Communicating for Success

Leadership Academy #2Feb 19, 2015

Dr. Frank Benestfrank@frankbenest.com

Questions about Academy Curriculum? Requirements? Schedule? Team projects? Other?

Interview with Jim Collins

Rosy’s Story What were the values that Frank

learned from Rosy’s story?

Understanding Your Life Story Leaders are self-reflective & understand

who they are Who has been an influential person or

what has been an experience that has shaped you in a positive way?

What are the “gifts” that you give away as a leader?

Crucibles of Leadership Key points to article

Frank’s Mini-Crucible

Day Workers in Brea Redeveloping downtown was #1

priority Day workers congregating in downtown Council wanted to use police

enforcement Organized diverse staff team Started conversations with stakeholders

Day Workers in Brea Identified issues & concerns Proposed Job Center pilot Addressed problems & concerns Built support

My Mini-Crucible What was a “mini-crucible”

experience for you in your work or personal life?

What did you learn? How did it transform you in some

way?

Self-Reflection

“People can help you but leadership is one of those great journeys

into your own soul.”Jeff Immelt, CEO, GE

Overview

1. Values clarification 2. Communications—premises &

key questions3. Exercise—Framing the issue4. Career journey—Kip Harkness

6. Case study—San Jose Communications

7. Homework—Developing a strategic communications plan

8. Reaction panel & key learnings9. One-to-one coaching10. Feedback on team projects & team meetings

Overview (con’t)

Values Clarification

Why are you being invited to clarify values?

Roots Crucible Inspiration

Support in the Crucible

Jennifer Crocker, Ohio State UniversityDepartment of Psychology

Research into 2 mindsets

And their impacts on one’s:1.Ability to learn

Adaptive Leadership

2.Goal AchievementSelf-Regulation

3.Social Networks/FriendshipsAbility to Connect with Others

Two Mindsets

EcosystemEgosystem

EGOsystemECOsystem

1. To get what I want

2. To receive praise and admiration

3. To show people that I am right or good enough

4. For others to recognize how smart, generous, talented, etc., I am

5. To avoid failure or looking bad

1. To make a contribution

2. To take advantage of my strengths

3. To help, support, and inspire others

4. To be part of a successful team or meaningful community

5. To avoid doing harm

Fight or Flight

SELF1.Focus on their own needs and desires

2.View relationship between the self & others as competitive or zero-sum gain

3.Prioritize their own perceived needs over those of others.

EGOsystemECOsystem

Tend and BefriendGROUP1.See themselves as part of a larger whole2.View the relationship between the self and others as non-zero sum3.Prioritize the needs of others; see others’ needs as just as important to the well-being of the system as their own

Have you Experienced Leadership

from the Ego and Eco systems?

EGO-Based Leadership ECO-Based Leadership

SHIFTING mindsets

Ego and Eco Goals are both relatively stable and in flux

We have the tools to shift mindsets

Writing about your values shifts your mindset from the EGO to ECOsystem

Values Clarification Exercise25 Minutes

1. Select your top 5 values from list2. Choose 3 values and write about them

You Add

1. Share your 3

choices

2. Describe one in

detail

Five Minutes in Partners

During Break

Add Your Top Three Values toTeam Values Charter on the Wall

Group DiscussionWhat can we learn about our group from our list of values?

Career Journey and Aspirations

Kip HarknessMy storyWhat do you discern as challenges and effective

strategies?

San Jose Case Study

Critique of case study What went well? What did not go so well? What are lessons learned for our

future practice?

Communicating for SuccessPremises: Ability to communicate in different

ways is key to success as leader Successful communicators

understand their target audiences & their needs

Providing data is necessary but insufficient

Communicating for SuccessPremises: Successful communications is

related to positive relationships Story-telling is most powerful way to

communicate Effective communication is well-

planned

Communicating for SuccessKey Questions:1. Who’s the target audience?2. Have you first developed rapport with key members of the target

audience?3. Have you created a state of readiness?4. What is your goal in the communication?5. What are the values, goals or concerns

of the target audience? How do you find out?

Communicating for Success6. What is the “frame” given the target audience?

7. Have you “enlarged” the problem?

8. Do you refer to Council priorities, goals, or previous direction?

9. Have you used simple & appropriate language?

Communicating for Success10. Do you provide data? 11. Have you incorporated compelling

story & humanized the issue?12. Do you acknowledge & respond to problems or concerns?13. Have you communicated in different ways & reiterated the key

messages?

Developing a Communications Plan

Go to work sheet Select an important current or

future issue Complete work sheet as home

work Share next session

Reaction Panel What resonated with me? What did not resonate with me? What do I have to add?

Coaching Element to Academy

Each participant is paired with coach Discussions with coach are confidential Goals

Enrich overall experience of participants Provide career advice & support Enhance network of participants Renew & refresh senior managers/coaches

Coaching Responsibilities Agency

Identify senior manager as one-to-one coach for participant

Coaches Attend orientation session Meet with participant & provide advice & support

Coaching Responsibilities

Participants Schedule sessions with coach Come prepared Be open to dialogue & enjoy interaction

Frank/Eileen Orient coaches & participants Provide resources Help everyone debrief coaching

experience

Minimum of 3 Sessions

1. Info interview—before Dec. session2. Development Convo—before Feb

session3. Follow-up Convo—before April

session

Optional Additional sessions Professional meeting

Informational Interview Conduct info interview prior to

Academy session on Dec. 11th Exchange resumes in advance and

develop questions about their career journey, lessons, factors for success, etc.

Come prepared to share info interview experience on Dec. 11th

Sample questions?

Feedback on Proposed Team Projects

Team Project Meetings What are deliverables of team

project? What are any modifications to how

the team is going to conduct project? Who is going to do what? Have each of us selected a

“stretching” role or assignment? How do we get started?

Myers-Briggs Assessment

You will receive email with link 20 minute assessment -

uninterrupted Take it at work or at home No right or wrong answers Hats off, shoes off frame of mind Don’t overthink - first instinct

www.frankbenest.com(650) 444-6261