Presenter: Meg Helf
Session Description:
This workshop offers a fresh, engaging perspective on how fundamental human skills—clarity of purpose, motivation, psychological safety, and collaboration—extend beyond traditional workplace training and are essential for innovation and career growth.
Using the real-life experience of a scuba diving treasure hunt, the session will illustrate how navigating uncertainty, relying on diverse perspectives, and problem-solving under pressure are universal skills that create upward spirals of opportunity when developed as habits rather than isolated training concepts. Through this lens, participants will gain insights into how discovering purpose, exploring ways to foster psychological safety, and innovating through collaboration and shared knowledge lead to transformational professional and personal growth.
This workshop aligns with the NOW Conference theme of “Discover, Explore, Innovate” in the following ways:
- Discover: Participants will reflect on how gaining clarity and conviction in their purpose enhances motivation, resilience, and decision-making.
- Explore: The workshop will highlight the role of psychological safety in fostering collaboration and creativity, both within and outside of workplace environments.
- Innovate: By shifting from a rigid “training program” mindset to habit formation, attendees will gain practical tools to apply these essential skills across different contexts, unlocking new career pathways and professional opportunities.
The session will incorporate storytelling, reflection, and interactive elements to provide an engaging, thought-provoking experience that encourages participants to reimagine their approach to career growth and adaptability. This proposal seeks to contribute a dynamic, research-informed, and experiential session to the NOW Conference that aligns with its mission of professional development and innovation.
Learning Outcomes:
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By attending this session, attendees will learn to shift from a traditional training mindset to a purpose-driven habit-based approach, making professional development more sustainable and adaptable to evolving career paths.
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By attending this session, attendees will gain insight into how innovation emerges from diverse perspectives and collective problem-solving, rather than isolated expertise, and how to foster this dynamic in their own personal and professional environments.
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By attending this session, attendees will leave with practical frameworks for identifying and seizing unexpected opportunities, applying lessons from adventure-based problem-solving to career and workplace innovation.
Materials:
- Presentation deck (coming soon)