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Jan. 28 - Issue 193

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MISSION CARES ABOUT ME COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

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BEST FRIEND EXPECTATIONS RECOGNITION

I will seek opportunities at work to do my best every day.

INSIDE STORIES:

Engagement Challenge Anaheim, CA, Ranks No. 1 Fiscal Year 2020 National Peak Season Performance ELOY Best Practices Certified Engaged Teams

2020 Engagement Challenge

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The most valuable benefit a leader can provide team members is the opportunity to operate and build upon their greatest talents. These opportunities become clear when individuals understand their own thoughts, feelings and behaviors — and those of each member of their team. It is important for leaders to build relationships, and to place team members in roles that allow them to use their individual talents to do their best every day. A good way to promote this is to discuss what each person believes are his or her strengths — the specific tasks in which he or she consistently performs at a nearly perfect level — and his or her talents, skills, and knowledge that create that ability.

I will seek opportunities at work to do my best every day.

1.) What ideas can we incorporate to help us do our best at work? 2.) What do you enjoy most about your work? What do you look forward to doing at work each day? Are there parts of your job you want to do more often? 3.) Are there things that keep or distract you from being as productive as you expect to be? 4.) Are there parts of your role you find difficult? What recommendations do you have to make

it easier for you?

Questions to Ask Yourself and Your Team

Anaheim, CA, Ranks No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2020 Peak Season

Congratulations to Anaheim, CA, plant employees for being ranked No. 1 in Pacific Area and nationally for the fiscal year 2020 peak season. The total operational throughput efficiency on the Automated Package Processing System (APPS) was 19 percent higher than the No. 2 ranked APPS in Columbus, OH.

They attributed their success to a team effort. Maintenance ensured plant machines were in top-working condition; In-Plant Support created daily operating plans with projected volumes and operating windows, and transportation ensured trucks and drivers were available and scheduled to move the mail. “Every single employee’s effort is what makes Anaheim successful,” said Distribution Operations Supervisor Rosa Zapata. “I am so proud of our team. They are absolutely incredible.”

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Fiscal Year 2020 National Peak Season Performance Success

For internal USPS use only

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Engagement Leaders Share Best Practices

“All employees in the Pacific Area are part of our team and we value input from each and every one. As leaders, we have the opportunity to express that we value contributions that every individual makes to the organization’s success. I meet face-to-face with my executive staff several times throughout the quarter.” “We strategize, discuss challenges, share information and share best practices. Our district leadership teams ensure the information is shared throughout their respective districts. We are actively using the Q12 elements to hold one-on-one meetings with our leaders and employees every quarter. We gather valuable information from these conversations and work hard to build trust among our teams.”

“Our senior operations managers hold team meetings each week to focus on results. This is one way we continue to drive the opportunity to address Q7: Opinions Count. The Pacific Area team is committed to having conversations about progress and growth with each employee as part of addressing Q11: Progress. Employees need to know how they are doing within their job assignments. Events such as “Networking Nights” allow employees to meet with district leadership and learn about opportunities that can lead to developmental assignments.”

Pacific Area Vice President and ELOY finalist Larry Munoz

What is the Pacific Area doing to improve the Q7 and Q11 elements?

What do you recommend for improving Q7: Opinions Count?

“When employees believe that their opinions count, we find they are more apt to offer suggestions to improve their work methods or their overall work unit. When they feel their supervisor is listening to them and their co-workers are recognizing each other’s individual value, the Postal Service benefits. The Northeast Area leadership team works tirelessly to improve engagement where our employees’ opinions lead to a stronger customer experience.” “I recently joined a tremendous recognition event at the Dominic V. Daniels plant in New Jersey, where they topped the nation for operational excellence in letter mail throughput. Employees there use Q7: Opinions Count in their daily huddles and work groups. As a result, their performance has soared.”

“In places around Northeast Area, like Westchester and Connecticut Valley Districts, we are recognizing Gold Star Certified offices for perfect Retail Customer Experience transactions. As a result, employees in each of these sites understand how a positive customer interaction can improve satisfaction and increase retail revenue.”

Northeast Area Vice President and former Engagement Leader of the Year (ELOY) Eric Chavez

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Certified Engaged Teams

Heidelberg, MS, is one of 18 sites in Mississippi District to achieve Certified Engaged Team status. The Post Office had 100 percent participation in the latest survey and raised its grand mean score to 4.60. The team’s strengths were Q8: Mission/Purpose (4.88) and Q2 Materials and Equipment (4.75). This is the second year in a row that Heidelberg achieved this recognition.

The Kenai, AK, Post Office recently celebrated its achievement as a Certified Engaged Team by gathering to enjoy a team breakfast. The team’s grand mean score was 4.70 and strengths were Q1: Know What’s Expected (5.0) and Q3: Opportunity to Do Best (5.0). When asked for the keys to the team’s success, members used words like: “family,” “positive attitude,” “daily encouragement,” “tight-knit group,” “alert” and “engaged.”

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The Next-Level Connection Helps Meet Your Team’s Needs

The Next-Level Connection is a tool to help prepare individual team members for success. Leaders are using it to initiate one-on-one talks with all direct reports. These talks are intended to assess the current level of engagement, open lines of communication, clarify expectations and build upon results.

TIPS TO GET STARTED:

Communicate that one-on-one conversations will be held with every team member and direct report.

Make time to have a conversation with each team member who reports directly to you. Share this expectation with your direct employees who also have employees reporting to them.

Discuss progress and next steps by focusing on elements of engagement. Use the checklist below to have meaningful conversations.

- Identify areas of strengths (needs being met)

- Address opportunities (needs not being met); work together to improve

- Be open to feedback (listen to understand, not to respond)

- Show empathy for all concerns and overall well-being

- Acknowledge contributions/achievements

Go to the Employee Engagement website to watch a video on how to have a Next-Level Connection, and learn how to assess and address your team’s needs.

Submit questions to: engagement@usps.gov.

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Jan. 17 Angela Collado Supervisor, customer services Flushing, NY

Jan. 28 Shonda Selin Complaints and inquiry clerk Tampa, FL

Jan. 31 Brent Morck Letter carrier Brentwood, NY

36 years of service Michael Johnson Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

42 years of service Regina Lambert Address management system technician Seattle

Ivonne and Steven Livingston will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this month. Ivonne is a mail handler and Steven is a retail associate, both in Opa-locka, FL. Betty and Kerry McElwee will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary next month. Betty is a Postmaster in Williamsburg, OH. 8 years Lauren Mayes Retail associate Street, MD

22 years Violette Desruisseaux Mail handler Duluth, GA

25 years Miguel Pedroza Manager, customer service operations Flushing, NY

25 years Vincent Jackson Maintenance support clerk Detroit

25 years Calvin McCauley Tractor trailer operator Detroit

25 years Jeff York Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

25 years Veronica Emmett Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

25 years Laura Lapp Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

25 years Connie Sims Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

26 years Clinton Hayworth Letter carrier Daytona Beach, FL

30 years Mico Love Maintenance support clerk Detroit

35 years Bill Moody Operations support specialist Orlando, FL

35 years Genea Daniels Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

35 years Tod Ramsey Letter carrier Fort Wayne, IN

POSTAL ANNIVERSARIES

RETIREMENTS

BIRTHDAYS

WEDDINGS / ANNIVERSARIES

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Employee Celebration Submission

Engagement Resources and Contact Information

The Engagement team would love to hear from you.

We are looking for contributions, quotes and suggestions.

Send your feedback to the email below.

Did you miss a previous engagement newsletter? Go to the Engage Weekly site on Blue or Liteblue. Do you have a birthday, retirement, postal or wedding anniversary you would like to announce? Log on to LiteBlue and fill out the form. Or... Go to USPS LiteBlue and log on with your employee ID and USPS self-service password.

Under Hot Topics, select Employee Engagement.

In the left column, select Employee Celebration Submission, and fill in the online form.

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