Title: From Conflict to Connection: The Power of Civil Leadership
Description: Civility is the key to building workplaces where people feel respected, valued, and empowered to do their best work. Research shows that incivility not only damages relationships but also costs businesses billions each day through lost productivity, turnover, and absenteeism. This session explores why civility matters, both in numbers and human impact, and offers practical ways to foster it in your organization. Through simple yet powerful practices of respect, intentional listening, and empathy, you can break the cycle of negativity and create a culture where collaboration thrives and challenges are met with understanding.
Bio: Elisa Garn, SHRM-SCP, brings over 20 years of HR experience, specializing in mid-sized organizations across industries like healthcare, tech, and biotech. A recognized leader in her field, she has founded four businesses in various industries including tech, consulting, and personal branding, and has been honored with the HR Achievement Award by Utah Business. Elisa’s extensive leadership roles include serving as Chapter President of Salt Lake SHRM and Executive Director for the Utah SHRM State Council, where she has significantly influenced HR practices. Her thought leadership is widely recognized, with published work through the Forbes Executive HR Council, alongside numerous blogs and podcast interviews that further establish her as a credible voice in the industry. Currently, Elisa supports the sales team as a Solution Architect and Subject Matter Expert (SME), designing and delivering custom content and advising on strategic HR initiatives within the Advisory Services team. Her expertise in human-centric employee experience design, combined with her strong business acumen and communication skills, ensures that clients receive the guidance, bandwidth and resources needed to elevate their organizational impact.