From the Secretary: Communication and respect are critical in a diverse workplace
Harrison Jones, a member of the objects cleaning crew of the National Air and Space Museum, dusts the X-15 aircraft hanging in the Milestones of Flight Gallery. (Photo by Eric Long)
The Smithsonian needs to build an organizational culture that values diversity, both in terms of who we are and how we express ourselves through our work. Only in this way can we carry out our work with integrity and authenticity. Regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin or disability, our workplace should be open and welcoming, with each individual valued for what he or she brings to our mission and goals. As our Strategic Plan explains, the Smithsonian must “attract, maintain, and optimize a productive, motivated, and creative workforce that is representative of the nation’s diversity….”
Bringing people from different cultures together creates a more vibrant workplace and recognizes a simple fact: smart, motivated people come in lots of different packages. An excellent example of our special vibrancy is in evidence this month as our staff mounts the Folklife Festival’s celebration of Mexico, Asian Pacific American Heritage, and the Smithsonian itself. On April 21, I had the privilege of speaking at the 2010 Unsung Hero Award ceremony, where I met the inspiring awardees who come from a broad diversity of backgrounds and occupations here at the Smithsonian.
Lynn Parenti, curator and research scientist in the Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History, stands among a small portion of the museum’s four million fish specimens. (Photo by James Di Loreto)
As Era Marshall, director of the Smithsonian Office of Equal Opportunity and Minority Affairs explains: “If you want workforce diversity you have to attract, recruit and hire a diverse staff…but that is not the end of the story. Even if you hire good people, you’re not doing the job unless you have the wherewithal to retain them.”
Achieving and retaining the best and most diverse staff is a team effort that all of us need to work. How well we communicate with one another can mean the difference between good or bad working relationships. Good communication is essential to creating a harmonious and productive working environment.
Fortunately, when we need help promoting harmony in the workplace, we can rely on OEEMA to provide training and support. One element of this support is providing a robust system for concerns to be addressed fairly and competently. At the Smithsonian, this means providing access to our Ombudsman—a neutral, informal, confidential resource for staff—and, if needed, to Alternative Dispute Resolution. ADR allows colleagues to air disputes so that each side can express its views while working with an ADR team experienced in conflict resolution.
Ideally, ADR results in a solution that all parties can accept. The best result is an early resolution of a dispute or disagreement, when the parties turn to the ADR team because they are not sure what to do or they want advice about a concern.
As ADR counselor Angela Roybal explains, “As with so much else in life, communication is the basis of working well together and resolving many workplace conflicts. The ability to listen is a key to reaching resolution of so many workplace issues.”
The Smithsonian Ombudsman, Chandra Heilman, who works closely with the ADR team, puts it this way: “Conflict is a normal part of life, of work and the workplace. It’s how you handle conflict that is important—to resolve it so you end up in a positive and harmonious place.”
The recipients of the 2010 Smithsonian Unsung Hero awards (in alphabetical order): Brian M. Abrams, NMNH; Oris Acevedo-Taylor, STRI; Jose Ascanio Barahona-de Gracia, STRI; Bobby O. Barrett, OFEO/OFMR; James L. Bates, OFEO/OFMR; Millie Beasley, OFEO/OFMR; Elena K. Brack, OFEO/OFMR; Marc Bretzfelder, OCIO; Cheryl F. Bright, NMNH;Alice J. Clarke, SI Libraries; John Davis, OHR/NMAAHC; Phyllis C. Killeen, Smithsonian Enterprises; Erin Nielsen, NMAH; Tatiana Pcheco, NZP/MAB; Jeffery J. Richard, OFEO/OFMR; Carla I. Roeper, OCIO; Michael S. Rubin, VIARC; Nicole D. Shivers, NMAfA; Donna D. Taylor, OFEO/OPS; Ching-Hsien Wang, OCIO. (Photos by Vince Smith, collage by John Dilaber)
The Smithsonian offers a one-day training workshop in conflict management and ADR techniques for supervisors and managers. The workshop helps people learn to use ADR techniques and encourages them to ask for the ADR Team’s assistance. Participants can discuss situations they have encountered and discuss different ways in which conflicts can be addressed.
The next Alternative Dispute Resolution workshop is Aug. 17. It will be led by OEEMA staff and the Ombudsman and I encourage you to sign up for this important opportunity. (Click here to register
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Posted: 1 July 2010
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