ENERGY BUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1

Roderick Davenport

University of St. Thomas

EDUC 6330 Administrative Internship

Dr. Theresa Campos

November 28, 2017

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The Energy Bus Professional Development

After reading the “Energy Bus” I realized that the book is written like a parabolic story. The

main character a manager named George is having family problems as well as issues motivating

and moving his team at work. Through a series of events, he finds himself riding a city bus with

a positive motivation guru followed by a group of “energy” followers that are along for the ride.

During a 2 week ride on the bus, George learns of 10 lessons that help him transform his work

team and his marriage. He does this through a positive vision and culture of energy. George

meets many people as we rides the bus each day and each personality helps him to understand

his purpose, vision, and people needed to get him to the next level. Using this book as a

professional development tool for staff teaches vision, positivity and meaningful relationships. I

would break the staff into groups and assign each group one of the rules. The group would be

allowed to present their rule in a skit, using pictures props or short monologues. I strongly

believe that allowing staff to be creative in their presentations will show ownership of the Rules

and helps many different learners styles (kinesthetic, visual, Logical, musical). At the end of the

presentations, we would make posters with each rule and post around the campus. Staff would

be encouraged to develop this culture within their classroom. As a staff, we would spend 15-20

minute short reflections at the start of faculty meetings to revisit the Rules and continue

reinforcing its importance. Lastly, there would be positive feedback opportunities for teachers

that are putting the Rules into practice around the campus.

1. First show slide presentation which gives a simple overview of the book

2. Divide the staff into groups and assign each group a rule to present to the staff using their

own creativity.
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 Rule #1 – “You’re the driver of your bus” – It’s all about personal responsibility. We
are each responsible for the direction of our lives. And the direction of our lives is shaped
by each day, each thought. If we are complacent in our lives we let others drive for us.
Have you ever felt out of control? Well, it’s time to take charge and drive your own bus.
(Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: Where Are You Going? How will you get there?

 Rule #2 – “Desire, Vision, and Focus Move Your Bus in the Right Direction” –
You have to have a vision, have a compelling reason to keep you moving and the focus to
keep to it. Each action must be in the direction of your goal and you must have
the persistence to overcome the obstacles that can easily get you off track. (Gordon,
2007)

Reflection Question: What is Your Desire, Vision, Focus?

 Rule #3 – “Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy” – Positive energy is the fuel that
allows you to overcome the obstacles. Positive energy is high octane fuel and negative
energy is gas from the bottom of last years can. Positive energy builds momentum and a
negative attitude seems to find roadblocks and excuses. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: Event + Perception = Outcome, How has this happened for
you?

 Rule #4 – “Invite People on Your Bus and Share Your Vision for the Road Ahead” –
Associating with people who push you forward is one of the smartest things you can do.
You are either moving forward or moving back. If the people you work with or associate
with are stagnant, then you need to break free. If you don’t you’re wearing an invisible
rubber belt, eventually you will snap back to the pack and lose your momentum. Having
negative, going nowhere friends is like having a weekly weight watchers meeting at The
Country Buffet. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: Identify 1 person that is helping you on your journey, what
are they doing?

 Rule #5 “Don’t Waste Your Energy on those that don’t want to get on Your Bus”
Some people are going to join you and some people will not. Don’t waste your time
coercing people to be a part of your vision. Go with the goers. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: Identify a time in your life were a team member didn’t see
your vision
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 Rule #6 “ Post a sign that says no energy vampires on my bus” You have to be strong
enough to say to people that you don’t want negativity on your bus(life). Insist on a
positive supportive team. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: Identify a time in your life were a team member didn’t see
your vision. How did you handle it?

 Rule #7 – “Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the
Ride” – People want to associate with a winner. In professional and college sports it
seems that the same teams are at or near the top year after year. Players recognize a good
culture and want to be a part of it. The same can be said of work teams and companies.
It’s not all about the money. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: Name a team/organization/club that you wanted to be apart

of. Why?

 Rule #8 – “Love Your Passengers” – You can’t fake it. In order to lead people or attract
people to your cause you have to care for them. And not in an ambivalent way. You must
really be tied to the well being of your team. Love cannot be selfish. As a leader you must
want the best for your team members. Back to sports: time and time again you see a team
of superior athletes being beat by a true team made up of individuals who would do
anything for their team and teammates. The trick is to cultivate that love. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: How do you cultivate a love and care with your team/class?

 Rule #9 “Drive With Purpose” Purpose is the ultimate fuel for our journey through life,
When we drive with purpose we don’t get tired or bored and our engines don’t burn out.

Reflection Question: How can you communicate your passion to your classroom?

 Rule #10 – “Have Fun and Enjoy the Ride” – When work is fun you don’t get tired.
Do you ever remember getting tired when you were playing as a kid? I don’t either. It
never even came to mind. The same is true when you are energized by doing work that
matters with people you like. (Gordon, 2007)

Reflection Question: How do you make the journey enjoyable to students?

STAFF PD YEARLY BOOK STUDY

September (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time

 Rules 1,2 and 3

Mid- September (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time

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 Rules 4, 5
October (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time
 What Connections have I made or Actions Taken to implement
November (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time
 Rules 6,7 and 8
January (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time
 Rules 9 and 10
February (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time
What Connections have I made or Actions taken to implement?
March (Staff Development) 15-20min. of meeting time
Reflections- Glows and Grows
(Gordon, 2007)

In conclusion, this book explains that every journey in our life is metaphorical to a bus

trip. Our trips should be fun, we should connect with people that are positive and encouraging

for the team. Vision, purpose and action are key fuels to success. Once everyone buys-in to the

plan then success can happen as everyone works together to achieve a common goal. This

culture can be cultivated as staff and can be transferred to the student body. What a benefit for a

campus when everyone is on one accord.

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References
Gordon, J. (2007). The Energy Bus. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.