SOAR Bootcamp (Successful Onboarding And Readiness)

This is a three-day course designed to prepare your new employees to become successful team contributors from the start. Capitalizing on written and oral communications, interpersonal relations, and core business skills, this intense training provides the essential knowledge and tools new employees need to become successful contributors in any federal discipline. This program will be conducted over three days in either an in-person or virtual environment. Participants will receive instruction on topics to assist them with making the best start in a new position. The major topics covered will include written and verbal communication, working with others, leadership skills for non-leaders, and managing multiple priorities.

Target Audience

Any new employee (one year or less) who is newly hired or transferred from within to a new position.

What You'll Learn at a Glance

• Describe the roles that effective communication and active listening play in success. 
• Analyze and adjust to communication styles. 
• Implement effective written and verbal communication. 
• Identify strategies for building and maintaining relationships with others. 
• Describe conflict that occurs in groups. 
• Implement strategies to resolve conflict, negotiate issues, and solve problems. 
• Create a plan for managing multiple priorities. 
• Analyze personality-based barriers to task completion. 
• Set SMART goals.

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Communication Skills

• Understand the communication process and personal filters
• Identify and adjust to different communication styles
• Practice active listening and analyze verbal/non-verbal cues
• Improve clarity and effectiveness in verbal and written communication

Module 2: Presenting Ideas, Thoughts, and Opinions

• Identify factors that capture and maintain attention
• Enhance writing using active voice, proper grammar, and clear structure
• Develop persuasive and audience-sensitive verbal communication
• Use tone, organization, and presentation techniques effectively

Module 3: Working with Others

• Strengthen interpersonal communication and workplace relationships
• Understand the Johari Window and core principles of connection
• Learn strategies for giving constructive feedback
• Analyze conflict stages and apply resolution techniques

Module 4: Leadership Skills for Non-Leaders

• Apply conflict resolution and negotiation strategies
• Recognize five styles of conflict management
• Use a five-step problem-solving model effectively
• Develop collaborative and influence-based leadership behaviors

Module 5: Managing Multiple Priorities

• Balance efficiency and effectiveness in daily tasks
• Apply prioritization tools like ABC analysis and the Covey matrix
• Identify and address personality-based barriers like procrastination
• Track and optimize time management through reflection and planning

Module 6: Creating Goals for Your Current Role

• Develop SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goals
• Translate course learning into job-specific development goals
• Reflect on communication, leadership, and time management practices
• Create a personal action plan for continuous improvement