Keeping Positive
through Change
WSU Staff Appreciation Week
June 11, 2015
Julia Pomerenk, University Registrar
Starting Exercises
“Inhale. Exhale.”
“Relax.”
“Grrrr!”
“Make a different choice.”
“Step away from the wall.”
“How fascinating!”
Janine agenda
Cathy mouth massage
Tiger stress release
Sheila shoulder softening
Julia back-step
Zander stretch
The Spirit of Leadership
Optimizing Creativity and Change in
Organizations
by Robert J. Spitzer, Former President of Gonzaga
We are not negotiating
with our enemy—we are
trying to improve our
organization.
The Spirit of Leadership
• The conscious mind has most of its power
when a person
 is refreshed,
 has slept well,
 is not under stress,
 feels good about life,
 and has a sense of hope and optimism.
HALT: Are You Ready?
H = Hungry?
A = Angry?
L = Lonely?
T = Tired?
Include Others
Good leaders make people feel
that they're at the very heart of
things, not at the periphery.
Everyone feels that he or she
makes a difference to the
success of the organization.
When that happens people feel
centered and that gives their
work meaning.
Warren Bennis
Believe in Others
People often want to know
whether followers believe
in their leaders.
A much more relevant
question is whether the
leaders believe in the
followers.
John Gardner
Recognize Others
“We all do better at work if we
regularly have the experience
• that what we do matters,
• that it is valuable,
• and that our presence makes a
difference to others.”
Kegan and Lahey
Inspire Others
Recall the fundamental rule
of leadership:
to replace oversight with
inspiration wherever
possible.
Robert Spitzer
Look at Intentions (not Irritations)
•Get it right.
•Get it done.
•Get along.
•Get appreciated.
From Dealing With People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best In
People at Their Worst, Rick Brinkman and Rick Kirschner
Talk That Positive Talk
“Put the best construction on
everything.”
Martin Luther, from his explanation of the 8th
commandment, “Thou shalt not lie.”
“I’m not good at that, yet.”
Joyce Ehrlinger, PhD, from her psychological
research on mindsets
“Tell me more about that . . . ”
Expect Optimism from Everyone
Include It in Everyone’s Performance Expectations
Outstanding Quality of Work
Demonstrates unusual patience and attentiveness
Outstanding Working Relationships
Communicates excellently; easily approachable
Always cooperative; maintains pleasant relationships
Willingly and regularly shares tasks associated with office
Has excellent rapport with others
Fish Philosophy
o
o
o
o
Be there.
Play.
Make their day.
Choose your attitude.
Be There: Embrace Challenges
• Be visible
• Accept scrutiny with grace
• Be available to help;
especially when it’s painful
• Understand the context in
which people work
Max DePree
Be There: Build Community
• Renew relationships
• Clarify expectations
• Empower change
•
•
•
•
Prompt change
Encourage change
Acknowledge change
Celebrate change
Play: See Problems as Puzzles
• Try out different solutions
• Fix the problem;
don’t fix the blame
From The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life,
Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
Play: Puzzles Are Not Personal
Remember Rule # 6: “It’s not all about you.”
From The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life,
Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
Make Their Day: Give Carrots
According to the Society for Human Resource Management,
79% of employees who resign state that
“perception of not being appreciated” is a key
reason to leave.
From Managing with Carrots: Using recognition to attract and retain the best people,
Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton
Make Their Day: Do Something Small
•
•
•
•
Notice others
Give more of what you want: trust, respect, time, appreciation
Assume the best about others
Do good deeds: buy coffee, bring in treats
From Jay Gubrud (jaygubrud.com)
Choose Your Attitude: Abraham Lincoln
“Most folks are about as happy as they make
up their minds to be.”
Choose Your Attitude: Ernie Banks
• Mr. Sunshine and Mr. Cub
• Played for the Chicago Cubs for 19 years
• “It’s a great day for a ball game;
let’s play two!”
“How Fascinating!”
From The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life,
Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander