A Reader Writes... (Yes, I Know the Hours are Long - Part 6)

In response to the post, “Yes, I Know the Hours are Long,” an assistant principal writes:

This is interesting. The teachers’ reactions do not surprise me. According to my principal, people typically resist change. I agree.

What you should do is create some kind of chaos, like distracting them or redirecting them, then make the changes you want. Then you can recognize their hard work and soothe their ego's. You will soon see some great ideas at work!

SC Response

There will be many that will see your comment as a primer on how to manipulate people. But actually it is not. One of the secrets to managing change is to focus on small improvements and then celebrate the quick victories. This in turn builds confidence in the staff to try new things.

There is a campus that I am working with right now. The campus was supposed to be remodeled over the summer. The work is still not finished. Classrooms assignments and schedules have already been changed a number of times as the teachers and students move to avoid the construction. However, morale is through the roof. As the staff solves new and novel problems everyday, they get more excited.

Why? Because, in the grand scheme of things, how tough is it to get your grades in on time, when you have already moved your classroom three times in two months. A little chaos can be a good thing. As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

Think. Work. Achieve.

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