Quick, bite-sized insights to build your skills and boost your career.
Training Tracks with Tracy – December 2025
Your monthly playlist where professional development hits the right notes. Tune in and level up!
December Edition: Service Excellence – Can They Count on You?
Inspired by Bruno Mars🎵 “You can count on me like one, two, three…” Bruno Mars reminds us that reliability and care make relationships strong. The same is true for service excellence at UA.
Service excellence means providing exceptional service while representing the University with professionalism and positivity. It’s about creating trust and making every interaction count. It’s about listening, anticipating, and responding in ways that make stakeholders feel valued.
Elevate Your Service Excellence:
- Personalize: Use names and make interactions human.
- Communicate Clearly: Keep stakeholders informed.
- Be Proactive: Anticipate needs before they become problems.
- Stay Positive: Your tone sets the stage for trust.
- Innovate: Offer creative solutions when possible.
Call to Action:
Next time you interact with a stakeholder, ask yourself:
Can they count on me like one, two, three?
Let’s make service excellence the soundtrack of the University of Alabama experience.
Until next time — keep making music together. 🎵
— Tracy
Spotlight Skill:
Shining a light on the skills that help you learn, develop and grow!
December: Service Excellence
Service Excellence is at the heart of creating a positive experience for every stakeholder – students, faculty, staff, and community partners. It reflects our commitment to professionalism, respect, and responsiveness, ensuring that every interaction strengthens trust and builds lasting relationships.
Core Behaviors to Practice:
Innovate: Offer creative solutions to meet stakeholder needs.
Understand Your Stakeholder: Identify who you’re serving and what matters most to them.
Actively Listen: Ask questions to uncover needs, especially unique or special ones.
Anticipate Needs: Solve problems before they arise.
Respond Promptly: Timely, courteous communication makes a lasting impression.
Take Ownership: Honor commitments and follow through.
Stay Calm and Respectful: Even in challenging situations, professionalism wins.
Quick Tips to Elevate Service Excellence
- Use clear, positive language in all communications.
- Confirm understanding before taking action.
- Keep stakeholders informed—no surprises.
- End every interaction on a positive note.
- Look for opportunities to improve processes and experiences.
Call to Action:
This month, challenge yourself to go beyond meeting expectations—create memorable experiences. Ask: “How can I make this interaction exceptional?”
Check out these courses to learn more about Teamwork and Collaboration!
Service Excellence: How to Exceed Expectations Every Time
Mindful Communication for Less Conflict and Stronger Relationships
Training Tracks with Tracy – November 2025
Your monthly playlist where professional development hits the right notes. Tune in and level up!
November Edition: “With a Little Help From My Friends” – Teamwork & Collaboration
Inspired by the Beatles“What would you do if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me?”
The Beatles weren’t just singing about friendship, they were teaching us something powerful about teamwork. None of us hit every note perfectly on our own, but when we blend our strengths and lean on each other, that’s when harmony happens!
Teamwork isn’t about everyone doing the same thing; it’s about everyone doing their part. One person keeps the rhythm, another carries the melody, and together they make something worth listening to. The same goes for a great team.
When we listen actively, ask for help, and support one another, we turn dissonance into collaboration. Think about these lines:
- “Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song.” — Listening is where harmony begins.
- “I get by with a little help from my friends.” — We succeed when we lean into each other’s strengths.
- “Do you need anybody?” — Asking for help isn’t weakness — it’s courage in action.
Take a moment this week to think about your own “bandmates” at work. Who keeps you in tune? Who jumps in when you drop the beat? Maybe it’s time to send them a note or a quick “thank you” for helping you get by.
Because when it comes to teamwork, the lesson is simple:
We don’t just get by with a little help from our friends — we learn, develop and grow together.
Until next time — keep making music together. 🎵
— Tracy
Spotlight Skill:
Shining a light on the skills that help you learn, develop and grow!
November: Teamwork and Collaboration
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving workplace, teamwork and collaboration aren’t just buzzwords—they’re essential ingredients for success. Whether we’re launching a new initiative, solving a complex challenge, or simply navigating day-to-day tasks, our ability to work together effectively can make all the difference.
Teamwork is about more than just dividing tasks; it’s about building trust, leveraging diverse strengths, and creating a shared sense of purpose. When individuals feel valued and heard, they’re more likely to contribute their best ideas and support one another through challenges.
Collaboration, on the other hand, invites us to think beyond silos. It encourages open communication, active listening, and a willingness to learn from others. It’s where innovation thrives—when different perspectives come together to spark new solutions.
At its core, strong collaboration fosters a culture of belonging and growth. It reminds us that we’re not alone in our work, and that together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone.
Quick Tips to Strengthen Your Teamwork and Collaboration Skills
- Practice active listening – Focus on understanding before responding.
- Share credit generously – Celebrate team wins and recognize contributions.
- Be open to feedback – Constructive input helps everyone grow.
- Clarify roles and expectations – Clear communication prevents confusion.
- Stay solution-focused – Keep the team moving forward, even when challenges arise. Build relationships – Take time to connect beyond the task at hand
Check out these courses to learn more about Teamwork and Collaboration!
Training Tracks with Tracy – October 2025
Your monthly playlist where professional development hits the right notes. Tune in and level up!
October Edition: “Style” – Owning Your Signature Strengths
Inspired by Taylor Swift’s “Style”Whether you work behind the scenes, on the front lines, in an office, or out in the field, one thing is true: you bring something unique to the table. Taylor Swift’s “Style” reminds us that some things never go out of fashion—like confidence, authenticity, and knowing what makes you shine.
This month, we’re focusing on how to recognize and embrace your signature strengths, those qualities that help you do your job well, connect with others, and grow in your career.
What is Your Signature Style At Work? – Think about what people count on you for:
- Are you the one who keeps things running smoothly, even under pressure?
- Do you bring creativity to problem-solving or a calm voice during tough conversations?
- Are you known for your reliability, attention to detail, or ability to lift team morale?
Your style is more than your role. It’s how you show up, how you contribute, and how you make a difference!
Tips to Elevate Your Professional Style:
- Know your strengths – Identify what makes you unique and what you do well.
- Ask for Feedback – Sometimes others see your strengths more clearly than you do.
- Stay consistent – Like a well-loved melody that never fades, showing up with reliability and integrity builds trust.
- Adapt with intention – Our style can evolve. Stay open to learning while staying true to what makes you effective.
What’s one strength or quality you’ve consistently brought to your work? How can you lean into it more intentionally this month?
Spotlight Skill:
Shining a light on the skills that help you learn, develop and grow!
October: Effective Communication
In every workplace, communication is more than just exchanging information, it’s the foundation of collaboration, trust, and productivity. This month, we’re spotlighting Effective Communication as a key skill that empowers employees at all levels to connect, contribute, and lead with clarity.
Why It Matters:
Effective communication helps teams avoid misunderstandings, build stronger relationships, and achieve goals more efficiently. Whether you’re leading a meeting, writing an email, or giving feedback, how you communicate can make all the difference.
Quick Tips to Strengthen Your Communication:
- Listen actively: Focus on understanding before responding.
- Be clear and concise: Say what you mean with purpose and simplicity.
- Adapt your style: Tailor your message to your audience.
- Use nonverbal cues wisely: Body language and tone matter.
- Ask for feedback: It’s a powerful way to grow and improve.
Let’s make every conversation count!
- Check out these courses to learn more about Effective Communication.
- The Three Pillars of Effective Communication
- Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue
- Overcome Communication Challenges: Adapt Your Style for Success
