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Home My WebLink AboutWSF - Mission Vission Values and Guiding PrinciplesFrom Here to There Building a Better Future Together Strategies for Operationalizing Our Vision Welcome Aboard! Embracing our Mission, Shared Values and Operating Principles "Whether this is your first day or your 50th year, we extend a warm welcome to you as we embark on a journey of positive change together.“ "As stewards of Washington's vital transportation lifeline, we also take immense pride in our commitment to public service, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient ferry operations for all who depend on us." 2 This Playbook… Why Are You Receiving This Playbook? We want to ensure everyone understands our Mission, Vision, Values, and Operating Principles so that we're all working in concert to co-create an organization we're proud to be part of. Moreover, aligning our goals with the WSDOT Strategic Plan ensures that we contribute effectively to the broader transportation vision of our state. Why Is It Important? Our Mission, Vision, Values, and Operating Principles are meant to guide everything that happens in our organization. They define our culture, provide rules of engagement, and describe the kinds of behaviors that will enable the vision to become a reality. When we collectively embrace our Mission, Vision, Values, and Operating Principles, it can result in cohesion or a unified effort. This alignment not only strengthens our organization but also advances the strategic objectives of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). 3 Why Does This Matter NOW? Adapting to unprecedented challenges. A New Frontier •The global pandemic has reshaped the way we work. Shifting priorities demand a new approach. •Change is a constant. We must embrace flexibility and resilience as we navigate this dynamic landscape. Workforce Transformation •A significant portion of our workforce is nearing retirement age. Preparing for this transition is essential to ensure continuity. •We must excel in finding, evaluating, nurturing, and retaining talent to fill the void left by retirees and drive our organization forward. Navigating Challenges •Our infrastructure and fleet face ongoing challenges. Maintaining operational excellence in the face of adversity is our commitment. •Despite challenges, we are unwavering in our dedication to providing the highest standards of service. United for Resilience •The road ahead is tough, but together, we are stronger. Cooperation and collaboration are our best tools to overcome adversity. Our Vision: An Organization Fit for the Decades Ahead •Our ultimate goal is to emerge from these challenges as a resilient and purpose-driven organization, ready to serve for generations to come. 4 Call to Action 5 Join Us in Shaping Our Future Together! We believe that the key to achieving greatness lies in our collective effort as one united organization. As we face operational challenges and work tirelessly to maintain our status as the largest ferry system in the US, your commitment and dedication are more crucial than ever. We invite you to take action: Share Your Ideas:We value your insights and creativity. Share your thoughts, suggestions, and innovative ideas to improve our operations and service quality. Your input matters, and it can lead to positive changes. Provide Feedback:Your feedback helps us understand what's working and what needs improvement. Let us know what's on your mind. We're committed to an open, honest, and transparent dialogue. Embrace Our Vision:Align your work with our Vision, Mission, Values, and Operating principles. When we all work together with a shared purpose, we can achieve extraordinary results. Stay Informed and Up-to-Date:Take advantage of the tools and training we provide to stay current with the latest technology. Your skills and knowledge are essential to our success. Message from Steve NeveyAssistant Secretary – Washington State Ferries “I often say to my staff that we are the largest ferry system in the United States, and we ought to start acting like it. Together, let's become the standard of operational excellence against which every ferry system in the world measures itself. I strongly believe that the first step in achieving this transformation means shifting from an ego-based culture to a people-first, value-based culture. It's about recognizing that our success is deeply intertwined with the well-being and satisfaction of our employees and the communities weserve. By prioritizing our people and aligning our values, we can foster an environment where teamwork, inclusivity, and a commitment to service excellence propel us toward even greater achievements” 6 WSDOT Strategic Plan 7 Mission: We provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transportation options to improve communities and economic vitality for people and businesses WSDOT Strategic Plan Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 8 We each strive to advance our culture of belonging and access so that all feel included, supported, valued and safe. We embed DEI throughout the employee experience to grow our staff to learn to be allies and to create a culture of belonging. We grow the agency Diversity Advisory Groups by increasing membership, expanding learning and creating influence. We develop guidelines and benchmarks that lead to precise and effective decision- making centered on our values. We strive to be a trusted partner of the communities we serve by truly understanding their needs. We create good policy that effectively responds to the needs of underserved communities and creates sound, equitable investment strategies. WSDOT Strategic Plan Workforce Development 9 Be an employer of choice by hiring, training and retaining skilled workers to meet Washington’s transportation needs. Employee Engagement –encourage and act on employee feedback. Modern Work Environment –continue building a flexible and mobile work environment through technology and innovation. Talent Development –value our employees through training and other opportunities. Talent Pipelines –analyze applicant pools and use varied recruiting methods to find exceptional talent. Workforce Analysis and Growth –understand market trends and work to offer competitive compensation and ensure succession. WSDOT Strategic Plan Resilience 10 Plan and/or invest resources to improve our ability to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to emergencies; combat climate change; and build a transportation system that provides equitable services, improves multimodal access, and supports Washington’s long-term resilience. Improve resilience of the transportation system Seismic Resilience –prioritize and strengthen the elements of the transportation system most critical to emergency response after a seismic event, such as an earthquake or tsunami. Asset Management –build resilience and reduce vulnerabilities while proactively managing the preservation and maintenance of WSDOT’s assets necessary to achieve and sustain a state of good repair. Climate and Natural Hazard Resilience –prioritize actions that reduce risk and build climate preparedness. Operational Resilience –support and enhance security for all WSDOT staff and properties and improve WSDOT’s Emergency Preparedness for response and recovery from natural and manmade incidents (including cyber). Washington State Ferries -Operational Excellence Vision Becoming the global standard of operational excellence means satisfied customers, empowered employees and a laser focus on process improvement. 11 WSF - Shared Values Serve. We provide safe, reliable service for our customers. Respect. We embrace differences and treat all people with dignity Grow. We celebrate each other’s successes and learn from our mistakes Trust. We create a space where everyone feels safe and valued Navigate. We adapt and correct course to constantly improve 12 The Value of Values At Washington State Ferries, we prioritize the values of safety, reliability, respect, growth, trust, and adaptability in our day-to-day work. By practicing these values together, we can enhance customer experience, create a positive work environment, improve performance, and meet our organizational goals. We believe that these values are essential for the success of the organization, and by practicing them, we can continue to provide exceptional service to our customers while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. 13 WSF – Guiding Principles At Washington State Ferries: We foster a culture of engagement and collaboration at all levels We prioritize two-way engagement to ensure everyone has the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns We actively listen to employees and use their feedback to guide decisions We will dispel the "us vs. them" mentality and create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute their best We strive to move away from a blame culture and towards a learning culture where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth and improvement We empower team members to make decisions by pushing decision-making authority as close to where the work is being done as possible We create a positive work environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported We foster a sense of ownership and accountability among team members We will always continuously evolve and improve by creating a culture of learning 14 Executive Commitment Our promise is that in cooperation with our Executive Leadership team, we will do our best to: • Ensure our management team is open, honest, and transparent. • Increase accessibility to managers so you can get the guidance and assistance you need to continue to do great work. • Provide the tools and training you need to stay current with new technology. • Identify ways to recognize and reward your incredible contributions. Our hope is that this document serves to connect you to our purpose and provides a roadmap for our future success. At the end of the day, none of this will actualize if we aren't able to enlist the hearts and minds, hands, and backs of each and every one of you. Your active participation is the driving force behind our success. Let's work together to overcome challenges and shape a brighter future for our organization. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this initiative: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8GQYSDL 15 16 Thank you for being a vital part of our team. Your passion and dedication are the driving force behind our journey to greatness. Together, we can accomplish remarkable things. Back Cover 17