Spring 2005

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WRESTLING RHINOS.... AT SCHOOL

Show Up, Speak Up and Stay the Course

Rhoberta Shaler, PhD

“There’s a staff meeting today and I want something. Each time it seems that sports win the day and the dollars available. I’m tired of it and I want my music program to get the respect—and the support—it deserves. We’ve got some very talented kids this year and those kids work hard. This is my year to take them on tour. And today’s my day to go for it!“

Great self-talk. You’re ready. Steamed, stoked and ready to roll! Or are you?

You have noticed that staff meetings have a predictability about them. There are those who talk, those who demand and those who acquiesce. There are grandstanders and peacemakers. Some colleagues collaborate, others compromise, and still others compete. The dynamics of staff meetings are best shaken up every now and again.

Many staffs suffer from what I call “silence syndrome.” That’s what occurs when folks who have good ideas, valuable opinions and informed viewpoints do not speak up at meetings. They sit in silence, or make a half-hearted attempt at interjecting and then demur to the more vocal in the group. Is that you?

The biggest problem with the silence syndrome is that it usually lasts only as long as the staff meeting. Then the silence is broken and the sabotage begins. The litany of complaints begin and the staff room is weighted down with the “blame game”:

“There is no point speaking up around here.”
“It’s always the same.”
“The administration doesn’t care.”
“No one can get a word in edgewise at those meetings.”
“My opinion doesn’t count.”

And worse. You know what I’m talking about. Either you’ve said those things—and, yes, I know, they could very well be true—or you’ve heard them. “Silent Syndrome Sufferers” do not suffer silently. They want everyone to hear the “ain’t-it-awful, he-done-me-wrong” wail.

Stop it! Show up, speak up and stay the course!

SHOW UP

Woody Allen once said that “showing up is 80% of success” But I say that showing up on time with a plan, willing and ready to execute is 98% of success. Be prepared and be there.

During my teaching career, I heard people moaning that their issues were not recognized and addressed. But they didn’t even attend staff meetings. What were they thinking?

If you want a voice, put your face in the place. Show up ready.

SPEAK UP

Do your homework. Get the facts. Often the whine precedes the who, what, where, when, why and how of an issue. This is non-productive. No one wants to hear it and you lose your audience early.

Hopefully, you do have a strong feeling about these facts. It will sustain you through to action, but present the facts first. People can hear them. Once the facts are on the table, speak to the compelling reason for implementing your suggestion.

Take a lesson from the marketing world. If you want to sell something, you have to pitch the benefits to the listener or potential buyer. You know the old radio station, WIIFM, “What’s in it for me?” Use it. Support your point of view immediately with benefits to the staff and the students. How will it help? What will it produce that will bring value, respect, honor, trust … and, most of all, money? Market your idea wisely.

STAY THE COURSE

If you are not a seasoned communicator or negotiator, you may feel you’ve done your best when you’ve simply exposed the staff to your idea and its benefits. Not so! A marketing pitch has to be presented at least seven times to really sell something. Knowing that, be ready to stay the course.

If your idea has great value to you, bring more facts to the next meeting. Poll the interested parties and bring the results to the staff. Find newspaper and journal articles. Visit special interest groups. Gather information and opinion. Report it.

Never blame. Think of yourself as a tireless, great salesperson. Remain positive. Focus on the compelling reason this is important to you. Find a new angle. Keep up your enthusiasm. Do not argue. Do not be defensive. If you continue to believe in the value of your proposition, continue to bring new evidence and enthusiasm for your idea. This makes all the difference between having people roll their eyes when you speak and having them sit up and take notice!

Remember Winston Churchill, who, in the face of many challenges, said that he “liked a man who grins when he fights” and “never, never, never quits.” Be that person—champion for your students.

Founder of the Optimize! Institute in San Diego, Dr. Shaler’s mission is to give people the skills to communicate in ways that are totally honest and totally kind at the same time. Author of many books and audio programs, she is an internationally respected speaker, facilitator and coach. A transplanted Canadian, Dr. Shaler worked in the BC school system for 26 years. You can get her “Rhino Wrestler” ezine free at: http://www.OptimizeInstitute.com