Jim Bob’s new programs on dealing with change, budget constraints and being asked to do more, with less!

Change is coming! Every school district in Texas will be affected by the state budget shortfall. At this time, we do not know the final budget numbers. What we do know for sure is “the kids are coming” and the school bells will ring.

The goal of every school district will be to get to business as usual as soon as possible – the education of students must prevail. There is a process to work through this type of change to help districts succeed as quickly as possible. It involves honest communication, compassion, and the understanding it will be a time of very personal and emotional experience for everyone.

When final budget figures are known, school districts will have to take the tough action necessary to bring spending levels in line. These actions will vary district to district. Actions might include:

• Reduction in instructional staff
• Reduction in support staff
• Salary freeze
• Larger class size
• Freeze on hiring
• Deep cuts in discretionary spending
• Closing of campuses

At the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, the results of the actions taken and changes made will suddenly hit everyone like a ton of bricks! At this time, changes will be met with an emotional response as intense as the budget situation is now. A district who denies this and avoids dealing with the fall-out will suffer even more.

Characteristics of change/staff reduction

• Employee morale will suffer
• The trust level will suffer
• Anxiety will increase
• Staff will feel “battered”
• Momentum will be interrupted
• Stress levels will be up
• Lack of motivation for many
• Possible interpersonal conflict
• Increased illnesses
• All of the above are normal initial reactions

The Good News

• We will survive
• Your staff is looking for and wanting leadership
• Transition period can be relatively short
• Educators will make a difference in the lives of kids!

Jim Bob’s Training Programs on Dealing With Change

Jim Bob is more than willing to share the “budget pain” with you and is reducing his normal fee by 40% or more. He will work with you to heavily customize his programs to fit your specific needs.

Jim Bob’s Back-to-School Convocation Keynote (60 – 90 minutes)
Perfect for bringing everyone together to build teamwork and create a sense of “we are all in this together” and need each other to make it work. It works great as a follow-up to the summer Administrator/Principal Leadership Workshop.

This 60-90 minute keynote speech is in Jim Bob’s signature style of “humor with a message. He makes a connection with the audience by getting them laughing and then weaves in a powerful message of the steps in dealing with the changes.

The first step is:

• Understanding and accepting the changes as real and they’re not going away for the new year.

The second step is:

• Understanding the transition period of letting go of the old and getting familiar with the new. Knowing this time will bring uncertainty, discomfort and high stress – and these are a normal part of the transition.

The third step is:

• Focusing on the new beginning and dealing with the acceptance of a new structure. Letting them know that once again a routine and sense of “normalcy” will begin to become apparent – and this will happen more quickly than they think.

Jim Bob’s keynote presentation will focus on:

• Motivation and inspiration
• Letting your staff know they are valued contributors
• Creating a sense of teamwork
• A renewed sense of pride in themselves and their work
• The realization that kids will remember teachers
• Managing difficult change
• Understanding our initial negative reactions are normal
• Building a support network at school and home
• Handling anxiety and stress
• Helping your staff get on with business as usual – educating kids

Administrator/Principal Leadership Workshop (Half-day)
Works well for summer in preparation for the 2011-2012 school year

This half-day training is totally devoted to managing the change brought about by the budget constraints. Getting your mid-management people trained and on board with a plan is vital. Jim Bob will discuss, in a very interactive setting, methods, techniques and strategies leaders can use in dealing with staff concerns. The goal is to get our employees to “business as usual” as soon as possible but recognize there is a process. If the “business as usual” message is too early, there is a risk of alienating and angering the staff. If it is too late, you end up wallowing in it. The normalization process is slowly and gently – and the results of good planning.

The following will be covered and discussed:

• Communicating with employees – openly and honestly
• How to build a support network at work and home
• Create a sense of “we are all in this together” and need each other
• Getting people laughing
• How to get staff engaged during difficult times
• Rebuilding trust
• The art of active listening
• Recognizing the different reactions of people to adversity
• Understanding the need for a transitional period
• How to start focusing on the operational problems stemming from the change
• Sharing a vision of the future – honest and realistic
• Recognizing the leaders on each campus…and utilizing them
• Empathetic leadership vs. Autocratic leadership
• The importance of being optimistic – things will return to normal as the new routines fall into place

End-of-School Faculty Appreciation Functions (Normally 60 minutes)
An excellent opportunity to let your staff know they are valued contributors. Jim Bob combines motivation and inspiration along with a “Thank You” from your district for a job well done. His “humor with a message” approach will not only entertain but engage the audience.