I’ve got a new From the Ombuds post. This one is about the sometimes malign power of silence:
Everyone who visits the Ombuds Office to discuss a concern is unique, with responsibilities, experiences, and aspirations that they share with no one else. Yet certain patterns emerge. In 2022, 38 percent of visitors to the office had issues surrounding communication with a supervisor. That’s why I have dedicated myself to leading workshops touching on a range of topics from thoughtful listening to difficult conversations. Between my research into communication and my conversations with hundreds of faculty, staff, and students who feel barriers when speaking with their supervisor (or employee), I have come to a conclusion: no news is, in fact, bad news.
Read it all: When No News Is Bad News | From the Ombuds