DIRECTOR'S CORNER

….. from John Halikowski

The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good

We can all fall victim to the trap of seeking perfection. We may strive to achieve some incredible goal, aim to be perfect, and fall short. In such cases, it's easy to consider ourselves a failure and believe all the hard work is wasted because we made some mistakes. We can wonder why we tried at all.

It is at these times, we need to remember a phrase derived from the writing of the French philosopher Voltaire, "the perfect is the enemy of the good."

As leaders, it is important that we allow mistakes to be made and view them as unique learning opportunities. Mistakes are not failures. We must recognize when progress is made and something positive is learned about the goal we're trying to achieve. Everyone makes mistakes. If we seek perfection, we are doomed to fail.

what's coming up at ADOT

See what's coming up and contribute your important events.

You Said This, We Did That

Past Issues of IGNITE featured this column; typically it's reserved for large programs or initiatives that came as the results of employee suggestions, ideas and feedback. The IGNITE team is always happy to include YOUR stories about great successes and even challenges you've had incorporating employee feedback and ideas into your team or work group programs and processes. These don't have to be all about large divisional programs or innovations. Imagine how you might inspire and help other employees by sharing your experiences. It's also a recognition opportunity for those staff that have had great ideas implemented with successful results. Often, small efficiencies and lean processes can lead to great change and savings! This month's Research article is all about how to lead better brainstorming sessions. Let us know when that brainstorm turns into savings, efficiency or effective practice. Send us an idea, and we will work with you to make it spark.

Email the Ignite team today!

The Women's Information Network, a Leadership, Networking & Education Brownbag Lunch program, meets bi-monthly in Phoenix and once per year in Tucson and Flagstaff, and we are working to expand our reach to Kingman and Yuma in 2015.

All ADOT managers and supervisors are invited and encouraged to sponsor non-supervisory female staff members to attend the events.

In January the topic was ‘How to Achieve Lifestyle Balance’, clearly a topic of interest as 76 employees attended the event with guest speaker Dr. Tom DeCoster. Everyone left armed with ideas and tools to help them achieve that sometimes elusive balance. Would you like a peek at the material presented? Take a look at the WIN page on the ADOTnet.

2015 WIN dates and topics are here! Time is 11:30am – 1:00pm unless otherwise noted.

April 22	Wear This, Not That Special Time: 9A – 12P with an additional program 12p-1p Sonya Herrera, Mj Vincent, Trisha Lord and a special guest MC! Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) GC 1,2,3 Even bigger and better this year!
June 17	Employee Evaluations Carrie McClure, Section Manager, Right‐of‐Way LEE Conference Room, 2739 E. Washington St.

August 19	Succession Planning Jodi Rooney, Manager, ITD Project Office LEE Conference Room, 2739 E. Washington St.
October 21	Is It What you Say or How You Say It? Deborah Mayers, Finance Manager, Facilities LEE Conference Room, 2739 E. Washington St.
December 16	WIN Open House and Mentoring Program Moderator(s): TBD LEE Conference Room, 2739 E. Washington St.

The Education Encouragement Connection

Thinking about going back to school or struggling to balance classes, work and life? WIN has a resource that can help.

This month's topic:
The College Advisor - What can this professional do for me?

• When should I see an advisor?
• What questions should I ask when I go see an advisor?
• What resources can an advisor provide?

Wednesday, February 25: 12:05PM to 12:50PM
ADOT Transportation Board Room 206 S. 17th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007


For more information about the WIN program or any of its initiatives, contact Mary Currie.

US 89 Cameron Roadway Improvement Project

IGNITE often features the videos, pictures and blog posts developed by ADOT's amazing Creative Services team. The ADOT blog features everything from project updates to informative pieces on subjects vital to the transportation system. In addition, the blog editors enjoy having a little fun from time to time, as evidenced by the blog entry about a possible Sasquatch sighting on the highway in January.

Intended to help the public better understand and connect with the important work we do, the blog can also serve to engage and inform our workforce. The better we understand the diverse business that occurs within our agency, the more we are able to see our own place within it. Being educated about what we do helps us to fulfill the agency motto of making transportation personal. How many times have you had a friend ask you about a construction project just because you work at ADOT? We laugh about it, because people assume that we know, even though our job may have 'nothing' to do with highway construction. AH, but it does! Could the highway system be planned, constructed and maintained without the revenues generated by MVD? Could we survive without the business support of Financial Management Services? Would the public be happy with what is occurring if the Communications team was not available to gather public input, explain traffic impacts and answer questions? Those are just a few examples - each business area plays a vital role.

Become informed, stay connected and feel proud of everything ADOT does to achieve our legacy vision: creating a transportation system for Arizona that improves the quality of life. Do you have an idea for a blog post? Email the ADOT blog editor, Angela DeWelles with your great ideas. Perhaps you know of an opportunity for a video piece? Fill out the Video/Photography Request Form.

We understand that not everyone has time or access to view all of the social media aspects of our work, and equipment capacity sometimes prevents us from being able to view YouTube videos. Many employees have taken a moment of their personal time to search and like the ADOT Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Social media is all about connection; once you are connected it becomes easy to be informed. The ADOT blog lives on http://azdot.gov/media/blog

The Youtube Channel is http://www.youtube.com/user/ArizonaDOT
And of course, like us on Facebook at Arizona Department of Transportation, follow us on twitter @ArizonaDOT and don't forget about Linkedin!

    

Growth

ADOT's New Hire Buddy Program

Not knowing is scary for new hires. But you can help remove that fear with a buddy.

The biggest benefit of a having buddy is that it accelerates the learning curve of the new hire. Rather than simply throwing a lot of new information and a new context at a new hire, a buddy helps acclimatize a new hire to their new situation, culture, and job.

Your new hires don’t know the culture of your organization because they haven’t become a part of it – yet. Because of this, there’s no structure into which they can put the new information they’re being given.

This is a big problem. It’s imperative that you give them that structure to prevent a very slow assimilation of that very vital information you need them to understand before they can start being productive in their new jobs.

Leadership and Employee Engagement is pleased to announce the newest member of our team, Javier Ramirez. Javier is a Training Officer 3 serving to develop and support the agency Mentoring Program, the Buddy Program and other employee development and engagement forums. Javier comes to us from the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), where he served as an Investigator 3 with MVD Internal Support. In addition, he has 15+ years of valuable training and customer service experience with the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division.

The career timeline that led Javier to his current position is interesting, and we think inspirational in many ways. Take a look at his time line:

Celebrate Service

ADOT MVD a founding Member of the Veterans StandDown

The Arizona StandDown is an alliance of community-based organizations that come together to provide annual, one to three day events that bring together the State's homeless and at-risk military veterans, connecting them with services ranging from: VA HealthCare, Mental Health Services, Clothing, Meals, Emergency Shelter, Transitional and Permanent Housing, ID/ Drivers License's, Court Services and Legal Aide, Showers and Haircuts and myriad other services and resources.

MVD has been working with the Arizona Veteran's StandDown Alliance since it began in 2004. The 2014 event will occur February 12 and 14, and MVD employees are ready to help again this year.

ADOT staff provides the veterans all the services you would be able to do at a full MVD office. There are even car dealers who provide vehicles on site for road tests! We are so proud of our MVD staff for this partnership with the Arizona StandDown. Thank you for serving these veterans with the care and humanity they deserve.

Each Month we will list links to new issues!
ASD Newsletter
ITD Highway Maintenance
ITG News
BREAZ Newsletter
MPD Newsletter

Does your Division or Work Group publish a newsletter that we can provide a link to or info on where to find it? Send the details to the IGNITE mail box.

Celebration

Awards and Recognition

Awards & Recognition is excited to reveal a new brand for the program. This new logo incorporates the ADOT colors with a shooting star to signify employees' accomplishments and dedication to the agency. The logo creates a lasting impression of our program and drives momentum to make transportation personal.

25+ SERVICE AWARD CEREMONY

This quarterly celebration honors employees who have served 25 or more years with the agency, by highlighting each person and their contribution to the agency. Director Halikowski attends to personally award certificates and/or parking signs. Such a commitment to one organization deserves recognition, and the Director is committed to helping Awards and Recognition provide it.

Monthly Service Award

Each month this section features the 20+ year awards. This issue features February 2015 Service Awards. Are you interested in seeing all the Service Award information?

Awards beginning with 5 years of service located on the ADOT Intranet at ADOT Awards and Recognitions. Congratulations to all and thank you for your service!

February Service Awards

20 Years

Employee	Org Name
Angel M. Ortiz	Avondale Landscape Maint
George L. Curley	Flagstaff Maint
Johnny Robbins	Gray Mountain Maint
Roy H. Turner	Maintenance Interstate Signing
Todd R. Franz	Maintenance Section - Northern

25 Years

Employee	Org Name
Deanna Velasquez	Phx Maintenance
Francisco Martinez	Phx Maintenance
Jack K. Owens	Driver Improvement
Juanita L. Cason	Director's Office

30 Years

Employee	Org Name
Hassan Eghbali	Roadway Group

35 Years

Employee	Org Name
Cindy Gage	Driver Improvement
Graciela R. Ruiz	Phx Maintenance
Joann M. Griffin	Third Party-e-Government
Johnny R. Sedillo	Phx Maint RARF Landscaping
Randall J. Blake	Prescott Dst Wide

ADOT

BREAZ Project Update

ADOT is moving ahead with the statewide replacement of the Arizona Financial Information System (AFIS) The new system will replace ADOT Advantage. This new system is scheduled to go live on July 1, 2015.

Current project activities include:

• Mock Data Conversion
• Interface Testing
• Reports Development
• User Acceptance Testing
• Training Material Development

Upcoming Training Opportunities:

• NEW Chart of Accounts Presentation - FUND, ACTV, ORG are examples of current Chart of Accounts elements. Learn about the NEW elements. Schedule a presentation by simply contacting [email protected].

It is very important to stay informed. Please go to http://adotnet/breaz/ to obtain current information and learn about any future activities.

Employee Training

Time Management and Microsoft Office beginner and intermediate level classes are available for all employees. Classes are available for self-enrollment through the ADOT Learning Center Website under Agency Training Schedule. Supervisor approval may apply.

ADOT Leadership Academy

The new ADOT Leadership Academy training matrix is available on the ADOT Learning Center website under Forms and Matrices/Training Matrices. The matrix lists leadership courses with a brief description. For convenience in scheduling, multiple leadership classes are bundled and scheduled on a single day.  Check the training schedule and customize your training to suit your schedule.

Updated Computer Security Awareness Training

An updated version of the Computer Security Awareness training online course was launched at the beginning of the year.

Contact ACT with any questions, comments or suggestions for new training programs at [email protected].

ACT – Helping Employees Be The Difference

2015 Management for Non-Managers Study Group Schedule

Open to attendees of the M4NM Class – contact Mary Currie or 602.712.4358.

March 5  Dr. Tom DeCoster
Topic: TBD
Location: HRDC
Time: 7A - 8A

April 9 TBA
Location: Research Conference Room, 206 Bldg.

May 7 Win Holden
Topic: TBD
Location: Research Conference Room, 206 Bldg.
Time: 12 P - 1P

June 11  TBA
Location: HRDC
Time: 7A - 8A

July 23  Dr. Tom DeCoster
Topic: TBD
Location: HRDC
Time: 7A - 8A

August 6 TBA
Location: HRDC
Time: 7A - 8A

Communication

Information and Tips for Effective Communication

Communication

When responding to questions arising from agency-wide communication, utilize the following tips to effectively communicate to employees.

• Meet face to face with your direct reports when possible.
• Refer to the provided materials and FAQs.
• Address any issues and questions promptly and to the point with employees to alleviate misinformation and speculation. Have two way interactions.
• Respond/deliver in a straight forward way. Own the decision. Don't say "I am here to give the official message." Be able and prepared to explain using any available materials.
• Prepare your direct reports who are supervisors to follow this standard process.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the communication; document and share feedback (report and measure)

Increase communication, collaboration and interaction.

Focus on the key message:

What are key messages?

• Key messages are the most important things to say on a specific subject to audiences. They are clear, concise, bite-sized chunks of information.
• Key messages boost our overall communication effort by providing clarity, focus and precision. By being brief and clear, we are better understood by a wider audience.

Why are key messages important?

• They help us stay organized and in control.
• They keep everybody on the same page.

Staying on message:

• Positive tone – turning negative into positive.
• If there's a question or statement that attempts to drag the discussion to a different topic, one response is, "You're right, that's important. But I believe it's also important to remember ."
• Make sure the key message is in the active voice – no passive!
• It should be positive – what you can do, not what you can't do.
• Don't guess: If you don't know the answer to a question, pledge to research it.

Veteran's Court Pilot Project

The MVD Court Liaison and staff from the Customer Service Program and Driver Improvement participated in a pilot project with the Phoenix Municipal Court that helped Veterans who were attending court sessions with motor vehicle inquiries.

MVD staff was able to assist Veterans with driver license reinstatements, update record information, and answer questions on a variety of motor vehicle related inquires. Judge Griffith presented the Motor Vehicle Division staff and MVD Director with an award and appreciation certificates for participating in this worthwhile project. Nice work MVD!

Arizona Highways Magazine receives
'Best of Phoenix' award

New Times' Best Travel Magazine in its 90th year of publication
From the ADOT News release: January 28, 2015

PHOENIX – When Arizona Highways was first published nearly 90 years ago, the magazine contained just 26 black and white pages with advertising. One thousand copies were distributed, and the price per copy was just ten cents.

The publication's mission was simple: to tell the people of Arizona and other states about the work being done by the Arizona Highway Department (now the Arizona Department of Transportation).

These days, Arizona Highways magazine is an award-winning, world-renowned travel magazine, featuring spectacular photography from every corner of Arizona and articles that lure travelers to our state.

Her name is Dottie, DOT for short

Many of you working in the Capitol Complex know the story of the little white dog seen in the ADOT parking lot for several weeks. The effort and care placed into helping the little stray are worthy of a big shout out. The story of DOTtie the dog is a heartwarming one.

In late January, Capitol Complex ADOT staff received an email letting us know that many staff members had become concerned for the dog. A group of individuals (with the assistance of a veterinarian) had a plan in place for the rescue, advising staff to stay away from the stray so as to not scare her. The little white dog would be taken to the veterinarian for shots and examination; several employees were interested in adopting her.

MPD employee Ann Chochran developed the plan for her capture. Ann and co-worker Robert Bush captured the dog using heated chicken and potatoes. Nothing like a hot meal to win over a pup! Robert said "she gave up peacefully and didn't even growl or show her teeth when she was cornered. She just sat down and allowed us to pick her up and put her in the cage."

From there, Robert took over her care: the vet gave her a mostly clean bill of health - one very treatable condition. Robert, a Transportation Photolog Specialist in the GIS section, and his wife Lisa have given her a good home with lots of love and a pack of doggie brothers and sisters to join. The spoiler headline revealed her new name - Dottie, Dot for short - because she came from ADOT.

Thank you Robert and Ann for spearheading the effort to save little Dot.

We know this is a fairly common story, one heard many times at various ADOT offices. Our employees have rescued, fed, re-homed and cared for hundreds, possibly thousands of stray and even wild animals around the state. The story of little Dot and all of your furry friends reminds us that ADOT employees care. We care for each other, for our communities and all those who interact with us – be they two or four legged.

Research

How to Lead Better Brainstorming Sessions

Written by A visionary business entrepreneur and motivator, Julie Gilbert who has spent her career building businesses from ideation to scale.

Inspire your team to innovation! Sounds easy, right? Just schedule a meeting, title it "innovate new opportunities" or "strategic alignment" or one of those types of titles. Get your team together, kick off the meeting with a vision of the future, and unleash the brainstorming. Capture the good ideas, action item the next steps, and hit the ground running!

But have you ever really taken a step back and watched the dynamics in the room? Do you truly have the right set-up and the right leadership to get the biggest ideas in motion? Are you really opening up dialogue, or are you somehow ensuring that the same people that always talk are still talking — while others are remaining silent, sitting on ideas that could blow open the industry?

If you are only hearing from the same people, those that feel safe speaking, you are not going to likely reinvent or innovate much of anything. You do not have a culture or an environment where everyone gets their ideas on the table. And, even worse, those individuals that are remaining quiet are likely sitting on the very best ideas.