The Tale of Two Very Different Negotiation Experiences
of a 1st Year Superintendent
Susie Meade, PhD - Winterset Community Schools
Think Abouts:
What is similar in your situation?
What new vantage point has this given me?
From what you heard, what might you do differently or begin doing?
Prepare Yourself
Know the contracts
Know the past experience
Know who sits at the table and who does what in negotiations
Know the law/rules – educate yourself (ISFLIC Track 7, PERB, IASB, attorney)
Know your financial situation – IASB Financial Tool
Know your comparables
Decide if you will follow timelines or waive them
Check your body language and how you listen
Check with the BOE regarding their philosophies and engagement
Check with the ALT regarding issues/concerns
Check with Business Office/Human Resources regarding issues/concerns
Classified Group
Traditional Stance:
Issues, Positions, Arguments, Power/Compromise, SettleWin/Lose
Focus on a limited pie:
Every slice I get is one less for you
What I win, You Lose
Obstacles:
Beliefs, Trust, Loss of Focus, One Communicator, Lack of
Understanding or Interest to Understand
What We Did:
Met infrequently, Settled After Certified
They filed for Mediation (2014)
What I Learned:
Patience
Wait Time
Simplicity
Appeal to the Reasonable
Certified Group
Interest-Based:
Issues, Interests, Options, Standards, Settle – Win/Win
Team Winterset
Desire to turn face-to-face confrontation into side-by-side
problem solving
Prerequisites:
Motivation
Information
Communication Skills
Climate
Readiness of Organization and Team
Philosophy:
Mutuality of interest to make the district better
Attitude:
Value and nurture openness climate conducive to mutual
sharing of information and building of trust
Process:
For problem solving and decisions making to improve the
district
Let’s Use Our Pie Best:
Helping each other
Sharing interest information
Discovering differing values
Creating many options
Reach a decision everyone can live with
What We Did:
Training
Monthly meetings – 6am
Bi-weekly during season – 6 am
Norms/Confidentiality/Patience
Sticky notes of Issues/Concerns
Transparent and open – finances, concerns, fears
What I Learned:
Can Be Mutually Beneficial
Focus on issues not personalities (duties)
Focus on interests not positions (work hours)
Create multiple options favorable to both (lists)
Evaluate options with standards not power (prof dress)
Unearth the whys in things
Think Abouts:
What is similar in your situation?
What new vantage point has this given me?
From what you heard, what might you do differently or begin doing?
Questions