On the Horizon . . .

Thank you all for joining us at the FAS Division Meeting last week! We hope you enjoyed Sarita Maybin’s keynote and were able to take away some useful tips for Adapting, Succeeding, and Thriving in the Workplace. As I mentioned during the meeting, we have been busy working on our initiatives and improvements in order to respond to the feedback we received on the Values Survey.

Our initiatives for improving the workplace are targeted at the four main themes from this year’s survey:

• Accountability
• Coaching/Feedback
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution

Accountability:
Each year, accountability shows up as an opportunity for improvement. This year, we have a creative solution for improving accountability in the workplace. I’ve asked the Bridgeworks Company to present to our division on “Bridging the Generational Gap” and help us work across generations. With different generations working together, it is important to have an understanding of the different opinions around us, so that we can effectively bridge the gaps related to accountability, communication, and conflict. This FAS Training event is scheduled for April 11th, so mark your calendars and be on the lookout for more information!


Coaching/Feedback:
To help FAS Managers & UARSC Directors improve their coaching and feedback skills, I will be transforming the FAS management meetings. This year, the quarterly meetings will focus on training and developing our leaders. Recently, Susan Gerke presented on coaching employees and providing effective feedback for successful outcomes. The training provided useful tools and resources to help us be more effective in providing feedback to employees.


Communication:
Communication is an important component of the FAS Culture – so important, in fact, that it is our March Guiding Principle. Communication will always be at the forefront to ensure we utilize the latest technology and find ways to capture your feedback for a successful two-way communication approach.

• I will continue the VP’s Coffee Hour meetings on a monthly basis.
• The FAS Connect has been updated to expand the scope beyond FAS Quality Improvement to share updates regarding the division, campus, and system, as appropriate.
• I will blog more frequently. As part of my commitment to FAS, I will be sending a monthly blog.

Conflict Resolution:
Conflict Resolution will be addressed in a variety of formats. Sarita’s keynote to the division on “Adapting, Succeeding, and Thriving in the Workplace” was the first piece of this process. We understand the challenging environment we are operating in and reminding ourselves of the three P’s may make a big impact on how we handle situations and resolve conflict.

• Am I taking it personally?
• Is the situation really permanent?
• How important is this in the big picture?

Bridgeworks will be presenting on the “Working Across Generations” and will be providing additional tools for conflict resolution, communicating and working together.
We’ve got a lot on the horizon and I look forward to another exciting and productive year.

“Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Laugh. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Continue to learn. Appreciate your friends. Choose with no regret. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is.” - Maryanne Radmacher