Page 15 - Leadership Basics 9

Event Comment
Start by discussing people’s Henry begins – not by telling staff he wants them to work
interests. Do not start with an until 5.30, but by calling a meeting to discuss the situation
offer, put offers aside until and to find out why the office closes so early. What has
later. happened in the past?

Focus on interests not Are the staff committed to other activities or do they have
positions. Deal with people not personal reasons for leaving early? What is their concern?
problems.

Generate options for mutual Working together Henry and the admin staff come up with
gain the plan that the office will be kept open until 5pm, and that
to off set the extra time worked, that the staff will have an
extra day off a month.

Reality testing. Is the agreement still OK after a cooling off period and is it
worth having the office open until late … do parents use this
time to come to the school.

Reach Agreement Both parties agree on a solution.

Test against objective Is the agreement still OK after a cooling off period, and
standards. when measured against other known precedents or
standards?

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