Extension Human Resources Blog » Professionalism

Thoughts on multi-tasking…

Graham Cochran — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 14:25:44 +0000

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!

Graham Cochran, OSU Extension Human Resources

Work/life balance good for work

Graham Cochran — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:02:38 +0000

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.

Graham Cochran

OSU Extension Human Resources

Dealing with what other people say or do

Graham Cochran — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:13:17 +0000

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.

Graham Cochran

Cell phone rules & text messaging etiquette

Garee Earnest — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:35:31 +0000

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.

Top 6 Rules for Using Cell Phones at Work

1. Turn Your Cell Phone Ringer Off

2. Use Your Cell Phone Only for Important Calls

3. Let Your Cell Phone Calls Go to Voice Mail

4. Find a Private Place to Make Cell Phone Calls

5. Don’t Bring Your Cell Phone Into the Restroom … Ever

6. Don’t Bring Your Cell Phone to Meetings

Text Messaging Etiquette for Tweens (or anyone for that matter)

Posted by:

Garee Earnest

Leader, Extension Human Resources

Extension Professionals’ Creed – Inspirational Video

Graham Cochran — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:27:09 +0000

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.