1. Leading an Eclectic Staff
Julie Fell
University of Iowa
April 2013
Session ID 529

2. Session Rules of Etiquette
Please turn off your cell phone/pager
If you must leave the session early, please do so as discreetly as possible
Please avoid side conversation during the session
Please complete the session evaluation
Thank you for your cooperation!

3. Do any of these people work in your office?
Procrastinators
Perfectionists
Difficult people
People in difficult situations
My mother-in-law used to say…I find this is also true of the people in our office.

4. Confession – Disclosure – Disclaimer
My perfectionist tendencies are gone, but I still insist on accuracy
I have been known to procrastinate 
I do not have the answers but I hope we can share our experiences

5. Perfectionists
May have unrealistic standards for themselves and for others
May not effectively allocate time
Are unable to delegate
May not respond well to coaching or feedback

6. Perfectionists
May have unrealistic standards for themselves (and for others)
A perfectionist probably will not change unless they choose to do so
We need to understand both the positives and the negatives of having a perfectionist on our team
Coach – help your person understand they cannot do everything on their own
Provide feedback – help them understand their behavior and ask them how they want to receive it
Find the right job for them

7. Procrastinators Myth #1 – think they work best under pressure
Myth #2 – think they are more creative under a time constraint
Myth #3 – feel they are unable to begin a project because it has to be perfect

8. Procrastinators
Vowing to stop procrastinating is probably not the best solution
Set goals and review past successes
“Swiss Cheese It”
(McGraw for Undergraduates:
Break big tasks into small ones or use several short blocks of time to whittle away a large task.

9. Difficult person or person in a difficult situation?
Ask for time off at peak times (more than once)
Significant deadline dates, early registration, commencement
Chronic absence
Health conditions
FMLA
Mondays and Fridays
UI Philosophy and Expectations Regarding Staff Attendance and Use of Leave Benefits
Details the responsibilities of the staff member and the unit

10. What next? Expectations must be communicated Performance evaluations
Prepare the employee for the conversation
Allow plenty of time for the evaluations
Gather quantitative and qualitative data necessary for discussion
Provide feedback throughout the year
Provide opportunities for training/staff development
Expectations – job description, in the interview, at the time of hire, when a change occurs – new policy, new system, upgrade

11. Discussion

12. Thank You!
Julie Fell Please complete the session evaluation form using the AACRAO Mobile App or the paper form provided in your conference bag. Session ID 529

13. References
Farrington, J. (2012). From the research: myths worth dispelling. Performance Improvement Quarterly. 24 (4). pp DOI: /piq20121 (wileyonlinelibrary.com). Gallo, A. (2011, Oct. 19). How to manage a perfectionist. HBR Blog Network/Best Practices. Ross, R. (2012). Managing perfectionism in the workplace. Employment Relations Today. DOI /ert (wileyonlinelibrary.com). Understanding and overcoming procrastination. (2012). The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning.
Expectations – job description, in the interview, at the time of hire, when a change occurs – new policy, new system, upgrade