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knowledge builders T wo of the biggest challenges within facilities management are team building and profes- sional development. Positive growth in these areas contributes greatly to the overall effectiveness of staff members. Ironically, these are also areas that suffer the most when issues and events arise that divert our attention. This is often when they are needed most. AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND, ENHANCE, AND SHARE SKILLS At Penn State we have all the normal pressures of a typical large-scale univer- sity facilities operation. In the midst of the many challenges we've faced here at Penn State, an idea emerged to give our employees an opportunity to expand, enhance and share their skills while simultaneously learning about the chal- lenges facing their coworkers. Our size alone makes it a challenge to interact with one another enough to understand what different units do every day. The hope was that understanding would lead to empathy and empathy would lead to increased partnership and collaboration. After I personally participated in a review session for the CEFP and took the exam, I realized this program could potentially be the tool to help the Office of Physical Plant (OPP) achieve its goal of improving working relationships be- tween divisions. I offered a select group of staff the opportunity to participate in a six-week review program ending with the full-day APPA-led session and the exam. The participants made a commit- ment, not only to complete the weekly reading, but also to each other, and I in turn made the commitment to prepare the notes and lead the review sessions. We would work together to make sure everyone was successful. REVIEW SESSIONS BECOME DYNAMIC SESSIONS The group had participants from all parts of our organization represent- ing every division. During each session, participants were encouraged to sit with employees from other work groups, as the real learning was going to be about areas outside the individual's current expertise. This resulted in dynamic sessions, effec- tive team and knowledge building, and helped ensure everyone passed the exam. "I originally participated in the training to gain a better understanding of the vari- ous operations here at Physical Plant," said Tom Flynn, landscape architect. "We all have our specialties, but I saw the class as an opportunity to learn what others within the organization are doing, and why their roles are important." Joe Dinardo, a supervisor in the Work Control Division, echoed Flynn's senti- ments. "I wanted to be a better asset to this university. Going through the training gave me a better understanding of how facilities management works for Penn State." Using APPA's Credentialing Programs for Team and Knowledge Building By Steve Maruszewski, with Susan Bedsworth 48 | january/february 2015 | Facilities Manager "IT'S HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THE BIG PICTURE. NOT JUST THE THINGS I AM DIRECTLY ASSOCI ATED WITH, BUT HOW EVERY THING IS CONNECTED." – Mike Jackson