Quality time helps build a network

Quality time in leadership is also time spent with others that strengthens and energizes the group, or that results in the development and display of new ideas, common goals or consensus that were not apparent at the beginning of the process. Quality time is time that builds networks and knits groups together, without causing frustration, anxiety and impatience on the part of most of the participants.

I have learned much from our team. Not only the technology tools but the importance of the adaptability and commitment required of PH leaders. First the need to dedicate oneself to the learning and achieving 'buy-in' of the tools, but then the flexibility to try them in new and creative venues to the benefit of the organization, staff and most important our client populations.

Quality is more than meeting the standards in our scenarios. It is the devlopment, pride and effect of time based on each of our personal values. The growth and learning of what can be done and the excitment and challenge of going in new direction. While CHANGE is often a barrier for individuals and agencies delving into web 2.0 and social networking, doing so as a group not only lessened the fears, utilized the group support, and played off the espertise of others to benefit all.

I think the adaptaptations of the technology were secondary to the learning obtained through our group process. Our group became a social network whick valued and supported each member. The support allowed us to take positive risks and challenging experiences. We built a trust among the team and shared lifestories and gave interpersonal feedback to each other. Social support is a primary factor in shaping the level of one's physical and mental health. The Social Networing technology could mirror these steps and thus enhance PH leader's sense of quality time. It will be interesting to follow our group and see if the written words used in social networking is as powerful as our voices!

To respond to some of the questions I posed earlier. Technology, particularly Web 2.0 technologies, can facilitate quality time in public health leadership by improving leaders' impact and productivity through facilitating message outreach and by engaging targeted populations to solicit ideas (e.g., using a blog to convey an important health message or concept to a wide variety of individuals including partners and stakeholders). Social networking sites can enable leaders to stay in touch with one another so that ideas can be conveyed and information can be exchanged in an efficient manner regardless of people's schedules. Web 2.0 also provides leaders with alternative methods of communication which again can enhance quality time by maximizing productivity, and enhancing personal interactions .

This is an excellent summation of the attributes of quality time. How can we use of technology, specifically Web 2.0 technologies, to enhance or contribute to these quality time parameters as they relate to public health leadership? How can social networking sites, blogs, micro-blogs as well as email and mobile technology facilitate a public health leader's sense of quality time?

hey it worked!

What is Quality Time?

Despite the increased utility provided by electronic communication tools, these tools may potentially produce a decrease in quality communications and a decrease in quality leadership time.

The "quality leadership time team", as part of the National Public Health Leadership Institute has been exploring this problem statement and seeking personal learning and answers. The ideas here are from the whole team which includes Jay Bernhardt, Kevin Fenton, Camille Jones, Cynthia Lamberth, Lou Ann Weil, and Terry Zimmerman. This blog explores some of these issues.

What do you think comprises quality time? The themes from our conversations include:

The ability to FOCUS on a particular task at hand. Quality therefore being defined as a lack of physical or cognitive; personal or situational barriers that allows one to give attention to an activity.
The ability to PRIORITIZE – continually asking the question: Am I spending time on the most important and impactful things?
Maximizing PRODUCTIVITY – Knowing that an assessment of the productivity of a session often occurs at the end of the session and a desire to prevent the feeling of “lack of gain” from a session or particular activity.
Time which leads to a sense of PRIDE; COMPLETION; and a belief that something of value has been done.
Time spent on something that has (1) Personal VALUE; (2) Work PERFORMANCE; (3) IMPACT/ Productivity; (4) Personal INTERACTIONS (5) PROFESSIONAL GROWTH and development; (6) EMOTIONAL GROWTH and development (own and others
ALIGNMENT of activities and values/objectives produces high-quality time and results in feelings of “harmony” and “team”.
Being CHALLENGED.
Ability to EMPOWER STAFF to achieve their own and the organization’s goals.
Having WILLPOWER and CONTROL over our daily activities and which can greatly facilitate achieving higher quality-time throughout one’s day.
USING the strategy of SEGMENT INTENDING – being very deliberate about what one wants to obtain from every interaction, and working towards this as a goal. For example, clarifying BEFORE an experience what one wants to get out of the experience in order to ensure a more positive outcome. This could be applied to proactively when thinking about the week, day, hour, or meeting in advance or even activities of daily living. Generally being mindful of, and proactive about, each interaction, and what the desired outcome is. PAYING ATTENTION TO INTENTIONS.
MINDFULNESS about our daily interactions, but also being open to the objectives of others, and looking for ways to make these objectives transparent.
WHAT do you think is quality time?

Is the time graduate students spend in class “quality time”? This video clip from Kansas State University Digital Ethnography provides some insight into this question..