1. Chickenpox, Strep Throat or Professional Burnout? Cynthia Seelhammer Deputy City Manager City of Phoenix Charlie McClendon City Manager City of Avondale Huey Long City Manager City of Safford

2. Staying Motivated

3. What is Motivation? Internal state or condition that activates behavior & gives it direction Desire or want that energizes & directs goal-oriented behavior Influence of needs & desires on the intensity & direction of behavior

4. What Causes a Loss of Motivation? Feeling unappreciated Routine or uninteresting work Personal problems Overwhelming issues Too many personnel issues Loss of a key staff person

5. Things to Avoid Drowning in self pity –Give yourself an hour then move on Destructive behaviors –We each have our favorite Inertia & inaction Over analyzing the situation Turning on others – or turning to gossip

6. What are Some Motivators? Advancing in an organization provides recognition, which is a powerful motivating force Developing ideas –Creativity is a natural self motivator Adventure –Exploring provides a high-powered learning environment Seeking continual change & adapting to it

7. Motivating Myself Take advantage of my support group Reward & recognize myself Shake up my surroundings Take a vacation Envision advancement and recognition Motivate myself by paying attention to the needs of others Develop a plan to address the problem – whatever it is

8. Keeping Your Staff Motivated

9. Why Bother to Motivate? People who are motivated & happy at work will accomplish more, perform better, build positive relationships with others & encourage others to do the same. People who are motivated are engaged in their work & spend their energy accomplishing positive results.

10. Motivation Advice & Ideas Motivate yourself –You should be modeling the behavior & attitude you expect from staff Do simple things often – provide recognition & praise –Give constant positive feedback/recognition when deserved Be “future-oriented” –Don’t dwell on past problems –Fix the problem, don’t blame & know when to move on Display optimism –Show people where the organization is going, what you want to become & identify benchmarks –Show people what is possible

11. Recognize Differences People are individuals & motivations are different for each person Get to know the individuals in your organization Recognize & respect the differences –What motivates one person may not motivate another Take the time to learn the dreams & ambitions of people –Help them get there

12. Environment versus Work WORK: Sometimes you can change the work, providing new experiences & new opportunities –Consider job rotation, cross training, temporary assignments ENVIRONMENT: If you can’t change the work, you can probably change the environment –Remember, the salary is seldom the number one reason people choose to stay in a job or choose to leave a job. –Other factors may be more important

13. Changes to the Work Environment Job sharing Flex hours Telecommuting Reward programs Family-friendly policies Celebrate success Humor FISH Thank-you notes Congratulation notes Copies of photos Publish stories In the past some of these options have been hard to implement in the public sector. –Perception of special treatment In today’s job market we are all competing for the same scarce talent & some of these flexible options are now the norm in the private sector.

14. Alternatives to Monetary Motivation What motivates people other than money? –Recognition –Time off –Involvement in decisions –Promotions –Freedom –Education –Growth –Fun

15. What Motivates You? Secretary: “Being included so that I know what is going on. Having a personal connection with those I work with. Building positive relationships. Having my work acknowledged.” Technical experts: “Freedom to do my projects the way I want to, but knowing I am always able to go to my manager to bounce ideas around or ask advice.” “The variety of projects so that it never gets boring. I can always move from one project to the other and switch my focus.”

16. What Motivates You? Management Assistant: “I know I can completely change jobs or take on a special project if I want to, all I have to do is ask. I know I am not expected to die in the harness doing the exact same thing for many years. I know I will have opportunities.” Department Manager: “Flexibility so I can be with my family when I need to be, and work a modified schedule when I need to. A culture where my ideas are welcomed and taken seriously. Opportunities for training or learning.”

17. Burnout A Professional Reality

18. Burnout – A Professional Reality! Professional burnout (PBO) is a serious problem –It can cause executives & families great unhappiness & emotional pain –It can impair judgment and put their business and career at risk PBO is not as easy to spot as chickenpox or strep throat, but it is quite common

19. Burnout – A Professional Reality! A significant percentage of executives will suffer an episode of PBO at some point in their careers. City management types are a hardy, hard-working group. –They have to be in order to get to where they are today Some executives find themselves unable to function or, perhaps even worse, are able to function but in a compromised manner that places themselves or their organization in harms way!

20. Contributing Factors to PBO High stress Loss of control –personal or career Political change Staff upsizing & downsizing Economic conditions –prosperity – poverty Changing behavior to meet political criteria Relentless & unforgiving daily demands Business conditions & competitive factors

21. Contributing Factors to PBO Pursue high-level business educational success Executive trying to do too much –Perfectionism Not willing to define your limitations –Superman Complex Your leadership role –Being a leader exacts a price Note: Maintaining a powerful family & support mechanism can be one of your best anti-burnout strategies.

22. Signs of Burnout Chronic fatigue – exhaustion, tiredness & physically rundown Anger at those making demands Self-criticism for putting up with demands Cynicism, negativity & irritability Exploding at inconsequential things, frequent headaches, & gastrointestinal disturbances Weight loss or gain Sleeplessness & depression Shortness of breath Suspiciousness Feelings of helplessness Lack of accomplishment Increased degree of risk- taking

23. Conquering Change Managing the stress of change to prevent PBO –Exercise –Eat right –Create change coping mechanism –Create your plan for change –Know when to get help

24. Audience Interaction