking in the moment and choose words, tone, and body language that move conversations forward 
• Practice with real scenarios – Work through actual workplace situations with peers in a supportive, confidential setting 

Walk away with strategies you can use immediately to transform conflict into collaboration. 

As a certified executive coach from Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute, Cathy helps mission-based leaders navigate career development, organizational change, and team management with heart and meaning. Her company, Whimsy@Work LLC, was founded on the premise that authentic human connection—through storytelling, mutual respect, play, and humor—opens creative pathways to innovation. Throughout her higher ed career, she delivered "impossible" on-time, on-budget projects at Harvard, UC-Berkeley, and UW-Madison. Her team-building program leverages lightness and joy to inspire creativity and build trust for high-performance teams. Change is hard—so why not bring some whimsy to the work?