Building Public Relationships: the skills, attitudes, and management needed to make them successful
Leadership and Administrative Skills
Terrell Davis
CEA - Agriculture
University of Tennessee Institute of Ag
Dyersburg
Abstract
Collaboration is a vital part of being an Extension Agent or Specialist. One of the key factors to being successful in collaborative efforts is the ability to build relationships with stakeholders such as peers, cooperators, community leaders, and financial supporters. In this presentation, participants will learn the skills needed to create these relations, the attitudes required to strengthen them, and the management needed to keep the team moving forward in a positive manner. Practical examples of clear communication, attentive listening, and being fully present will demonstrate effective strategies for new and experienced agricultural service providers to establish meaningful and productive relationships with key stakeholder groups. Once relationships have been established, they can be maintained through a variety of ways including through updates about progress, outreach and involvement of the stakeholders in Extension programming, and checking in about ongoing projects. Maintenance of these collaborations and relationships is important to ensure that they will be lasting and beneficial.
Authors: Terrell Davis, Madalyn Shires, William Erickson, Rodolfo Martinez Morales
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Terrell Davis Extension Agent, Agriculture, University of Tennessee, Tennessee, 38024
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Madalyn Shires Extension Specialist, Plant Pathology, South Dakota State University, South Dakota, 57007
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William Erickson Extension Agent, Agriculture, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 07728
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Rodolfo Martinez Morales Extension Agent, Agriculture, University of Arizona, Arizona, 85621