André Pichly, M.S., CPRP Parks & Recreation Director City of St. Helena

1. Detours on the Leadership
Path?Turning Set Backs into SuccesTurning Set Backs into Succes
Detours on the Leadership
Path?
André Pichly, M.S., CPRP
Parks & Recreation Directo
City of St Helena, California

2. What We Will Cover
• This will focus on behavior,
performance and how you respond to
the given situation

3. What We Will Cover
• Obstacles, bumps and missteps
• Being passed over or stagnant
• Sometimes it’s just not a good fit
• Understanding the value of constructive
criticism

4. What We Will Cover
• Being separated from employment
• Own it
• Get back in the driver’s seat
• Time to put it in gear and get going again
• Interviewing
• Lessons learned along the way

5. What We Will Not Cover
• You have rights, but we will not be
getting into that

6. Learning Objectives
• The Road from Here to There: Strategies for dealing with
minor and major setbacks
• Watch the Road: What professionals need to do now and
for the road ahead
• Once at Your Destination: You’re just getting started
(again), helping others, and giving back to the profession

7. What do you want out of this session?
Do you feel you’re passed over or
stagnant?
Do you feel you cope with adversity well?

8. Just a little
bit about
me and why
I’m talking
about this

9. Obstacles, Bumps and Missteps
• Poor employee evaluation
• Being placed on a PIP
• Failed project or program
• Involved in an avoidable situation
• Communication failure
• Social faux pas
• Disciplinary action
• Administrative leave
• Separated from employment
What other types of obstacles, bumps or missteps might professionals encounter?

10. Obstacles, Bumps and Missteps
• These do not have to be career killers
• You’re not the only one to ever fail, screw-up, not meet
expectations, be put on a PIP, or get fired
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.“
Maya Angelou
“If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always
another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you
choose, for this thing that we call "failure" is not the falling down, but
the staying down.”
Mary Pickford

11. “Minor” issues
• Some obstacles, bumps and missteps – how do you
overcome them?
• Listen to constructive criticism – listen to learn
• Is the criticism about behavior and performance?
• Change seats: What would you advise you to do?
• A complaint is a gift – it tells you what’s wrong so you
can fix it
• Try not to take it personally (even though it may feel like
it), rather use the information to make positive change

12. Signs of “Minor” issues
• Feeling bored and/or tired
• Feeling obsolete or in a rut
• Feeling like you’re not the high performance employee
you used to be; not as productive
• Getting older, but not advancing
• Loss of passion for the work, organization and/or
community

13. Owning “Minor” issues
• Is it about performance? Create your own PIP if one is not
created for you
• Ask for guidance – a colleague you trust, a mentor, coffee
with your boss away from the office for a more in-depth
discussion
• Is your ego involved? Put it in check
• Were there signs you missed or ignored?
• Were you in the wrong? A sincere apology is in order
• Are you unhappy in your role? Figure out why and address
it (talk with someone or be your own Devil’s Advocate)

14. “Major” issues: Loss of Job
• Surprise or could you see it coming?
• Was it for performance, behavior, or due to other
circumstances?
• Whether for performance not, you will experience:
• Shock
• Anger
• Humiliation, shame, disappointment in yourself
• Guilt, sadness and some depression

15. Owning “Major” issues
• If for performance:
• Honestly assess the situation
• Did you violate any policies or laws?
• Were you not a “good fit”?
• “It’s just not working out.”
• You may never truly know why – at some point you
need to let it go

16. “All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles
and obstacles have strengthened me. You may not
realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth
may be the best thing in the world for you.”

17. Take Stock and Understand What
Makes Your Motor Run
• Find or rediscover your passion - why did you get
into this line of work anyway?
• Need coaching? Find a mentor or someone who
can be brutally honest with you
• Develop and practice your elevator speech
• Do a Values Clarification exercise – identify your
core values

18. Know Your Core Values
• Do a Values Clarification exercise

19. Tune Up!
• Take those results and articulate in your own words your
values and mission

20. Could Come
in Handy
Down the
Road

21. Getting Back on the Road
• Take the time to describe the job that’s right for you
• Look for jobs for which you are qualified
• Do the details in the job description sound like they are a
good fit for you?
• Apply
• Be straight forward as possible in supplemental
questionnaires; If you don’t know it or can’t do it, then
don’t spin it to sound like you can

22. Looking for that Next Ride
• Initial Interview (usually technical and experience)
• Be authentic and express your passion
• Be absolutely clear about your abilities – avoid spin
• Be honest, but this is not confession time
• 2nd Interview (usually for fit)
• Be honest. If they ask why you’re no longer with the
other organization, respond “it just didn’t work out”
• Be ready to respond to more probing questions.
• Other people have lost jobs and been hired elsewhere –
you can, too

23. What Did I Learn from My Trip?
• If you’re unhappy it affects those close to you
• Losing your job doesn’t have to be a career killer
• I am responsible for what happens to me (internal locus
of control)
• Work on your weaknesses
• Know why you want to get back on THAT road
• Find people you can talk to – you’ll need that support
• Time off can be good for you if you can afford it
How about you? What lessons have you learned over the years?

24. “Life is too short to spend time – 40 hours a week,
80 hours a week – working in an unpleasant situation.
I don’t want to go home and love my home life. I
want to love my whole life. I want to love the
entirety of it.” Mike Veeck – from the video “Fun Is Good!”

25. Don’t Forget to Pack . . .
• Your sense of humor- don’t take yourself too seriously
• Your integrity – honesty and moral principles
• Your kindness – friendliness, patience, being considerate
• Your humility – you’re not as great as you think
• Your strengths – what you bring to the table
• Your wisdom – you know a few things
• Your experience – you’ve been places, seen a few things
• Your reputation – all the stuff above and more

26. Stay Engaged
• Share what you have learned – own your story
• Practice Active Listening
• Get involved in your professional association
• Pursue certification – keep learning!
• Be a resource for others: mentoring, presenting, be
someone others can call or email when they need to tap
your expertise or experience

27. Bumper Stickers
“I may never have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended
up where I needed to be.“
Douglas Adams
“If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are
doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.”
Will Rogers
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
Harry Truman

28. Manuals, Maps and Travel Guides

29. Detours on the Leadership
Path?Turning Set Backs into SuccessTurning Set Backs into Success
Detours on the Leadership
Path?
André Pichly, M.S., CPRP
Parks & Recreation Director
City of St Helena, California
apichly@cityofsthelena.org
:
www.linkedin.com/in/andrepichly
Mobile: 707-312-3061
Questions?
Comments?