Strengths

12/19/11 Strengths!       

In an office team and helping environment like the one we work in, it is really important that we best utilize those unique and shared strengths that we each bring to the table. Clearly, we are not all the same. Good thing, too, because if we were, some of us would be unnecessary.  We do projects like the Meyers-Briggs (MBTI) personality typologies, Strengths Finder, group survival scenarios and more (like potlucks) to better understand the strengths that each of us brings. But, as an office we have to be the "total package" no matter what. Our customers need to see that we are organized, outgoing, thoughtful, relate well to others, are understanding, etc. If they perceive that we are weak in any area that is meaningful to their experiences, they may not return and could possibly bad mouth us on Facebook (read: a  marketing fate worse than death). So, we need your strengths to help us be successful. And, now that you have a chance to see your strengths, we need everyone on the team to fill in the gaps so we can demonstrate ALL of the strengths and so we can provide the great, quality service our constituents and customers have come to expect. Thanks for giving us your strengths and strengthening your weaknesses!

How Do We Steer This Thing?

 7/29/13 How Do We Steer This Thing?

As a supervisor, I often view my job as steering a ship comprised of the physical components of the office, the financial resources and the human resources. As the helms”man”, I must take responsibility for the direction in which we move. Thinking about how a sailing ship moves, we always visualize it moving forward. Steering has exactly no effect if the ship is stationary; one could move the rudder to his heart's content, but nothing will happen if the ship isn’t moving forward. Forward movement is the job of each and every staff member. We must move if the institution is to move. We look to our leaders to steer us in the right direction, but we won’t go anywhere if we don’t do our daily work and look to capitalize on novel and cutting edge opportunities to fulfill our mission. These activities will put wind in the sails and allow our leaders to steer us in the right direction. As we have middle and upper leadership changes, we frequently will make slight adjustments to our course, but the regular crew are the ones who propel us in those directions. You play a key role in keeping this ship moving in the right direction.

Working toward Balance

So much of our daily existence surrounds the concept of finding balance; or equilibrium, or harmony, or homeostasis, or any of the myriad other considerations that have similar meaning. As employees, we must balance the interests, strategic plan, mission, vision and values of our company, division, office, supervisor, and coworkers with our endeavor to meet the needs of our customers. In our private lives, we must balance the needs and interests of varied people and stakeholders with our own needs and desires. So, we could choose to see ourselves in constant struggle between these varied factions of our being. But, really, there must be no struggle. In the Bible, Jesus said that we must love our neighbor as our self. This means that we must first love our self and care for the self, so we CAN most effectively love and care for our neighbor and customer.  As a supervisor, I ask that my colleagues be conscious of the needs of others in the office and of our ability to meet the needs of the customers due to any reduced staffing. But, I know also that each of us must meet our personal, familial and professional development needs adequately in order to be able to provide great service to our customers. Stephen Covey said, “The challenge of work-life balance is without question one of the most significant struggles faced by modern man.” Expect that we will have continual conversations about finding this balance. And, know that I appreciate your efforts.