OPA Retreat 2021 by Kevin W. Heller https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6 What were some of the good parts of the retreat? en-us 2021-05-18 19:04:09 UTC 2026-03-02 15:30:37 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/705906895/373dcbac8164b7f86fcf0a33a778630f/OPA_PDHeart_R300_Button__1_.eps Good parts of retreat https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681003102 Not having technology so obvious helped to facilitate open, attentive discussion. 

The small breakout groups helped to get a little deeper into a thought thread.

Large group discussion felt safe to share ideas and feelings.]]> 2021-08-16 20:36:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681003102 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681005365 Ways to help Stanford promote their Postdoc Office.

Institutional change of attitude of a postdoc

Career path for postdocs and how we fit in.]]> 2021-08-16 20:39:32 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681005365 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681006044 More advocacy, maybe taking it over from SURPAS due to their ever evolving leadership. Maybe we need to be the leader.

]]> 2021-08-16 20:40:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681006044 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681007184 Feel like Postdoc Benefit Office is doing all they can with limited staff. We need help to give us the ability to use our institutional knowledge to build a better program.

]]> 2021-08-16 20:41:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681007184 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681091327 Sharing thoughts amongst peers. 

Seeing OPA and meeting new staff members. 

Wonderful location and delicious food.]]> 2021-08-16 22:38:06 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681091327 I would love to see system improvements that would eliminate some of the manual processes that exists which can take up more time and leave room for human errors. https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681099729 2021-08-16 22:52:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681099729 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681212264 I enjoyed the thinking about OPA and our work from different perspectives via different prompts. I found it really interesting to think about the different levels from which we could view our work: changing the world? changing academia? changing the postdoc experience? changing appointment system? All different lenses, all thought provoking. ]]> 2021-08-17 00:46:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681212264 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681214480 Re-prioritizing work based on goals that resonated with me. ]]> 2021-08-17 00:48:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681214480 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681222229 I appreciated some ways that people on the team challenged us to think and I hope we can examine the following more deeply. (My apologies for any possible mis-representation in my memory/interpretation.)
1. Denise mentioned that it is not always clear how to participate in discussions, that sometimes conversations get shut down quickly.  
2. Priscilla mentioned that we may want to change our way of talking about faculty to support their humanity and success. 
3. Kevin mentioned that we may want to clearly define some terms we frequently use: what do they really mean? Are we on the same page? ]]> 2021-08-17 00:52:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681222229 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681229516 I enjoyed hearing the different perspectives across the team, a chance to see everyone, and to get to know our new team members. I also loved the location, the food, and I appreciated how thoughtful and warm Diane was! 

]]> 2021-08-17 00:57:11 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681229516 I will always strive to find ways to simplify processes/procedures and improve communications to enhance the postdoc and department's overall experience with OPA. https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681258436 2021-08-17 01:17:47 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681258436 I enjoyed trying to view the perspective from the postdoc and PI's side. https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681267374 2021-08-17 01:23:44 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681267374 perspectives and motivations kwheller https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681314582 It made me realize that we all might be coming to OPA with different motivations. Compatible motivations, but different. And understanding someone's motivation could be really useful in communicating in ways that they are more likely to respond to positively. ]]> 2021-08-17 01:52:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681314582 mission/vision and storytelling kwheller https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681316073 the idea of coming up with a mission and vision that each sub-group can connect with is very appealing. 

the idea of having shared stories that we tell to explain what we do and where we're headed is also very appealing]]> 2021-08-17 01:53:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1681316073 research on motivation kwheller https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682311145 i assume that there is already research out there on common motivations in the workplace; I'll commit to digging into the topic further and sharing what I learn ]]> 2021-08-17 14:57:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682311145 mission/vision/stories kwheller https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682314810 My primary hope is that we develop a mission/vision for OPA that all four segments can connect with and see how their efforts contribute to the overall mission/vision. My secondary hope is that we develop common, compelling stories that meet a variety of needs, depending on how they're used and which audience we're addressing]]> 2021-08-17 14:59:12 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682314810 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682607004 I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet everyone in-person. The location and food were very good.

Diane was an amazing facilitator. I thought she was skilled in ensuring all perspectives were heard.

]]> 2021-08-17 17:44:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682607004 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682638669 I'm energized about where we are headed as a team (---> 3.0). In addition, it is exciting being able to participate in (and add my input) the creation of a new mission and vision statement for the organization that I'm working for. ]]> 2021-08-17 18:06:40 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682638669 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682646383 Being more mindful of the varying perspectives of our team members. Each of us works with a different aspect of the postdoc experience. The retreat helped remind me of that so that I can be more empathetic and knowledgeable when it comes to interacting with our team members and with postdocs (for referrals, etc.)

What truly resonated with me during the retreat was the reminder regarding the impact of our work, i.e. individual postdocs, Stanford University, and the world.]]> 2021-08-17 18:11:49 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682646383 Storytelling & Clarity https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682655290 I hope that we'll leverage our programs, services and data to tailor communication to stakeholders within the Stanford University community.

With more follow-up discussion, I hope that we can further clarify the meaning for some of the words/terms that we frequently use.]]> 2021-08-17 18:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682655290 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682709748 Enjoyed seeing everyone in-person again and meeting the new team members. 

Thought both the big and small group discussions and activities were really positive and productive, and enjoyed hearing everyone's perspectives.

Diane was a great facilitator, enjoyed the technology detox, and thought the location was great!]]> 2021-08-17 18:59:14 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682709748 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682743427 Appreciated the timeline of where we were, where we are, and where we want to go - it was exciting to see how far we've come and what exciting goals are ahead of us.

Also, the conversation around storytelling and better understanding how we communicate who we are to others was very thought provoking. 

And the discussion on how we support postdocs vs faculty supporting postdocs was very eye-opening, and how we can help improve this relationship moving forward. ]]> 2021-08-17 19:25:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682743427 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682772433 Re-evaluating priorities in the work I do to  accomplish 3.0 goals. The retreat was a good reminder that the work we do pushes us forward to achieving our larger goals, and re-focusing my work to accomplish these goals is something I'll be doing more of moving forward.]]> 2021-08-17 19:47:17 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682772433 https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682783663 An updated mission and vision reflecting the discussions and discoveries made at the retreat.  

A better understanding of who we are and how we want to communicate ourselves to others to advocate for resources and support. 

]]> 2021-08-17 19:56:28 UTC https://padlet.com/kwheller/egqalsxtj50j41y6/wish/1682783663