Education. Clearly Connected Components.

When looking to change anything or anyone you have to know your ‘Why?” and the answer to the ‘Why?’ question. My why started because I believe that No matter the struggle, every student deserves the opportunity to learn. For me, that resonated in the NEED to teach to equity not equality. Additionally, I had to be sure that I captured the heart of those I was seeking out before I attempted to capture their minds. Everything works together like interconnected wheels. If one piece is not functioning properly – everything falls apart.

Starting with the Influencer Model, I used it to identify the personal motivation, personal ability, social motivation, social ability, structural motivation, and structural ability of every person I needed in order for my plan of innovation to work. This included teachers, administration, technology support staff and myself. Once I made of list of these factors it seemed most of the motivations were the same so I went with the majority in each are as my targets. Next, The 4 Disciplines helped me to identify and focus on my wildly important goal which is the driving point, act on lead measures which shows what should be the things that drive change in the organization, keep a score board to foster the competitive nature in all of us, and create a taste for accountability among everyone. Students included.

From there I had incorporated to self-differentiated leadership. Setting yourself apart is not up to anyone but you. Knowing where I end, my ability and or skill set, and know where another begins, their strengths and skill sets, is essential to any organization but most especially in education. If you refuse to recognize where you need help everything you are attached to is bound to fail. Some crucial conversation are necessary in order to affect the core of your being and move from stagnation to implementation.

These conversations teach us skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high stakes, emotional, or risky topics - at all levels of your organization. We are able learn how to handle disagreements and high-stakes communication and how to speak up effectively so you can accomplish the results you are after. Everything works together. Each component drive the foundation of your innovation and thus drives change. All are needed. Just as are you.

References

McChesney, C., Covey, S. & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 disciplines of execution : achieving your wildly important goals. New York: Free Press.

​Patterson, K. (2002). Crucial conversations : tools for talking when stakes are high. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R. & Switzler, A (2013). Influencer : the new science of leading change. New York: McGraw-Hill Education