Checking our pulse: December 2020 VIP engagement pulse
Dec. 10, 2020
Pandemic or not, 12 Green is committed to the UTSW mission and each other
Nancy Neal, Nursing Manager
Alan Weaver, Assistant Nursing Manager
Amy John, Assistant Nursing Manager
Gulzar Plumber, Assistant Nursing Manager
In speaking with Nancy Neal and her nursing manager team, you experience first-hand a team living the UTSW values. They are warm, inviting, genuine, and above all committed to the UTSW mission, their patients, and – just as important – to each other. Their team places among the highest in the institution in engagement scores. Here is what we learned of their empowering leadership.
The team is a second family
Team engagement starts with hiring the right individuals for the right cultural fit – a second family. This focus on teambuilding prioritizes personal connections with staff members, whether demonstrated by a drop-by round huddle, or flexibility in a change of schedule.
Second, they lead by modeling engagement. They seek the right balance between offering support and expecting accountability among themselves, which the rest of their teams naturally embrace. In addition, they work hard and play hard, never missing an opportunity (pre-COVID) for sharing comradery at annual holiday party, bowling events, pot lucks, and shared team Facebook page.
Finally – they jokingly admit – they complement each other’s styles. Each brings something unique for an aligned management front. Mr. Weaver is happiness; Ms. John is nurturing; Mr. Plumber is accountable, and they each describe Ms. Neal as a flexor – good at everything, and easily adapting for what a situation requires.
Patients are guests in their home
Certainly, all were anxious at first as COVID-19’s first patients arrived at their floor. Yet, it was not difficult to ease the team with communication, listening, comfort, and precise protocol training – all to elevate and rally the nurse calling. They take pride every day in foremost patient care.
Thank you to Nancy and her team for exemplifying engagement and providing excellent patient care!
Latest participation rates
With mere days left to take the VIP pulse survey, nearly half of employees have shared their voice. Here's the latest participation leaderboard:
Download response rate reports for: Clinical Departments (51% overall), Centers (55% overall), Basic Science Departments (39% overall), and all other departments (56% overall).
The survey is confidential, and UT Southwestern receives only aggregate responses. Please answer the questions honestly based on your personal experience. The survey should take only five to seven minutes to complete and can be accessed via computers and mobile devices. Additional information and materials are available on the Employee Engagement Resources website. If you need assistance, contact employeeengagement@utsouthwestern.edu.
Dec. 8, 2020
Nearly half of employees have taken the VIP pulse. You have until Sunday to join them!
With mere days left to take the VIP pulse survey, nearly half of employees have shared their voice. Here's the latest participation leaderboard:
Download response rate reports for: Clinical Departments (44% overall), Centers (49% overall), Basic Science Departments (34% overall), and all other departments (48% overall).
The survey is confidential, and UT Southwestern receives only aggregate responses. Please answer the questions honestly based on your personal experience. The survey should take only five to seven minutes to complete and can be accessed via computers and mobile devices. Additional information and materials are available on the Employee Engagement Resources website. If you need assistance, contact employeeengagement@utsouthwestern.edu.
Dec. 7, 2020
To do, or not to do: That is the (engagement) question
Spotlight on Ann Tate, Director of General Services, Facilities Management
Ann Tate has more than 25 years at UTSW under her belt. We asked her to share her leadership perspectives of driving increased engagement over the past year, especially during COVID-19.
Ms. Tate describes herself as a “catch all” director who takes pride in her Facilities Management team including Financial, Transportation, Human Resources and Service Request Operations. Each function is independently successful and offers a broad spectrum of general campus services she proudly describes as those “no one else does.”
Her team has both a high engagement score and a significant increase in all 34 engagement items over the past year.
When asked what is important in engaging such a diverse group, she reflects on leadership is as much about what to do, as what not to do: “Don’t let individuals at any level feel invisible.” She is animatedly committed to ongoing one-on-one meetings with emphasis on listening. She likes to keep things simple with one particular empowerment practice that has made a difference – allowing employees to be seen and heard, and be owners of their work.
What has she learned about leading engagement during COVID- 19 distress?
Ms. Tate explains that the impact of COVID at work, like many other teams across campus, has been difficult. In her case, the difficulty is the duality of department’s paramount role of creating a safe campus work environment for all and that of directing her own now disperse team. What matters most for her is to demonstrate the leadership commitment to appeal to employees’ unique employment security needs and keep the team focused on new priorities during the disruption.
Everyone pivoted! The virtual team holds daily huddles and effectively discuss work, solve problems and stay connected. They have also been creative with themed birthday celebrations and a motivational “thought of the day” to keep the atmosphere light and supportive. The on-campus shuttle team shifted gears and rallied around building sanitation and other new required facility protocols.
Finally as one of the true catalysts for UT System-wide and UTSW Employee Advisory Councils, she further shares lessons learned along the way: “It’s the little things that have the biggest impact on engagement and employees feeling valued.” Whether dropping in a virtual team call to check in, ordering special meals for drivers who can’t attend events, or even setting up convenient VIP survey kiosks to ensure every voice is heard, Ms. Tate has learned in return her team will rise to any occasion needed, pandemic or not.
Ms. Tate, UTSW congratulates you for your high engagement scores, and as important, thanks your entire team for their contributions to make UTSW a safe and great campus to work.
Dec. 3, 2020
More than 4,000 UTSW employees have taken the VIP pulse!
UT Southwestern's Values in Practice (VIP) Engagement Pulse survey is open through Sunday, Dec. 13. On Monday, nonfaculty employees received the survey link in an email from Glint. Taking the survey will help us continue conversations about our progress as an institution and determine if we’re making strides on key areas that you highlighted in our engagement survey this summer. Your well-being, both personally and professionally, is essential for advancing our mission, and we are committed to ensuring that you feel valued, heard, and cared for. The survey is confidential, and UTSW receives only aggregate responses. Please answer the questions honestly based on your personal experience. The survey should take only five to seven minutes to complete and can be accessed via computers and mobile devices.
Have you taken it yet? Here are the latest participation leaders:
Download response rate reports for: Clinical Departments (24% overall), Centers (26% overall), Basic Science Departments (16% overall), and all other departments (27% overall).
UT Southwestern's Values in Practice (VIP) Engagement Pulse survey launches Monday, Nov. 30, and will remain open through Sunday, Dec. 13. The purpose of this employee survey is to continue conversations about our progress as an institution and determine if we’re making strides on key areas that you highlighted in our engagement survey this summer.
UTSW employees who are nonfaculty will receive the survey link by email from Glint, an external survey administrator, on Monday, Nov. 30. The survey is confidential, and UT Southwestern receives only aggregate responses. Please answer the questions honestly based on your personal experience. The survey should take only five to seven minutes to complete and can be accessed via computers and mobile devices. Additional information and materials are available on the Employee Engagement Resources website. If you need assistance, contact employeeengagement@utsouthwestern.edu.
We recognize there are many demands on your time and energy that have been further compounded by the surge of COVID-19 cases, feelings of crisis fatigue, and additional stress of the holiday season. We are particularly interested in feedback on your safety and wellness in the context of our institutional pandemic response.
Please know that your voice matters and there has never been a more important time to share your feelings. Your well-being, both personally and professionally, is essential for advancing our mission, and we are committed to ensuring that you feel valued, heard, and cared for.