1. (Philosophically Speaking)
Welcome IASBO Members
LET’S GO
FISH
(Philosophically Speaking)
FISH! IASBO 2011

2. Enjoy the Video! (No Snoring Please!)
FISH! IASBO 2011

3. The FISH! Philosophy Choose Your Attitude Be There Make Their Day Play
FISH! IASBO 2011

4. Choose Your Attitude
How lucky are we to work in an occupation where we can truly make a difference for an entire community?
Like it or not, you are a leader and your employees look to you to set the tone of your organization.
The attitude you choose each day has the potential to affect the attitude of every person with whom you come in contact.
Don’t mistake a smile for an attitude; your employees surely know the difference.
Bring your best self to work and love what you do
FISH! IASBO 2011

5. Reflecting – Choose Your Attitude
Do you have a staff member that lights up the room when they enter? How about the staffer that deals with difficult stakeholders the best? What’s their secret??
If one member of the team chooses to be happy, how might that affect the entire team? What are the potential consequences to a team if a few people choose a toxic attitude, or simply don’t realize they have a choice?
Think about someone who maintained a positive attitude even during tough times. What effect did their choice have on other people? What did they do to maintain that positive attitude?
FISH! IASBO 2011

6. Be There
Do you remember when you first realized that people were actually giving credence to what you were saying?
How’s that “Open Door Policy” working out for you?
Do your employees really feel free to suggest, plan,
and implement a better way?
Are you receptive to their ideas and listening to their issues
or are you just waiting for them to leave?
How are you finding out the needs of your stakeholders?
Stop! Look! Listen!
Externalize your focus, it’s not really about you, after all.
FISH! IASBO 2011

7. Be there, I’m already there. What do these people want from me?
Think about how you feel when you know that the person to whom you’re speaking is “looking right through you.”
Think of all the things they’ve missed because they aren’t really a part of the conversation.
Is this how you want people to think of you?
Take the time to Stop, Look, and Listen.
FISH! IASBO 2011

8. Reflecting – Being There
First impressions only happen once: How does “who you are being” leave an impression on people?
What gets in the way of living in the moment?
Who is affected when you are not being fully present? What is the cost to them? What is the cost to you?
FISH! IASBO 2011

9. Make Their Day You only think you’re a Business Manager.
Your real business is SERVICE!
(And the higher up you are on the food chain, the more people you serve)
Different people have different needs.
As a leader it’s up to you to identify their needs.
By making someone else’s day special
you are really helping yourself.
(Shhh, don’t tell anybody; It’s okay to keep it to yourself)
If you love your job, people notice.
(If you hate it, they’ll notice that too!)
FISH! IASBO 2011

10. Reflecting – Make Their Day
Think of someone you know who loves their job. What do you see in them that shows this? How does it affect others?
What are some things that “make a difference” for others? When someone is serving you, what makes a difference?
On your team, how do you appreciate and recognize others for their unique contributions?
FISH! IASBO 2011

11. TIME TO PLAY!!
Creating a positive work environment benefits all (students, staff and parents).
An enjoyable workplace isn’t a product of chaos or anarchy.
(Well, maybe controlled chaos, just a little bit anyhow like the Moose in the credits of Monty Python and the Holy Grail that appears over, and over, and over again).
Energy and commitment are key ingredients.
FISH! IASBO 2011

12. He takes up hardly any room and stores easily in a closet.
This is Mr. Potato Head
He takes up hardly any room and stores easily in a closet.
FISH! IASBO 2011

13. But Why Is Mr. Potato Head In Hot Water???
FISH! IASBO 2011

14. The Ransom Demand
FISH! IASBO 2011

15. That’s Really Cute, So What’s The Point?
Our staff works well together.
Our staff feels appreciated.
Our staff knows that they can have fun and be creative without repercussions.
Our staff knows when it’s time to play and when it’s time to work.
Our staff knows that we are right there with them through thick and thin and don’t mind being at the receiving end of a joke now and then.
What More Can You Ask For??
FISH! IASBO 2011

16. Reflecting About Play
What are 2 simple ways your team could begin to playfully work and interact with each other? What might be the result?
How can PLAY lead to success? How can you help create this type of environment?
Is it more productive to demand the respect a title deserves or earn respect through willingness to be a genuine, approachable co-worker, mentor, and leader?
FISH! IASBO 2011

17. But Like the Man Said, We Don’t Have Anything to Throw
But Like the Man Said, We Don’t Have Anything to Throw! On Top of That, No Way Can I Allow This in the Office.
To which we say perhaps, but then again…
A game of “Boo” or “Easter Bunny” or “A Visit From the Office Fairy” is a non-disruptive path to play.
Inflicting little surprises on co-workers and staff can be infectious.
Birthdays are great opportunities to play.
Office Staff “Meet & Greets” provide regular chances to catch up and chill out for a few minutes.
The Truth Is, You Really Can’t Afford To Not Allow A Little Playtime, Especially When Times Are Stressful.
FISH! IASBO 2011

18. FISH! Generalizations First impressions are HUGE.
There is always a choice about the way you do your work, even if there is not a choice about the work itself.
Do what is right (have faith in your ability and the ability of others).
Build trust.
Don’t be an ostrich – Personnel problems won’t go away.
Have compassion for those who have stopped growing and attempt to motivate them to change
Remove roadblocks to productivity, don’t create or perpetuate them by being overly rigid and unapproachable.
FISH! IASBO 2011

19. How does all of this relate to your team?
Increased morale in the buildings and District Office will have a positive impact on the climate.
A positive climate creates opportunities for growth and learning, and isn’t that the real goal after all?
Model the vision that you expect from your organization.
A happy staff is a more productive staff.
Don’t be afraid to engage those around you, you’ll never know what YOU might learn in the end.
FISH! IASBO 2011

20. FISH! Wisdom/Our Workplace Overplayed but Relevant Nonetheless.
As you enter this place of work, please choose to make today a great day. Your colleagues, customers, team members, and you yourself will be thankful. Find ways to play. We can be serious about our work without being serious about ourselves. Stay focused in order to be present when your customers and team members most need you. And should you feel your energy lapsing, try this surefire remedy: Find someone who needs a helping hand, a word of support, or a good ear – and make their day. (FISH! P. 107)
FISH! IASBO 2011

21. THANK-YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH US. HAVE A GREAT CONFERENCE!
FISH! IASBO 2011