A Positive Approach to Consulting in Schools Evidence-Based Practices for Promoting Effectiveness and Acceptance Dennis H. Reid, Ph.D., BCBA Carolyn W. Green, Ed.D.

Staff Motivation Set the occasion for proficient staff performance First steps of outcome consultation/management Positively support/reinforce proficient performance Enjoyment while working proficiently

To maximize staff work enjoyment consultants should strive to increase the good things about staffs’ job and decrease the bad things MAXIMIZING WORK ENJOYMENT: INCREASING THE GOODS AND DECREASING THE BADS

Creating a Motivating Work Environment Parsons, Reid, & Crow (2003). The best and worst ways to motivate staff in community agencies: A brief survey of supervisors. Mental Retardation, 41,

CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES FREQUENTLY RESULTING IN STAFF DISCONTENT (DISCONTENT = A BAD THING) 1. Interacting with staff in a negative or discourteous manner 2. Not being frequently present in staffs’ work place 3. Not helping out when needed 4. Not acting to help resolve staff issues of concern

CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES FOR PREVENTING STAFF DISCONTENT (REDUCING DISCONTENT = A GOOD THING) 1. Interacting with staff in a pleasant or socially courteous manner …providing frequent positive feedback about good staff performance 2. Being frequently present in staffs’ work place 3. Helping out when needed 4. Actively working to resolve staff issues of concern

Changing Less-Preferred Duties to More-Preferred Green, C. W., Reid, D. H., Passante, S., & Canipe, V. (2008). Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 28,

Making Less Preferred Duties More Preferred Identify staffs’ most disliked duty related to consultant requests Query staff about why the duty is so disliked Query staff (and others) about how performing the duty can be changed to make less unpleasant to perform Make the changes identified above

Enhancing Motivation Increase the “goods” Formal recognition Informal recognition Impromptu praise

Enhancing Motivation Increase the “goods” Formal recognition Informal recognition Impromptu praise Saying good things behind the back

Enhancing Motivation Increase the “goods” Informal recognition Impromptu praise Saying good things behind the back Special recognition meetings Take home the goods

Summary Reference Reid, D.H., & Parsons, M.B. (2006). Motivating Human Service Staff: Supervisory Strategies for Maximizing Work Effort and Work Enjoyment.

Summary Use the available evidence-based technology For students For staff (training, feedback) Be very diligent and be around Be pleasant Focus on outcomes and acceptability