BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The ability to attract, develop, and retain a diverse, skilled, and agile workforce is vital to our continued success as outlined in the Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Plan: People and Culture.
The Culture Action Team ensures the DLA Disposition Services’ workplace culture stays on the right path. One of their key objectives is assisting the DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon with the biannual DLA Culture Climate Survey.
The DLA Culture Climate Survey is a way to assess workforce culture. As stated on the website, the purpose of the survey is to provide a confidential mechanism for employees to share their feedback on their work environment, and as a result, it provides an opportunity to engage the workforce and leaders in thoughtful, data-driven discussions that will lead to informed action.
Recently, Culture Champion Jessica Waynick invited the volunteer-based, culture representatives from around the world to meet in-person in preparation for the upcoming survey. Cannon sat down with the team to answer questions and establish survey goals with the group.
“One of the discussion points I have at each site visit is the importance of giving me honest feedback during survey season,” Cannon said. “The data we receive from the FEVS [Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey conducted by Office of Personnel Management] and the culture climate survey can be used as a tool to improve the culture of this organization.”
In addition to pre-survey training, the team also received training from the Equal Employment Opportunity Office and met with visiting regional directors, directorate directors and DLA Disposition Services Deputy Director U.S. Army Col. Andrew Toussaint.
“What does culture mean to you,” Toussaint asked the team. “I’m going to share with you one of my favorite quotes from Maya Angelou, ‘If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.’”
Other agenda topics included finalizing the CAT guidebook for current and future culture representatives, touring the historic Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, and attending leadership meetings, both at the major subordinate command level and higher DLA headquarters level – a first for most attendees.
The team plans to meet again during the upcoming Leadership Summit at HDIFC in Battle Creek, Michigan, this October.