Reflection ~ findings and evaluation comments from the UC Davis workshop "Communicating Service Excellence" & "Trust Building in the Workplace" for Humboldt County DHHS​ professionals held in Eureka, CA, Half Day Workshops.

Instructor: Joe Tassinari

​Reflection is offered to give power to voice, to promote understanding among team members and bring light to the  findings from the workshop.

Friday 6/26/15 AM – 27 Participants
Friday 6/26/15 PM – 27 Participants

Reflection: Humboldt County DHHS
Workshop: Communicating Service Excellence
June 26, 2015 AM

Findings

Being "In Service" to others, what does this mean?

• Using skills to help others to get to where they need to be.
• Available, resourceful, accepting.
• Being of assistance to others' needs, being positive.
• Providing for the needs of others.
• Bridging problems to solutions. Following the Golden Rule.
• Assisting others during times of need.

​What would make an awesome day at work?

• Gina brings donuts.
• Receiving compliments.
• Working in harmony.
• Nap at work.
• Resolving issues to bring happiness.
• Accomplishing tasks towards a vibrant day.
• Acknowledgement.

​Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

• Working in groups, positivity, learning from others.
• Just hearing different co-worker's perspectives.
• The team building exercises.
• I liked all the positive ways to look at negative situations.
• The course was positive!
• Inspiration.
• Group work.
• The interaction w/ co-workers.
• Feeling comfortable in participating – casual & fun.
• Comfortable, casual. Not rigid – groups weren't awkward, participation easy.
• Loved the interaction & upbeat feel of the course.
• Good communication with students.
• I enjoyed the team building activities.
• Fostered cooperation.
• So positive. Instructor encouraged participation in activities w/out expectations.
• Getting more comfortable with co-workers that I generally don't interact with.
• The instructor's positive attack on teaching the course.
• Casual, relaxed, engaging, a real "take what you like & leave the rest" course, lots of discussion, safe, FUN!
• Positive attitude can go a long way.
• Defining & giving clear examples of concepts being taught.
• I liked the activities and interactions.
• The interactive aspect. Keeping it positive & humorous.
• I found "10 ways to be professional" information sheet the most useful.
• Positive atmosphere.

​How could this course be improved?

• N/A
• I can't think of anything.
• I got a lot out of this class.
• Keep this instructor.
• No need for all the applause.
• N/A
• N/A
• Could not be improved
• N/A
• –
• More bathroom breaks.
• It could be 8 hours. 4 hours isn't enough time to really get into everything.
• N/A

​How will you apply what you learned?

• Everyday with my co-workers – creating a positive work environment.
• Trying to better myself when communicating with people.
• Doing my job pleasantly and effectively.
• I'll use the methods to help the workers remain positive.
• Everyday work.
• Already doing it.
• Use knowledge everyday.
• Everyday w/ my actions.
• I will use what I learned with my co-workers and client.
• I will use what I learned to better improve my customer service.
• Am more aware at community services being applied to co-workers as well as clients & the importance of positive work environment on all aspects of life.
• Try to keep everything we went over in mind.
• Everyday interaction with life.
• THANK YOU!
• Everyday use.
• Daily in work place, particularly with co-workers.
• Share with staff.
• Remembering to keep focused and positive.
• I will apply it more with co-workers than I have been.
• Practice    Refresh    Practice
• Collaborate with clients and create plans together to address obstacles.

​Participants: Erin, Irene, Brienne, Lisa, Shannon, Zac, Troy, Monique, Alisha, Susi, Kendyl, Adena, Kirsten, Todd, James, Angela, Emily-Ann, Andrea, Bobby, Sarah, Adena, Steven, Bao, Sabrina, Natasha, Heather, Kelly, Joe.

​ End of 6/26/15 AM Reflection Humboldt County Human Services
reflections from other workshops     contact instructor Joe Tassinari

Reflection: Humboldt County DHHS
Workshop: Trust Building In The Workplace
June 26, 2015 PM

Findings

Why the participants in this workshop are grateful working with Humboldt County DHHS:

• Staff
• Gaining wisdom
• Support of co-workers & managers
• People showing up
• Shelf & co-workers
• People I work with
• Co-workers
• Supervisor M. Upshaw's positive attitude!
• I can wear jeans
• It's fun and challenging
• A livable wage and good benefits
• Close to home while serving a public need
• Being able to be myself in a pool of diversity
• Exposure of great minds
• My co-workers
• A set schedule with weekends off
• The people I work with
• My paycheck
• A supervisor who listens, cares & takes action
• When my co-workers make me laugh
• Receiving regular feedback
• Feeling that my input is valued
• Supervisor wh treats me as a valued employee
• People I work with
• Incredible & talented staff
• Welcoming atmosphere
• Co-workers
• Supervisor
• Human Connections

What makes a positive team member?

• Willing to help co-workers find answers
• Reliable
• Nice
• My partner was/is helpful
• Likes to mentor people
• Optimistic
• Loves coming to work
• Finds the positive in things
• Can be a leader or a follower
• Presents change in a positive manner
• Accepting
• Comes to work each day with a smile 
• Shares joy
• Sense of humor
• Inspires others
• Good mood – finds silver lining
• Makes a difference in people's lives
• Enjoys work
• Sprinkles kindness like confetti
• Because it's easy to be happy when you're positive
• Having it be comfortable for others to be around me

​(cumulative wisdom about what makes a good team)

​Evaluation Comments

What were the strengths of the course? What did you value most?

• For myself it contained helpful hints to facilitating (i.e. for shy people)
• Learning about my team mates.
• I enjoyed getting to know people and building trust in so little time.
• I've never had a class taught in a style that made you want to participate, until now.
• Trainer was effective and engaging. His exercises were great.
• The activities were great and very engaging.
• Fun to get to know people at a higher level and from different departments.
• Interactive, examples of how to build trust, activities.
• Joe was energetic & you could tell he likes the subject he was teaching. Good balance between theory & practice.
• The way group activities were done.
• Applicable – reflective topics.
• Subject matter, instructor delivery, interaction with groups.
• The instructor truly believes in his teaching. Is infectious!
• Learning something new … a new approach to building teams. the instructor's enthusiasm.
• I learned about my co-workers, things I did not know. I had fun. I laughed. This was the Best training I've been to in my 7 years here.
• Very inter-active, great training!
• I really valued being able to share with my co-workers in a safe and genuine atmosphere. I got to know and trust everyone better.
• Normally I do not like to participate in group, however I felt comfortable in this class.
• It was structured, yet dynamic, engaging and fun.
• I really valued the real time presentation.
• Made team work easy.
• I really valued the energizing exercises & group participation. I feel these activities of trust-building will be beneficial to all employees.
• Atypical style; learning & evaluating in "real time".
• Achieved complete buy-in from group.
• The attention to different learning styles helped information settle. I liked the "accidental" learning that happens during other activities.
• How the positive side was presented for thoughts and ideas. The immediate "Break The Ice" games made the participants more relaxed and at ease with one another. Many of us had no idea who our co-workers are and discovered many interesting facts.

How​ could this course be improved?

• Doubt it could.
• More than a half day would be nice. A little more attention to those introverted members would be appreciated. More time to sit and be still, mindful & meditation.
• n/a
• I was going to say it pulled too much from the group & therefore not enough new content, but then I realized we do already know the answers. Maybe throw in some trust falls.
• Good as it its
• No suggestions.
• N/A
• I liked all of it.
• It was fun.
• All good.
• Air conditioning.
• Can't think of anything.
• All day perhaps.
• A little longer – make sure people take "Communicating Service Excellence" & "Trust Building for Teams" together.
• Better room, not the instructor's fault though.
• Make it yearly, or better yet, monthly.
• Maybe an hour longer.
• N/A
• A/C
• Air conditioning, cold water.
• Could not be improved.
• Handout of slides could match presentation.
• Air conditioning, larger workspace ​

​How will you apply what you learned?

• Try to be a trustworthy team member everyday by being supportive, reliable, positive & earnest in all my actions -lead by example and be the change I desire 
• Planning to run through exercises in net unit meeting.
• Think more about how my attitude affects others in the office (work environment).
• Help present to my office unit.
• I will take the energizer exercises to my unit meetings. The facilitator activities were good.
• Think about this topic before my meetings – that I lead.
• Use it in unit meetings.
• Everyday in my job with my employees. Live positive.
• I will restructure my unit meeting to include ALL members.
• Will use some of the trust applications in unit meetings.
• Present a more positive presence at work.
• Be more positive. Use positive language.
• Use some of the activities with my staff. 
• I have lots of new ideas for building trust within my unit.
• Work on facilitating meetings and trying team building exercises. 
• In meetings/groups I facilitate. Would like to see this implemented at supervisor/analyst meetings.
• I would like to incorporate this into a lot of the meetings we have.
• Bring it back to my unit and practice positivity daily.
• See above ~ contained helpful hints on facilitating (for shy people). Facilitating groups.
• I will try to listen to others not to reply but to hear what they are saying. Apply positive outlooks and point out what's good for clients and others on my life. A smile to a stranger is easy to give. I'll strive to be a fountain not a drain.​
• Instructor's presentation & handouts have inspired me to reconsider my own attitude & conduct. I will practice to be the change that I want to see.
• Use skills and tips to facilitate a positive environment both in my unit & with outside work and commitments.

End of 6/26/15 PM Reflection Humboldt County Human Services
reflections from other workshops     contact instructor Joe Tassinari

While in Eureka I ate at Restaurant HANA (sushi) and Bless My Soul Cafe (gumbo). Each place not only had delicious food but friendly, courteous and service-driven staff. ~joe tassinari