Kansas State University

Tidbits About Feelings and Impressions

Submitted by Dr. Wayne Moore

A great quote from Maya Angelou states, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Let’s think about this for a moment. As you consider these three words, “said,” “did,” and “feel,” which of them is most strongly related to an experience? You’re correct. Feel!

In our Extension world, a major part of what we do includes building and maintaining relationships, networking, teaching, learning, and leading. Regardless of our job function in Extension, the new agents, prospective agents, stakeholders, community members, and even visitors form impressions about our Kansas State Research and Extension (KSRE) culture based on their interactions with us. Those interactions lead to impressions and resonate into experiences. Like a customer in a bank whose impression of the bank is determined by the experience he/she has with a bank teller, so too, our clients, producers, customers, new agents, and prospective agents formulate their feelings and impressions about KSRE from interactions with and observations of us.

It’s as though we work in a glass-only building with views and impressions formed about us and our organization wherever we are because we are seen as KSRE. Let us portray the best possible representation of KSRE regardless of where we are and what we’re doing. And also have an answer to share with those who ask us, “What is Extension/what do you do?” Be sure to have your elevator speech ready to give the best possible impression of our organization. Include wording from our mission and/or vision statements:

Mission Statement

K-State Research and Extension is dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong, healthy communities, families and youth through integrated research, analysis and education.

Vision Statement

K-State Research and Extension is committed to expanding human capacity by delivering educational programs and technical information that result in improved leadership skills in the areas of communication, group dynamics, conflict resolution, issue analysis, and strategic planning that can enhance the economic viability and quality of life in communities.

Examples of an Elevator Speech:

• We deliver research-based educational programs to improve clientele skills in a variety of areas, including communication, conflict resolution, and strategic doing to enhance community well-being.
• We are dedicated to developing strong, healthy, vibrant communities through our relevant research that creates effective educational training in healthy living, agriculture, youth development, and other disciplines.
• We facilitate strategic planning and doing sessions to enhance economic viability and quality of life in communities across Kansas.