A Note from Ujima Donalson,
POD Director
We've weathered many things this winter and I, for one, am looking forward to spring. Meanwhile, we're all trying to navigate a new—and still-changing—landscape here at the UW, and I'm pleased that our offerings targeted to leaders and their needs have been so well-received. In this nose-to-the-grindstone environment, it's critical that leaders recognize the importance of stepping away from everyday work and acquiring new ideas, approaches, strategies, and skills.
Earlier this month, about 50 leaders at all levels came together for a continental breakfast and morning session of Network. Presenter Wendy Shepherd gave a stimulating talk on staying optimistic in the face of reality and then kicked off what turned out to be lively and thought-provoking small-group discussion. Even though I'm a positive person by nature, I still found this subject engrossing, and I truly enjoyed talking with leaders at my table about how to keep myself and my team focused and energized.
Also this month, Level 2 of the Strategic Leadership Program continued to pick up steam with both new and returning participants for the 2010–2011 Leadership Agility Series. Nearly thirty leaders attended the winter workshop on stakeholder agility, and this spring the focus is creative agility (see Upcoming Events). Honestly, I've been delighted by the response to this program. Some leaders are following the entire series while others are taking an à la carte approach by choosing the sessions that are most pertinent to them—exactly how the program was designed.
We're all on the same team here at the UW, and any actions leaders take to better themselves, their staff members, and their departments ultimately benefit us all. This is especially true as working across units—and outside of our "silos"—is becoming a necessity and a reality for many at the UW. If we can stay open to new ideas and new ways of doing business, we can keep ourselves and our teams moving forward, help implement the 2y2d and Organizational Effectiveness initiatives, and support the transformative efforts of our colleagues.
