Kaleidoscope Stories of Grit
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
On Zoom or In-Person
11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Department of Natural Resources Building
Main Conference Room 172
1111 Washington St SE, Olympia
Department of Health (DOH) invites state employees to reflect on the perseverance behind the work we do every day.
Kaleidoscope Stories of Grit spotlights 6-minute or 6-sentence stories shared by leaders and employees from across the enterprise to recognize the commitment, perseverance, and passion people bring to public service.
Kaleidoscope Storytelling Registration
Public service is a demanding profession. The mission attracts people who care deeply about the communities they serve. The day-to-day responsibilities often include complex situations, unexpected challenges, and moments of uncertainty. Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) celebrates the people and the results of this service.
Grit is the persistence that keeps systems running and communities supported when the effort becomes complicated, demanding, and deeply human.
Register early to join colleagues from across the enterprise for a moment of reflection and connection during PSRW. Participation is voluntary. You may attend and listen, share a story aloud, or submit a written reflection. Listening counts.
Storyteller Process
Prepare a 6-sentence story about a moment when the going got tough and you got going. When the stakes were high and surrender was off the table. A crisis that required decisiveness? A project that faced the unexpected? When the path forward became unclear?
Tell us about the impossible-turned-possible and how you made it so. Was it a colleague’s support, encouragement from a community partner, or a moment of shared laughter that renewed your team’s energy? Share those serious moments, unexpected lessons, or even the humor that helped you and others push through. These are the stories of public service. The stories of grit.
“Public service is about people. It’s about showing up, listening, and working together.”
Deb Haaland, Laguna Pueblo citizen, former U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Where Stories Meet Public Service
Some of the most important moments in public service never appear in reports. Every day, public service moves forward because people show up, solve problems, and support one another.
Kaleidoscope is a structured storytelling practice developed by the Center for Inclusion, Belonging and Well-Being at DOH. It strengthens communication, shared understanding, and connection across teams that serve communities throughout Washington.
Questions? Contact DOH Center for Inclusion, Belonging and Well-Being