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Core Values and Key Operating Principles

In June 2008, the School community attended a School Retreat entitled Working together: enhancing working relationships and School performance. In response to a key objective of the retreat, the staff established a set of Core Values, which they identified as essential elements of a successful working relationship and productive working environment. From these core values, staff developed a number of Key Operating Principles, which they agreed should influence how we relate to one another and how we go about doing our work.

Core Values

The core values represent the fundamental beliefs and philosophies, which influence how PSI staff interact with colleagues and students in the work environment and underpin our School’s workplace culture. They influence the way we treat one another and the way we conduct ourselves, the choices we make and the way we spend your time. It is anticipated that prospective and future employees will also consider these values important.

Respect

Show courteous regard for each other, regardless of role or status and accept the right of others to hold different or opposing views

Integrity

Be consistently honest and trustworthy, and behave in an ethical manner, taking ownership of our behaviour and responsibilities.

Fairness

Approach people and issues with tolerance and respect and never behave in a discriminatory manner

Accountability

Accept responsibility for actions and decisions made by ourselves and/or the School towards ourselves, others and the environment

Collegiality

Value and appreciate colleague’s contributions and provide encouragement and support to one another, working together to achieve common goals in a friendly, courteous and professional manner

Excellence

Enthusiastically strive for the highest personal achievement in all aspects of our work and inspire others to do the same

Creativity

Look for creative, new and/or better ways to develop our areas of expertise and allow colleagues the freedom to develop and present innovative and challenging ideas

Courage

Support colleagues who stand up for what they believe is right, and allow them to make mistakes and take risks in pursuit of goals, which may push them outside their comfort zone.

Key Operating Principles

The Key Operating Principles describe how we can incorporate the concepts of the core values into our daily working life and working environment.  The School of Political and Social Inquiry aims to be recognised, worldwide, as a multi-disciplinary School providing leadership, excellence and opportunity in social science teaching, scholarship and research. The following Key Operating Principles aim to support this vision and should be adopted by all School staff.
  • Value the contribution of all staff and strive to be inclusive, and to engender a sense of community and team spirit
  • Model good leadership, regardless of position or level and endorse the importance of imposing the core values on our interactions with colleagues and the wider community
  • Encourage open communication, which values robust debate and differing opinions and seeks constructive feedback, while allowing staff to question and challenge, without fear of reprisal
  • Provide clear and accessible paths of appeal and engage in peaceful resolution of conflict
  • Provide transparent, flexible and equitable decision making processes, with input from staff as appropriate
  • Strive to achieve excellence in all areas of our work - teaching, research and administration and to create a work environment where motivated staff can flourish and succeed to their highest potential.
  • Encourage and empower colleagues to be creative and innovative and consider flexible approaches to problem solving, where applicable, and be adaptable to change
  • Work collaboratively to enhance productivity and to actively promote School interests and optimise influence
  • Celebrate successes and acknowledge effort in teaching, research, and administration, at the team, as well as the individual level, in a positive and encouraging manner
  • Provide a fair and equitable distribution of workload and actively promote work-life balance for all staff, at all levels
  • Display confidence in colleagues’ skills and abilities and provide opportunities for continuing professional and personal development and succession planning

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