WELCOME TO THE UPP TEAM…
WE’RE SO GLAD YOU’RE HERE!
INTRODUCTION
This is no ordinary team. This is not ordinary work. We seek to do exceptional work every day. Joining the UPP team is not for the feint hearted. We do it for the students who we empower with tools to THRIVE as they LEARN, LIVE and LEAD. They deserve us to give it our very best, every single day. It is an honour to do this work, and we seek to grow ourselves continually so that we may do it better.
Any experience you bring is the reason that you are on our team. However, it will not be enough to be exceptional at the standard that we maintain across our team. It will take time and effort. This journey of development reflects a marathon, not a sprint. We are invested in your training and development. However, we can only help you to the extent that you want to be helped. If you think you know it all, you’ve come to the wrong webpage. There is much learning to be done- and the professional and personal growth we share on our team is profound.
Your attitude will determine your trajectory with UPP and the number of people you will positively impact. The sky is the limit, but we must run the mile we are in.
This webpage offers a foundation for your formation as an UPP team member.
YOUR TRAINING EXPLAINED
You will be rewarded to the level you contribute. At UPP, we help people grow into the best they can be. We will go to great lengths to help people improve. We will support our team to the level that they want to grow. “You’ve gotta grow, or you’ve gotta go.” However, we will not be more invested in anyones’ growth than they are invested in their own growth. You get out what put in. It is indeed practice that makes progress. There are three main areas that will assist you at this time- solo training, coaching and training days.
SOLO TRAINING
This involves the individual study of UPP videos, playbook, handbook, practice, miles (online).
COACHING
Professional athletes and business people have coaches. At UPP, we are professional facilitators. We are specialists at facilitating workshops for students in a way that resonates and positively impacts. UPP facilitators have coaches. You will meet with your coach regularly, and they will help you grow. They will help you know which mile you are in, support you, challenge you and give you feedback.
TRAINING DAYS
These are days in the field. They may be on or off “the tools”, but they always provide an important opportunity for learning. Because we need the right opportunities to provide these to new team members, much of the training in the early stages will be solo training and coaching. We also have Team Training, with the whole UPP team, twice per year (January and July).
MILES
We refer to “running the mile you are in”. This is important as we consider our progress as professional facilitators. In order to add to our skills and contribute more, we simply focus on the mile that we are in right now. Our coach helps us determine what is in our current mile. This page is laid out in terms of miles.
MILE 1- VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
OUR MISSION
AT UPP, WE FACILITATE EXCEPTIONAL WELLBEING AND LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS THAT EMPOWER STUDENTS TO THRIVE AS THEY LEARN, LIVE AND LEAD.
WE DO THIS BY…
Making scientifically grounded strategies engaging, relevant, challenging, practical and inspiring for schools. We specialise in building growth mindsets, grit, wellbeing and leadership by facilitating exceptional incursions. In 2023, our team will positively impact 60000+ students through exceptional incursions.
OUR VISION…
is to help every student, be their best.
OUR VALUES
Watch the Values video below, as Luke shares about the UPP team values and the reason behind having them as such an important part of our organisation (and our lives).
Next, read over the values below. Study them. Get to know and apply them in your life and work.
UPP TEAM VISION, MISSION AND VALUES REFLECTION
Why have you joined the UPP team? How does this relate to our vision and mission?
Which UPP value resonates most with you and why?
Which UPP value is the greatest challenge to you at the moment and why?
On a scale of 1-10 how much do these values resonate with your life experience? Why?
MILE 2- ORGANISATIONAL CHART & FACILITATOR PATHWAYS
FACILITATOR PATHWAYS
RECRUIT- Staff handbook / calendar training / set up ready for facilitating - powerpoints and equipment - timesheets, paperwork arranged. Working through Miles 1-3 with coach.
FACILITATOR
Facilitator Level 1- TRAINEE- learning through observation days, training days, solo training and coaching meetings. Invested deeply in the training process. Moving through Content / Activity Tier 1 and constantly seeking feedback. Working through Miles 4-6 with coach. Assistant Facilitators are typically in this stage for some time.
Facilitator Level 2- EMERGENT- Learning the ropes of facilitating at the coalface and moving through Content / Activity Tier 2 (red / orange / green). Supporting all aspects of programs and pushing into new activities and content. Continuing work with an UPP coach and continuing to seek feedback. Working through Miles 7-10 with coach.
Facilitator Level 3- ADVANCED- Learning the ropes of facilitating at the coalface and moving through Content / Activity Tier 3 (red / orange / green). Supporting all aspects of programs and pushing into new activities and content. Continuing work with an UPP coach and continuing to seek feedback. Working through Miles 11-12 with coach. Will occasionally be required or given opportunity to step in as a Senior Facilitator (eg in cases of small bookings or SF absence).
SENIOR FACILITATOR
Senior Facilitator Level 1- WORKSHOP LEADER- the first level of senior facilitator. Continuing to master facilitation and honing skills or identifying skill gaps. Highly proficient in all Tier 1-3 Content / Activity and becoming proficient in Tier 4. Giving feedback and actively training others. Leading workshops. Coaching others on the team. Continuing to learn and develop the skills of becoming an exceptional facilitator. Working through Miles 13-14 with coach.
Senior Facilitator Level 2- COACH / TEAM LEADER- Continuing to seek mastery in all Content / Activity Tiers. Opportunity may be provided to create own content / build a product, coach others on the team, refine our existing work or lead a site location. Continuing to learn from those ahead of themselves on the journey (both within and outside the UPP team) and develop the skills of becoming an exceptional facilitator and leader. Working through Mile 15 with coach.
Senior Facilitator Level 3- HEAD OF TEAM- Continuing to seek mastery in all Content / Activity Tiers. Opportunity may be provided to create own content / build a product, coach others on the team, refine our existing work or lead a site location. Continuing to learn from those ahead of themselves on the journey (both within and outside the UPP team) and develop the skills of becoming an exceptional facilitator and leader. Working through Mile 16 with coach. Coached by the Director.
Below includes a summary of the Facilitator Pathways, along with a summary of the miles.
POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
MEET THE REST OF THE TEAM
UPP TEAM- Read team biographies here >>
UPP team contact list- At UPP, we aim to serve and support each other along the journey. Anyone on the team is just a phone call or email away.
ORGANISATION CHART AND FACILITATOR PATHWAYS DISCUSSION
Ask any questions of your coach or the HOT or Director or share any concerns before you move on to the next Mile, so that we can help you troubleshoot or guide you along the journey. There are no silly questions. It is wise to seek clarity.
MILE 3- D.I.S.C. PROFILE
You will need to be provided with a link to complete your DISC and motivators assessment. Upon completion of this assessment, you will then be sent a comprehensive Report. Read you report summary along with any other parts of the report that interest you (there are a few summary pages around page 7-8).
All team member DISC profiles are included here >>
Then watch the video below, and consider the reflection questions.
DISC REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What is your preference according to your DISC Profile?
Do you feel this is accurate? Why / why not?
What parts of the report summary do you disagree with?
What DISC profile preferences do you find challenging in other people?
What do you think your Profile Preferences will contribute to the UPP team?
What is the DISC profile of the people you spend the most time with? How might this understanding help you live or work with them?
What areas will you need to challenge yourself, in order to do your role with excellence?
WELCOME TO PHASE 2 AND 3- FACILITATOR- TRAINEE AND EMERGENT
MILE 4- CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES- TIER 1 OF ASPIRE HIGHER, ASPIRE 2, POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS AND STEP UP
As a trainee, your first main job is to become proficient in Tier 1 Content and Activities. You do this through solo training, using the resources below, and then through coaching sessions.
We start training by learning Tier 1 of our four most popular workshops- ASPIRE HIGHER, ASPIRE 2, POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS and STEP UP.
First, we learn the “WHAT”, then we learn the “HOW”.
You job as a Trainee is to learn the “WHAT” on your own, by studying the playbooks during solo training. Then, begin to watch the “HOW” in the videos.
Then, your UPP team Coach will help you to refine and present it in an exceptional way. It is a journey, be patient and just run the mile you are in. No one expects you to be perfect as you work through this process. However, we do expect that you display a willingness to put in the hard work now. It really does pay off, further down the line.
The Activity / Content tiers shows you the order of the things that you need to learn.
CONTENT AND ACTIVITY- TIER 1 REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Set yourself a personal goal. Do you have a deadline on getting “green” on all Tier 1 activities? Share with your coach and together, you can come up with something together, that you can work towards.
As you practice Tier 1, you will notice the need for behaviour teaching and how we embed that into our instructions at this stage to explain the expectations to students when giving instructions. With your coach, discuss how we need to “be clear to be kind”. Also discuss the importance of “front-end loading” with your coach.
MILE 5- GLOSSARY
In the early days, it is important to know some terms that are common at UPP, which you may not have come across elsewhere. Study the glossary here (Go to the HANDBOOK, p40-42).
GLOSSARY DISCUSSION
Next, discuss the terms listed below with your coach, to ensure you are well oriented with the UPP dialect! Don’t rush this conversation- instead ask questions, seek understanding and clarity.
WWW/EBI, WIFLE, NPS, WOB, HEDGEHOG CONCEPT, FRONT-END LOADING, JOY IN THE HEART, PROTECTIVE INTERRUPTING, DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS, CLARITY AND COMMITMENT, MONKEYS, PERSONAL PERFORMANCE FOCUS, EXPECTANT LANGUAGE AND COVERING ALL BASES.
MILE 6- BEHAVIOUR TEACHING WITH EXPECTATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CORRECTION (EAC)
Watch the video here of Luke explaining how we teach students how to behave. This sets every student up for success each day.
E.A.C. REFLECTION QUESTIONS AND PRACTICE
Why is it important to have a balance of A and C?
What do we call “front-end loading”? Why is this so important?
Explain the “Key Philosophies for working with large group” slide to your coach. Teach your coach what you have learned from this part of the video.
What do you think you could do more of / do better as a facilitator? E, A or C?
What are the two most helpful parts / phrases / quotes or philosophies for you from the video?
Demonstrate two or three of the “likely UPP scenarios” to your coach (scenarios are shown during minute 12-14 of the video). Seek feedback, as always.
MILE 7- CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES- TIER 2 OF ASPIRE HIGHER, ASPIRE 2, POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS AND STEP UP
As you develop and being to “emerge” as a facilitator and take off the training wheels, your coach will point you towards some of the Tier 2 content. It is a little more complex than Tier 1, but manageable as you continue to build your skills.
Again, refer to the Activity / Content tiers and look at Tier 2 only. Just run the mile you are in, work hard and be patient.
CONTENT AND ACTIVITY- TIER 2 REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Set yourself a personal goal. Do you have a deadline on getting “green” on all Tier 2 activities? Share with your coach and together, you can come up with something that you can work towards.
Notice the use of upwards or downwards inflections at the beginning and end of sentences or instructions. Also, consider tempo. Begin to explore verbal and non-verbal communication with your coach. Seek feedback.
MILE 8- PITCH PERFECT
Watch the video here, as Pete shares about the 3 verbal and 3 non-verbal elements of effective communication.
PITCH PERFECT REFLECTION QUESTIONS AND PRACTICE
What are the 3 verbal elements? Explain each one with a demonstration to your coach.
What are the 3 non-verbal elements? Explain each one with a demonstration to your coach.
What provided the greatest amount of insight to you?
What do you think you most need to work on? What does your coach think? What’s your strategy for moving forward?
Practice with your coach how you can use and refine your verbals and non-verbals by talking about one of the following topics for 60 seconds. A particular food, a sport, a hobby, a plant or animal or your favourite place in the world. The content is less important in this case than “how” you communicate it, using some of the tools you have learned through this mile.
MILE 9- THE UPP DIFFERENCE AND GUARANTEE
The UPP Difference
UPP was started by Luke McKenna in 2015. First as a teacher, and then as an Assistant Principal, Luke realised that some of the most important skills and lessons that set us up for success in our lives, were not being taught at all in some schools, and certainly not very well in most schools. As he interviewed other schools to get insight in what they were doing, they tended to be somewhat embarrassed by their “dated” pastoral care or wellbeing programs. This ignited the fire in Luke’s belly and he decided he needed to do something about it.
There have been organisations working with schools for years in this space, however at UPP, we seek to raise the bar on this entire industry, for the good of the students in schools and the positive impact we can have on their lives. A school student has not had an exceptional guest speaker until they’ve experienced an UPP workshop. We exceed expectations. Each day, students come in thinking they are going to be bored again by another “motivational speaker”, and then we light up the room, connect with them, engage them and positively impact them. We don’t offer them fluff and hype. Instead, we offer them evidence-based, practical, relevant skills and empower them to make their future better than their past. It is a privilege to do this work.
Exceptional is the UPP Difference. Exceptional happens when the best facilitators in the world live by the values of excellence, character and contribution and do this work with joy in the heart. This is our team culture. Students and teachers perceive this in so many different ways during an UPP experience. Staff comment on it. This is UPP.
We will be market leaders. We will be the superior service provider to schools.
GUARANTEE
At present we do not know of any organisations nationally who work with students and offer a money-back guarantee, except for UPP. There are lots of things we aren’t good at, but when it comes to working with students, we know our stuff. Our guarantee outlines the areas which we will deliver to schools, ensuring that UPP is a choice they can feel confident about, every time. We are seeking to be consistently better and more impactful than our partner schools expect, and we continue on this mission everyday. We invite you to continue to raise the bar and be part of the UPP difference.
THE UPP DIFFERENCE AND GUARANTEE REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What words stand out to you as you read and reflect on why we do what we do, what we do at UPP and how we do it?
UPP is unique in that we truly aim to be exceptional at what we do every single day, to the point that we are able to offer a guarantee to our customers. How does every facilitator contribute to ensure we will deliver on this promise?
MILE 10.1 - Director’s Address 2021
In addition to the resources above, this Director’s Address that Luke gave to the team at the start of 2021 is a must watch. In this, Luke goes through his history of how UPP was formed and explains how many of the key messages that we share with students everyday came to be. This deeper understanding allows us to better deliver these messages.
MILE 11- AVERAGE TO EXCEPTIONAL
As you become more proficient with the content / activities as an UPP facilitator, it is important that you begin to be proactive in your thinking and support of the Senior Facilitator. Below are some of the things that will help you become an exceptional UPP facilitator. This will ensure you continue to add more value, and enhance your contribution for every student.
Facilitator Focus Questions- Purpose, Penny Drop, Transition (HANDBOOK, p31)
Large group questions and statements (HANDBOOK, p32)
Proactive facilitating- asking the right questions, orientation of teachers, priming, Double layering (HANDBOOK, p33-36)
AVERAGE TO EXCEPTIONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Discuss the importance of the 3 Facilitator Focus Questions. Which area do you think you could further develop in order to improve?
What is the main difference between effective questions and ineffective questions? In the past, can you give examples of when you had a quiet / non-responsive group? How might this have helped then?
Being a proactive facilitator involves asking the right questions, particularly at the start of a day. Notice the senior facilitators that you work with as they do this each day.
The senior facilitator at a workshop will usually be the one to orientate teachers as a first point of contact. But when might you need to do this?
Can you explain how to “prime” teachers from the front of the room during the following points in a day- partnering, epic race, once they have been put into groups.
Can you explain how to “prime” teachers from the back of the room during the following points in a day- partnering, epic race, once they have been put into groups.
MILE 12- CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES- TIER 3 (ASPIRE HIGHER, ASPIRE 2, POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS AND STEP UP) AND TIER 4
In order to continue adding value and to continue your growth as a facilitator, you are now ready for Tier 3 and 4.
POSITIVE IMPACT PRIMARY / SECONDARY FOLLOW-UP VIDEOS
POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS / STRONGER CONNECTIONS FOLLOW-UP VIDEOS
THRIVE ONLINE SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP ACCESS >> (for those wanting to know what material we leave behind for schools)
CONTENT AND ACTIVITY- TIER 3 AND 4 REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Set yourself a personal goal. Do you have a deadline on getting “green” on all Tier 3 and 4 activities? Share with your coach and together, you can come up with something that you can work towards.
WELCOME TO PHASE 4 AND 5- SENIOR FACILITATOR- WORKSHOP AND TEAM LEADER
MILE 13- SENIOR FACILITATOR
The following are resources that you will need as a senior facilitator.
Giving and receiving feedback and coaching to other team members (WWW/EBI)
Lead Facilitator Checklist (HANDBOOK, p23)
Rebooking Conversation (HANDBOOK, p26)
Link for printing (Scorecards, ASPIRE cards, lateral thinking)
Link to Microsoft One Drive for all slide decks . To log in, click on the link and use details provided. (USER NAME: aspirehigherupp@gmail.com PASSWORD: UPP800002024). Please be sure to log out once you have downloaded everything you need.
SENIOR FACILITATOR DISCUSSION
Ask any questions of your coach or share any concerns before you lead your first day so that your coach can help you troubleshoot.
If possible, shadow a Senior Facilitator over many days as they have the conversations, complete checklists and notice how they go about this role.
MILE 14- CONTENT AND ACTIVITIES- TIER 4
CONTENT AND ACTIVITY- TIER 4 REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Set yourself a personal goal. Do you have a deadline on getting “green” on Tier 4 activities? This is THRIVE and LEADING FROM THE FRONT. Share with your coach and together, you can come up with something that you can work towards.
MILE 15- COACHING FOR EXCELLENCE
HOW WE COACH AT UPP - A guide for UPP team coaches
100 Most powerful coaching questions by Catherine Moore - External resource that sheds light on the power of asking good questions
Have a read through these documents and discuss thoughts / ask questions during a call with HOT.
MILE 16 - TEAM LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES (LEARNING, OPERATIONS)
Operations and Learning Hub >>
MILE 17- RECOMMENDED RESOURCE LIBRARY
For years before UPP began, Luke had studied personal growth and development material, consuming knowledge. UPP is a genuine expression of this life changing material. In Mile 10, you have the opportunity to continue your own learning and professional development, in order to continue to grow.
This mile is completed (although, it’s never really completed) at your own pace. It is the only mile that may be unpaid. We don’t mandate this mile, although at times along your journey with UPP, your coach may suggest that it is time to “dip in” to some of these resources, in order to grow your understanding as a facilitator.
At UPP, we have a commitment to growing ourselves and others. As we grow, we are able to contribute more. We are rewarded at the level of our contribution. So, use these resources to the extent that they are helpful in growing you in the ways you want to grow.
The following books, articles and videos have been selected by Luke for the ongoing professional development of all UPP team members. They explain both the UPP philosophy, as well as some of our content. They involve some of the best life lessons you could come across. You will notice much overlap between the UPP philosophy and our programs, because at UPP, we are in the unique position of being able to share these valuable life lessons.
PART A- articles and VIDEOS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE UPP PHILOSOPHY…
HABITS OF EXTRA MILE (short article)
EXCELLENCE IN THE ORDINARY (short article)
PART B- books and videos FOR UNDERSTANDING THE CONTENT THREADED INTO OUR PROGRAMS…
20 PICTURES THAT WILL TEACH YOU MORE THAN 100 BOOKS (short article)
CHOICE AND CONTROL (video)
BE, DO, HAVE (Short article). Video from Brad Sugars- Be x Do = Have
THE GO GIVER by Bob Burg and John David Mann (2010) Video Link >>
21 IRREFUTIBLE LAWS OF LEADERSHIP by John Maxwell (1998) Video Link >>
THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE by Steven Covey - Video Link for Part 1 >> Video Link for Part 2 >>
WILLPOWER DOESN’T WORK BOOK SUMMARY (short article)
THRIVE by Luke McKenna (2015)
MAKING WELLBEING PRACTICAL by Luke McKenna (2019)
MAKING THE SHIFT by Luke McKenna (2022)
RESOURCE LIBRARY REFLECTION QUESTIONS
For the article, book or video that you chose to study, what were the main life lessons that resonated with you?
Which of the above articles, books or videos would you like to learn about next?