The summer professional development season is upon us and I have been enjoying working with several schools as they continue the work of translating their pedagogical and curricular vision into reality.
A key part of this work is deciding on the work to be done - all while holding 'The Way' lightly and with a spirit of iteration. During these conversations, we typically add things to be done - very rarely do we discuss what we might stop doing.
A helpful exercise I often facilitate is called Keep/Stop/Start. Try it with yourself and your team and commit to the changes that emerge :)
Individual Level:
- What will I, as a leader of change, KEEP doing in the year ahead?
- What will I, as a leader of change, STOP doing in the year ahead?
- What will I, as a leader of change, START doing in the year ahead?
School/District Level:
- What will we, in support of our vision, KEEP doing in the year ahead?
- What will we, in support of our vision, STOP doing in the year ahead?
- What will we, in support of our vision, START doing in the year ahead?
At the individual level, this reflection helps reveal your growing edge. At the school or district level, it helps reveal outdated systems, processes and structures that no longer support the vision.
An added benefit to doing this work in groups is that we learn our colleagues’ growing edge, as well as our own. This helps build trust and supports the behavioral changes necessary when leading change.
What will you KEEP/STOP/START doing in the year ahead?