Hi! It was so good to hear from you. I miss the contact with the group up there. I hope everyone is doing fine. Tell them all hello for me.

Don’t get me started on the High Performance Team and the TDA process - I miss that job so much.

As far as the effect of the TDA process on my job, I guess I would have to say that I felt that I had more control. I was able to make decisions that would make it easier and more rewarding. I was empowered (there’s that word again) to be able to use the Freeing of Resource principles where I felt they were needed - and my opinions were actually listened to.

One of the actions from an event was to form a Support Group for the Administrative Assistants, and I think it actually helped a lot. We were able to combat some problems as a group, share what was going on, and offer suggestions to each other. Management actually used us from time to time to implement changes or to come up with ideas. The group has eventually fallen apart over the past couple of years, but we do still meet for dinner once a month to celebrate birthdays for that month. Guess that shows that even though the group didn’t fit into the new culture, the bond that was made is still there.

As far as the job itself? It was so great. I was involved in the process from beginning to end, and it was wonderful just watching it unfold. Planning it was exciting - the location selection, the food, the props. I was able to meet so many different people everywhere. Even though it was hectic and stressful at times, I think that I actually thrived in that atmosphere.

I loved the interviewing part because I actually felt like I was doing some good - sometimes maybe just giving the people an outlet to vent their frustrations. But it was something they desperately needed. And participating in the actual events, just watching the participants go from sheer frustration on the first day (let’s face it, wordsmithing a Future Statement is no picnic), to excitement and to a sense of a light at the end of the tunnel. It was great! And watching people open up and let loose was wonderful. To see the uptight, quiet sorts that actually came out of their shells to do a skit was amazing.

I think that the greatest part of the TDA process was the fact that everyone felt they had a say in what was happening. You didn’t have the Upper Management dictating to the production floor the changes that were going to be made. The Production Floor personnel were the ones who actually did the jobs day to day. They were able to give suggestions and voice their opinions, and it gave them a sense of belonging and ownership.

I think that the greatest thing I can say that happened to me personally because of TDA & the High Performance Team was that it made me “step out of my box - my comfort zone,” and realize that I was actually capable of so much more that I ever thought.

But it has also made it very difficult to step into another culture where I have to draw in the reins. It made me the type of person who can’t just sit back with tied hands. I am not afraid to speak up or look for opportunities to make my job more fulfilling, and not “just a job”.

Ok, I will come down off of my soapbox now and get back to the real world. Can you tell that I really miss the High Performance Team? We had a wonderful time and worked great together (most of the time).

Hope you have a great summer - and tell everyone hello for me! Who knows, maybe one day DuPont Teijin will decide to have a HPT.

Sherri