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