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THE SEVEN HABITS OF THE

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE CASABrenda Sweeten, LCSW

June 11, 2014

T E X A S C A S A

A D V A N C E D A D V O C A C Y

W E B I N A R S E R I E S

I am the Center of the Universe…

and so are you!

“Because of the laws of physics, our universe only presents us with sights and sounds that happened in the

past, and each of us can only see and hear from our special spot in the world. So, it’s really helpful when

someone tells you if you are only seeing an issue from your parochial point of view. Reality is always more

complicated than we would like to admit.”

Michael Piriano

CEO, National Court Appoint Special Advocate Association, Inc.

What Do You See?

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What’s Your Paradigm?

• The word paradigm comes from the Greek

• Means a model, theory, perception,

assumption or frame of reference

• It is the way we “see” the world in terms of

perceiving, understanding and interpreting

Ready for Change?

• When doing CASA work, we must sometimes be changed

• Personal values must be realized and in check

• Be open-minded to the possibilities

• Have acceptance of people’s right to self-determination

• Following rules and procedures you might not agree with

Habit 1:

Be Active/Proactive Rather than Reactive

Assertiveness is the Heart of Advocacy

– Assertiveness may be defined as “confident,

forceful, insistence, decisive, bold, firm”

– Advocacy is defined as “support, encouragement,

promotion”

So…we have bold support, confident promotion, firm

encouragement

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Habit 1:

Be Active/Proactive Rather than Reactive

The Root of Being Proactive is Active

• No room for timidity, negativity or reactivity!

• Work within the child’s sense of time

• Anticipate what needs to be done

• Work towards the goal of permanency

Habit 1:

Be Active/Proactive Rather than Reactive

Take Responsibility for the Outcome

• Meet minimum standards for contact with child,

service providers, etc.

• Know your case and the players

• Be consistent and reliable

• Be Response-able!

Habit 1:

Be Active/Proactive Rather than Reactive

Focus on What You Can Control

Build a Circle of Influence

• Engage the caseworker and child’s ad litem

• Build trust and information flow

• Information = Power

• Power = Influence

• Are you the first to know or the last to know?

• Re-evaluate your circle of influence and use your energy where it counts

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Habit 1:

Be Active/Proactive Rather than Reactive

Being Proactive Means You Make Choices

• Choose to be positive with all involved

• Choose to behave professionally and ethically at

all times

• Choose to maintain appropriate boundaries

• Choose how you will react to people and

situations

Habit 2:

Begin with the End in Mind

Imagine Permanency

• Based on imagination…the ability to envision in your mind

what you cannot at present see with your eyes

• Every thing is created twice, once mentally and then

physically

• Imagine that it is up to you to make things happen

• Begin each task with a clear vision of your desired

direction (safety, permanency, well-being)

Habit 3:

Put First Things First

• Feeling overwhelmed? Make a plan!

• The physical creation

• Maintain balance

• What are you doing?

• Why are you doing it?

• Why is it important to your CASA case?

• Purpose, values, roles and priorities

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Habit 4:

Think Win-Win

Being a CASA is not a competition!

• Based on character, human interaction and

collaboration

• Mutual benefits to all interactions

• Prevent a Re-match!

• Integrity

• Maturity

• Abundance Mentality

Avoid Either/Or

Thinking

Habit 4:

Think Win-Win

•Be tough AND nice

•Courage vs. Consideration

•Empathy

•Tactfulness

•Sensitivity

•Respectfulness

•Confidently hold your position

Habit 5:

Seek First to Understand, Then to Be

Understood

Communication is Key!

Examine Your Behavior

“Unless you are influenced by my uniqueness, I’m not going to be influenced by your advice”.

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Habit 5:

Seek First to Understand, Then to

Be Understood

Empathic Listening

Because we listen autobiographically, we tend

to respond in one of four ways…

1. We evaluate

2. We probe

3. We advise

4. We interpret

Habit 5:

Seek First to Understand, Then to

Be Understood

Listen with the Intent to Understand

Give Psychological Air

Be Prepared to Be Changed

Habit 6:

Synergize

Synergy means the whole is greater than the

sum of it’s parts.

• About Relationship and Using it to Accomplish

Something

• Concept of “Creative Cooperation”

• The Middle Way

• Valuing Differences

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Creative Cooperation Is Not About

Compromise, It’s About Coming Up With A

Third Alternative

Habit 7:

Sharpen the Saw

Taking care of your greatest asset…YOU!

Includes maintaining balance in your life and taking time for self renewal in four key areas:

Exercising all four dimensions regularly, consistently in wise and balances ways

Physical well-being…

• Eating well

• Exercising regularly

• Getting enough rest

• Maintaining stress management

• Knowing when to take a break

• Not taking on too much at a time

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Habit 7:

Sharpen the Saw

Spiritual well-being…

• Provides leadership to your life

• Your core, your center and your commitment to

your value system

• Private and important

• People do very differently

Habit 7:

Sharpen the Saw

Social/Emotional well-being…

• Making social and meaningful connections with

others

• Comes from within

• Provides security

• The importance of service to others

Habit 7:

Sharpen the Saw

Mental well-being…stretch yourself by:

• Reading

• Writing

• Learning

• Teaching

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Questions and Comments?

References

Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People . 1989, NY: Free Press.