Our Principles 💎 

Principles and values that we embrace:

• Decisions are built from the ground up.

• It is more important to develop cooperative solutions than to win negotiations.

• Stick to your word.

• Seek the positive interpretation of situations.

• Try to understand the long-term consequences of a decision before making it.

• It is tough to get anything done without taking risks.

• One does not need to manage every detail of a system, but it is important to have a pretty good understanding of the system and why it is there.

• We are committed to honesty, integrity and transparency in all of our dealings.

Practices that we embrace to promote our values and principles:

1. Manage our conversations so they are effective 

• One conversation at a time. One person speaking at a time.

• Someone managing the conversation.

• Be clear about the outcomes and the process.

• Be definitive about closure: Where are we? What happens next?

2. Listen respectfully and generously 

• Pay attention to what the person is saying. 

• Allow people to finish.

• If you have any doubt that you understood, always verify your understanding.

• Acknowledge–and truly consider–different perspectives.

• Check for completion: Is this person finished? Is there anything else?

3. Communicate with each other completely 

• If we aren’t aligned, say so.

• If something doesn’t work, say so.

4. Make and keep commitments with one another 

• Be specific about what the commitments are.

• Use X by Y (Who will do what by when?)

• Call if your commitment is in danger of not being fulfilled.

5. Be on each other’s side 

• Manage each other’s reputation. Be supportive and helpful.

• Be inclusive, invite people who may have an interest or may want to contribute.

• Look out for the interests of our group and our University.

6. Acknowledge and appreciate each other 

• Look for what can be acknowledged; tell people what you appreciate about them and their work.

• Practice acknowledgement frequently.

• Be authentic.

7. Be aligned on our strategic intent and current projects 

• If we are not aligned, communicate.

• If progress slows or stops, acknowledge it.

• Keep resources and energies focused.

• Always be looking to stop low-impact programs and activities.

8. Transparency and sharing information 

• Ask for what you need.

• Anticipate what others in the group might want to know.

• If asked for information, share everything you know.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (Adapted from "The Salmon Sheet - OSU)