Welcome to Month 11 as a New Employee!

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 This Month: Navigating the Organization

As you now know, the University of Missouri System is a large and complex institution that employs a wide variety of people. It’s important to learn how the pieces of the organization fit together. This month, we’ll focus on how to navigate the relationships you need to be successful. Consider the following tips:

• Build your network. The more high-quality relationships you have throughout the UM System, the better. Trusted individuals can provide different perspectives, feedback and assistance that can make your work even better.
• Use your active-listening skills. Truly listening to what is being said and how it is being said can further your understanding of what is happening around you.
• Ask questions. Make sure you understand who your stakeholders are, who should be updated and who should be included in what you are trying to accomplish. If applicable, ask for the historical context of the project and why it has succeeded or failed in the past.

If you supervise others, assist them with these activities as well.

Our system transforms lives by collaborating to achieve mutual success.

The UM System is investing in the future of Missouri in a variety of ways. To learn more about how our organization is making an impact, check out our system data sheets which summarize our impact by county, congressional districts and statewide.

You are supported, valued and empowered.

Did you know that in the event of a family status change, you can revise your health insurance elections outside of the annual enrollment period? Consult the Summary Plan Description relevant to the insurance plan you wish to change in order to learn about which family status changes qualify. When you're ready, follow the instructions outlined in "How do I change my benefit/insurance elections?" to make your change.

Learn, discover and innovate each day.

Boost your relationship-building skills by logging into Percipio with your normal university ID and password and accessing the following resources:

• Office Politics (3 minutes)
• Building Your Professional Network (16 minutes)

You work in a safe, inclusive, transparent environment.

We work with and serve people who are different than ourselves in all kinds of ways. When things are running smoothly and the needs of those we work for and with are met, our differences may not seem too significant. But what happens when disagreements or misunderstandings arise? To explore how to facilitate healthy communication, read through this Guide to Facilitating Dialogues within the UM System.

Questions?

If you have any questions, contact us at learningdevelopment@umsystem.edu.