The Toolbox Initiative: Changing the Learning Culture

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

At Palm Beach County Water Utilities team learning is not a foreign activity anymore for the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Lines and Lift Stations leaders, but rather a way of standard practice where continuous learning and open communication is the norm. Three years ago our Toolbox Initiative was created to shift the culture from the isolation of silo management to collaboration among leaders and provide leaders with the “tools” needed to successfully and strategically lead our utility into the future. The Toolbox Initiative began with a focus on coaching skills, developing career objectives, and increasing visibility of management. During the second year, it expanded to offer a variety of skills and behaviors identified as needing further development. In addition, executive team leaders from across the utility became involved in the workshops sharing the goals of their divisions. In 2015, the Toolbox Initiative gave leaders the opportunity to teach each other and build teams while developing and delivering workshops based on their individual strengths. The culture shift over the three years has enhanced cross-functional communications and generated respect far beyond one might think achievable.