I think we often feel that we can not change things that we can actually change. I found the first several paragraphs to be very powerful. I really think that we are our own worst enemy. I read in a book by Tom Peters that there are holes in every organizations boat. The holes below the water line are the only ones that will sink you. As an educational leader you set the water line. Those "holes" you do not plug are seen by the organization to be above the minimum standard. Identifying and addressing unacceptable behavior is key to improving an organization. Too often we feel there is nothing we can do about particular behaviors as we will have a revolt. It all depends on how it is addressed. As a leader/influencer we have to understand that getting loud and nasty is not a good method of addressing behavior. Let the individual know that it is not their person you are upset with but rather the behavior. Involve them in developing ideas to improve the behavior and thus the organization.
It has been my practice to state at meetings that we are not talking about the things we have no control over as that is a waste of time. Rather we must focus on what we can do to address the issues. Declarations from teachers on problems without possible avenues are really just excuses. A wise man once told me that excuses are like rectums, everyone has one and they all stink. Establishing an attitude in the organization that there is always something that can be done is a big step. Acknowledging that there are also things we can not control is essential. As pointed out in Good to Great (Collins) you don't even try to do those things nor spend any time discussing it. Rather be like the hedgehog and focus on what you can do well and do it.
I wonder if fear of honest and intense conversation keeps us from helping eachother improve.
One thing I appreciate about others is gving it to me straight. I am often told I can be too blunt or direct in my communication style. I like those who communicate like I do as I learn a great deal from our conversations. Debate is an excellent learning experience.
I agree with the authors in their comments concerning change. I really believe you are who you choose to be, so we all need to consider each of our choices.
The reason we feel helpless
Great post! I agree with you that you have to be tactic fully honest with people if you want to really communicate. Especially in problem areas, because different people make different assumptions about the possible causes of the problem and solutions. Dancing around the issue in conversions gets you now were.
An example of an uncontrollable situation happens all the time in education: Parents that will not work with the school on addressing educational or behavioral problems in their child. I hear teachers all the time whine about this issue, like that will magically change the parent’s mind. While an active parent makes the problems easier to deal with, we have to have address the problem with what we can control within the school day.
http://superintendent.dadeschools.net/default_news.asp?id=58
Rudy Crew, superintendent in Miami-Dade County, has established a program to develop parents as advocates for their children's education: Parents Academy. They now offer 200 classes across the community for parents.
I think parents bring their attitudes about how school was for them to their approach to school for their children. If parents felt excluded, they may feel unwelcome in their children's school. If parents felt powerless to shape their own education, they may assume that they cannot have an impact on their chld's education.
You describe teachers who feel powerless with parents. Do you think parents may feel powerless with teachers? What can a lead teacher or a principal do to change the situation?
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