Leading Staff in tough times… Increasing your understanding of one another, appreciating differences and ultimately becoming a higher functioning team. … Russ Facione Principal Bingham Farms Elementary School Birmingham Public Schools rfacione@birmingham.k12.mi.us BP Conference Summer 2015

Today’s Agenda Personal Note- Who is this guy?? Goal of Today- Leading Staff… True Colors “Refresher”- With resources about how to use those colors… Facilitation- Take the first steps in becoming a facilitator and allow your staff to own the change decisions that we are asking from them….

A little about me… Personal Note- Who is this guy?? Russ Facione- Born and raised in Metro Detroit. Wayne High, Western Michigan Taught in Wayne Westland, then Birmingham Administrator for past 16 years. Married for 20 years, 4 Daughters. Softball Coach, Parrothead (Thursday?), “Drama Dad”, Camper Fun….

Connector- Start every meeting with one (that’s related to goal) *Since our goal is building trust and increasing our understanding of one another, our connector is: At your tables: Question #1 “Who would play you in the movie about your life?” Discuss & Share Question #2 “What songs/CD/I-pod List is in your car right now” Discuss & Share Do you need connector ideas with your staff ? Click on this link. http://russfacione.wikispaces.com/file/view/connectorextras.pdf

Our /my group norms You are in charge of yourself and your needs. Be an Active participant today. Keep an open mind to items discussed. Multi-tasking is an individual preference. Anything that comes up but not be tied directly to this goes in Parking Lot to be covered at the end. We will maintain our schedule and agenda Everything you see here and more is on my wiki at http://russfacione.wikispaces.com

1st Step- Staff Relationships = Communication & Trust TRUST & Effective Communication These are the KEY! So, then…..how can we grow our mutual collective trust?

Trust = Open and Honest Communication When in a time of change there needs to be a feeling or mutual “we’re-in-this-together” You can achieve this by: Knowing yourself as a leader Know the OTHERS you work with to problem solve Know those you supervise. That is where our journey begins….

Know the people in your neighborhood Mr. Rogers had it right… you need to know who you are in the trenches with, building the mutual trust works only when you look inside yourself. Won’t you be my neighbor?

Know the people in your neighborhood What can you do? My favorite example is TRUE COLORS. Book list #1 Showing Our True Colors, Miscsin. What is it, how do you do it, and what do you do with the results? Staff fill out a quick sheet which has them match up trios of words that best describe how they would naturally approach something…

Why True Colors?? Need to know each other to work together; To understand ourselves, How we seem to others and How they seem to us;

Trivia Question- Why use it with staff. Here’s a good one Trivia Question- Why use it with staff? Here’s a good one. What about kids and teachers? Student Population vs. K-12 Educators WHAT DO YOU THINK? Kids Staff Blue _____ % ______ % Orange _____ % ______ % Green _____ % ______ % Gold _____ % ______ % * Important reminder- a person’s full color spectrum doesn’t take hold around 18-24 yrs. *

What about kids and teachers? General Student Population vs. K-12 Educators ANSWER KEY- FOR TYPICAL SCHOOL Kids Staff Blue 38 % 20 % Orange 38 % 5% Green 12% 5 % Gold 12 % 70 % 38 % OF KIDS ARE ORANGE WHILE 70% OF STAFF ARE GOLD- THEY ARE OPPOSITE

TRUE COLORS When you know what your core values are, you can perform at your highest level – and when you understand others, you have the basis to communicate and achieve common goals. Four COLORS- GOLD, BLUE, GREEN, ORANGE How do I determine my color spectrum? Dominant Color to a lowest color? You could have a pair--- you could have a more even spread, or one slam dunk dominant.

Questionnaire Directions: Let’s find out our Colors!! Questionnaire Directions: 1. Read each trio of words across 4 = Word list most describes down to 1 = For the least describes; You will have five rows filled out, with 1234 in different sequences reading across.

2 3 4 1 = Active Opportunistic Spontaneous Parental Traditional Responsible 3 Authentic Harmonious Compassionate 4 Versatile Inventive Competent 1 Competitive Impetuous Impactful Practical Sensible Dependable Unique Empathetic Communicative Curious Conceptual Knowledgeable Realistic Open-Minded Adventuresome Loyal Conservative Organized Devoted Warm Poetic Theoretical Seeking Ingenious Daring Impulsive Fun Concerned Procedural Cooperative Tender Inspirational Dramatic Determined Complex Composed Exciting Courageous Skillful Orderly Conventional Caring Vivacious Affectionate Sympathetic Philosophical Principled Rational =

Questionnaire Directions: 2. Then, take the four color sheets on the table, look at the picture on the front and the description on the back, see which one fits you best and rank them left to right: Orange Card, Gold Card, Blue Card, Green Card Label Under notes left to right Orange, Gold, Blue, Green

Card ranks go here ORANGE BLUE GREEN GOLD = Active Opportunistic Spontaneous Parental Traditional Responsible Authentic Harmonious Compassionate Versatile Inventive Competent Competitive Impetuous Impactful Practical Sensible Dependable Unique Empathetic Communicative Curious Conceptual Knowledgeable Realistic Open-Minded Adventuresome Loyal Conservative Organized Devoted Warm Poetic Theoretical Seeking Ingenious Daring Impulsive Fun Concerned Procedural Cooperative Tender Inspirational Dramatic Determined Complex Composed Exciting Courageous Skillful Orderly Conventional Caring Vivacious Affectionate Sympathetic Philosophical Principled Rational = ORANGE BLUE GREEN GOLD Card ranks go here

Questionnaire Directions: 3. Now we will add each column going down… MAX is 24 for any one area—MIN is 6 Fill out your four color spectrum: Highest to lowest with totals;

Total up all to get four number spectrum Active Opportunistic Spontaneous 2 Parental Traditional Responsible 3 Authentic Harmonious Compassionate 4 Versatile Inventive Competent 1 Competitive Impetuous Impactful Practical Sensible Dependable Unique Empathetic Communicative Curious Conceptual Knowledgeable Realistic Open-Minded Adventuresome Loyal Conservative Organized Devoted Warm Poetic Theoretical Seeking Ingenious Daring Impulsive Fun Concerned Procedural Cooperative Tender Inspirational Dramatic Determined Complex Composed Exciting Courageous Skillful Orderly Conventional Caring Vivacious Affectionate Sympathetic Philosophical Principled Rational = 8 18 22 12 GREEN ORANGE GOLD BLUE Total up all to get four number spectrum

Blues Golds Greens Oranges Time to Share !! Famous Folks in your color Your characteristics Your strengths Others may see you as: Time to Share !!

Your 4 Colors- A Little more…. Primary Color What does it tell you? This indicates what you are MOST comfortable doing. Sometimes people order their cards in order of what they MUST do instead of what they PREFER to do. Example of the Ele School Principal who THOUGHT she was a GOLD but was really an ORANGE.

Your 4 Colors- A Little more…. Second Color - Quite important, often forgotten It has a major influence on your first. If you are introverted, it may be hard to tell which is 1 and which is 2. The first one may be processing things while the 2nd color is what the outside world sees…so take that into consideration if you are confused about yourself or others. (Ex: Myself GREEN & ORANGE)

Your 4 Colors- A Little more…. Third Color - May come in handy. If the first color is very dominant the 2nd and 3rd will be closely related to each other. Fourth Color - Significant, too. Your least natural soooo: You may admire them in others. You may conflict with them the most (esp. in others) This lack of understanding results in us criticizing instead of appreciating. We often tend to condemn what we’ve haven’t experienced or what we lack most in.

Your 4 Colors- Four, not One… It’s important to remember we have ALL 4 colors. Some have the rare Rainbow- All 4 spread evenly. HOW? Lots of life experiences that leads to a balanced temperament. They’ve intentionally worked at lesser colors over years. Also, they may be in a transition period in their life trying to figure themselves out. Maybe they’ve seldom had a chance to BE themselves and can’t remember what comes naturally. They are really a green and over-analyze things. Most of all, you are born with one temperament stronger than others it’s just a matter of finding it.

GREEN- Logical Frame Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, 30+ Presidents Characteristics- Problem Solver, “Why” Mentality, Very Complex, Standard Setter, Cool Calm Collected, Work = Play, Play = Work, Intellectual Competence Driven, Analytical, Global, Visionary Relationships through Logic Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, 30+ Presidents

GREEN- Logical Frame Organizational Strengths- Analyzing, Conceptualizing, Designing, Developing, Diagnosing, Intellectualizing, Inventing, Mapping out, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Researching, Thinking

GREEN- Logical Frame Others may see you as: Intellectual Snob, Arrogant, Heartless, Unrealistic, Eccentric / Weird, Unfeeling, Anti-Social, Cool, Aloof, Sarcastic, Critical, Lacking Mercy, Unappreciative

BLUE- Empathy & Relationships Frame Characteristics- Caretaker, optimistic, Passionate, Dramatic, Enthusiastic, Imaginative, Cause Oriented, True Romantic, Unique, Cooperative over Competition, Spirituality, People Oriented, Peacemaker Robin Williams -Dead Poets’ Society

BLUE- Emotional Frame Strengths: Accepting, Communicating, Cooperating, Counseling, Creating, Guiding, Imagining, Intuition, Leading, Listening, Mentoring, Motivating, Recruiting, Speaking, Supporting, Teach, Tolerate,

BLUE- Emotional Frame Others may see you as: Mushy, Over Emotional, Other-Worldly, Smothering, Unrealistic, Wishy-Washy, Bleeding Heart, Nosy, Talkative, Groveling, Manipulative,

Orange- Freedom Frame Winnie the Pooh (Intraverted) Characteristics- Energetic, Desires Change, Playful, Master Negotiator, Natural Entertainer, Pushes Boundaries, “Just Do It” Accepts Challenges, Impulsive, Spontaneous, Immediate Feedback, Self Confident, Unstructured Winnie the Pooh (Intraverted) Tigger (Extraverted)

Orange-Freedom & Flexibility Strengths: Take Charge Ability, Care Free, Dealing w/ Chaos, Determination, Multi-task, Flexible, Hands-on, Negotiating, Direct Communication, Risk-Taking, Trouble Shooting, Welcome New Ideas

Orange-Freedom & Flexibility Others may see you as: Rude, Irresponsible, Not Serious, Selfish Self Centered, Ignoring the Rules, Manipulative, Impatient, Flaky Easily Distracted, Unprepared, Flirtatious, Taking Advantage of Others

Gold- Loyalty & Responsibility Characteristics- Prepared, Loves to Plan, Details Oriented, Punctual, Strong Sense of Duty Policies, Family Values, Traditions, Conservative Stable, Well Organized, Strong Right & Wrong Comfort with Structured Environment General Patton

Gold-Loyalty & Responsibility Strengths- Accounting, Belonging, Caretaking, Collecting Data, Contributing, Coordinating, Dispatching, Family, Follow Directions, Guarding, Handling Details, Organizing, Planning Ahead, Securing, Supervising

Gold-Loyalty & Responsibility Others may see you as: Rigid, Restricted, Stubborn, Boring, Self Righteous, System-Bound, Unimaginative, Judgmental, Bossy, Uptight, Rigid Idea of Time, Married to Task

What we all need! When working together, be cognizant of needs… Oranges Need- Action, Activity, Freedom, Flexibility, Variety, Fun & Play Blues Need- Acceptance, Harmony, Expression, Meaning, Understanding, Contribute, Validation Greens Need- Intellectual Stimulation, Time to Ponder, Information, Objectivity, to Question Golds Need- Consistency, Reliability, Structure, Timelines, Clarity, Closure, Respect, Rules

What to do with this info… At my school we have stickers on our mailboxes to subtly remind us. You could have a TC Spirit Day, staff wear their “color”. Make it a part of your building conversation. Celebrate your differences! Be open about working on your lowest. Stickers on mailboxes for instance, leads to a more open appreciation. Make it a risk-free part of the culture.

A moment to recap, reflect and reconnect.. What can you do to enhance the relationships you have with those you work with or lead? How could you use this True Colors information to help with that? Share with neighbors around you. 1 minute. GO! Private Promise- List 2 changes you will make with your staff this school year in regards to colors. Then monitor it and check in with yourself by December break.

Colors & Your Meeting….transition to Facilitation… Now that you’ve connected, you’ve laughed you’ve deepened relationships… Meaningful Meetings with COLORS: GOLDS BLUES GREENS ORANGES Which ones match? Have research, articles, process time Have an opportunity to talk, share & connect Have flexibility built in, activity, variety Have an agenda, goal, and norms In a few slides you’ll find out…. Time to connect Colors to Facilitation!!

Meetings- Transition to a Facilitator!! Book List #2 “Facilitation with Ease”, Bens Facilitation is a key in leading a meeting. Process (How) over Content (What) Get you flip charts ready! Group thought, etc; Actively listen Always have a Parking Lot Begin Meetings with Connectors- These are activities to promote trust and focus on the work at hand. Need LOTS of big paper and a process of documenting Group Thought, and of sharing it. Difference between Dialogue and Discussion Levels of Decision Making when they come up.

Connectors- Connectors are key activities to open a meeting: They Build trust in the group, deepen relationships, increase emotional intelligence’ Open up relationships (like us today, we don’t know each other at all) Focus us on the work at hand in an active engaging fashion. And no one sleeps or is correcting papers! Some examples of 30 second Connectors…

Connector examples What if your topic was your grade level teams and developing norms, a connector could be: “What was your best team experience growing up? What made it so positive?” Other purpose of connectors- Build group energy Practice listening skills Create laughter Enhance trust Shared Purpose Now think amongst yourselves- A meeting, its purpose what could be a connector to design? Also, read the intimacy level of the group – how well do they know each other?

The Meat of the Meeting Now that you’ve connected, you’ve laughed, you’ve deepened relationships… Meaningful Meetings: Have an agenda, goal, and norms (GOLDS need this) Have an opportunity to share and connect (BLUES need this) Have flexibility built in, activity, variety (ORANGES need this) Have research, articles, process time (GREENS need this)

The Meet of the Meeting Pt II A perfect example- Your staff has an agenda item to review your mission statement or your values. CRUCIAL POINT- Have you differentiated whether they are in… DISCUSSION or DIALOGUE But aren’t those the same????? OH no!!

Dialogue vs. Discussion Such an important and often overlooked item! Be CLEAR with staff….If you are in.. 1.Dialogue- We are openly talking and informing everyone, to gain a mutual understanding of all sides. Divergent 2.Discussion- We have reviewed all the sides and need to make a decision, reach consensus and move on. Convergent

Decision Making Level Now that you’ve gone through D&D, you now need to make sure you’ve established what level of decision making that the staff is in. Several Levels- Be clear!! Which level is this decision under? Level 1- I decide Level 2- I decide with input from you Level 3- We decide together Level 4- You decide with input from me. Level 5- You decide

Be clear when others come to you… Basically there are three reasons people come and talk to you…..be comfortable asking for clarification. 1. Coach- I’m presenting to you a problem and I’d like to still own it, but I’d like your help. 2. Vent- I need to come and vent so I’ll feel better, just let me unload then I’ll be out of here! 3. Fix- I need you to solve this. So imagine if there is a gap….could get pretty frustrating for both parties involved.

Facilitating, Process not Content Purpose- enhance the group’s effectiveness You are a referee vs. a player. What does a facilitator do? Help group toward goal, Keep discussion on track, Provide processes for decisions, Help members make plans and meet their needs; Use consensus to make decisions; help group communicate effectively and be collaborative; Share leadership amongst members

Facilitating- What they believe… Two heads are better than one Groups make better decisions that individuals Everyone’s opinions matter; people are more committed to plans they helped create; Groups can mange their own conflicts, behaviors and relationships if they are given the right tools and training; The Process can be trusted to achieve results

Facilitation Core Practices & Process Tools Staying Neutral Listening Actively Asking Questions Paraphrasing Synthesizing Ideas Staying on Track Giving & Receiving Feedback Testing Assumptions Collecting Ideas Summarizing Visioning Brainstorming Force Field Analysis Gap Analysis Multi-voting Priority Setting Root Cause analysis Decision Grids Systemic Problem Solving

Facilitation The Do’s & The Don’ts Assess needs of group Create openness You’re serving group Work at Being neutral All participants are equal Listen intently Stay flexible Notes & Summaries End positively Be oblivious to group Don’t check on members Ignore conflict All about YOU! Let a few dominate Let discussions sidetrack Ignore cultural diversity Push ahead on irrelevant agenda Take poor notes Inappropriate humor Have no alternatives

Let’s go to the Parking Lot… You must address parking lot concerns at the end of all meetings. Remember especially your BLUES need that validation and open communication. So what’s in our Parking Lot?

As we wrap up…. Use True Colors to know the temperament of who you have, what they need and how others can better understand each others perspectives. Use Facilitation Processes and Tools to conduct better meetings keeping everyone’s colors in mind; Good Luck!

Final reminders This is all available on my Wiki- http://russfacione.wikispaces.com Please contact me and I’d be happy to help via coaching co-presenting or presenting for your building. Russ Facione- Principal Bingham Farms Elementary School 248 203 3388 Office rfacione@birmingham.k12.mi.us