Page 17 - The Edge - Fall 2020

Get Out of Your Box!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

outlook, approach, mindset, or whatever you wish to label it.
Instead of seeing people as objects, we need to see them as
people. Without you being more receptive and seeing people
in that way, the rest of the steps will be challenging.

The second step is to build a relationship with that person, or

with those who may influence them. The latter may be helpful
if you feel that a bridge has been burned and you are seeking
forgiveness, or you’ve not had a chance to meet someone and
may need an introduction.

Next is to listen and learn, and then teach and communicate.
The steps to this point have been working to make sure that
things go right.

“I’ll admit that I will sometimes get

stuck in my inward box and others
may be able to relate to this more

during this pandemic. ”

The final step is to correct, which is necessary when changes
need to be made or something did not go according to plan. I

am a natural fixer, so when learning these principles, known
as The Influence Pyramid, an “a-ha” moment for me was how

I sometimes want to correct immediately. I do this most often
with my children without listening, learning, or communicating
with them. It's because my mindset is typically wrong. I can
easily recognize when I get into my inward box, “I’m the
parent – you’ll do as I say.” I hope that my staff would agree
that I rarely have those types of moments in the workplace.

I trust that each of us are working hard to be the best version
of ourselves. I believe that is what makes AASBO such a
great organization. Through AASBO, we have opportunities
to build relationships with our coworkers and peers, listen and
learn from them, perhaps even share some of our lessons as
well. Even through a platform like the AASBO Virtual Annual
Conference, we still found ways to network and learn from
one another. As long as our mindset shifts to ensure that we
are looking at people as people, we’ll be just fine.

Dale Ponder serves as Vice President on the AASBO Board of
Directors and as the Chief of Finance & Operations for Crane
Elementary School District in Yuma.

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