Working With the Seinfeld Board: Part 2

Linda Hanson, Ed. D. Harry Rossi, Ed. D. AASA NATIONAL CONVENTION February 11, 2010

INTRODUCTIONS

THE DIRECTORS

„Linda Hanson, Ed.D. „Harry Rossi, Ed.D.

Leading a Cast of Characters

„ Sometimes the Board is a cast of characters and you are in charge of the show

„ Let’s review our cast

1 Setting the Stage for Your Leadership

Know your characters Jerry Seinfeld: „ Voice of reason amid the insanity „ People look to him as the anchor George Contanza: „ A loser who is insecure about his ability „ Exaggerates everything „ Cheap, petty and dishonest „ Successes are short lived

Review of the Cast of Characters

Elaine Benes: „ Intelligent, assertive and superficial „ Her honesty gets her in trouble „ Oblivious of those who make fun of her „ Gets caught up in her friends’ habits Cosmo Kramer: „ Wacky and child-like with ADD „ Randomly has astonishing insights „ Ridiculous schemes, no conscience „ Lives by mooching off of others

Review of the Cast of Characters

Newman: „ A curiously well educated postman „ Kramer’s accomplice; Jerry’s nemesis „ Goes out of way to plot and make Jerry’s life miserable Jerry/Newman Rivalry: „ Newman is often the problem in Jerry’s life „ Kramer and Newman plan capers that backfire „ Both are contemptuous of the other and are obnoxious to each other

2 The Board

Board Personalities „ Fractious/Collaborative „ Divided/Cooperative „ Bogged Down Details/Big Picture „ Data Focused/Personal Agenda „ Unified Team/Self Interest „ High Principles/Political „ Focus on Board/Focus on Students

The Plot: Kramer Adopts a Highway „ Good Intentions „ Anticipate Consequences „ Unilateral Decisions „ “Comfortable” as the Goal „ Recognition Hungry „ Sustainable Change „ Conflicting Goals

The Plot: The Soup Nazi

„Secrets as Power „Petty Rules and Procedures „Share Your Recipes of Success „Respect is the Key Ingredient „Transparency

3 The Plot: The Maestro

„ Role of Conductor/Board as Orchestra „ Position Power vs. Power of Influence „ Accomplishments vs. Appearances „ Humility Always Welcome „ Conductor Alone Not Useful

The Plot: The Opposite

„ Try Something Different „ Objective Observers „ Self Evaluation: Board and Superintendent „ Surface Changes vs. Deep Change

When The Show Is Reviewed

„ Role of the Board President „ Relationships of the Board „ Relationship to the Superintendent „ Focus on the Important Things

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