employee engagement leadership academy session #3—june 25, 2015 dr. frank benest...

Employee Engagement

Leadership AcademySession #3—June 25, 2015

Dr. Frank Benestfrank@frankbenest.com

Feedback on Team Projects Each team briefly presents

modified work plan: The challenge Research methodology Deliverable(s) Call to action

Feedback from all

Steve Jobs Commencement Speech

Overview

1. “Developing Strategic Communications

Plan”2. The power of story-telling3. TED.com video—Simon Sinek4. Employee engagement— San Mateo Co case study5. Debrief info interviews

Overview (con’t)

6. Reaction panel 7. Scheduling development

conversations with coach8. Team project presentations9. More feedback on team projects10. Team meetings

Developing Strategic Communications Plan

Share in pairs

Focus on Q’s # 1, 2, 6, 7, 10

Share in large group

The Power of Story-Telling

Prep for Your Story

1. Identify topic of a staff or professional presentation

2. Write down 3 brief bullets of technical info

“The Impossible Dream”

“The Impossible Dream”

Impact of Story Putting a human face on issue Story creates “stickiness”

“We can make the impossible dream come true!”

The phrase that pays Leaders help others share their stories

Everyone is a story-teller Story-telling is an acquired skill

that can be enhanced by practice & self-critique

It’s fun?!

Story-Telling

From ancient times, all communities have used stories to enchant, entertain, instruct, perpetuate core values & preserve wisdom

Family Stories Pick a story you heard in your family

as child Briefly tell it in a pair Identify what you learned from story Share in large group

Why Stories? We’re overwhelmed with data Stories are memorable They often teach a core truth They help us make sense of the

world— Where we’ve been What we’ve learned What we want to be or create

Why Stories? Stories are powerful because

they. . . Provide a clear message Capture hearts as well as minds Help create commitment

Elements to Good Stories What were some key ingredients

to the “Impossible Dream” story?

Powerful Stories Personal Relevant to topic People can relate to protagonist or situation Involves problem, misstep, misfortune Audience develops “rooting interest” Story builds to conclusion Lessons to be learned Strong point of view (POV) Call to action

Finding Potential Stories Pulling stories from your

experience Reflect upon your personal history

& identify possible stories Ask questions about experience &

explore experience for possible relevance

Identify conclusions or lessons

Finding/Refining Stories Other sources of stories

Reading Talking to others

Incorporate a strong POV Streamline story so it’s “tight” & leads to conclusions/lessons

Extracting Conclusions

Two choices1. Presenter makes conclusions or identifies lessons2. Audience critiques experience & suggests lessons

Describe experience in sufficient detail but do not make explicit conclusions or lessons

Presenter can add anything missed

Kurt Vonnegut “The Shapes of Stories”

Story Structure

Three Acts1. Introduction of main character

facing obstacles or challenge2. Action3. “Happy” conclusion, triumph, or ending with lesson

“Story-Boarding” Instructions

By yourself Start with the take-away Outline the key points of experience Identify conclusions or lessons Eliminate non-essential “fluff”

In pairs Identify the 3 bullets of technical info Share the brief story (based on outline) &

receive feedback

Sampling of Stories Two mini-stories Feedback

What worked well? What are suggestions to enhance

story?

Story Prompts Purposes Go to handout for list of prompts Other prompts?

Enhancing Your Story-Telling Be on look-out for experiences that

could become a “story” Be aware of stories told by others & critique them Outline sequence of story elements but don’t fully write out or

memorize; story must feel natural (“cocktail

story” model)

Enhancing Your Story-Telling Practice your stories in comfortable

& “safe” environment (try out your material)

De-brief your stories & refine them Start a “story file” Use stories at beginnings of staff meetings

Final Tips Show vulnerability (“my worst

experience”) Use gestures or body language as

well as voice as story-telling tools Integrate a prop

Story-Telling Resources Cal-ICMA Coaching Program webinar

“Storytelling To Promote Positive Solutions”Go to “Agendas & Archives” at www.cal-icma.org/coaching

“How To Tell a Good Story,” Kristi Hedges, forbes.com, Dec 11, 2013

“Using Stories to Persuade,” John Baldoni, hbr.org, March 24, 2011

Follow Up Incorporate a personal story into

your next presentation or announcement

Practice De-brief experience with someone

Simon Sinek TED.com video Key points

Career Journey

Donna Vaillancourt, HR Director,San Mateo County

My storyWhat do you discern as challenges and effective

strategies?

Employee Engagement San Mateo County

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

future practice?

Employee Engagement San Mateo Co Guide “In my current role, what is one

thing that I can personally do to better engage direct reports or co-workers?”

Information Interviews Debrief in pairs

What did you like or enjoy? What was difficult or uncomfortable

or something you did not enjoy? What was one thing that resonated

with you or something you found somewhat surprising?

Share in large group

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

Assignments for Next Session Complete readings Schedule meeting with Exec

Sponsor to inform about scope of team project Schedule “development conversation” with your coach

Go to handout “Becoming a Great Coach” (posted on website under session #6)

Take “Creativity Test” at www.testmycreativity.com

(print out results & bring them to class)

Enhancing Team Projects

Sample Outline for Team Report

Principles Start with end in mind What does audience want to know? Engage audience with story or personal

experience Less is more

Outline Challenge & assignment Summary of recommendations Methodology Recommendations “Call to action”

Team Project Reports Presentation incl. recommendations

(15-20 minutes) Questions by Board/Exec Sponsor(s)

& responses (10 minutes) Enhancing the report--Exec

Sponsor(s) (5 minutes)

Feedback on Team Projects Each team briefly presents

modified work plan: The challenge Research methodology Deliverable(s) Call to action

Feedback from all

Scheduling the Team Reports Five reports Two in August Two in September One in October

Team Projects Questions from teams? Assistance needed? Team meetings

Thank you!www.frankbenest.com