I feel that I have learned so much lately by challenges I have been faced with both personally and professionally. What amazes me even more is the amount of new learning I have had in just a short amount of time. It’s a little weird to verbalize, but I have transformed my thinking and some of my behaviors. I have changed!!!! I am really interested in knowing how you feel about “change”…
I have heard so many times in so many different situations that it is hard for people to change. While I find some truth to that, I am not sure it warrants the same impact it previously did. When new knowledge comes into play, does it not prompt change to naturally take place? I know that I learn from my mistakes. It usually only takes me one time to mess something up and I will (change) never do it again! Why is it then so hard for people to change?
I am on this topic because we have read 3 books now and I feel that they are all powerful tools. I think these are things we should be doing at my school. However, change rarely happens at my school. As hard as I try…As much support as I give…nothing changes. That is frustrating!
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The issue isn't ability to change. The issue is desire to change. You change because you want to be good...the best...so when you make mistakes you do things differently. Many, especially in education don't do that...the desire for greatness isn't always present.
ReplyDeleteDoug Reeves talks about the 90% rule. For change to be successful and any initiative to cause improvement you must reach 90%...that means:
90% of the people in the organization implementing at least 90% of the initiative at least 90% of the time.
That is a huge amount and requires a lot of people being on board AND willing to do the work necessary MOST of the time.
This is the primary issue. There are always SOME...not MOST that get on board but many times even IF you get MOST on board it is harder to get MOST who are willing to do the WORK of change.
There are MANY on my campus that would say the change we've pushed is correct; however, not all of them (at least not 90%) are WILLING to do the hard WORK of change.
Much of the literature on change bears out the difficulty of real change--not only getting the 90%, but doing the haard work as Chris says. When the excitement pf the new and novel fades, so does the number of true beiievers willing to bring it to reality. It truly is lonely at the top (one in charge). However, when the hard work bears fruit the exhiliration is tremendous.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Amber. I feel I am also changing my mindset as we read each book and discuss new topics.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of change and to add what has already been said-
What do we do when some people refuse to change? As leaders, part of our responsibility is to help others change their mindsets and be willing to change. If they don't, it is also our job to help them "get on the right bus". One of the problems with education is we allow those who refuse to change the ability to stay and continue to teach.
Amber, I am a lover of change! As a military child, and now a military wife and mom, I have spent my entire life changing. Not just adapting to change, but actually embracing it. I, like you, have found it interesting and even frustrating that so many people are resistant to change. This has been a huge area of interest to me, particularly because I am so passionate about the need for change within our schools. Last year I read an interesting book by Robert Evans. In his book, Evans addressed school change from the human perspective, and it was very enlightening. The truth is, many people are ambilivent to change. Evans stated that "our ambivilence springs from a deep-seated conservative impulse to find patterns in life and preserve the continuity of things" (p. 26). So many individuals interpret change as loss. Change often creates confusion and even causes conflict. Evans went on to state that "this ambivilence is natural, necessary and even vital to adaptation" (p. 38). I try to keep this in mind as I work with our school district here. Great patience is required. Don't give up! Stay committed to innovation, and resistant to status quo. Change will occur slowly, but it will occur. You are a gift to the field of education, Amber.
ReplyDeleteI agree Amber, I've been noticing change in myself and also recognizing the need for change in my surroundings. Unfortunately, I've also been experiencing change that I can see won't work. (Does that seem pessimistic?) What I'm referring to are the top-down, do-it-or-else demands. Yipes. No wonder we're stressed. I'm also seeing Michael Fullan's concept that when people feel threatened, they withdraw and go in to survival mode, and don't think about their teams, (Six Secrets of Change). They don’t work for common goals, just their own success. I’m hoping to apply the “Secret” of making people comfortable to take risks around me, and encourage team work as opposed to self-advancement.
ReplyDeleteI feel myself thriving on change--actually, I like Beth's word--innovation. That is much more positive and less scary, too.
Amber I know most people will fight tooth and nail to maintain homeostasis no matter how horrible the situation maybe. That is why you see a number of abused women going right back to their abusers. that is why children from disfuntional homes and abusive parents refuse to leave their situations. When it is all you know you fight to maintain your reality. I thrive on change which from time to time gets me in trouble as those above me feel as though tradition should be maintained. I have learned that the world of education constantly speaks of change but rarely implements it, most of the time they repackage the same concept in a differnet wrapper. (sorry I know that sounds jaded)
ReplyDeleteThat is why I love our program we are and will be in the right positions as leaders to truely influence positive change.
Amber, I think the changes you are making in your own life will have a significant impact on the students and the colleagues you work with every day. People and organizations are in different places and I think we all do the best we can each day. It might be that as people see you excited about your learning that you will inspire change in them that you may never see. The organization will be changed because of you. It can't help but work somewhat differently because of you. Don't lose heart, keep doing good as long as you have breath.
ReplyDeleteI agree and feel that unfortunately if you fail to change just wait because it is inevitable. God has a way of forcing us to change in an effort to purpose us into our destiny and what he has in store for us. I am convinced especially in my own personal life right now that sometimes change can definitely be for the better. He that began a good work in us will not stop until it is finished!
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