Communication Feedback
During the Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 planning sessions, participants engaged in table-top exercises prompted by the theme "Help Define Success" in three focus areas—senior leadership, communication and collaboration. Below is a summation of responses under communication.
Theme 1: Qualitative Characteristics
- Honest/open
- Accurate
- Foster sense of engagement with the individual
- Intentional – curated stories/message
- Describing success
- Civility
- More equal and less hierarchal
- Positive intent
- Responsive when asked a question
- Safe environment to share
- Proactive and not reactive
Theme 2: Content
- Clear and concise objectives
- If an issue exists, clearly define it and how it will be resolved
- Informative but less detail and more quality
- Specific to internal communications but also believe more messaging from WMU to/with community is necessary
- Both positive and negative messaging/need to be open to the harder conversations
- Communicate appreciation for value added
- Celebrate successes and moments of pride
Theme 3: Process
- Timely (employees should know before public also came through)
- Updates provided as needed
- Consistent and frequent
- Both in person and written
- Open door times
- President Cabinet members visibility
- Smaller groups as well as town halls
- Multiple mediums used – email, social media, print, in person
- Balance between communications and action
- Don’t use information to build power base – share
- Website needs to support communication
- Cross directional throughout the organizations
Theme 4: Built in Features
- Feedback loops provided
- Interaction preferred
- Cross divisional
- More structure to divisional meetings
- We need to listen
- Don’t talk
- Ask employees how their jobs are going
- Demonstrated action/closure/progress
Theme 5: Communicate Strategic Vision/Goals
- Periodic updates on goal achievement
- Shared understanding of goals
- Clarity on mission
- Everyone needs to know how their role contributes to mission
- Focus and unification
- A story line that is known
- Needs to be known by external audience
- Resource allocation that supports plan
- Communicate outcomes
Theme 6: Involvement of faculty/staff
- How they can help
- Committee participation opportunities – how they can volunteer
- Improve communications between faculty and staff
- Consult with impacted employees prior to decision and/or broader communication – seek input
- Importance of inclusivity
- Individual has to take ownership and responsibility as well
- Volunteerism
Theme 7: Specific actions requested
- Deans, Associate provosts, VPs participate in the Turkey Trot and other student events
- Senior administrators attend international student luncheon every week
- President/cabinet join other meetings at staff level
- Regular Q&A with the President
- Provide whistle blower safety and anonymity
- Monthly town halls
- Regular Presidential updates
- Suggestion box concept
- Weekly social media post
- A Fall and Spring Engagement Activity
- Quarterly town halls held by president, also VPS, also deans
- Leadership chats – have bagels/coffee hours to talk with staff
- Daily logs by leaders
- University calendar