Podcast Central
Staff Discusses Engagement, Projects, Challenges & Career Opportunities
Emerging facility staff are always looking for ways to improve; to improve the organization, to improve their career path and often both.
In our Podcast series, we are sharing some of the project and developmental experiences of staff at different levels of the animal care organization.
We invite all VOE-N member organizations to share the stories of their staff highlighting projects they are working on or how they have evolved and progressed throughout their careers.
In our Podcast series, we are sharing some of the project and developmental experiences of staff at different levels of the animal care organization.
We invite all VOE-N member organizations to share the stories of their staff highlighting projects they are working on or how they have evolved and progressed throughout their careers.
My Story:
YALE Facility Manager, Andrew Feltham's career story is not unlike many others in the field. Andrew worked his way up from front-line staff to scheduler to Facility Manager, and discovered lean management along the way. Andrew shares powerful stories in how he discovered and leveraged the advantages of lean thinking, and how he has excited his Union staff to participate in improvement efforts and experience small victories. Not everything works as planned, and Andrew shares his lessons learned when collecting data, coaching and being inspired by his lean-thinking leaders. |
When leadership calls to you and your background kicks in.
While leadership isn't for everyone, one's background, experiences, mentors and environment can influence a decision to pursue a leadership role. With a common interest in animal welfare, Linda and Trisha had very different formative experiences that they leveraged as they emerged as Team Leaders in a highly complex and demanding role. These are today's leaders for tomorrow. |
Employee Development...Juggling multiple balls at the same time...
'I used to tell my manager the team problems, now I'm the go-to manager...now what?" How do you deal with multiple problems coming from multiple sources when you used to be "the messenger" and now you're "the boss"? Here's a great story on how overseeing multiple vivarium functions helped with seeing the "bigger picture" and the isolation that sometimes comes from managing remote facilities. "Its a really hard job, but I loved it..." |
How a Facility Manager "practice week" becomes a month of decision-making...
Becoming an interim Facility Manager can be scary, however, with some "practice", the role can be an easy fit. Intense customers, building renovations, HR issues, and multiple projects can become less daunting when a week of stepping into the shoes can become a month of real life leadership. Hear how the background and experiences of one Team Lead helped her "step up to the plate" fearlessly and prepped her for bigger challenges to come. |