Category Archives: collaboration

(#254) The “Five Ps” of New Employee Mentoring

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

Does your organization effectively “on-board” new team members? This semester I had a wonderful opportunity to mentor a first-year full-time professor on our campus. And since our campus does not have a formal new faculty mentoring program, we kind of “made … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, collegiality, faculty development, growth, mentoring, Personal Wellbeing, Reflection, Reflective practice, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#248) Loopers Add Texture To Life

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

We all add layers and texture to life. Ever hear of a “looper”? I didn’t until an NPR piece aired one morning this past week.  These are the folks who “create human ambiance” after a movie is shot.  That’s right. … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, collegiality, Communication, Life lessons, teamwork | Tagged , | Leave a comment

(#246) Are You Bitching or Are You Pitching?

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

Do you work (or live) with someone who endlessly pontificates, grouses, grumbles, moans and laments? One of my mentors taught me a valuable lesson near the beginning of my teaching career.  Dr. Veronica Valentine had a simple “rule” if anyone … Continue reading →

Posted in Appropriate Behavior, awareness, collaboration, collegiality, Connection-Disconnection, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Discipline, Energy Vampires, Haters, Personal Wellbeing, problem solving, Reflective practice, responsibility, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

(#244) Do You Have Your Own Board of Directors?

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Steve Piscitelli

I remain focused on surrounding myself with knowledgeable and skillful people who will have my back—and kick me in the butt when needed. Who do you have on your Board? Corporations have Boards of Directors.  Institutions of higher learning have Boards … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, branding, collaboration, Dreams, Excellence, focus, generativity, growth, Life lessons, life success, Personal growth, Personal Wellbeing, resilience, self-efficacy, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#211) The Power of the Crowd

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

Well-constructed and delivered staff training/development programs represent a “value-added” investment in an organization. The evolution of a team or organization depends on continuous growth.  Forward looking leaders understand the importance of continuous professional development opportunities for their followers. PD should not … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, collegiality, Communication, Community, Life lessons, Passion, sharing, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

(#210) Keeping the Hands Raised

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

[NOTE to my readers/followers: Today marks the beginning of my 5th year writing this weekly blog.  I have not missed a week in that time–and look forward to more great weeks and years ahead.  Thanks for all of your support! … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, common sense, Communication, curiosity, Passion | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#201) Collegial Collaborations: Building Connections With Adjunct Faculty

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

When it comes to developing and appreciating our adjunct faculty, we need to find ways to build opportunity, supervision, community, advancement, and respect. This past week I had the opportunity (along with my dean and associate dean) to celebrate our college’s … Continue reading →

Posted in adjunct faculty, collaboration, Community, Teaching, teamwork | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(#192) Be Brave and Go There

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Steve Piscitelli

 If I have learned anything over the years, playing it safe is usually the biggest risk… We could well find ourselves in an unacceptable environment that we quietly let grow around us. Martin Niemöller spent seven years in a Nazi … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice, Civility, collaboration, creating your future, influence, leadership, Making a Difference, Personal growth | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

(#187) Teacher Evaluation: I’m Not A Plumber for a Good Reason (Part 2)

Posted on December 22, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

I am not defending poor teaching. Far from it. I don’t want the lazy or incompetent or worse in my calling. But do evaluations need to be geared to the lowest common denominator? Last week I wrote about poorly-conceived and … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, common sense, effective teaching, Integrity, leadership, Student success | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(#185) Who Should Really Get Off The Bus?

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Steve Piscitelli

If leaders cannot encourage and support open debate— even when it questions the direction of the bus—maybe they should get off the bus. In his best seller, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t, Jim Collins … Continue reading →

Posted in collaboration, Critical Thinking, leadership, teamwork | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments