A Positive Approach to Consulting in Schools

Evidence-Based Practices for Promoting Effectiveness and

Acceptance

Dennis H. Reid, Ph.D., BCBACarolyn W. Green, Ed.D.

Staff Motivation

Set the occasion for proficient staff performance First steps of outcome

consultation/management Positively support/reinforce

proficient performance Enjoyment while working proficiently

To maximize staff work

enjoyment consultants should

strive to increase the good

things about staffs’ job and

decrease the bad things

MAXIMIZING WORK ENJOYMENT: INCREASING THE GOODS AND

DECREASING THE BADS

Creating a Motivating Work Environment

Parsons, Reid, & Crow (2003). The best and worst ways to motivate staff in community agencies: A brief survey of supervisors. Mental Retardation, 41, 96-102.

CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES FREQUENTLY RESULTING IN STAFF DISCONTENT

(DISCONTENT = A BAD THING)

1. Interacting with staff in a negative or discourteous manner

2. Not being frequently present in staffs’ work place

3. Not helping out when needed

4. Not acting to help resolve staff issues of concern

CONSULTANT ACTIVITIES FOR PREVENTING STAFF DISCONTENT

(REDUCING DISCONTENT = A GOOD THING)

1. Interacting with staff in a pleasant or socially courteous manner …providing frequent positive feedback about good staff performance

2. Being frequently present in staffs’ work place

3. Helping out when needed4. Actively working to resolve staff issues of

concern

Changing Less-Preferred Duties to More-Preferred

Green, C. W., Reid, D. H., Passante, S., & Canipe, V. (2008). Journal of

Organizational Behavior Management, 28, 90-109.

Making Less Preferred Duties More Preferred

Identify staffs’ most disliked duty related to consultant requests

Query staff about why the duty is so disliked

Query staff (and others) about how performing the duty can be changed to make less unpleasant to perform

Make the changes identified above

Enhancing Motivation

Increase the “goods” Formal recognition Informal recognition

Impromptu praise

Enhancing Motivation

Increase the “goods” Formal recognition Informal recognition

Impromptu praise Saying good things behind the back

Enhancing Motivation

Increase the “goods” Informal recognition

Impromptu praise Saying good things behind the back Special recognition meetings Take home the goods

Summary Reference

Reid, D.H., & Parsons, M.B. (2006). Motivating Human Service Staff: Supervisory Strategies for Maximizing Work Effort and Work Enjoyment.

www.behaviordevelopmentsolutions.com www.amazon.com

Summary

Use the available evidence-based technology For students For staff (training, feedback)

Be very diligent and be around Be pleasant Focus on outcomes and

acceptability