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INDOT + Indiana Aggregate Industry Partnership Workshop
Both INDOT and industry leaders, key personnel and technical experts came together on April 28th to work toward building and improving our partnership. IMAA Executive Calvin Lee opened the meeting and presented the meeting’s purpose. INDOT Commissioner Mike Smith set the tone for the day emphasizing his commitment at the top level to strengthening the relationship between the aggregates industry and INDOT. INDOT Deputy Commissioner of Construction Roland Fegan reinforced the Commissioner’s message, encouraging an atmosphere of collaboration and trust.
The workshop opened with introductions facilitated by Bronwyn Weaver and Scott Swanson continuing in the spirit of openness and relationship building as each participant quickly interviewed and then introduced the person sitting next to them. Following the introductions, Bronwyn and Scott presented on culture, trust building, teamwork, conflict management and emotional intelligence.
Key Presentation Takeaways:
- Slow down to speed up – take the time to build a strong foundation in relationships to work more collaboratively, efficiently, and effectively.
- The path to results starts with a foundation of trust between people and organizations.
- Improve results by improving relationships – by understanding each other and acting with emotional intelligence, we can create connection and a culture of empowerment.
- Lean-in to change and embrace it with a firm grip on values and being clear on non-negotiables.
- Allow people the “buffer of grace” – being respectful and having the mindset that each person is trying to do their best.
- Begin with yourself by understanding your needs, stressors, unconscious biases, and how you react to conflict.
- Collaboration is a win/win mentality where both parties are committed, focused on long range productive strategy, genuine desire to understand other’s positions, and both parties will feel successful.
- It is not the role of partnering to negotiate the contract, however a partner should establish effective working relationships, identify the real issues and resolve them, reduce misunderstandings, clarify and redefine priorities, eliminate threats, establish standards and expectations, and explore and develop areas of common ground.
During the afternoon, participants were tasked with identifying, discussing, and workshopping solutions to pain points between INDOT and industry. The discourse and tone set during the morning session allowed for an open and honest discussion in the afternoon.
What were identified as areas of improvement?
- Timely test result communication (transparency to the process)
- Identification of the “chain of command” for information and decisions (and then communicating it)
- Lack of clarity on the vision of programs/policies (make sure it is clear to ALL)
- Defining expectations for communications (delays in response)
- Inconsistent information communicated depending on location/experience/position
- Inconsistency around how priorities are defined/identified/communicated (what is “important”)
- Smaller groups for efficient problem-solving (solutions shouldn’t be one-sided)
- Current issue: Point of Use program (lack of clarity and inconsistency)
- Quarterly meeting communications (who should attend, agenda items, scheduling contacts)
- Sharing historical information / cross-generational training
What are the next steps?
The next level of partnership should be defined by the participants – both IMAA & INDOT – collaboratively. The IMAA-INDOT quarterly joint technical meetings can be used as common ground to continue discussion around the identified areas of improvement and break down the issues into workgroups to establish SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely). The meetings can also be used as check-in times for progress on the mission of continued improved partnership once goals are identified. The relationships started and developed on April 28th should continue to be nurtured to establish effective working relationships.
To continue the spirit of collaboration and demonstrate commitment to the continued partnership, IMAA proposes a follow-up session led by Scott and Bronwyn at the IMAA Winter Workshops in 2023.
Thank you to all who participated and your commitment to serve the citizens of our state together!