This section, entitled “Leadership Hot Tips”, will focus on a variety of issues and will hopefully give some quick information that may assist each member of CASE in their leadership role. This section may include but not be limited to:

• Daily tips on leadership

• Access to leadership Websites

• Articles pertinent to leadership and programs for students with disabilities

• Program methodologies that may assist you in your performance as a special education leader

• Pertinent updates on items of interest on the national level

We would invite you to send your Leadership Hot Tip to Luann Purcell at lpurcell@bellsouth.net

Leadership Hot Tip #1 2006-07

Dr. Terry Allee, MO, CASE Membership Chair

As you gear up for the new year, consider this tip from the business world on how to involve a diverse group of employees to get the best perspective to a problem and more importantly the solution!  We talk about being an inclusive philosophy for educating all students—how inclusive are we in our strategic planning!?! 

The Motivational Manager offers the following brainstorming suggestion, based on Creamer Dickson Basford CEO Jean Farinelli:

Brainstorming meetings with employees can be effective…if conducted properly 

Creamer Dickson Basford CEO Jean Farinelli insists that brainstorming is an effective way to get employees to offer ideas.  At her company, “Oftentimes, the big idea which sold the account or won the industry award cam directly out of a meeting we commonly refer to as a brainstorming session,” she says.  Here are her five guidelines for setting up and running effective employee brainstorming sessions:

• Invite the janitor:  or any other employee who can bring a new perspective to the problem. “Some of the most productive brainstorming sessions I have ever seen mixed secretaries, lawyers, mail clerks, janitor, accountants, and communication people in the same room.”
• Keep the group small. “No more than ten people.” Insists Farinelli.  The small size allows ideas to feed off each other, and keeps the energy level high.
• Hold the meetings in the morning.  “People tend to be tired and thinking of other things at the end of the day.”   Important:  Don’t hold meetings on Friday or Monday,. People are thinking of either the past weekend or the upcoming one.
• Allow absolutely no criticism of ideas.  “Something that may seem far-fetched now can breed thought for more viable, creative options.”
• Distribute a “briefing” to participants before the meeting.  “The wheels of the mind can begin churning before the meeting even begins!”