Tomorrow I finish up all first and second round performance reviews. I know I have fewer performance reviews to prepare and conduct than many people. It's a ton of work and at least for me this year, a bit confusing to maneuver both Davis and Oakland systems for both staff and academics. But it's important. It is also a great chance to talk with each person about how things are going, their goals and barriers to achieving the goals. In my last administrative position I had >80 direct reports so I am far from complaining about the present situation. In fact, I find it motivating to sit with high performers and talk about the accomplishments of the past year plus the plans for the upcoming year. But still, I'm glad the number is far fewer than 80 and that the formal discussions have wrapped up. On to other adventures…
One of those adventures is the development of Public Value Statements for UC ANR. This is related to Goal 5. Preparations are underway for next week's workshop with the statewide program and institute directors and the strategic initiative leaders to develop said Public Value Statements. When I first heard of Public Value Statements I was skeptical that there was a real purpose for them. However, I found that the statements are useful in describing our work to others; sort of an elevator pitch. In addition, they frame a number of diverse programs with varying stakeholders and audiences around a common outcome. Consensus may be a bit of a challenge when we are working across the breadth of programs in UC ANR but I think this workshop will be insightful.
I try to listen to 2 TED talks each week; just something I started to do a few years ago as a means of being exposed to new things and ideas. I've heard a few TED interviews with Elon Musk (Tesla, Solar City, SpaceX) and recently came across an article where he says “If you're not progressing, you're regressing; so, keep moving forward”.I see the Public Value Statements and Goal 5 in that light; it may not be perfect the first time out but we need to move forward in order to avoid falling completely behind.You'll be seeing more about the product of that workshop in the near future from me, the statewide program and institute directors, and the strategic initiative leaders. If you run into any of them following the workshop, be sure to ask for an update. We will also share updates at the webinar and information sessions announced earlier this week.
