Most professionals find it difficult to set aside the time, resources and focus to develop new skills.
Workshop learning offers a practical alternative: short, focused sessions that help participants sharpen key competencies without a long-term commitment.
Participants can focus intensely on one critical area of development, with immediate opportunities to reflect, test new strategies, and walk away with tangible takeaways.
“They come in with the mindset that they want to maximize their output, and they know they have to give some to get some,” explains Kathryn Peterson, founder of consultancy firm Groupe Conseil CLE, which helps organizations strengthen their communication, collaboration, and leadership.
A psychoeducator by trade and a workshop instructor at Concordia Continuing Education, Peterson combines her expertise with a passion for teaching and a deep understanding of the adult learner's unique challenges.
She leads the popular Dealing with Difficult Personalities workshop, geared towards developing stronger conflict management skills in both professional and personal settings.
Her highly interactive workshops are shaped by the belief that meaningful change begins with self-awareness, and that practical tools, applied thoughtfully, can transform everyday interactions.
One of the major advantages of workshops is their flexibility to accommodate professional schedules.
Rather than requiring months of coursework or full-day weekly sessions, workshops like Peterson’s deliver high-impact learning in a concentrated format.
For busy professionals balancing work, family, and personal growth, the ability to invest a few focused hours to gain lasting skills is often the difference between waiting indefinitely to “find time" and making meaningful progress now.
Peterson believes a valuable workshop experience begins with a learner’s reality, not the instructor’s material.
Kathryn Peterson, professional trainer and speaker
“I always ask people, ‘What is one of your challenges currently? And what would you like to get from the workshop that would make you happy?’” she says.
Based on group dynamics and the common needs of participants, Peterson tweaks sessions on the spot to accommodate learners and create an environment that feels immediately relevant and personal.
Workshops are built around interaction rather than lectures. Through breakout rooms, live questions, chat participation, and small group activities, participants often experience a change in perspective.
“You're going to learn from each other as much as you're going to learn from me,” Peterson explains. “Sometimes people go in thinking one issue is the problem, and then they realize it’s actually another problem.”
The dynamic, responsive learning environment that workshops lend themselves to helps people embrace new ideas and solutions.
Workshops are structured to make participants feel at ease sharing experiences and asking honest questions.
“People generally feel comfortable talking about their situations and being vulnerable, which is not an easy thing to do,” Peterson says.
The mix of limited time and the relative anonymity among learners encourages an openness that allows deeper insights to emerge.
From the workshop to the workplace
While three hours may seem brief, Peterson emphasizes that real growth happens after the session ends.
“In a solid session, we've identified the issue, and we've identified some strategies,” she says. “Then it’s about practicing over time.”
Workshops are designed as starting points, offering evidence-based strategies that learners can carry forward into their everyday interactions. Participants leave not only with insights but also with actionable steps they can continue building on independently.
But the true impact of a focused, learner-centred workshop can last far beyond a single session.
“No one, anywhere, can fix everything they’d like to change in three hours,” Peterson says. “But if you walk out with one insight and one tool you are ready to practice, you’re already building a different future.”
© Concordia University
