Kathleen's+Opportunity+for+Change


 * CHANGE PROJECT SUMMARY** - by Kathleen Lepori


 * //The Challenge://** Improve communication within WestEd’s infrastructure by creating effective intergroup collaborations.


 * //The Opportunity for Change://** Ineffective communication is a major obstacle to business productivity. Our current system of communication at WestEd, according to employee polls, is inadequate which has resulted in unclear and missed communications. We are experience major growth in our organization and are still using the same communications systems and processes as in place before the growth. Facing the challenges of a larger company, a new method of communicating with each other is required.

Reciprocality is the essence of communication. In order to improve internal communication within WestEd, I would like to implement more diverse intergroup collaborations. As an agent of change, I would first identify gaps in communication by enlisting the assistance of employees through an anonymous survey. The survey would contain open-ended questions that would help identify personal and organizational pain points in regards to strengths and weaknesses in the existing communication system. Attitudes, behavior, and strategies that can help staff communicate effectively, collaborate easily, and produce results more efficiently can also be explored.

Since WestEd employs only knowledge workers, their input would be highly valued. Surowiecki, in his book, //The Wisdom of Crowds//, states that collective intelligence has the potential to make a profound difference in the way companies do business (Surowiecki, 2004). Trusting and empowering personnel has the capacity to motivate and bring about change quickly (DeMarco, 2001). Inviting employees to ascertain better ways to communicate would be a vital, next step in my action research change project.


 * //Impact://** The possibility of stimulating intergroup collaboration with colleagues is a challenging and much needed undertaking. Much can be gained from this important venture; resource sharing, research and development, recruitment efforts, collaborative writing, and a deeper understanding of WestEd’s work and mission.

Open dialogue advances intergroup collaboration toward personal and social responsibility that can have lasting positive effects. Many of WestEd’s employees work in isolation from cubicles in the San Francisco headquarters to home offices throughout the United States. Management must embrace the challenge of formulating strategies that would encourage personnel to communicate effectively. Having a mechanism in place, with the management team confirming its worth, would have a dramatic impact on the way our company does business in the future.

As we look towards the future growth and expansion, informal and formal communication between staff members will be a high priority in our organization. Developing a practice of ongoing communication will help cultivate trust and confidence and inspire employees to be actively involved in helping the organization to succeed and prosper. I believe these changes have the potential to make a profound difference in the way we do business.

DeMarco, T. (2002). Slack: Getting Past Burnout, Busywork and the Myth of Total Efficiency. Broadway Books: New York. Surowiecki, J. (2005). The Wisdom of Crowds. Anchor Books: New York.
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