L&D Manager Spotlight - Brent Stringfellow

Brent Stringfellow,
Associate Vice President for Campus Operations

1. Describe your role for UT.  

I oversee Campus Operations, which is composed of Planning, Design and Construction, Facilities Services, Utilities and Energy Management, the Office of Sustainability, as well as Operations Safety & Building Compliance and Operations Support. In general, our team is responsible for the care and stewardship of the UT campus, as well as the planning for the future and implementation of our new and restored buildings. As I like to say to the team, we are charged with taking care of the “here” part of “What Starts Here Changes the World.”

2. What was the most important lesson you learned as a new manager?

Be patient and willing to listen. Having clear direction and goals are critical, but it is important to create an environment where you can build a dialogue with your team to test your ideas and assumptions. Our goals can only be met when our team is in alignment and committed to pulling in the same direction.

3. What advice do you have for managers to help develop their team?

I think finding ways to empower your team is critical to continuing their development and help you in your role as a manager. Creating opportunities for learning is a first step, and then giving the team the freedom and ability to put their learning and skills to use independently is key to development.

4. Why is learning in the workplace important?

Learning in the workplace can spark growth both individually and as a team. It has the obvious benefit of building skills and capacity for all of us, but it is also a way to keep engaged in our work. I think it contributes to keeping our work fresh and engaging as we learn to see our activities in a new light and provides chances for us to continually redefine our work.

5. What have you recently learned, what are you currently learning about, or how are you developing yourself as a professional?

Many things! Having responsibility for a unit that spans many disciplines means I am always learning about new things – from boiler repair to which types of plants can grow on campus and everything in between. I am thrilled to have the chance to always be learning about new things, but it has also taught me the importance of having a trusted professional and informed team. As a manager I cannot begin to know everything, but know that I have a team that can address any of the multiple challenges.