# Presentation: 442645

## An SFA Success Story

- Thomas Kriehn
- Meteorologist In Charge
- Newport/Morehead City

## Background

- 1979-1987     Intern/Forecaster,  WSFO Jackson, MS
- 1987-1990     MIC, WSO Mobile, AL
- 1990-1994     DMIC, WSFO Sioux Falls, SD
- 1994-2003     MIC, WFO Newport/Morehead City, NC

## Steve Smith’s Presentation

- Steve linked successful NWS performance in relation to the GPRA goals to successful management of diversity.
- The SFA process is strongly linked to diversity management.
- I will demonstrate how the SFA process can work to change individual people and groups of people resulting in improved performance.

## 1998 Dimensions

- Average based on range of 1-5 (Strongly disagree to Strongly agree)

## 1998 Results

- Workgroup score was BELOW the NWS average on EVERY Dimension

## 2002 Dimensions

- Average percentage of positive (Strongly agree or Agree) responses

## 2002 Results

- Scores were ABOVE the NWS average on EVERY Dimension

## Why were 1998 Measures so low?

- Unhappy staff? – Yes and no
- Poor change management? – Perhaps
- Insufficient training? – Yes
- Confusion? – Yes
- SFA terminology was confusing. People didn’t know if they were answering questions about their manager or their MIC.  Many people didn’t understand the difference between their “workgroup” and their “office”.
- Poor leadership? – Yes ( but I didn’t think so at the time)
- Poor diversity management? - Yes

## Why the turnaround in 2002?

- Changes made based on 1998 SFA results
- Staffing increase
- Priority placed on innovation
- NWS Eastern Region Leadership Initiative
- Personal commitment to improve leadership abilities

## Changes Made Based on 1998 SFA

- Communication increased
- Increased staff meetings instead of having them on an as-needed basis
- Bi-weekly local management meeting notes provided to staff
- Weekly Eastern Region  Senior staff notes provided to staff
- Weekly VTC notes provided to staff.
- Monthly MIC conference call notes provided to staff.
- Employee involvement increased
- Yearly Operating Plan written by staff at September Station meeting.
- Teams used where appropriate
- Employees invited to participate in Awards Process

## Newport/Morehead City 2004 Operating Plan

-    _***NOAA Cross-Cutting Priorities***_
**3.6  Environmental Literacy, Outreach,**
**      ****and Education**
- 		*** Participate in the NC Seafood Festival**
**              ***** Participate in Decoy Festival**
**	****	***** Attend all CCDC meetings  **
**              ***** Develop local lightning safety brochure **
**	****	***** Attend all EM Area 3, 4 and Eastern Branch meetings                                                                                                                                     **
**    ***** Invite Congressional Representatives to WFO MHX**
**	****	***** Develop CPM web page**
**	****	***** Revamp/develop Fire Weather web page**
**	****	***** Develop scripts for office tours **
**	****	***** Develop weather talks by grade level **
**	****	***** Visit each county EM at least twice during the year **
**	****	***** Participate in the NC Commercial Fishing Show**
**	****	***** Host Partner's Workshop**

## Staffing Increase

- Met staff increased from 8 to 12 in 1998
- Increase in morale
- Selection process
- Entire management staff included in decision
- 	(Diversity at work)
- Select for talent, attitude, and initiative

## Priority Placed on Innovation 

-  We can do better – We can solve
-       the problems ourselves!
- Encourage innovation
- New RDF graphics
- WarnGen customization
- Local hazards Internet page
- EM Briefing Page
- RIP Forecasts
- GFE formatters
- Celebrate successes

## Epiphany 

- I was a GREAT FOLLOWER
-        ...NOT A LEADER!

## Develop a Leadership Attitude in the Office

-  Set office goal of being number one or two at everything we do
- Most people think of themselves as better than average
- People want to be part of something bigger than themselves

## Slide 16

## NWS Eastern Region Leadership Initiative 

- Executive Leadership Seminar (ELS)
- Changed the way I view myself
- Changed my actions
- Listening, professional reading
- Introspection  etc.
- Instilled greater sense of professionalism
- Inspired me to pursue serious, consequential accomplishments

## Leadership Quotes

- “Everything we do , in our speech, in our mode of dress, in our attitude, in our decisions, and in our conduct, ***is a statement about our leadership***”.  T.P. Hall
- “The evidence of leadership is performance.  You have to be able to point to serious, consequential accomplishments.”
-  Ann Richards – Former Governor of Texas

## Leadership

- Leadership is the ability to set clear direction, develop the TRUST of your people, and produce winning results.
- “Fad Free Management”  Roger Hamermesh
- Success of the SFA process hinges on TRUST

## The SFA Process 

- Doesn’t end with the completion of  Local Action Plan
- Probably the most comprehensive 360 degree rating you’ll ever receive
- Should be used to target areas for self improvement

## Tornado Metrics

-                                  94-97     98-2001   2002-2003   NWS
-                                    			 	     Goal
- POD (%)            62         60         94          72
- FAR  (%)           68         50         41          72
- Lead Time         6.8       10.3       17.4       12
- Events                45         56          19