As I continue to work on the study of the organization outside education, I met a very interesting person working within the company. I introduced myself to her and briefly explained my intention for being at the facility. She responded with telling me all about her recent graduation and goals and aspirations for the future. Her major is linguistics and she discussed details with the job opportunities and future she will get to be a part of.
When discussing her job position she shared how grateful she was to have this job. She expressed how this job gave her the opportunity to complete her graduate level course work. It allowed her the time during the days to attend class and work in the evenings and weekends. She has no intention of leaving this place of employment even after graduation.
For me, this was another confirmation of the success of this company and how the employees feel tied to the greater good. The employees are appreciative of the owners and grateful for jobs. I look forward to the next week with the form of a tour and other follow up conversations with employees within this organization.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
School Culture
This is the second school year my campus has been invested in changing the school culture during these difficult budgetary times. The staff felt like students were not getting the social skills necessary both at school and at home to support academic and social success currently and for the future. As a site we are focusing on self control, responsibility and self confidence. We use this vocabulary as a common voice whether the students are in the classroom, cafeteria, library, computer lab, office or walking around campus. Our suspensions went down 40 from last year and we anticipate even less for this year. This is important because when students are in school we get our ADA.
As I work on the assignment and trying to get into my organization I go back to self control. I just want to go in and ask the questions, get the tour, talk to people and move forward with the assignment...putting one more thing behind me. Instead, I am using my self control to take the time necessary to build relationships and trust to get to the other side of the door. I am taking responsibility to do the assignment to the best of my ability. Last, I am using my self-confidence to not let the first "NO" or "You wont get anything from that visit" discourage me. I continue to use these skills and am enjoying the process.
I am encouraged by the culture change that is happening!
As I work on the assignment and trying to get into my organization I go back to self control. I just want to go in and ask the questions, get the tour, talk to people and move forward with the assignment...putting one more thing behind me. Instead, I am using my self control to take the time necessary to build relationships and trust to get to the other side of the door. I am taking responsibility to do the assignment to the best of my ability. Last, I am using my self-confidence to not let the first "NO" or "You wont get anything from that visit" discourage me. I continue to use these skills and am enjoying the process.
I am encouraged by the culture change that is happening!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Observation Opportunity
Yesterday I found myself in the emergency room for 6 hours. As I sat patiently waiting for each step in the process I was in I worked on readings and homework for both courses. As people came in and out of the lobby I couldnt help but ask questions and engage in conversations with patients. During the 6 hours I studied this organization in the way we are working on our assignments.
Admissions: Smiling, approachable, would pop head out of window and check in with patients, give updates on status or how many ahead of them
Nurses: Discussed only one doctor and he had a busy load, friendly with each other and verbally asked to support each other,offered drinks, helped in getting bottles for babies
Doctor: Spent time with each patient, thourough, did not rush progress, asked questions and engaged in "stories"
Patients...I met and had conversations with people that were warm and supportive. One couple in the lobby had just moved to the area and had a million questions. Being in this area for 22 years, I had a million answers. Another couple and I were called into a room at the same time. As we went through the doors we looked at each other and said...we finally made it to the other side. As that man walked around the next few hours he continued to wave, smile and say a few kind words to the people he had met. As the 6 hours went on phone numbers were shared and as patients were discharged goodbyes were said.
Volunteers: As I was wheeled to x-ray by a volunteer I asked the purpose of her position. She told me her hope to go to UCLA and become a bio-chemist and she wanted to learn as much about the medical field prior to that time. When she brought me back to my room she asked if I needed anything and brought me a warm blanket.
My take away...I enjoyed my emergency room experience and was able to take the focus away from the 6 hours of waiting and instead enjoy the people I met and look at the organization through a new lense. My feel was a group of people who supported and liked working together. They have a difficult job and a certain balance they must always have. They deal with people and personalities who have had life and health compromised. I learned the importance of patience from this experience. This is huge because it is easy to get so rushed in work, family, college etc and not take time for the little things. People matter, relationships matter and slowing down to build trust is a good thing!
Admissions: Smiling, approachable, would pop head out of window and check in with patients, give updates on status or how many ahead of them
Nurses: Discussed only one doctor and he had a busy load, friendly with each other and verbally asked to support each other,offered drinks, helped in getting bottles for babies
Doctor: Spent time with each patient, thourough, did not rush progress, asked questions and engaged in "stories"
Patients...I met and had conversations with people that were warm and supportive. One couple in the lobby had just moved to the area and had a million questions. Being in this area for 22 years, I had a million answers. Another couple and I were called into a room at the same time. As we went through the doors we looked at each other and said...we finally made it to the other side. As that man walked around the next few hours he continued to wave, smile and say a few kind words to the people he had met. As the 6 hours went on phone numbers were shared and as patients were discharged goodbyes were said.
Volunteers: As I was wheeled to x-ray by a volunteer I asked the purpose of her position. She told me her hope to go to UCLA and become a bio-chemist and she wanted to learn as much about the medical field prior to that time. When she brought me back to my room she asked if I needed anything and brought me a warm blanket.
My take away...I enjoyed my emergency room experience and was able to take the focus away from the 6 hours of waiting and instead enjoy the people I met and look at the organization through a new lense. My feel was a group of people who supported and liked working together. They have a difficult job and a certain balance they must always have. They deal with people and personalities who have had life and health compromised. I learned the importance of patience from this experience. This is huge because it is easy to get so rushed in work, family, college etc and not take time for the little things. People matter, relationships matter and slowing down to build trust is a good thing!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Organizational Interventions
The readings on organziational interventions were motivating and inspiring. Not only did I learn a tremendous amount, I was able to incorporate learnings to my own organization and the organization being studied. As a leader I must go through rigorous evaluations each year to review the progress on my site and review the professional development I recieve. I had a full circle moment and realized how important this process is as I studied the readings and literature on organizational interventions. I also made sure my evaluations of my own staff were clear and the staff being evaluated were clear on the expectations and process. We discussed the focus of student intervention and how we must use intervention on our own professional development to make sure we meet the needs of our very diverse populations.
When I visited my organization the H/R Department Vice President shared the document she created to evaluate her staff. We discussed the importance etc and I shared my newly aquired knowledge and perspective. She was very helpful in this discussion and gave me a rich background in her expertise in this area. I learned new strategies to take back to the workplace and feel more comfortable with the proceess.
My first visit was only a few hours but I look forward to the next visit as I hope to recieve a tour. My first impression of this organization is that it is a place people like to work. They feel invested and part of the greater good. I believe this contributes to the success of this company!
When I visited my organization the H/R Department Vice President shared the document she created to evaluate her staff. We discussed the importance etc and I shared my newly aquired knowledge and perspective. She was very helpful in this discussion and gave me a rich background in her expertise in this area. I learned new strategies to take back to the workplace and feel more comfortable with the proceess.
My first visit was only a few hours but I look forward to the next visit as I hope to recieve a tour. My first impression of this organization is that it is a place people like to work. They feel invested and part of the greater good. I believe this contributes to the success of this company!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)