What is Phase 2 of the culture transformation project?

Phase 2 of the culture transformation project represents a movement from defining our values and principles to implementing them. During Phase 1 the University embarked on an ambitious project to define our common values: Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Creativity, Compassion, and Teamwork (DIRECCT). In addition, several work teams created leadership expectations and service standards. Other teams developed a new orientation package for new employees and made recommendations for recruitment and training. In Phase 2 we will translate the values, leadership expectations, and service standards into practice. This new phase is about action.

What are you most excited about for this next phase?

I’m very excited about the action piece. We’re creating action guides to help leaders, faculty, and staff implement our values, leadership expectations, and service standards. We’re very excited about meeting hundreds of colleagues in group sessions to learn together how we can create a great place to work. We’re also very excited about some innovative online tools that we will make available to the entire University community to enhance engagement and well-being among our colleagues.

You’ve spent the past few months meeting with teams across the University. What are you hearing?

I’m hearing that people are eager to move into action and to contribute. Our colleagues are eager to create a culture of belonging and to support President Frenk in this wonderful initiative to build an exemplary university. President Frenk is dedicated to creating a culture of belonging in which every student, faculty, and staff feel valued and have an opportunity to add value. Consistent with the president’s message, I see a lot of people eager to contribute to the U.

How can faculty and staff get more involved?

My team will be sending invitations to faculty and staff to participate in group sessions to learn about the action phase of the culture transformation project. Sessions will be facilitated by my team and by colleagues around campus who volunteer to make a contribution to the project. Faculty and staff interested in volunteering to lead sessions, or make other contributions should email us at [email protected].

Tell us three things we can do today to positively shape the culture at the U.

1.   Ask yourself what you can do to make sure all your colleagues, students, and patients feel valued.

2.   Choose one of the DIRECCT values and work with your team to make sure you are all doing your best to make it a reality.

3.   When you have meetings, orientations, celebrations, and gatherings, recognize colleagues who live the DIRECCT values.

To learn more about the culture initiative, visit www.miami.edu/umculture.