keeping positive through change wsu staff appreciation week june 11, 2015 julia pomerenk, university...

Keeping Positive

through Change

WSU Staff Appreciation Week

June 11, 2015

Julia Pomerenk, University Registrar

Starting Exercises“Inhale. Exhale.” Janine agenda

“Relax.” Cathy mouth massage

“Grrrr!” Tiger stress release

“Make a different choice.” Sheila shoulder softening

“Step away from the wall.” Julia back-step

“How fascinating!” Zander stretch

The Spirit of LeadershipOptimizing Creativity and Change in

Organizations by Robert J. Spitzer, Former President of Gonzaga

We are not negotiating with our enemy—we are trying to improve our organization.

The Spirit of Leadership

• The conscious mind has most of its power when a person

is refreshed, has slept well, is not under stress, feels good about life, and has a sense of hope and optimism.

HALT: Are You Ready?

H = Hungry?

A = Angry?

L = Lonely?

T = Tired?

Include Others Good leaders make people feel

that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery.

Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization.

When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.

Warren Bennis

Believe in Others

People often want to know whether followers believe in their leaders.

A much more relevant question is whether the leaders believe in the followers.

John Gardner

“We all do better at work if we regularly have the experience

• that what we do matters,

• that it is valuable,

• and that our presence makes a difference to others.”

Kegan and Lahey

Recognize Others

Inspire Others

Recall the fundamental rule of leadership:

to replace oversight with inspiration wherever possible.

Robert Spitzer

Look at Intentions (not Irritations)

•Get it right.•Get it done.•Get along.•Get appreciated.

From Dealing With People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best In People at Their Worst, Rick Brinkman and Rick Kirschner

Talk That Positive Talk

“Put the best construction on everything.”

Martin Luther, from his explanation of the 8th commandment, “Thou shalt not lie.”

“I’m not good at that, yet.”Joyce Ehrlinger, PhD, from her

psychological research on mindsets

“Tell me more about that . . . ”

Expect Optimism from Everyone

Include It in Everyone’s Performance Expectations

Outstanding Quality of WorkDemonstrates unusual patience and attentiveness

Outstanding Working RelationshipsCommunicates excellently; easily approachableAlways cooperative; maintains pleasant relationshipsWillingly and regularly shares tasks associated with officeHas excellent rapport with others

o Be there. o Play.o Make their day. o Choose your attitude.

Fish Philosophy

Be There: Embrace Challenges

• Be visible

• Accept scrutiny with grace

• Be available to help; especially when it’s painful

• Understand the context in which people work

Max DePree

Be There: Build Community

• Renew relationships

• Clarify expectations

• Empower change• Prompt change• Encourage change• Acknowledge change• Celebrate change

Play: See Problems as Puzzles

• Try out different solutions

• Fix the problem; don’t fix the blame

From The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

Play: Puzzles Are Not Personal

Remember Rule # 6: “It’s not all about you.”

From The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

Make Their Day: Give Carrots

According to the Society for Human Resource Management,

79% of employees who resign state that “perception of not being appreciated” is a key reason to leave.

From Managing with Carrots: Using recognition to attract and retain the best people, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton

Make Their Day: Do Something Small• Notice others

• Give more of what you want: trust, respect, time, appreciation

• Assume the best about others

• Do good deeds: buy coffee, bring in treats

From Jay Gubrud (jaygubrud.com)

Choose Your Attitude: Abraham Lincoln

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Choose Your Attitude: Ernie Banks

• Mr. Sunshine and Mr. Cub

• Played for the Chicago Cubs for 19 years

• “It’s a great day for a ball game;

let’s play two!”

“How Fascinating!”

From The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander