Organizational Development, Equity, and Health

DACUM 2013   This January marks a pivotal time for the University of Alberta Office of the Registrar as it represents the year in which the new Student Connect service model will be implemented. At OLE, we are involved in helping the Registrar’s Office define and develop a curriculum to support the new Student Connect Office and the whole team in the RO in ensuring that the student experience at the U of A is second to none! One of the first steps we have taken is in the area of defining training needs to support an updated training curriculum. The tool we are using is called a DACUM, which stands for D eveloping A C urricul um . DACUM is a model used for competency based training development. It is also sometimes referred to as a Job Task Analysis. It is comprised of 3 main components: competency analysis, competency-based program development, and competency-based program administration. The competency analysis is the first and most critical stage, it was also th...

As leaders of change, transformation and personal development, it is only fitting that a significant portion of our programming is focused around self-awareness and behaviour. We know that personality and preferences do not define character or behaviour, but they do impact actions, mind sets, and how people view the world. One tool that OLE uses to enhance individual and team awareness and to support inclusive team processes and communication is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The indicator was developed by Katharine Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, and based on theory originally proposed by Carl Jung. This Type Indicator tool relies on a series of questions designed to provide insight into individual personality preferences by categorizing and theming people’s choices into four areas of behaviour: E/I = Focus and direction of attention and energy, (where one prefers to focus to re-energize – from outside their person, or from within),  S/N = Ways peop...

“At a University, success is measured in decades, not years.”    - University of Alberta President, Indira Samarasekera   Did you know that in ten years the number of registrations for OLE programs has surpassed 12,231?!!  Dale Reesor on goals and strategies Last Friday the OLE team had the opportunity to showcase our teachings and talents among each other, as part of our team retreat entitled ‘OLE Next’. Being primarily facilitators ourselves, we sure know how to create excitement around goal setting and accountabilities. Within a couple of hours, we had participated in ice breakers, brainstorming sessions, and a mini world café designed to lay the groundwork for the future of OLE over the next ten years. What can we say, we take strategic planning seriously! Emerging from the world café were three beacons of guidance for the OLE team to work towards over the next 10 years along with several possible strategies about how to achieve them....

OLE is pleased to congratulate and promote the Research Services Office (RSO) for their commitment to transformation and change! On Tuesday October 16th, more than seventy RSO staff participated in an ‘All-In event’ designed to rollout their 2013–2015 strategic plan. The event involved strategic planning team members presenting on the background of the planning process. This was followed up with a strategy marketplace, also known as the 'creative' part of the event. This included seven uniquely personalized booths. Each presenting group used innovative designs to describe the objectives of the plan to their fellow colleagues. The booths used fun and experiential learning activities to demonstrate how the objectives of the strategic plan: align to the University’s Academic Plan, are driven by clients, are enabled by the RSO internal processes, and are powered by the RSO people. One participant commented: “It was a fun and engaging event creating understandin...

  Edmonton Clinic Building The School of Dentistry is gearing up for a new start in the brand new Edmonton clinic building for September 2012. As part of the transition process, OLE Senior Advisor, Alan Day has been working with the School of Dentistry, introducing and applying change and transformation in preparation for the new academic year. On Monday August 20th, the School of Dentistry conducted a two day orientation for staff. The orientation is part of the readiness strategy adopted by the school. The purpose was to learn what’s new and what’s the same, share feedback, and to create new habits. Alan Day, OLE Senior Advisor A key element of the orientation was the patient simulation where seven patient scenarios were carried out from tooth extraction to X-rays. It reinforced what procedures worked well and exposed areas of improvement. The outcome is to drive continuous improvement. OLE Senior Advisor, Cara Jones, took on the role of an orthodontic surgery p...

OWN THE EXPERIENCE! – Exceptional Communities, Engaging work, Extraordinary Performance The Experience -> This aspect of OLE’s work explores the elements that lead to highly successful work teams, those who demonstrate extraordinary performance, apply positive engaging practices, and create exceptional workplace communities.  Our work is a highly consultative process that supports individuals, leaders and teams to grow. Philosophy -> The Faculty and Staff Experience is about People… -     engaging in the spirit of our community -     promoting our community where everyone fits and all contributions are respected -     providing orientations to our community that are immediately welcoming and inclusive -     valuing the gifts that diversity brings us -     fostering meaningful relationships and building a web of connections among the citizens of our communi...