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Testimonial
From Phil Schloop, Business Manager
Local 547, International union of Operating Engineers
American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations
Janice Calnan's personal style is humane, therapeutic and effective. She is skilled in dealing with issues and setting the tone for dealing with difficult, often avoided, discussions. Her work is essential wherever there are opposing views that interfere with the delivery of quality services or products. It quells the outward fire and allows groups to deal first with human factors, often the real source of problems.
The initial concern about touchy-feely topics quickly melts away when people experience issues of mutual concern and find the shared interest to correct them.
This is a craft union. As such, craft pride is fundamental. Anything that undermines the craft also undermines the people themselves. Janice's early introduction and continued focus of Total Quality Management has encouraged very high acceptance to group dynamics as a road to a better working environment.
Once membership issues of race, gender and rank were established, Janice was able to solidify emotional changes in the core team. This impacted the solidarity of the larger group.
She educated the team about new problem solving techniques, namely, team dynamics, validation of anger and linking individual's ideas to a larger vision. These skills benefit the entire membership and are rarely learned in school or early family life.
She brings a neutral, credible, professional style that is very useful. Since she has no alliance with internal politics, the group was willing to follow her lead to find their own solutions.
She has the ability to facilitate open dialogue in a non antagonistic way. By accepting and validating the feelings of frustration, anger and real hurt, she led the group away from antagonism, toward a larger picture of solving the issues, and then moved toward finding solutions.
She encouraged acceptance of each person's values as valid and important in creating harmony. At the same time, she pushed the group beyond saying "everyone is okay", to realizing that resolving disharmony in a group is a useful tool for growth. The group was able to internalize and adopt new values of acceptance for their own diverse contribution. They worked effectively with each other and got beyond emotional stumbling blocks into a real search for solutions.
She guides people in discovering their own conclusions and in doing so ignites motivation and hope for the possibility of a better way.
Honesty is key. Janice admits when she does not know. This inspires others to be equally open and vulnerable about what they do not know. The team moves from caution to learning and growth.
Sincerely
Phil Schloop, Business Manager
Local 547, International union of Operating Engineers
American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations
24270 W. Seven Mile Rd, Detroit MI 48219-1664
Feb 28th. 1999
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