MGMT 535 - Week 6 Reflections

 I will "Amen", the statement Powers makes about working across boundaries is unnatural. The natural tendency of humans is to protect "their" turf. That being said, it is easy to see how organizations get stove-piped and focused on only their "lane" or primarily on their lane. Everyone believes they are the main attraction. With that all on the table, I have to state in my current job/position within TSA, it really is a mixed bag. On one hand, we work well and communicate well with the other departments that are a part of a testing event...because we have to...to get our job done. On the other hand, other departments don't necessarily respond or communicate how what we require affects their routines/rhythms. In that regard, many times our department has to request information multiple times before someone "gets it", that what we are asking is important (at least to us). When it comes to interactions like this where the other department is not one of our regular routine customers, there is a need for creating a script, that could help facilitate information flow. 

Now switching to the internal communications within my group... Remember the blog a couple weeks ago, where we talked about my co-worker and the suggestion was taking that person to lunch? Well, let's just say, all of us worker bee's had our semi-annual one on one with the 2 star equivalent. Let's just say, I personally have witnessed an entire different personality from my "lunch" person. To that end, our team communication(s) to leadership did not fall on deaf ears. That is an indication to me that although our processes are not flawless, there is a level of communication and respect that enables the mission to be accomplished regardless of personalities involved. Our team is very successful working across organizations. We have to deal with the Program Management Officer, the financial folks, the travel folks, the contracting folks, the support contractors and the OEM. The great thing about our communications is the fact that many of us have been with TSA for over 10 years and our personal connections come into play (informally) when there are issues. 

So the last thing I want to speak to is that "informal" communication process that is not in any text book. I have found that the most successful organizations I've been affiliated with have a super strong informal process. This follows my choice for this weeks discussion on feedback loops. The speaker stated that one of the feedback loop tools is ask(ing). One thing I've noticed is that employees and team members have no problem asking for help, more information, etc. One specific trait that I picked up from my former Brigade Commander during a warfighter exercise was the habit to always ask yourself, 
"Who else needs to know...the information I just learned..." and to make sure I share it out. 

This weeks reflection was a good one. This weeks information and classwork helped create or at least look for better ways to solve this age old challenge.

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