The University Record, September 24, 1997
From the University Record: Delivery of the paper copies of the Oct. 8 Record, which carry a 16-page insert on the M-Quality Expo, has been delayed due to problems at the printer. The following article includes general information about the program, scheduled for Oct. 16-17 at the Michigan Union. The M-Quality homepage carries complete details of the activities.
By Jane R. Elgass
Editor’s Note: The Oct. 8 issue of the Record will carry the complete program for M-Quality EXPO ’97 in a 16-page insert.
University faculty and staff who are “building the bridge as they walk on it” will be the focus of M-Quality EXPO ’97 Oct. 16-17, which has as its theme “Working Together to Build Leadership Throughout the University.”
“In today’s extremely dynamic environment, where the path to success is not always clear, leadership at all levels at the University is essential,” says Robert B. Holmes, director of Human Resource Development and M-Quality. “This year we are bringing together people who are `building the bridge as they walk on it’ to share their insights on successful strategies to empower staff to lead, to facilitate commitment, to keep people focused on strategic objectives, and to cultivate potential leaders who can assume leadership roles.”
Chandler W. Matthews, interim executive vice president and chief financial officer, notes that the EXPO serves two purposes. “It highlights the opportunities that each member of the University community has to make improvements that enhance the excellence of the University,” while providing an opportunity for faculty and staff to talk with campus colleagues whose work is “transforming the University.”
EXPO activities, all at the Michigan Union, include a keynote address on “Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within” by Robert E. Quinn, the Margaret Elliot Tracy Distinguished Professor of Organization Behavior and Human Resources at the Business School; a series of panel presentations; and project displays from 30 teams and working groups across campus.
Quinn, who will speak at 9:15 a.m. Oct. 16, has been involved in the design and implementation of a number of large-scale change projects. He particularly is interested in issues concerning leadership, vision and change, and has published numerous articles on these topics. He is the author of Beyond Rational Management, Becoming a Master Manager, Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within and Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture (forthcoming).
Panel presentations include:
- “Teamwork: A Key to Success,” featuring members of the 1997 Workplace 2000 Outstanding Teams Executive Education Materials Team and Laboratory Animal Medicine sharing their stories and offering tips on creating effective, productive teams.
- “Build the Bridge as You Walk on It,” with panelists addressing such issues as “What do you do when things are moving so quickly there is no model for how to do what needs to be done? How do you get buy-in from others? How do you keep employees motivated? How do you lead in times of rapid change and uncertainty?” This panel will be presented twice. The first group will include Douglas Van Houweling, dean of academic outreach; Laura Patterson, M-Pathways; Julie Brown, Office of Development; and Nathan Norman, Building Services. The second includes James House, Survey Research Center; Jeffrey Tibbs, Information Technology Division (ITD); Laurita Thomas, Medical Center Human Resources; Jose-Marie Griffiths, ITD; and Ada Sue Hinshaw, School of Nursing.
- “The Leaders and the Best,” featuring the winner (Brett Ashley, Marketing Communications) and the two finalists for the 1997 Workplace 2000 Outstanding Leader Awards (Cynthia Gronvall, ophthalmology, and Sophia Jan, radiology). They will explore some of the issues they believe will face all U-M managers in the coming years.
- “Critical Issues for Executive Managers,” David Ulrich of the Business School’s Human Resource Executive Program and Advanced Human Resource Executive Program. Executives need to think about their organizations as capabilities and learn to identify and leverage those capabilities. Ulrich will focus on the role of the leader in creating stronger organizations.
- “Leading from Where You Are,” with panelists Bruce Donald, Building Services; Monica Johnson, Human Resources/Affirmative Action; Buda Martonyi, psychology; and Penny Tully, Conference Management Services. The panelists, none of whom are managers, will share their perspectives on how individuals can empower themselves to lead, no matter what their “official” title may be.
- “Quality and Academia,” with Judith Gibson of the Organizational Effectiveness Research Group of The Conference Board of Canada. At this interactive seminar, findings will be reviewed from a study-tour of U.S. universities using total quality concepts and principles in academic settings.
Teams and work groups with displays at the EXPO include: After-Hours Response Team, Utilities and Maintenance Services; Benchmarking and Customer Advisory Council projects, Benefits Office; Deans’ Partnership Program; Residence Guestrooms Self-Directed Work Team, Business School; Campus Accessibility Guide Team; Faculty and Staff Assistance Program; General Purpose Computing Cycles; Gynecology Clinic, Health Service; Human Resource Development; Information Technology Intranet Team; IT Contract Services; ITD-WWW Services Team; Making the Connection, ITD and Housing Division; Office of Development; Office of the Registrar;
Occupational Safety and Environmental Health Pollution Prevention Team; Plant Building Services Customer Response Team; Prime Contact Team, Purchasing; Printing Services Electronic Imaging Beyond the Year 2000; Salt Use Quality Improvement Team; Service Delivery Improvement Project Team, ITD; Student Activities and Leadership and Michigan Leadership Initiatives; U-M-Dearborn Banner Implementation Team; U-M On-line, ITD and Academic Outreach; University Housing’s Summer Turn-over Task Group; University Information Processes; Solar Car Team; Utilities and Maintenance Services Diversity Team; Women of Color Task Force; and Workplace 2000.
