I’ve had quite a few conversations with colleagues in recent weeks and months about multi-tasking. Good, bad, a fact of life??? Recent findings reported by researchers from Stanford support the argument that we need to be careful about multi-tasking.
The authors conclude that “maybe it’s time to stop e-mailing if you’re following the game on TV, and rethink singing along with the radio if you’re reading the latest news online. By doing less, you might accomplish more.” I know that on days when I manage to do less, I often accomplish more!
Good post titled What Really Kills Great Companies: Inertia from management guru Gary Hamel. Interesting comparison between organized religion and our own organizations He says “What’s true for churches is true for other institutions: the older and more organized they get, the less adaptable they become. That’s why the most resilient things in our world—biological life, stock markets, the Internet—are loosely organized.”
I read an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal online this morning that supports OSU Extension’s Professionalism competency. The article titled “If You Need to Work Better, Maybe Try Working Less“ discusses research coming out next month in the Harvard Business Review. The research confirms what we all know but often find hard to do – getting away from work can help you be more effective at work.
This week, a colleague shared a Blog entry from HarvardBusiness. The author suggests that when we have trouble with the way people react, the problem may not be them but us and our expectations. One of his points is that “instead of getting frustrated with other people, learn their rules of engagement. If you pretend each person is from a foreign country you don’t fully understand, you’ll be more open to accepting him or her.” I enjoyed the entry, which reminded me of a mentor who once suggested I put a mental stamp on some people’s forehead that said “irregular”. That way I wouldn’t go into any interaction with them expected them to react or behave as I would anticipate. That advice has helped me for years.
Several postings on About.com provide useful tips on using cell phones, including text messaging. Take a look and use for yourself, office team, or families as you see fit.
I receive a daily message from the HR Daily Advisor and thought I would share two recent messages with all of you.
One was called “Do your E-mails Send the Right Message?” I know how tough it is sometimes to communicate what I am trying to say in an e-mail and think this information is helpful for me.
It is nice to take a step back every now and then and reflect on our profession and why we do the work we do. After conducting a series of focus groups with Extension employees recently, I was thinking about what a dedicated and passionate group of professionals we have in Extension. One of the things the professionals I met with talked about was how important it was for them to believe in the work they do.
This commitment of Extension professionals is summarized well in the Extension Professionals’ Creed. Written in 1922 and adopted by Epsilon Sigma Phi in 1927, the creed is as relevant today as it was nearly 90 years ago.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service has created a nice video with Extension professionals bringing the creed to life. Take two minutes to listen to our colleagues from Texas and and reflect on what it means to be an Extension professional.
Want to upgrade your skill sets and enjoy time with colleagues? Interested in learning new tools to enhance the quality of your work, improve productivity and make life easier?
Come and join us for food, fellowship, and learning. This series focuses on introducing and discussing innovative ideas for our work as Extension professionals. We meet from 12-1 with a 30 minute program on various tools. June dates, topics, and formats include:
June 11 – Building surveys in Livewire – Face-to-face in Room 105 Ag Admin Building – Bonnie Scranton will demonstrate how to conduct free, online surveys using Livewire.
June 25 – Using Basecamp for project management and online sharing – Face-to-face in Room 105 Ag Admin – Jerry Thomas & Jim Elder will demonstrate key features of Basecamp for managing projects and collaborating with colleagues electronically.
Bring a lunch and beverage and join us for a fun time!
Please post ideas for future topics here. We have had requests to do some of the sessions electronically and will plan to offer some e-Lunch & Learn dates in the future.
Designed for educators (or others with similar responsibilities) with 18 months to three years experience, the Action Leadership Retreat is a professional development opportunity built around simulated on-the-job experiences. Led by a facilitator and two experienced Extension professionals who are trained as observers, ALR is designed to help you evaluate and reflect on your skills in twelve key areas (e.g., conflict management, communication, and interpersonal skills) important for success as an Extension professional.
Your peers have good things to say about ALR. One former participant said:
“By far the most productive in-service I have
ever been involved with. Excellent faculty, well-planned program.”
Space is limited and registrations will be accepted until we reach capacity!
For additional information and to register, go to: