A big thanks to the 10 UNE staff who volunteered this week to train as co-convenors of the small-group conversations starting next Monday as part of our work with Acumen Global Partners.
UNE is working with Acumen Global Partners to develop and embed a shared set of values and signature behaviours across the institution, critical to a workplace that is safe, enjoyable and productive.
These conversations will explore ways UNE staff can support cultural change, help shape a guide to enabling behaviours and bring those behaviours to life in our workplace.
As co-hosts, Company Secretary (Controlled Entities) Kim Lawrence and Head of Austin/Earle Page College Luke Fowler were among those who received guidance from Acumen on how to develop a safe space for sharing and listening.
Kim said the experience was both “engaging and positive”.
“We all want to try to make a difference and contribute to positive change,” she said. “That change starts in your micro-environment. There is always time to uplift others, and it costs us nothing.
“I hope I can play a role in creating spaces for dialogue and engagement across all areas of the university. Helping people to see things through a different lens, to be positive and to listen, is a means of achieving that in every interaction we have. Everyone matters and needs to feel valued and recognized.”
Luke said while he has had healthy skepticism about cultural change processes in previous workplaces, he feels confident the inclusive Acumen approach will help staff to learn how to interact with one another respectfully.
“I am passionate about UNE; it’s an amazing institution and there is a lot of love for the university,” Luke said. “I want to see things improve and people feel safer and more comfortable working here. We need to open up an environment in which people can feel okay to speak out, to voice their opinions and to have them heard. There is definitely an appetite for it.”
Both convenors recommend UNE staff participating in the conversations bring an open mind.
“I encourage people to be themselves, to be transparent and to ask the hard questions,” Kim said. “If something worries them, let’s put it on the table and talk about it. We can only learn from this experience.”
“Staff will get out of it what they put in,” said Luke. “Don’t be afraid to talk about the things that you want to see change and it’s also a chance to professionally check yourself. At some point the university community will need to take ownership of this process and push it forward, to make it part of our standard operating procedures.”
The conversations are in two parts. The second round begins on 18 November, and feedback from both convenors and participants will then help Acumen to refine the draft Enabling Behaviours Conversation Guide. A final version of the guide, to complement the UNE Code of Conduct, is expected by early 2025.
If you have any questions, please email principallead@une.edu.au