Alignment of Goals for Personal Interpretation Among Staff Groups in a Park Agency

Abstract

Goal alignment among staff members helps an agency perform well. This study examines goal alignment for park staff regarding their priorities for interpretation and perceptions of what helps and hinders achievement of those goals. We surveyed 86 staff from Alberta Parks, who rated potential goals for personal interpretation and expressed views on the catalysts and constraints that affected the achievement of those goals. There was alignment in interpretation goals among staff groups (i.e., planners/managers, interpretive supervisors, and frontline interpreters). Staff thought that all goals were important, but ranked the goals of positive memories, enjoyment, and connections to place higher than the goals of behavior change, positive attitudes, and learning. Factors supporting success were supportive supervisors, hiring and retaining excellent staff, and training, whereas factors hindering success were resource deficits, bureaucracy, and lack of common goals. To promote goal alignment, agencies can improve communication, planning, staff engagement, training, and research.