L&D Newsletter Archive

Here you will find an archive of the UT L&D newsletters that we regularly send out to the UT community. The messages are thematic, so this is a great place to browse or find resources on all kinds of topics and issues. Of course, feel free to reach out to us anytime if you need a little help.

Procrastination (April 2025) LLN

Oh, the irony! Many readers of this April edition of the Longhorns Learn Newsletter might be using it as an excuse to procrastinate on some massive project or unreasonably complex problem. But, as is often the case with procrastination, we believe you'll find it well worth your time. 

Know Thyself (March 2025)

To develop self-awareness, you first must accept that it needs developing. As you will find below (or already know from personal experience) not everyone is willing to do so. However, there are ways to help others and help yourself with self-awareness. The benefits are significant.

Trust Us, This is Important (February 2025) LLN

What is given and earned, precious yet abundant, enduring yet fragile, lasting yet fleeting, and has been perhaps universally cherished since the dawn of time? Where it is plentiful, innovation and bold ideas follow. Leaders who have it, bring out the best in others.

Be Kind (January 2025) LLN

In some ways we are defined by how we respond in difficult situations. Practice your self-awareness and be intentional about how you treat other people. Kindness makes a meaningful impact on the world around you and in your own life.

Be Brave (January 2025)

A culture where people can find the courage to speak up is vital for a healthy, thriving, and innovative organization. Key to this working successfully is a structure that allows brave voices to be heard and thoughtfully considered. 

Start the New Year with Learning (December 2024)

As you look forward to 2025, stay focused on learning—for yourself and the people around you. Learning is wellness. It’s critical to our well-being and moving forward in a positive way. Be curious, explore the world around you, and be intentional about what and how you learn. 

Build Community (July 2024) LLN

This Longhorns Learn newsletter (LLN) has information on the importance of building workplace community and ways you can contribute to building a positive workplace community for yourself and others.

Be a Courageous Advocate (July 2024)

One of the hardest things about being a good leader is standing up for what is ethical and right. In this newsletter you will find resources that can help you learn more about why courageous leadership is so important and how you can hone this critical leadership asset. 

What Do You Think?—From the Desk of UT L&D (June 2024) LLN

Our aim is to keep you (everyone who works at UT) learning, curious, and engaged, while building a sense of community. In this first issue of Longhorns Learn newsletter (LLN), we are sharing some timely items you may have recently missed, reminding you (or informing you) about resources available to you, and asking for your advice.

Lead Through Critical Incidents (June 2024) 

Your team will need you as a manager and leader most when there is a critical incident. This is especially trying because you, too, will likely be affected by that same incident. The resources in this newsletter will help you prepare for difficult times, so that you can take care of your team and yourself.

DELEGATE (May 2024)

One of the most important things for you to remember about delegation is that it’s not always just about you. Delegating can improve workload balance, mitigate burnout, and, yes, help improve your capacity as a manager. More than that, though, delegation is about learning and development. 

Unlock Success: AI in Your Workplace (April 2024)

“The Year of AI” is upon us, and the University of Texas is leading the charge! As stewards of innovation, you’re invited to embark on an exhilarating journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Buckle up because we’re about to redefine what’s possible. As a UT manager, you’re not just a spectator; you’re a catalyst. Champion AI adoption in your teams. Imagine the impact: streamlined processes, personalized student experiences, and breakthrough research.

Assess and Address Employee Experience (March 2024)

As UT launches its university-wide Faculty Staff Experience Survey, we at UT L&D wanted to provide you with some tools and information about Employee Experience (EX). Specifically, this month’s newsletter is focusing on Action Planning, but we have also created an entire EX & Action Planning resource page with information we hope will help you understand, explain, and discuss these important concepts. 

Address Conflict in the Workplace (February 2024)

Conflict in the workplace can have a devastating effect. Managers who are trained and experienced with addressing all kinds of conflict will have a better chance at setting their team up for success. From resolving resource constraints to addressing interpersonal dynamics, the information in this months newsletter provides powerful tools to help you support a healthy workplace.

Motivate Your Team for the New Year (January 2024)

A new year and a fresh start! It’s a good time to get yourself and your team energized and motivated. Explore resources to learn about the power of motivation. 

Help Your Team Be Productive November 2023)

Managing teams can be demanding. In this issue of UT L&D’s Monthly Monday Message for Managers (4M), we offer some resources to help you stay productive by keeping your team productive. 

Speaking Up (October 2023)

Managers and leaders can sometimes struggle to get their team to speak up, especially during meetings. The resources in this newsletter will help get your team to contribute consistently. 

Promote a Growth Mindset (September 2023)

Having a growth mindset and promoting a growth mindset is vital to any healthy organization. To find out more about what a growth mindset is and how you can instill a growth mindset with your team, explore the resources in this newsletter.

Develop Healthy Habits (August 2023)

Your success and that of your team depend on thoughtful and regular behavior. The resources below will help you learn how to identify habits that promote healthy and productive behavior. Healthy habits will help you all thrive together.

Employee Experience (June 2023)

In the last several years Employee Experience has emerged as a critical component for leaders and managers to track and address. Yet due in part to the vast scope of what Employee Experience covers, the concept is not well integrated into many organizations, and it is often misunderstood.

Strategic Planning (May 2023)

Knowing the ins and outs of strategic planning is vital for any competent leader and manager. Here we provide useful tools to help you and your team with your own strategic planning and provide you with some insight into UT’s ambitious strategic planning efforts. 

University-wide Assessment Results (April 2023)

Helping leaders and managers understand the importance of continuously developing all staff and faculty, takes a group effort. The data collected from the university-wide assessment on learning and development will provide us with guidance and understanding for how we can address those needs strategically. We encourage all managers to share the information in this message with colleagues and discuss the subjects thoughtfully. Let's all work together to make The University of Texas at Austin a continuously learning organization for everyone in our community.

Coaching and Mentoring (March 2023)

Coaching and mentoring have become increasingly in demand in recent years. It’s useful to know what each role has to offer. In this newsletter you will find several resources to learn about both (and more). If you’re thinking about getting a coach yourself, UT L&D can help.

Prepare for Change (February 2023)

Whether you are leading a change effort or responding to a change effort, the resources you will find in this UT L&D newsletter will be invaluable. 

Learn Grow and Prosper in 2023 (January 2023)

You will find just a sampling of the resources that Learning & Development has to offer you and your teams. For some, this may be a reminder. For others, it will open a whole new world of opportunities. L&D is here for you.

Do Yourself a Favor: Manage Performance (November 2022)

If you have people report to you, your core responsibility is to manage their performance. It’s not always easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding parts of your job if you know how to do it right. And your direct reports can actually look forward to it.

From Burnout to Quiet Quitting (October 2022)

Our understanding of work fatigue is evolving. UT L&D can help effective leaders and managers keep informed and prepared to take care of themselves and their teams. Visit our Work Fatigue resources page and read the newsletter to learn the latest on this important topic.

Attracting Top Talent (September 2022)

If you are a manager in Austin, Texas, you know full well how competitive the labor market is here. You also may have at least a cursory understanding of how important high performers are for your team and for the organization to thrive. Enjoy this month’s Manager Spotlight and then dig into some great information on how you can attract the people you need for your team to succeed.

Engaging Your Team (August 2022)

One of the most powerful things a manager can do is improve employee engagement. It drives productivity, retention, and innovation among other things. Learning how to engage your team and keep them engaged will have a dramatic impact on your success as a manager, and you can get started here.

Retaining Top Talent (July 2022)

We are still in a competitive labor market here in Austin, Texas, and keeping your top performers and high potentials is an ongoing challenge for managers. In this issue you will find useful tools and information to help you retain the people who help you succeed.

Creating a Learning and Growth-mindset Culture on Your Team (June 2022)

Creating a structure that fosters growth and learning is a powerful way for managers and leaders to establish a workplace that is vibrant, engaging, and rewarding. Moreover, it can create capacity and improve productivity. Having people on your team who know how to take initiative, problem-solve, think critically, make decisions, and communicate effectively can make a massive impact on how effective (and happy) you are as a manager. 

Flexible Work Arrangements (May 2022)

Providing flexible work arrangements is a savvy business strategy that can help employers and employees in a variety of ways. In this installment, learn more about FWA and discover some tools for managers.

Communicating with Your Team (April 2022)

We are focused on providing you with tools for communicating with your teams. As the deadline for performance appraisals quickly approaches and you face new (and old) challenges around attracting, recruiting, and retaining talent; UT L&D wants to make sure you are aware of all the resources available to you as a manager.