The Classes @ Latitudes

T E S T I M O N I A L S . . .
"Louise has helped us provide Myers-Briggs counseling for over 50 low-income women in our program since 1999. She brings to her workshops a down-to-earth, unassuming style, a genuine sense of humor and a compassionate way of listening, all of which put our participants at ease. Most importantly, Louise helps people learn to love themselves and capitalize on their natural abilities and innate strengths. She is both a guru of good vibrations and an extremely professional leader."

Frances Figart
Executive Director of GO Women
www.gowomenky.org

"Louise Stone is extraordinary in her ability to work with a group to develop plans for addressing complex human issues, and she even makes it fun! After spending a day with Louise, all of the members of our team left with a new understanding of ourselves and of each other. We were also energized and excited about applying everything we had learned to make our lives together at work more enjoyable and more productive. I couldn't recommend a better person than Louise to facilitate and lead a group."

Karen Combs, Vice Chancellor
University of Kentucky Medical Center

Latitudes classes can be arranged for an already existing group, or an individual can sign up for the classes on the schedule by completing the registration form and sending in the cost of the class with the form. Questions about a class? Call 859-608-5787 or e-mail Louise at elston00@yahoo.com.

Team Building - stages of teams, types of team members and how to work together more effectively. This course can be presented to an already-formed work group to help clarify work preferences and types, communication styles, and what a team's strengths and weaknesses are. Each team will be given a profile of their group with suggestions for optimal planning and information about what a team may be missing. This class can also be expanded to include testing of team members types using either the "Myers-Briggs Type Indicator", the "Parker Team Player Survey" or both.

Conflict Resolution - what is my style of resolving conflict (avoid, accommodate, compete, collaborate or compromise?) and how can I enhance my abilities in resolving conflict in my life? The Thomas-Kilmann "Conflict Mode Instrument" will be administered to all participants to determine a conflict style. Then all styles will be explained with pros and cons of each style, an overview of how the styles interact, potential problems between and among styles, etc. Role playing of situations of particular interest to the team will be facilitated.

Creativity - What can I do to increase my creativity: learn about the blocks to creative flow, learn to journal, to free the child inside to express through various media (drawing, movement, writing, etc.). Everyone is creative; this workshop will help you to get rid of your preconceived blocks to your own creativity through a series of exercises designed to foster your true self in expressing itself.

Metaphysics - How my soul figures into my life (work, play, goals, etc.); explore who you really are in terms of your soul's purpose, your essential self, your methods of handling fear and love, and your unique perspective on the world. A series of classes will explore astrology, dreams, psychic phenomena, and other tools for tapping into our sixth sense.

Learning Styles - an overview of learning theories (Kolb, Gardner, Myers-Briggs, etc.) and how these effect my work, my communications, and my choices related to learning. Individual sessions as well as workshops can be catered to your needs. Many work groups combine learning styles with team building for an overall appreciation of work communications.

Understanding Myself and Others - utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), you will learn how you take in and process information, relate to time, set priorities, communicate with others, etc. The MBTI has become the most widely used instrument in work-related communications. Each participant will have his/her type profiled, and will be given in-depth information about the preferences of energy (Extroversion or Introversion), information gathering (Intuition or Sensing), values used for deciding (Thinking or Feeling) and how we relate to time (Perceiving or Judging). It will help you understand how you and others interact, why people differ in their perceptions, and how to broaden your understanding and acceptance of difference.

BaFa BaFa - Understanding Cultural Differences - cultural diversity taught in an experiential format involving participants in a simulation of new, made-up cultures. This game and the debriefing session which follows, heighten awareness of difference, how we react to exclusion, etc. A highly impactful experiential tool for groups of 12-24 participants.

Career and Life Planning - individual and group sessions to assist in life planning decisions and setting priorities. Individual sessions may be scheduled by calling 859-608-5787. For classes on career and life planning, check the schedule. The classes will include:

What is my mission?
How have I made my career and educational decisions?
Who am I? (the MBTI will be administered and interpreted)
What are my priorities? What are my limitations?
Developing a plan.

Balance - How to understand my life from the perspective of distribution of time and effort given to priorities and how to achieve balance in an unbalanced society. This work will include present stresses, goals and time restrictions, and a plan for a more peaceful existence.

Journaling - learn how to journal dreams, life experiences and goals for greater understanding of self. This will be taught in groups and individually. It will include how to develop journal-writing habits, identification of style and preferences for journals, time for quiet writing, time for sharing journal entries, and journaling exercises.