Hi everyone...do you have any suggestions as to how to field panel questions (about 4 people, including two peers) relating to my department's performance? I'm head of an academic college subject area, and have to respond to queries about student success (or more importantly otherwise) performance, dropout, etc., eg 'I see your exam success plummeted from 80% pass rate to 70% - why?', or 'could you explain the reasons why 25% of your students dropped out three years ago'.
It seems like a chance to incorporate some skills, but my apprehension is getting in the way of figuring out how to put some language patterns,etc. into use. I'm not so hot with paperwork either, so...
Anything would be helpful, and thanks in advance!
It seems to me that you want to essentially do this: Because going into the meeting armed with nothing but verbal skills is not going to get you anywhere. It always amazes me how much people are willing to entrust to verbal skills. If I'm going into a review, I need to be prepared with numbers and figures. You need a different approach.
You could be a magician with words and play sleight of mouth all day, in the end, hard numbers will speak for themselves and you better have an answer!!
Here's some tips:
1. Prepare a list of the most commonly asked questions at these things. If you've done it before great, if not, ask someone who has done it to give you a hand.
2. Prepare answers accompanied with numbers to back your claims
3. Choose a direction for the meeting and use your data to drive it there
4. As much as you can try to pre-set a perception about yourself to the most influential people at that board (unless it's unknown) Get some people to your side and they'll cover for you.
I'd give more specific advice if I had more details.
90 minute quality review panel
Posted On Jan 30, 2008 at 6:19 PM
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ianto
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Joined: Jan 29, 2008 Last Visit: Jan 30, 2008 Posts: 2 e-Points: 8
Thanks Matador - that's really helpful - I can now see the wood for the trees on this. I'm meeting informally with the chair tomorrow, so will get her on side as far as is possible.
I've got the stats, and steering the meeting is a great suggestion.
I think also I can dig up someone who has been through it before, so I'll have a word there.
May got back to the forum before Monday with some specific questions!
Again - much appreciated.
Hi everyone...do you have any suggestions as to how to field panel questions (about 4 people, including two peers) relating to my department's performance?
Interesting challenge. For me, these skills are all inter-linked with each other, so to pull one or two things out of context can be somewhat misleading. That said, I'll offer a couple of thoughts.
For me, it all comes down to STATE. What is my State, and what State do I want them to be in? Beliefs / Rapport / Positions of Influence / all play a big part here. The State I would aim for personally is one that is open, responsible, friendly, and more than happy to take them thru the review (good, bad, or otherwise).
The States I would NOT want to aim for is overly-professional, defensive, condescending; or anything in the opposite direction like overly-submissive, ass-kisser, too eager to please.
Of course, your ideal State will depend on your personality and the other personalities involved. A good attitude could be "Yes, some good (and some bad) happened over the past period. Let's go over it together and I give you my thoughts."
On a practical note, you can map out spacial anchors for their Past/Present/Future right in front of you. Any negative issues can be pushed into the past, any positives can be attached to you. [Think before/after pictures - Past is their left (stage-right as you face them), future is their right.]
Ex: "We faced a few challenges [motion in front of you] but we were able to get past them [slide them into the past]. However, the lessons we learned [in front of you again], will stay with us now [pull them into you] and go with us into the future [hit Future 3 or 4 times].
That should do for a start...
~John
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Because going into the meeting armed with nothing but verbal skills is not going to get you anywhere. It always amazes me how much people are willing to entrust to verbal skills. If I'm going into a review, I need to be prepared with numbers and figures. You need a different approach.
