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?

  1. 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?

  1. Communicate with each other completely

  • If we aren’t aligned, say so.

  • If something doesn’t work, say so.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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)