Across the United States, water and wastewater utilities are challenged with managing aging infrastructure, tight budgets, and understaffing — not to mention rising retirements and a shrinking talent pool. Many organizations believe they lack the resources to do succession planning or focus on workforce development, but it can be done. This article looks at two …
From the start of the standing room-only Opening General Session on October 2, one thing was clear: Attendees were in for an immersive experience. This innovative look at culture, music, and storytelling began with a welcome from hip-hop artist Benny Starr, Senior Fellow of Arts and Culture at the U.S. Water Alliance (Washington, D.C.), who …
By any measure, Belinda Sturm has had an illustrious career. She has rubbed shoulders with many researchers over the years. But as at the start of her much anticipated talk at WEFTEC 2023, “Embracing the Imposter Among Us: How Interdisciplinary and Intersectional Identities Are an Asset,” she cited a surprise influence on her philosophy: Ted …
Continue reading “‘Be Curious’: Embracing Our Unique Selves”
The Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) Public Communication and Outreach Committee (PCOC) is now in its sixth year of sponsoring an annual contest that encourages high school students to showcase their creativity — and fact-checking — when it comes to talking about what should or should not go down a toilet. In 2023, the FWEA …
Good employees are hard to find. This fact should come as no surprise to anyone in the water sector, and it will hold true in 2024 as well. Most public utilities have record numbers of vacancies, and overall low unemployment numbers mean that job seekers have many options when choosing where they want to work. …
Are you sending mixed-up messages? At a loss for words? Effective communication is one of the tenets of authentic leadership and is essential for leaders to relay information, build trust, and motivate employees. So, if your colleagues are asking, “‘Water’ you talking about?” it’s time to communicate smarter. Read the full article in Water Environment …
Continue reading “‘Water’ You Talking About? Communicate Smarter and Improve Engagement”
When you think of an authentic leader, who comes to mind? Chances are, it is someone who can enthusiastically engage with others to achieve great results. Being a connector is one of the most important tenets of authentic leadership. Strong connectors align people and resources to their goals by developing personal relationships, identifying and utilizing …
Continue reading “Keep Calm and Connect: Lead Authentically by Building Relationships”
Trust is one of the most important aspects of human interaction: It allows us to count on one another to get things done. On the other hand, a lack of trust hinders our ability to be effective collaborators. As Warren Buffet once said, “Trust is like the air we breathe — when it’s present, nobody …
Humans are social, tribal creatures, who spend upwards of 30% of their lives at work. According to the Center for Talent Innovation, productivity and workplace enjoyment is largely driven by a sense of belonging. So how does a leader ensure their colleagues are engaged and content? How does a leader know when the team is …
Continue reading “Lead With Purpose, Drive a Culture of Recognition & Appreciation”
In physical science, a catalyst causes chemical transformations to happen more quickly. In social science, a human catalyst motivates and accelerates action toward a goal. Combining these concepts embodies the definition of catalytic leadership. Read the full article in Water Environment & Technology.