The leader drives the actions of the organization by
considering content, context and processes.
Share an example of a time when you might have felt burned by a decision
someone made in isolation? Talk about
where you fall on the rubric concerning decision-making (informed, intentional,
inspirational).
Reply to at least one other person.
Reply to at least one other person.
I felt somewhat burned when HPEC decided to end the psych. para. position without much consultation and with even less consideration for the available data involving caseloads or the input of others. I know there were other HPEC psychologists who did not feel that the use of psych para's was useful or efficient and in their position this was very likely true. In our office, there were two psychologists, a part time audiologist, and hearing-impaired interpreters who depended on the psych. para. One size didn't necessarily fit all.
ReplyDeleteThis past year, I have become more efficient in my use of time and have used technology to supplement the loss of a person who was constantly busy working on my behalf or on the behalves of others. This past year, the demand for our audiological services has decreased, but it would be difficult to know if this was the result of a dip in the natural referral cycle or the result of increased difficulty in the phone process of reaching a live human being. In the initial message, there is not a Spanish equivalent to which our Spanish-speaking parents can refer. We were instructed that this would not be necessary.
In terms of where I fall on the decision-making rubric, it depends on the type of decision to be made. If it is a decision that must be made immediately or is unimportant, I typically rely on my best judgement. Regarding major decisions or decisions that affect others, I try to base my decisions on research and data. I go to respected sources or to individuals whose opinions I value. I also talk to the people who will be affected by the decision and try to reach consensus. I look at all of the input with the overlay of what I feel is the right thing to do in finalizing the decision.
I'm of the opinion that no one person or party has all of the best answers. In finding the best fit or as Shelly put it, a "win-win" situation, we sometimes must leave our egos at the door and truly listen for the answer that is the best fit for all concerned.
It sounds like you have survived your year without your para! It sounds like you have some systems in place that have helped you this year. It's always a hard adjustment when you have to change your way of doing things when decisions have been made.
DeleteI am really sorry that you felt burned by the decision to eliminate psych paras. I hope that next year with your different work assignment and all the skills you have learned this year you will have an easier go.
DeleteIt's been a tough year for me too. Often I feel like I've been receptionist, secretary, custodian, maintenance, and time permitting psychologist.
DeleteI think I am about as transparent as they come. I believe in asking for advice from others and talking things over with the Admin. Team before making decisions. But sometimes you do get in that position where you just have to make a judgment call. You may not have enough facts, and data or have data that is a little hinky so you just have to make the most educated decision you can given the circumstances. I believe in using the phrase: "let me look into that and I will get back with you.". I try very hard not to make snap decisions. I too like to look for that win-win situation.
ReplyDeleteCourse you have heard enough about my spreadsheets but I do use them to thoughtfully look at data before coming to a decision. I want numbers and data to back me up.
Decisions made send ripples through the pond. Hopefully, good data drives our decisions and I appreciate you, Marcy, for looking at data. Sometimes we make mistakes and need to rectify our decisions. Having a healthy dose of humility can help us in this. We all make mistakes, but usually it is not from a lack of trying to do our best. When pride stops us from admitting when we've made mistakes, we all may suffer needlessly.
DeleteIt has been very difficult for me to come up with an example of where I felt “burned” by a decision that has been made. I’m the type of person that if I don’t like a decision that has been made, I may stew about it for a few days, voice my opinion, and then move one from it. I’m not one to keep hashing old things. I often find myself saying “it’s a decision that was made and you can’t change the past.” If it was a decision that affected me personally or affected our relationship then it may take awhile to build that trust back again. I find myself saying often – “it is what it is.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with your "it is what it is" attitude. There is no need to dwell on things out of our hands.
DeleteI appreciate your attitude of not dwelling on past situations, and also share this belief of moving on.
DeleteYour are exactly right in that decisions made in isolation directly affect trust and positive relationships. We keep working on those relationships and putting one foot in front of the other, doing the best job we can! :)
Catherine-
DeleteI feel the same way as you. I might be upset for a little while about something, but generally, I move on. There's nothing productive about dwelling on stuff you can't change, and it generally just ends up making things worse in the long run. I also often utilize "It is what it is." Maybe a little too often... Earlier this week, I was having a conversation with Andy, and he goes "Oh my gosh... I HATE that saying! Don't you know anything else?!" (He went on to explain that a guy who annoys him at work always says it.) I think I'll start using your other saying "It's a decision that was made, and you can't change it." I'm sure he'll be thrilled, haha! :-)
I noticed Dr. Jean even promoted the phrase "Oh well" for young children to help them with this as a a life skill.
DeleteI was at the wrong place at the wrong time towards the end of the school year. I went down to the office to ask an interpreter to make a phone call for me. As I am sitting there with the interpreter, the second grade teacher walks in and says there you are I have been trying to call you. She asked me if I could join her in the principal's office for a meeting regarding a student. I had no idea what I was walking into. As I get seated in the office, here comes the student's parents. It turns out the purpose of this meeting was discuss the student's behavior and decide if he needed to be suspended from school. I did not like being in that office. I did not feel it was my place to discuss this issue. I like to be seen as the child's advocate not someone who is involved in punishment of the child. I did not agree with the suspension. The principal had his mind made up before any of us even had a chance to talk and express our opinion. At the end of the meeting, the parent forced the child into the office and made him apologize to his teacher. That child was embarrassed and humiliated. It was awful!!
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at the rubric, I am at the intentional level as far as decision-making goes at least that is the case in my professional life. My personal life may be a complete different story.
Jamie that sounds horrible and super frustrating. I am sorry they put you in the position.
DeleteIn thinking of an example of a decision made in isolation, I can't think of one that burned me personally, or individually, but rather affected an entire team.
ReplyDeleteThe decision was made by two administrators this year to move a student to a more restrictive setting. No other team members were given an opportunity to voice opinions or concerns until after the fact. What upset me, as well as several other team members, was the process of how the decision was made. Once I was made aware of the situation, I quickly informed both administrators that we really needed to have a team meeting and parent signature to make this significant change, as well as come up with a reintegration plan for the student. Again, not that I necessarily disagreed with the outcome - it was the process of how the decision was made. It was not the team concept that we at HPEC preach. And I do not feel it was a critical or emergency situation that required immediate action.
Depending on the situation, I see myself typically at the intentional or purposeful level of decision making. Collaboration is a key component with most decisions made in our field of work. I am occasionally at the inspired level, but don't see myself as "wise"! I do believe I possess a lot of humility, and in most teams I work with confidence as well. I work with several overly-confident or strong personalities and in these situations, I find myself stepping back and leading quietly more through active listening & body language. In these situations, I have found that my presence is not in being "heard", but rather engaging others and listening.
Elizabeth - I am so sorry that you felt that way. It was not intentional on either administrator's part to isolate the team. Communication is key, that is if we can remember who we need to communicate with:) Please accept my apologies:)
DeleteI guess this isn’t exactly something that happened in an organization, but it was definitely a decision made in isolation that I felt burned by. And to preface this, I just want to say that I love my husband more than anything, and God bless his heart for putting up with me for this long. I know it takes a lot. Ok, and now, for the rest of the story… It was December 2014. I don’t remember what the situation was exactly, but I know I was stressed out about getting stuff done at work and had planned to play catch-up over break. I was also trying to get stuff done for our wedding, and our house was a disaster because it gets neglected during the school year, so I wanted to TRY to get something accomplished with it as well. So the day we get out for Christmas, I come home, and Andy says, “Ok… I might have bad news. I told my family we could have Christmas here, and that everyone could stay with us.” I LOST it. I was so overwhelmed at that point, I just started crying. It all sounds REALLY dumb now. It wasn’t the end of the world, but I just don’t handle that stuff very well I guess. Anyway, I don’t think he realized how much the whole thing would affect me, and thankfully, he was able to get ahold of everyone and figure out a new plan for Christmas that didn’t involve us hosting anything or having 10 people at our house for a week. Like I said earlier, God bless his heart :-)
ReplyDeleteAs far as where I fall on the rubric with decision-making, I think I can be in any of the 3 columns depending on the situation at hand. If it’s something completely life changing, I’m more towards the right (intentional/inspired), but if it’s something not quite as important or needs to be determined within 30 seconds, I think I’d probably be more towards the left (informed).
Oh Brittany - I think I wouldn't lost it too!! Hosting 10 people for a week is NOT a decision to make in isolation!! Lol! Hopefully your husband learned from that and hasn't signed you up to host anything without collaborating with you first!
DeleteI really need an edit button - I would've lost it too!!
DeleteI've been in a similar situation and I totally lost it too. Sadly, my husband's response was much different :(
DeleteI remember a long time ago when I was a Behavior Disorder's teacher there was an opening at Leoti HS for an interrelated teacher position and I expressed interest in changing over. I was not even considered for the position because I had my endorsement in BD and there were not many of us who did. My feelings were hurt a bit even though I could understand the decision. But sometimes I wonder how my teaching career would have differed if I had went that direction. Instead, I started my school psych training! Ha! Meant to be I guess!
ReplyDeleteAs for decision making... I am pretty thoughtful and take time to consider all angles. I also like to talk out situations with peers before making decisions. Because of my reflection, I am not a very quick thinker and I worry that some might see this as a weakness.
I can think of a few times that I have felt "burned" by a decision that was made. I agree that you have to have a "it is what it is" attitude, but I am one of those people who never forget. If a decision is made that I feel is not right and made in isolation I will sadly loose some respect for that person. I will have my guard up. Don't get this confused with holding a grudge considering I know it could sound like one.
ReplyDeleteFor example I had a speech path who made the decision to throw me under the bus at a SAT meeting. The rest of the team just stared at her while she was talking and even expressed they didn't agree with her. I went ahead a tested the kid, but my trust level and the respect I have for her has gone down greatly.
I believe it's easy to feel burned by any decision that directly impacts you, that was made without your input. Anytime you feel your voice is not being heard, rather it be within an organization or a within a relationship, you feel disrespected and not valued. Many of you have talked about an "it is what it is" attitude. I think that is the only way you can approach a situation and maintain your sanity. Usually, if they did not value you enough to seek your input before the decision that burned you, they will not value you enough to change the decision.
ReplyDeleteI think overall I fall at the intentional level of decision making. Usually, I consult others who it will effect before making a decision. I occasionally make decisions at the informed/isolated level, and I think I lack the wisdom to be at the inspired level. I really like the section on humility, as I believe that is an extremely important quality for all leaders to possess.
I can think of only one instance where I've been personally "burned" by others decisions, with someone using my name in a situation I had little to do with, and leaving me on my own to take the consequences. The only choice though is to move forward. I agree with Elizabeth that more often my personal frustration with unilateral decisions comes from how the decision was made, not from personal impact. It goes back to voice and relationships.
ReplyDeleteI think, most often, I operate at the intentional level with decisions at work. I check in with others if the decision will effect them. I may come into a discussion with an idea of my own, but I'm always looking for input, and willing to hear others. In fact, sometimes after soliciting input, I feel no need to add anything to what others have said. At home, or when a split second decision is needed, things may look different.