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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03. (Handout) The Bienati Ground Rules for Effective Strategic Conversations3. CONSU LTmrs TO MANAGEMENTS' 0411 W&d)- The Bienati Ground Rules for Effective Strategic Conversations Established 1980 For the facilitator... I have the responsibility of working as a resource to the General Manager, his team and this Board in facilitating a high level discussion on topical strategic focus areas affecting the Central Sanitary District. We may approach this process differently than the traditional strategic planning "check the box type" models you may have experienced in the past with all the vernacular of vision- mission - values- goals- strategies- tactics - objectives- success measures, etc. Our focus is on high level thinking in targeting 5 to 7 topical areas as presented in our synthesized interview notes. We will avoid getting into the weeds of tactics and metrics —that will come later in your formal strategic planning processes. Our primary outcome today is to collaboratively agree on direction, strategies and then empower the GM and his team to come back to the Board with their best thinking for successful operational execution. There is a method to my facilitation process so please bear with how I engage members of the group, challenge ideas/issues and lead the team to critical thinking. We are all working toward the same goal of taking Central San to the next level of sustained excellence for our constituents and employees. We have a compressed period to achieve our desired outcomes. Please know that I am not a "touchy - feely" esoteric type facilitator. I am approaching this as a focused business conversation guiding thoughts, ideas and agenda outcomes. I am striving for an open, honest and authentic dialogue and full engagement of all attendees to weigh in and offer constructive thoughts. Here are some general good ground rules for us to follow: For the Participants... • We will practice a level 4 leadership engagement by respecting the governance /policy role of the Board (ends focus) and the operational execution authority of the General Manager (means focus). • Appreciate and respect everyone's point of view; listen; capitalize on ideas where possible; let's stay at a high level of strategic thought versus getting too far into the weeds of daily operational tactics. • Please be present and in the moment; electronic handcuffs on Galactic stun please! • Let's give everyone a chance to participate and offer ideas. I sense we have a very passionate, technically oriented leader -driven group today with a definite passion for this profession and this industry. Please allow me discretion to manage the dialogue as I see fit. • Limit tendency to "yeah but" things. Paradigms may need to be broken in the new order of the realities we are encountering. • We will practice DCDC . Let's really stay on task and schedule. • It is okay to constructively challenge the process and the way we do things at the District. I am also fair game if you have issues with me! • This an exciting time for the District and we have the right Board and the right team ready to become a true "utility of the future." Let's create that legacy together! The new vision starts today! Dr. Larry Bienati has over 30 years' senior level leadership experience in various organizational settings. Since 1988 Larry has taught in many Bay Area Universities, including Saint Mary's College where he served as lead faculty for the highly successful accelerated BA in Management Program, U.C. Berkeley's Worldwide Business Programs, the California Maritime Academy and his current role at Sacramento State University serving as faculty lead for many executive leadership development programs and the EMBA program. Larry is a respected professional speaker, consultant, author, and practitioner in the areas of human resource strategy, complex employee relations, labor relations, executive compensation, strategic planning, Carver Board Governance Models and high level facilitations. In recent years, Larry has dedicated his practice to executive coaching, start-up ventures, merger integration, leadership development, succession planning and ownership transitions. Larry held senior level positions at Safeway Stores, Longs Drug Stores and The Cooper Companies, Inc. He was a senior leader, principal owner in the Kleinfelder Group of Companies an ENR Top 50 geotechnical, environmental and management consulting firm. Larry holds a BS Degree in HR /Labor Relations and an MBA in Strategic Management. After a 10 -year reality check in business, while growing a family with his wife Cathy, he returned to school to earn his Ph.D. in Business Administration. His dissertation focused on original research in the rehabilitation of problem employees along with organizational turnaround strategies. Larry is also a Certified Compensation Professional and a lifetime recipient of the Senior Professional in Human Resources designation with SHRM for his early work in HR in advancing the legacy of the HR profession. Larry's life long learning comes from Sicilian roots at their family -owned restaurant, Ann's Cafe, in Oakland, California. This wonderful 42 -year legacy experience has helped shaped many of the qualities of leadership and people success he brings to the classroom and the business world. Ann's Cafe embodied all that was good in the "heart of leadership." Larry consults for some of Fortune's top 100 companies in America. He also brings 25 years of public sector experience having consulted for many leading Federal, State, County and local agencies in a wide variety of strategic organizational and leadership transition interventions. He is the volunteer Board President for the Sierra State Parks Foundation and served on various Boards and Advisory Groups. His notable clients include: State of California, , League of California Cities, The French Laundry, major wineries, leading biotechnology, technology, water, engineering, disposal organizations and over 200 clients across many industry sectors. Larry brings a rich diversity of experience, passion, practicality and inspiring engagement with his leadership development programs, seminars, keynotes, clients and executive MBA students. Larry donates 10% of his practice each year to assisting non - profit organizations and public sector clients in promoting their social missions. Larry is known for building collaboration, enabling visions, mentoring successful leaders and passionately evangelizing and inspiring others to become legacy leaders. Larry can be found at: Bienati(a)-onestophr.com or by phone 800.483.7153.