Day two of my #28days of writing challenge and I have been wondering what to write about. Then I remembered something that another #28dayofwriting writer wrote yesterday about seeing through the urgent and focusing on the important. Read the blog by Stephen Lethbridge here.
His article made me think about what is important, a focus at out school at the moment as we explore what our school motto means. Getting everyone rowing the ship in the same direction in any organisation is a challenge and the ability to share a vision for the school is an important skill of any leader. But so to is the ability to see past your own idea to allow the community and members of your organisation to own the values and direction you take.
During #edchatnz last week I mentioned the importance of realising your great ideas are not as great as you might think. Someone replied (sorry will find out who you are when I have time after the 28 minutes!) that your ideas are like your children, they always seem pretty great to you. But the problem here is not everyone will agree. As leaders we should never try and convince others that our one idea is worthwhile and the best way forward. It might not be. As the leader we understand our idea intimately, but it doesn't mean those in front of learners, those who work with it day in and day out will get it. So we need to approach change and new ideas in a more collaborative way.
At ULEARN14 I went to several speakers who talked about Dr Julia Aitkin’s work. It struck a chord with me. Beginning with core values and beliefs, not outcomes, is extremely powerful. And when you have a high degree of input at this stage then you can develop your vision and practices within your school community from this start point. The upside of this is people can see their values and beliefs shaping the school, filtering out into every action. As Stephen Lethbridge put it… it lets you see through the urgent and see what is truly important.
When you imagine a perfect school, or at least when I do, I see a school where everyone understand the direction and can articulate clearly the goals and values. But I also believe it needs to go one step further and everyone needs to OWN the practices. Top down driven change gets the job done yes, but I do not beleive it gets the vision embedded and owned.
That last staff meeting where you talked the talk and shared you brilliant idea… probably didn't go as well as you thought if you gave little opportunity for others to co-own the ideas. If you shut down questioning and debate and if you made it clear that this was happening then you probably lost half your staff. Start with values and beliefs and trust your team to work together to put it into practice.
So be brave, whether or not it is at a class, syndicate or schoolwide level… survey your community, your parents, colleagues, students. Go further and survey local businesses. See how they perceive you, see how they would like to perceive you and find out what they value. Put this in the middle of your planning and see what comes out. I have no idea how this might work for you… but try it and see. Because as a school our job is to serve… serve our students, a parents and our wider community and their input is hugely important.
I hope you enjoy reading my second blog from the #28daysofwriting challenge. Thank you to Steven Lethbridge for his post that inspired me.
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