Success on the Ground The State’s Role in Facilitative Leadership by Lauri Wilson, MS & Ron Chapman, MSW

Success on the Ground Key Learning from Biosphere II Failure –Potential for success in complex settings can be increased by applying “whole” systems thinking –Effective communication across the traditional boundaries of disciplines and functions is essential where complexity is significant –Leadership is a primary and foundational role that must be adequately filled

Success on the Ground Application to Chronic Disease -The problems of “fragmentation,” “dis- integration” and “siloing” are often identified as challenges -According to the Academy for Educational Design, the “rush to tactics” is a significant impediment to effectiveness in public health -Leadership is often an inadequately expressed role

Success on the Ground New Mexico’s Challenges -Chronic disease and healthier weight are very broad, complex and overlap traditional functions -Populations are highly diverse and geographically dispersed with a number of disparately affected groups -Collaboration is underdeveloped -Interaction across the governmental, private, educational and non-profit sectors is inadequate -The historical role of the State Department of Health has fostered a patriarchal relationship

Success on the Ground Healthier Weight Council Design Needs -Leadership must be developed, nurtured and sustained -Re-create the relationship dynamics of the Department of Health to empower leadership statewide, i.e. the State as facilitative leader -Focus broadly enough to engage all disciplines relevant to healthy weight -Strategic direction should precede actions -Ideal organizational scope would include the entire state and incorporate all sectors -Prioritize capacity building that will necessarily produce desired programmatic outcomes

Success on the Ground Facilitative Leadership Defined – Recognizes diverse perspectives and multiple solutions, and that generally people respond and act out of integrity and good will – Trusts and supports the wisdom of those they serve – Lets go of selling or controlling others on a set of predefined results – Uses consensus-based methods of decision making and planning –Respects and honors the wisdom and contributions of each member of the group

Success on the Ground Background - Q&A

Success on the Ground State’s Role in Facilitative Leadership –“Lead solutions to organizational and community challenges” –Ask the right questions –Engage the right people –Ensure resource development

TM 9 Success on the Ground Transition to Implementation - State plan developed through regional meetings that resulted in partnerships and buy in - Created and supported a Transition Team –Experience, leadership, credibility and the ability to play well with others - DOH committed to the process –Time, resources

TM 10 Success on the Ground Role of the Healthier Weight Council - Engage partners - Provide a forum to implement state plan - Ensure alignment with state plan - Create structure and authority for action planning –Mission, vision, focus areas, direction, advisory/work groups - Contributes to –Needs assessments, annual action plans and reports

TM 11 Success on the Ground Role of the Health Department - “Steward” of the State Plan - Extensive support of the NM Healthier Weight Council to oversee coordination of State Plan implementation by all partners - Supports Council action plans - Monitors progress through an evaluator - Provides training and data as requested by the Council

TM 12 Success on the Ground Critical Resources - Time: Recognize time needed - Budget: Create a framework, clear roles, establish buy in - Champions: To support the primary role of the Council, in leadership, and staff - Facilitator: If you can afford it, do it, choose wisely - Communications channels: Identify and support

TM 13 Success on the Ground Obvious Lessons Learned - Know your defining factors 1. Scale Geographic: local, regional, state Time frame: short or long term Domains – one or multiple 2. Will – political and community 3. Resources – champions, staff, funding, communication channels, time

TM 14 Success on the Ground Not So Obvious Lessons Learned - Understand the differences between facilitative and traditional directive leadership - Create an operational plan, action plan –What, by who, how, by when, measure of success - Step back, observe and adjust - Make it as easy for your partners as possible - Debrief - always keep records

TM 15 Success on the Ground Model - Q&A

Success on the Ground Group Process Questions -Are you comfortable with giving up control? -How would you proceed to be the facilitative leader(s) in adopting and implementing a comparable model? -What would be the obstacles? -What internal and external resources do you have at your disposal to overcome obstacles and achieve a successful implementation?

Success on the Ground Final Debriefing - Q&A