As
Print and Mail professionals we all realize our responsibilities
sometimes go beyond marks on paper. Those that know me have heard me say
that sometime we have to work above our pay grade, you know other
duties assigned.
14 years ago when I took over the directorship of
Graphic Production here at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools one of the
things I noticed was the lack of identity for the department. You know
that sense of pride that often goes with teams that play nice together.
So I thought I would create a small rewards and recognition program for
our department. I wanted to go a little further than “Employees of the
Month” and those kinds of things. So after several months of observation
I awarded our 1st Silk Tie / Silk Scarf Award (actually borrowed the
idea from Nordstrom’s, go ahead and Google it).
This
peer to peer award eventually took on a life of its own and helped
change the culture of the department from an “I centric” to a “We
centric” operation. Before we knew it our little department had earned
the reputation as the model for working together and being happy while
doing so. The next thing I know we are being introduced to the new
Superintendent of School on his first day, being described as the model
for efficient and effective CMS Operations, in front of local TV news
cameras and the whole thing.
Fast forward six months and here I
am, co-leading the Superintendent’s Community Task Force for Employee
Engagement and Shared Values, you know working above my pay grade and
loving it.
Move forward a year or so and here we are. On point for
the Culture of Caring - Rewards and Recognition team with the task of
identifying some way to improve the culture of the school districts
18,000 employees. Talk about other duties assigned. A long way from
Print and Mail but can you tell me a better way to align your department
with the vision of the parent company? And what’s more important than
having the powers that be realize your department can provide leadership
and strategic value? Have the last three years been a hand full? Oh
Yeah. But I wouldn’t trade the experience and the opportunity to promote
my staff and management team’s ability. Having the chance to design and
produce collateral materials for both the Community Task Force and
Culture of Caring initiatives has been priceless.
Yeah, sometimes it pays to work above your pay grade and say yes to other duties assigned.
Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!