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How to Determine and Influence the Agenda For Your Administration

ASCA New Directors TrainingChicago, IL

March 31 – April 3, 2011

Gary D. Maynard, SecretaryMaryland Department of Public Safety

and Correctional Services

Making Your Mark

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The agenda will evolve with or without your input

Others inside and outside the organization have their own priorities

It’s easier if you move faster than they do Sometimes fate determines the agenda Making your mark doesn’t require

disrespecting your predecessor

OVERVIEW

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THE AGENDA WILL EVOLVE WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR INPUT

It’s like a train moving under its own power As time goes on, opportunities arise Pick an agenda of value to the state or

organization

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OTHERS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION HAVE THEIR OWN PRIORITIES

They had their plans before you showed up Your boss may have an idea or two They will try politically, personally, and socially

to get their ideas in

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IT’S EASIER IF YOU MOVE FASTER THAN THEY DO

Try to determine the different priorities of the stakeholders

If they are reasonable, make them yours Your vision will guide your efforts and

priorities Try to work the priorities of your constituents

into your vision They will push your agenda for you

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SOMETIMES FATE DETERMINES THE AGENDA

Things happen that you don’t control They may be life changing for you and your

staff If they have value, and meet organizational

needs, capture them If the priorities that evolve match your

bosses’ priorities, that’s good

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OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

I grew up in the system, and was part of the culture

However, employees were not valued Consider that your agenda may appear as an

attack on your predecessor I changed the mission to include employees

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SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

The Director had been publicly fired Sexual misconduct of staff and inmates was

clearly the issue Drugs as a priority issue evolved I changed the mission to include employees

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IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Department was not perceived as “in trouble”

I had to wait for the agenda to evolve Suicides and escapes moved to the front Efficiencies are always good to do Brought ACA Accreditation back I changed the mission to include employees

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MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Violence/assaults were making national news

Agenda was clear – quickly address staff assaults and violence

Other priority issues have evolved I simplified the mission

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CLOSING THE “HOUSE” The main reason I took the job We closed it quickly and quietly – in 14 days Less than 10 people knew Involved other prominent agencies, media,

and union Spoke to employee safety Engaged BOP, KY & VA ASCA played role from beginning to end

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What about now? Department is running smoother Violence has been reduced dramatically Continue status quo or look to economy and

environmental challenges Both are important to the Governor and

have changed our agenda But created new ways for us to make our

“Mark”

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Our challenge now: Continue to meet our mission but doing so in new, innovative ways

We will take responsibility to create a more efficient Department

We will lead the way by creating change We will not wait for changes forced on us We have the power to create a successful

future

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LEADERSHIP IS KEY

Focus on the mission and take care of the people

Those things you take responsibility for, you have power over

Work with a set of leadership principles Treat everyone with respect---everyone Enjoy the opportunity

Making Your Mark