Exclusive Interview with Hala Dean, Director of Employee Learning & Development, Viega LLC

Virtual and Digital Environments Provide More Access And Open New Doors

 

“We are continually evolving, enhancing and improving our leadership development programs. Last year the focus was on resilience. This year, we are emphasizing on the benefits of a coaching culture and we forge new partnerships and enrich existing relationships,” says Hala Dean, the Director of Employee Learning & Development at Viega LLC, in an exclusive interaction with HR.com.

Hala has worked with global corporations to provide tailored and specialized trainings in leadership, management and HR strategy topics. Hala trains executives and trainers in academic and corporate settings and provides C-suite consultation in training strategy to multinational organizations. 

Excerpts from the Interview:

Q. How has the pandemic affected your organization? What strategies have you used to address the challenges?

Hala: We had to pivot to virtual training very quickly. We provided training for managers, trainers, sales teams and all other colleagues to help support them with adjusting to working from home, managing teams remotely, balancing work and home challenges.

Q. Have you introduced new leadership development programs in your organization or made modifications to your programs to support and grow your leaders in this time of crisis?

Hala: We are continually evolving, enhancing and improving our leadership development programs. Last year the focus was on resilience. This year, we are emphasizing the benefits of a coaching culture as we forge new partnerships and enrich existing relationships.

Q. What lies ahead for the program and how it will continue to succeed?

Hala: This year we already launched an exciting new program that brings in a wide variety of global presenters and trainers. Our courses are succinct, practical, engaging and focused on helping all colleagues continue to improve their skills.

Q. As we have been rapidly shifting to virtual and digital learning environments, do you think in-person classroom learning will be a thing of the past?

Hala: Not at all. There is much to gain in person. People still will have their own preferred learning styles and for some, in-person classroom training will remain the ideal. Virtual and digital environments provide more access and open new doors.

Q. What are leaders struggling with the most right now?

Hala: Probably the biggest struggle is to not be working all the time. When we have people working from home, it’s easier to blend home and work and not set boundaries for other things. We hear of “work-life balance,” but I prefer to think of it as “work-life respect” in order to make time for everything that’s important in the individual’s life.

Q. What do you feel are the most important leadership skills required in 2021 and beyond?

Hala: Coaching, compassion, passion, adaptability, creativity, collaboration, listening and time-management combined with data-driven analytics and decision-making.
 

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