Pardon Me Superintendent, You Have Spinach in Your Teeth: Working Candidly, Honestly, and Effectivel

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Pardon Me Superintendent, You Have Spinach in
Your Teeth Working Candidly, Honestly, and
Effectively with Your CEO. Rated PG
Professional Guidance required Warning
Presenter is not responsible for any losses -
job, wages, sleep, weight, hair

• Marsha G. OliverDuval County Public Schools

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got 39?

• 61 percent of respondents in a magazine poll opt
  not to signal to a friend that he/she has spinach
  between his/her teeth. (Glamour life
  happiness July 2007)

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"At times, no."

• "Do you feel you were being encouraged by Mr. Lay
  Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay to conduct business
  in honesty, candor, and fairness?," prosecutor
  Kathryn Ruemmler asked Mark Koenig (Enrons
  Investor Relations head). "At times, no," Koenig
  said. Houston Chronicle February 6,
  2006

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Why CEOs Are Hired/How They Survive

• Strong leadership and vision
• Ability to motivate others
• Strong communications skills (hallmarks of
  success)
• Honesty, integrity, visibility, accessibility,
  and sincerity
• Build trust, admit mistakes, be a good listener,
  and be proactive
• Strategic in communications with constituents and
  internal customers
• NSPRA CAP 2007

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Our Roles

• The way in which the world is imagined
  determines at any particular moment what men will
  do. Walter Lippman, Public Opinion, 1921
• Increase awareness
• Shape public opinion
• Change behavior

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Perceptions of most important skills/roles (Top 3)

• Communications Professionals Ratings
• Ability to relay information clearly to a variety
  of audiences
• Ability to offer strategic counsel to school
  leaders
• Willingness to communicate honestly and fully
  even if the information is not flattering to the
  school district

• Superintendents Ratings
• Ability to mitigate a crisis and perform well
  under pressure
• Ability to communicate a positive image for the
  school district
• Excellent critical thinking skills

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At Times, No Quiz (True/False)

• Earning recognition as a valuable member of your
  districts management team rests only on your
  basic job skills/competence.
• Its a good thing to report to someone else other
  than the superintendent. You dont want him/her
  to know your name.
• Building a personal rapport with your
  superintendent is not important.
• Your boss is your client and keeping his/her best
  interests in mind makes your job/role much
  easier.
• There are some things I should not tell my boss.

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Pardon me superintendent, you have a foot in your
mouth.

• There is no institution created by humans that
  cannot be ruined by humans.

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Voice of Experience

• We would think that a few top officials would
  consider this an important day to be on the job,
  but the superintendent and top school officials
  tried to avoid the bad news. Where is the
  leadership? Ignoring this problem will not make
  it go away.
• WJXT TV4 (July 4) after receiving the following
  statement - School grades will be released on
  Friday but our offices are closed on Fridays as
  part of our summer schedule. Please contact the
  state department of Education for information.
• When they NAACP get sufficiently involved,
  then I can make meaning out of those comments.
  But to throw rocks without those involvements or
  to build cases without fact, I cant find meaning
  in that.
• Front-page TU article (July 4) NAACP expresses
  displeasure over school grades
• Im not here to play to public opinion and play
  to popularity. Im here to move the district
  forward.
• Front-page TU article (June 10) Supts business
  travel raises various questions
• We are disappointed that this young lady would
  choose to spend her time in this manner. However,
  we applaud the principal and faculty for their
  efforts in restoring the ceremony to its
  dignified purpose.
• ABC New York/Fox News (May 23) Prepared media
  statement following high school valedictorians
  religious commencement address.

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What Your Boss Should Expect from You

• Knowledge Bosses need people who have unique
  expertise. You dont have to be a pro at
  everything, but you do need a specific area of
  knowledge that your boss values.
• Credibility Follow through on assignments and do
  what you say youre going to do. Your word has to
  carry weight to earn your bosss trust.
• Professionalism Bosses appreciate individuals
  who are serious about their work and are willing
  to take the time to achieve a greater
  understanding.

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Expectations continued

• Care/Concern Bosses value relationships with
  those who care. Show that youre truly concerned
  about what the boss has to say by responding with
  solutions rather than complaints or excuses.
• Integrity The true test of integrity is whether
  youll take a stand, even when its unpopular
  with your boss. The boss has the final decision
  but its your job to make sure its the right
  one.

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What You Should Deliver From Order-taker to
Creating Order

• Make your boss your client. Keep him/her in the
  loop regularly.
• Why A secret fear of every boss is that
  employees are screwing up and not telling anyone,
  or (worse) arent aware theres a problem.
• Outcome Your boss is reassured that you know
  what youre doing
• Create a core message for your boss.
• Why Bosses are forgetful and may not recall
  exactly what/how your work influences his or her
  success a core marketing message will allow you
  to position your contribution.
• Outcome Your boss knows just how valuable you
  are.

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From Order-taker to Creating Order continued

• Tap a vital resource influencers of the boss.
• Why Even though you have a one-on-one
  relationship with your boss, there is a crowd of
  people who influence your boss decisions.
• Outcome Others are enlisted to spread the word
  about your importance to the organization.
• Learn everything you can about your boss career.
• Why The boss may know that youre competent but
  does he or she believe that youre invaluable?
  Deliver what the boss wants even before he/she
  knows he/she wants it.
• Outcome Understanding an individuals background
  helps illustrate how he/she may approach a
  situation/logic of decision making processes.
• Cultivate compatible personal interests.
• Why An expansive and resilient relationship with
  your boss helps him/her see you not only as a
  competent employee, but a person a kindred
  spirit.
• Outcome The ideal result is a boss who looks out
  for your interests during difficult times.

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Occupational Hazards

• Chronic Micromanager Do you build a detailed
  plan for projects with milestones and feedback
  reports have you invited your boss to review
  your plan?
• Vague Priorities Have you ever made your
  understanding visible by drafting an email or
  memo identifying what your boss said/your
  interpretation?
• Explosive Temper Do you calmly search for an
  understanding of what is the real issue and
  perhaps delay providing a detailed response?

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Occupational Hazards Continued

• Absurd Expectations Are you a complainer or do
  you ask your boss to assist you in setting
  priorities and discussing ways to help you work
  more efficiently?
• Belittling (in public) Have you ever requested a
  private meeting to share that you value his/her
  feedback but public criticism makes it difficult
  for you to focus on your performance?
• Avoiding difficult decisions Could you share
  with your boss the decision you intend to make
  and your plans to proceed?
• Demanding Do you seek to understand your bosss
  pressures/work style and avoid making commitments
  that you cant keep?

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Dont Be Left Behind

• Be a master of your message.Have you ever been
  so passionate about an idea that you thought
  there was something wrong with anyone who didnt
  get it? Tailor your approach to match the
  personality/decision making style of your boss.
• Be involved at the highest levels (from the very
  beginning).If your boss or legal counsel advises
  that your involvement isnt necessary, tell them
  that its critical. You were hired to be a
  communications professional and communications is
  a critical component of any activity.
• Be engaging.Work the crowd. Talk with
  co-workers, dine with city opinion leaders,
  volunteer with community organizations. By doing
  so, you create a chorus of voices that help
  minimize rejection.
• Be assertive.Dont be a bobble head. Go ahead
  and stick your neck out. Your boss isnt the only
  person in the world who has taken an insane
  position on something. When you know youre
  right, put your beliefs to the strictest test.
  (Challenge up, support down)
• Be true to yourself.Understand the culture of
  the organization and assess the values, work
  habits, and beliefs of your boss. If there are
  fundamental differences, start thinking about
  next steps/considerations for a different
  role/employer. (Know when to fold em)

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Influence Science and Practice

• Likeability is a matter of intention and
  behavior rather than of personality and chance.
  To become more likeable, find similarities and
  then raise them to the surface. If you can find
  something that you truly like and respect about a
  person, then that person will naturally like and
  respect you. While this may seem manipulative,
  its not because if you truly like someone, you
  will be committed to helping make that person
  more successful.
• -Robert Cialdini, Influence the Psychology
  of Persuasion