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Session Goals
By the end of the webinar, you will be able to: Identify approaches to rapidly and comprehensively understanding
organizational culture Apply best practices for in-person, phone and email
communications Employ strategies that enhance a smooth transition at your
sponsoring organization Implement effective techniques for developing strong, proactive
relationships with your supervisor and peers
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Today’s Agenda
Organizational Culture Office Dynamics Communication Culture Supervisor Relationship Cultivating Patience “Dress” for the Job You Want
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Today’s Speakers
Denise Riebman George Washington University; CareerHappinessCoaching.com
Erin Thomas
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Baltimore, Maryland
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TALK to your colleagues LISTEN to your colleagues Build INTER-departmental connections Build MULTI-level relationships
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Initial training: OSOT (On-site Orientation and Training) or new staff onboarding processes: What makes an employee successful? What challenges are ahead? What are the needs of the community? What are current and future priorities?
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Who is the go-to person? Who is the make-things-happen person? Other Who’s Who: Supplier Manager Meeting Organizer Tech Guru
Chat Question: Who are other key people to know at an organization?
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What insights can your supervisor offer to support you achieving your goals? What perspectives can
colleagues provide?
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Where do people eat lunch? Where are the hidden spots? Where are the “hot spots” at
your organization?
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When does your supervisor like to have meetings? When is a good time for
questions? When do you need to ask for
time off? When do your colleagues like
to talk “shop” or talk “fun?”
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How do you ask depending on powerful/influence? How do you know who has
seniority? How do your supervisor/peers
prefer questions? Email? Phone? In-person? At meetings? How do people schedule? Emails?
Electronic calendar requests?
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Think/Write/Speak carefully Err on cautious side Err on positive side
Chat Question: What phrases have you used in an email that creates a positive tone?
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Review emails….review again Write with reader’s needs in mind Consider tone Prep for calls and meetings
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Reply versus Reply ALL Email versus Call versus In-Person Interrupt versus Breathe
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Guest Speaker
Erin Thomas International Rescue
Committee (IRC) Baltimore, Maryland
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Accepting what you don’t love Accepting what you don’t know Allowing time for results Allowing time for own adjustment Assessing your goals Assessing fit
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Excel at your VAD…and more Put in the time…but keep life balance Be open to learning…and then learn more Always act professional…you never know who is watching Find role models…and roll with the modeling
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Resources Watch: Managing Up: Navigating the VISTA-Supervisor Relationship Writing with Purpose, Precision, and Pizazz
Read: Mindset by Carol Dweck Follow: Lindsey Pollack, Millennial Workplace Expert,
lindseypollak.com, twitter.com/lindseypollak
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“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only
way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.
The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Steve Jobs
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Evaluation
Please take a few moments to share your feedback through the quick poll on the right side of the screen. How can we improve these sessions? What topics should we
include in future webinars? Thank you very much for your time and participation!
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Questions
To ask a question verbally, call in using the number on this slide and press *1 To ask a question electronically, use
the Q&A feature located in the bottom right corner of the screen. Please ask “All Panelists”
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Thank You for Your Participation! If you have further questions or for more information, contact us:
Our next webinars:
Strategies for Focusing Your Career Search – Feb 9 Creating High Impact Images for Better Outreach – Feb 28
2:00pm Eastern
Visit the Webinars for VISTAs page on the VISTA Campus for a complete schedule of VISTA webinars