Turning Negative Heat Into Positive Energy! Dr. John Draper For a copy of this presentation go to

Bubba got a cell phone... There’s 100’s of ‘em!

“There is a perfectly logical reason for every stupid thing that anyone does, because no one does anything that they think is stupid.” Rebecca Draper (Mom)

Use this template... When you plan change When you meet resistance When change is stalled When you need an employee to change

No involvement— No ownership! No engagement— No commitment! No input— No output!

We are schizophrenics! Rider—logical, analytical Elephant—emotional, powerful Clocky! The Happiness Hypothesis

Successful change must address three factors... Mind—Is there a good reason? Does it make sense? Is there a first step? Is there a goal? Heart—Is it inspiring? Do you care? Will it make things better? Can we do it? Environment—Are there obstacles? Can we make it simpler? Can we make it automatic?

Switch by Chip and Dan Heath Direct the Rider—the thinking part— resistance is often a lack of clarity Motivate the Elephant—the emotions—laziness is often exhaustion, you need Elephant emotion to keep going Clear the Path—the environment—a people problem is often a situation problem, eliminate the road-blocks

Think about yourself You have a preferred “change style” Rider—logical, analyzer, critical, wary, subject to over think, big picture Elephant—emotional, loyal, traditional, easy-going, stubborn, defender of status quo, now focus Which are you?

Direct the Rider Motivate the Elephant Clear the Path

Direct the Rider Find the Bright Spots Script the Critical Moves Point to the Destination

Direct the Rider... Find the Bright Spots Avoid our tendency to see negative and reach for punishment solution Superstars, Backbones and Mediocres (Todd Whitaker) Mary the math teacher

“Bright Spots” is counter-intuitive... Your son brings home a report card with 1 A 4 B’s 1 F What do you talk about?

Most time-consuming discipline problem in High Schools?? Tardies!!

Tardy Bright Spots Teacher had assignment on board Teacher was at door during class changes Teacher started class immediately on the bell—not with roll call or administrivia Defined tardy as “not in seat when bell starts to ring”

Direct the Rider Engage teachers in “rider discussion” of tardies, sharing research, asking for input, listening... Agree on definition of tardy Discuss possible actions

Direct the Rider... Script the Critical Moves Use Tardy definition (eliminate decision paralysis) Put Pre-Assignment on Board Start class on the bell

Direct the Rider... Point to the Destination Disney employee language Every Child a Graduate Educator tendency is to over analyze, discuss, review, research and use education-ese language

I administered three Reading diagnostics: CWT, Assessment of Comprehension, and Monster Test. Using the CWT, I identified my classes’ average as grade level 1.5 in September. My goal is to increase my students’ word identification to a class average of 3.0. Upon analyzing the results of the Assessment of Comprehension, I identified my classes’ average as a 41% in September. My goal is to increase my students’ comprehension to a class average of 80%. Using the Monster Test, I identified my classes’ average scores as Semiphonetic/Phonetic. My goal is to increase my students’ phonics and spelling skills to Transitional. 1 st Grade Teach for America Teacher

Crystal Jones, TFA, Atlanta, 2003, 1 st Grade Class By the end of this year, you are going to be... Third Graders!

Direct the Rider... Point to the Destination First instinct is to use data Data first is a loser! Strong beginning, strong ending, let the middle work itself out

Direct the Rider Motivate the Elephant Clear the Path

Direct the Rider Find the Bright Spots Script the Critical Moves Point to the Destination Motivate the Elephant Find the Feeling Shrink the Change Grow your People

Some of my people just won’t follow through What looks like laziness is often exhaustion Cookies, radishes, and a puzzle

Most change efforts are killed by Elephants! Analyze—Think—Change See—Feel—Change

Find the Feeling! Every Child a Graduate!

Motivate the Elephant... Find the Feeling Emotion motivates the elephant How we treat the “one” reflects our love for the Teacher No-Heart goes for a home visit Not a budget but an Education Plan

Motivate the Elephant... Shrink the Change Door-to-door Aluminum Siding Salesman Dave Ramsey, pay smallest debt first! Great Coaches Master this Art of small, early successes

Motivate the Elephant... Grow Your People! Homewood High Football game—behind 2 touchdowns Crystal Jones, TFA, did not call her 1 st graders students—they were Scholars! Develop an identity—“Don’t Mess with Texas” Campaign

Don’t Mess With Texas!

Motivate the Elephant... Grow your People Develop the Growth Mind Set Set an expectation of failure Molly Howard, Georgia principal of Jefferson County High, grading system of A, B, C, and NY! (NASSP 2008 Principal of Year)

Direct the Rider Motivate the Elephant Clear the Path

Direct the Rider Find the Bright Spots Script the Critical Moves Point to the Destination Motivate the Elephant Find the Feeling Shrink the Change Grow your People Clear the Path Tweak the Environment Build Habits Rally the Herd

My people are just stubborn! What looks like a people problem is often a situation problem Movie popcorn and bucket size

Clear the Path... Tweak the Environment Big buckets, big plates Automatic coffee, Clocky, running outfit laid out Move away from the computer, silence notification Automobile gas caps, seat belts, reverse shifter, back-up sensors, foot-on-brake starter

Rider Problem? Elephant Problem? Path Problem? Students jump up to leave when the bell rings...

Clear the Path... Build Habits Students jump up and leave when the bell rings Block the door “Have a nice day!” Substitutes loved it...

Clear the Path... Build Habits Action triggers—preload Six parent phone calls per grading period Six home visits per semester Principal Natalie Elder, Hardy Elementary School, Chattanooga, TN, Opening Day Routine

Direct the Rider Find the Bright Spots Script the Critical Moves Point to the Destination Motivate the Elephant Find the Feeling Shrink the Change Grow your People Clear the Path Tweak the Environment Build Habits Rally the Herd

Somebody Said It Couldn’t Be Done!

Turning Negative Heat Into Positive Energy! Please send comments or suggestions to For copy of this presentation go to