Dfcs training for New County Directors Workshop No. 1 Leadership Trainer’s Guide

Debrief activity: 
¾ Ask participants to share their responses. 
¾ Encourage applause for each group’s presentation. 
Transition: Before we leave the topic of leadership strategies, there is one 
more important subject we need to talk about. This subject requires the use 
of all of the strategies we have discussed in this section combined—leading 
by example, building relationships and communicating/instructing. The 
subject is “leading through change.” 
 
Workshop 1 for New County Directors
96 
Rev/Dec., 2006 

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Trainer’s Guide 
 Positive Aspects of Change 
78
Positive Aspects of Change
z
Stress produces 
energy in people
z
Effective leaders can 
channel the energy 
toward productive 
actions
Show OH 78 (Positive Aspects of Change). 
Say: If there is anything you can count on, it’s change.
¾ Ask: What kinds of changes have you experienced at DFCS? 
¾ Flip chart responses. Potential responses include: 
- 
State government (politics and priorities change with each 
administration 
- 
DFCS leadership 
- 
Budget 
- 
Policy 
- 
Staff 
Expand on slide information: Negativity, complaining, infighting and 
resistance to productive action are not uncommon responses. This same 
energy can be redirected into positive activities. 
¾ Teamwork is key: Enlist staff to take the initiative and accept 
responsibility for overcoming challenges. 
Workshop 1 for New County Directors
97 
Rev/Dec., 2006 

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Trainer’s Guide 
What Leaders Communicate About Change 
79
What Leaders Communicate 
About Change
z
A mission/vision worth achieving
z
A sense of urgency that we need to respond 
appropriately to the change
z
Goals that challenge people’s abilities
z
A “we’re all in this together” spirit of teamwork
z
Confidence and a realistic expectation that 
staff will succeed