Interview withLearning Organization

LeaderMark Foxall, Ph.D., CJMbyCorporal Tanya BurnsideMSM620 Learning Management & Mastery

Learning Organization Leader

Mark Foxall, Ph.D., CJM• Dr. Foxall is my Learning Organization Leader • He emphasizes that learning/education should be

instrumental in everything you pursue• Whom or what inspired Dr. Foxall to be a good leader?

• Pitmon Foxall II… “My Dad…My mentor, my role model” • Omaha Police Department (OPD)'s first black patrol

sergeant • OPD’s first black lieutenant in charge of the

homicide unit• OPD’s first black public-safety director• Acknowledged experience as a part of learning but

emphasized that you should continue to evolve and never rest on your laurels - Pitmon Foxall

• Dr. Martha Foxall, Retired Emeritus, UNMC “Learning is a lifelong process…”• “whether that be experience based or academic based...

and that comes not just from my Dad, but my mom as well” - Dr. Foxall

• Pitmon Foxall III, responsible for managing the Department of Homeland Security’s CFATS Program for ConAgra Foods, Inc. Retired as Deputy Chief in 2008

Learning Organization Leader

Mark Foxall, Ph.D., CJMExperience• Director

• Douglas County Department of Corrections• Adjunct Instructor - School of Criminology and

Criminal Justice • University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Sergeant • Omaha Police Department

• Special Agent• Federal Bureau of Investigation

• Director• Project Impact with the United States Attorney's

Office, District of Nebraska

Education • University of Nebraska at Omaha • Ph.D., Criminal Justice, 2005 - Dissertation titled

" Latino Homicides: The Influence of Residential Segregation", 2005.

• University of Nebraska at Omaha • MPA, Public Administration, 1996 – 1998 • Activities and Societies: Pi Alpha Alpha • University of Nebraska at Omaha • B.S., Criminal Justice, 1978 – 1986

Douglas County Department of Corrections

Welcome to Douglas County Department of Corrections

First Nationally Accredited Jail in NebraskaAmerican Correctional Association - (ACA) - Accreditation History

Community Corrections - since January 2010Main Jail - since August 2008

National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) - Accreditation History

Medical Department since March 2005

Douglas County Department of Corrections

Welcome to Douglas County Department of Corrections• 1,453 Bed capacity• In the month of March there were 1,666 admissions and 1171 releases• 400+ staff members• In his report for March 2013, Dr. Foxall continues to operate under budget

which is rare in corrections. Access the following link to view one of Dr. Foxall’s latest reports to Douglas County Board of Commissioners- start at 04:10 http://www.douglascounty-ne.gov/board-meetings/videos#

Douglas County Department of Corrections

VisionWe are a dynamic department committed to safe and responsible detention.

Values• Competence

• We will promote effective hiring practices and comprehensive training programs to provide staff the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties and responsibilities.

• Diversity• We will recognize and appreciate our differences

• Respect • We hold in high regard the values and rights of staff, offenders and the public

• Professionalism• We are confident, knowledgeable, informed, unbiased, dedicated and courteous

• Integrity• We ensure that all policies adhere to the personal values we represent: honesty, trust, respect, compassion and loyalty

• Pro-Active • We are dedicated to the research of new ideas and the identification of issues, while being responsive to the needs of

inmates, staff and the community • Progressive

• We are open-minded, exploring all options that are imaginative and innovative http://www.dccorr.com/corrections/about-us

Building the Learning Organization• Peter M. Senge, learning organization expert and author of The Fifth

Discipline (2006), wrote about an MIT sponsored conference in the early 90’s entitled “Transforming Organizations”. During the conference, two questions were key: “How can we build organizations in which continuous learning occurs and what kind of person can best lead the learning organization?” Do you believe those questions are relevant in the corrections industry today?• “Yes…encourage…foster…create an environment where learning occurs• If you don’t allow staff to take advantage of the educational opportunities out

there, you miss your end goal which is continuing to have people flourish through various levels of education

• It’s up to leadership to create that learning environment. That has to come from the top

• Blended learning - in-house classes , online learning including e-learning • Encourage participation in professional organizations

• American Corrections Association - Certified Jail Officer, Certified Jail Manager• Stay relevant picking up additional education along the way, case law, legislation,

best practice, staying current” – Dr. Foxall

Building the Learning Organization• What type of people best lead your learning organization?• A person with principles…every leader should have these

principles• “Strength of character• Strength of faith• Giving back to the community• Pursuit of academic excellence” – Dr. Foxall

Building the Learning Organization• One of the difficulties in building a learning organization is getting key

people to buy into your vision. Robert Fritz’, management consultant and author of “The Path of Least Resistance” introduced the principle of “Creative Tension” which

“comes from seeing clearly where we want to be, our “vision,” and telling the truth about where we are, our “current reality.” [The gap between the two generates natural tension”]. (Senge, 2003 et.al Fritz 1989).

• How do you as a leader resolve “Creative Tension”? • “Douglas McGregor’s Theory Y school of participative management style• Foster an environment where individuals opinions are valued• Seek input from internal stakeholders• Keep lines of communication open • Value what other people bring to the table including all levels• Walk around (engage with individuals) “ – Dr. Foxall

Learning Organization Dimensions• I’ll give you the following dimensions of an organization; tell me which

characteristic best suits DCC:

Critical tasks physical or mental - BOTHRelationships hierarchal or peer-to-peer - BOTHLevels many or fewer Structures functional or multidisciplinary teamsBoundaries fixed or permeableCompetitive thrust vertical integration or outsourcing and alliancesManagement style autocratic or participativeCulture compliance or commitment and results - BOTHPeople homogenous or diverseStrategic focus Efficiency or innovation

The True Learning Organization• Dr. Michael Marquardt, best-selling author and Professor at George

Washington University concludes that the true learning organization incorporates five subsystems: learning, organization, people, knowledge, and technology. How has our organization demonstrated the mastery of each subsystem? “We’ve covered learning, organization, people and knowledge, let’s talk about technology” – Tanya Burnside.• “Currently: Essential learning, policy tech, jail management

software program. Future: Kiosks to pay bonds, fines, and costs. Web based programs that allow people to pay from home, visitation by remote. Reduces the introduction of contraband into the facility, promoting a safer environment and better serving the community” – Dr. Foxall.

The Future for DCDC• Talk to me about specific goals and objectives for learning moving

forward?• “More work to be done as far as education• Continued work with Metropolitan Community College• More staff working on credentials for promotions• More challenging testing• Increased level of participation” - Dr. Foxall

• What barriers do you anticipate hindering learning in our organization, and what strategy will be used to eliminate those barriers?• “Apathy, I’m happy with what I have, always have to fight apathy”. This is a career

field…not just this type of job… • Would you agree that your strategy includes changing mental models? - Tanya

Burnside• “Right! Changing the culture of an organization is tuff. You can’t just sit back

and say that’s the way it is…maintain the status que…you can’t cram it down people throats…We rise to the challenge…selection process, promoting people that believe in the philosophy, buy in from top-down and bottom-up is important…sharing a similar vision…” – Dr. Foxall

Learning Organization Leader

Mark Foxall, Ph.D., CJM