Virtual Crucial Connections

Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. MDT

Watch the Recording

OBJECTIVES

Support personal & professional growth

Provide meaningful development opportunities focused on leadership, financial acumen, wellness, and work-life balance.

Strengthen team collaboration

Foster stronger relationships through engaging activities and shared experiences.

Create connections across the company

Celebrate our shared purpose and values through a company-wide event that showcases our amazing culture.

AGENDA

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025

9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. MDT | WELCOME REMARKS

Company Update & Revised SOAP | Andy Shimberg

9:20 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. MDT | KEYNOTE

I Can Superman: How to Be Your Own Hero | Scott Robley

The most effective people don’t wait to be rescued from burnout or change fatigue—they take ownership of their energy, choices, and impact. In this session, Scott Robley will challenge you to stop outsourcing responsibility and teach you how to take charge of what you can control. No phone booth required. Just show up, suit up mentally, and say, “I Can Superman!”. You will:

Shift from passive compliance to proactive ownership.
Reclaim motivation, build habits, and effectively manage stress.
Identify and rewrite the unproductive stories that hold you back.

10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. MDT | RAFFLE

10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. MDT | BREAKOUT SESSION

Explore the detailed breakout session descriptions below and watch the recordings.

Building Your Business Acumen | Kevin Cope, Author and Founder, Acumen Learning
Investment Strategies & Retirement Planning for All Ages | Todd McChesney, Investment Advisor and Principal, Ashworth Wealth
From Burnout to Balance: Strategies for a Fulfilling Life | Joe Tate, Founder, BoostHR
Crucial Breakthroughs: Tools for Thriving After Life Does Its Worst | Joseph Grenny & Brian Wansink

11:10 a.m. – 11:25 a.m. MDT | BREAK & SUPRISE CAMEO

Watch the Cameo | “Kevin Malone” from The Office, aka Brian Baumgartner has a message for Crucial Learning

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. MDT | TEAM TIME

CX&O | Recognition & Competition
HR | Social Hour
Marketing | Werewolf
Product | Meeting Breakouts
Sales | Zoom ERAS Tournament
Shared Services | Scavenger Hunt
Technology | Majority Rules

12:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. MDT | CLOSING REMARKS

Watch the Recording – Crucial Learning employees only

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Building Your Business Acumen

We empower individuals and organizations to drive results through skillful behavior change. But to make a broader impact, we also need a clear understanding of how business works—how decisions are made, what drives growth, and where we can add the most value. In this session with Kevin Cope, author and founder of Acumen Learning, you will:

Learn what your CEO wishes every employee understood about the business.
Explore the five key business drivers that influence strategic decisions across all organizations—including ours.
Identify three practical actions you can take to contribute more effectively to Crucial Learning’s results—and accelerate your own career growth.

Investment Strategies & Retirement Planning for All Ages

Financial well-being is a critical part of your overall success—both personally and professionally. Whether you’re early in your career or thinking ahead to retirement, understanding how to manage and grow your money can give you greater freedom, confidence, and peace of mind. In this session with Todd McChesney, investment advisor and principal at Ashworth Wealth, you will:

Discover smart saving tips and strategies for staying out of debt.
Learn how (and why) to diversify your investments to build wealth faster.
Understand key retirement and estate planning essentials for every stage of life.

From Burnout to Balance: Strategies for a Fulfilling Life

Join Joe Tate, founder of BoostHR, for an enlightening session dedicated to enhancing personal and professional well-being through strategic energy and time management. Through a blend of proven strategies, personal insights, and actionable guidance, you will:

Learn how to recognize burnout and use proven methods to turn overwhelm into valuable learning.
Boost efficiency and reclaim valuable time through intentional habits and routines.
Improve relationships by communicating with positive energy to enhance overall productivity.

Crucial Breakthroughs: Tools for Thriving After Life Does Its Worst

Setbacks are inevitable—but some people emerge from life’s hardest moments stronger than ever. What sets them apart? In this session, Joseph Grenny and researcher Brian Wansink share new findings from their study of individuals who didn’t just survive trauma—they thrived. You will:

Learn how thriving after a crisis is a learnable life skill.
Explore five life systems that either support or hinder recovery.
Discover five practices that foster breakthrough growth during adversity.

OUR VALUES

At Crucial Learning, all employees come together each year for our annual event, Crucial Connections. This gathering is an opportunity to build relationships and strengthen our company culture. The agenda includes professional development sessions, dedicated team time, and valuable networking opportunities. Through this event, we reaffirm our commitment to the company values that foster a happy, healthy team culture.

Speak Up Candidly and Respectfully

We believe all voices should be heard and we encourage one another to hold Crucial Conversations.

Collaborate Cross-Functionally

We discuss and develop ideas until we feel they will produce the best possible results.

Hold Others Accountable

We keep our commitments and hold one another accountable.

Execute Effectively

We use a trusted system to stay organized and effective, and we take pride in our work.

Move Fast

We err on the side of action, which means we take initiative to move things forward.

Love and Respect Others

We advocate for the freedom to respectfully express our viewpoints and for all others to do the same.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IN-PERSON EVENT CANCELLATION UPDATE

Crucial Connections, originally scheduled for August 5–7, 2025, in Salt Lake City, UT, has been cancelled. In its place, we will hold a Virtual Crucial Connections on August 7, 2025.

This difficult decision comes as part of our broader response to the market uncertainty that has emerged over the past 90 days. Developments such as the DEI Executive Orders, DOGE activities, and ongoing tariff policy uncertainty have impacted our business growth in early 2025. Like any responsible organization, we’ve been closely monitoring these changes and remain committed to managing the business thoughtfully and strategically.

We know how valuable in-person gatherings like Crucial Connections are, and we were looking forward to coming together. However, given the current economic climate, we believe the most prudent course of action is to pause this year’s in-person event and instead focus our energy on delivering an engaging virtual experience for our employees.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND?

All Crucial Learning employees are expected to attend the Virtual Crucial Connections on Thursday, August 7. If you’re not able to attend for any reason please notify your manager and watch the session recordings at your convenience.

Master Trainers are invited to attend a special Master Trainer Virtual Summit being held on August 4 instead of the Virtual Crucial Connections.

WHEN ARE THE NEXT CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS?

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Crucial Connections dates and locations!

August 4-6, 2026 | Provo Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, Provo, UT
August 3-5, 2027 | The Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?

Email events@cruciallearning.com or contact a member of the Crucial Connections Planning Committee.

The 2025 planning team members include Derek Cullimore, Mary McChesney, Amanda Horton, Destine Wilson, Erin Schwartz, Sarah Danek, Charlotte Lake, Rachel Cain, Alexis Rich, and Adam Richardson.