As a leader in internal communications, I have been asked to help explain what flourishing means for employees at the University of Oregon by producing information and other content for UO Workplace News. It’s not the flashiest assignment, but it did spark my curiosity. So I set out to better understand the idea of a flourishing community highlighted in Oregon Rising, the university’s strategic plan.
I started with the materials tied to Goal 3: Create a flourishing community. While the plan outlines leadership’s vision, translating that vision into everyday work life isn’t always obvious. So, like a good student, I studied up and then sought insight from goal committee members, UO leaders, coworkers and anyone willing to talk about flourishing. Several consistent themes emerged.
Flourishing is a journey, not a destination.
You won’t arrive at work one day, declare “I did it. I flourished,” and receive a certificate of recognition. Flourishing isn’t a single moment or milestone. It’s a process — a collection of experiences that can be hard to see in the day-to-day rhythm of work.
When we think of flourishing as an endpoint, we miss a key element: reflection. Flourishing is measured by progress, not arrival. When you look back on your UO journey, have you grown professionally and personally? Have you learned from setbacks, celebrated accomplishments and built relationships along the way? That is flourishing.
The goal committee identified five domains that signal progress: growth, well-being, resilience, community and purpose. These domains aren’t a checklist to complete; they are building blocks to help you chart your own path of flourishing. Domain is a formal way of saying area or element. Think of domains as key aspects and essential components that positively contribute to flourishing. Refer to the Oregon Rising website for definitions and practical examples to help identify the presence of the domains in your journey.
Flourishing reflects growth, not perfection.
Flourishing includes both highs and lows. It doesn’t mean things are always easy, enjoyable or satisfying — and it shouldn’t. Our experiences, especially the difficult ones, shape our perspective and equip us with tools we carry forward.
Flourishing doesn’t mean everything is fine. It means you have the abilities, resources and support to navigate challenges and continue moving forward. When you look back on your UO experience, it likely hasn’t been perfect. But if the positive moments outweigh the difficult ones — and you’ve grown along the way — that is flourishing.
Flourishing is a mindset, not a benefit plan.
At its core, flourishing is something you choose to pursue. While it’s easy to attribute our experience to external factors, personal growth and success require intention. Flourishing isn’t handed to you.
There’s no benefit plan you enroll in or card you swipe when things get hard. The commitment in Oregon Rising is to create programs, processes and structures that support flourishing. It’s up to each of us to engage with that support, contribute to our own growth and help build a thriving community.
Flourishing is individual, not universal.
Oregon Rising envisions a community where students, faculty and staff can flourish — but it doesn’t prescribe a single path. Our roles, teams and work environments differ, and so do our experiences of flourishing.
This was especially clear to me while reading a recent Workplace article, People power: teamwork of utilities crew keeps UO energized, about the university’s utilities team. I saw camaraderie, expertise, perseverance and shared purpose on full display. These aspects of flourishing looked exactly right for that team, shaped by their environment, responsibilities and the unique challenge of keeping the lights on at the Eugene campus.
A shared endeavor.
Flourishing is the word chosen in Oregon Rising to describe a collective aspiration. You may interpret it differently or even prefer another term, but the sentiment is one we can share:
“Community is built on collective experience and strengthened by our commitment to one another. Flourishing is a shared endeavor, rooted in the interdependence between individuals and the institution.”
When each of us adopts a growth mindset and pursues our own path of flourishing, we improve not only our own experience but that of those around us. I hope you’ll join me on the journey.
—by Sandee Bybee, University Communications