Reading Fullan’s Six Secrets of Change was interesting to me as I had never heard of these specifically written out this way, but have seen these employed in my workplace. For those who did not choose this option for the discussion board this week, here are the 6 Secrets of Change in a list:
1.
Love Your Employees
2.
Connect Peers with Purpose
3.
Capacity Building Prevails
4.
Learning Is the Work
5.
Transparency Rules
6.
Systems Learn
Initially, some of those phrases eluded me as to the exact
contextual meaning; however, after
reading more about each change and the roadblocks that hinder them I realized I
have encountered these steps and roadblocks personally. While each change has its own purpose the
main theme that runs through all of them is that in order to sustain a
successful, innovative, technologically advanced school /district/development
team...) there must be a level of trust and communication. Eric Sheninger in his book Digital
Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing times states it aptly when he says “
It is not about changing who we are as leaders, but changing the way we do
things that will transform school culture to better meet the needs of all
stakeholders in the digital age.”
(Sheninger, 2014).
On a personal level, I have experienced this in multiple
forms but my biggest roadblock I encounter is when working with Instructors who
are not familiar with technology or design and have their minds set on not
changing. As I said I was not previously
aware of these specific 6 steps but follow a very similar approach when beginning
a development with an Instructor. The first
step, especially as a Christian, is the most important (in my opinion). When someone feels loved and appreciated they
are more willing to open up to new ideas and ways of doing things. There are times when this becomes difficult,
especially if someone is non responsive.
However, because Christ first loved us we are able to show love through
His grace to those who aren’t as easy to love.
This is a thought that I keep continually with me as I enter each
development of a course.
Reference:
Sheninger,
E. (2014). Digital leadership: Changing paradigms for
changing times. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.
Hey Corrie -
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post (my audio on my laptop is a little finicky). I believe that these 6 principles are critical for making a change or impact on an individual regardless of your position (as a teacher, as an administrator, etc.). These tools can apply to successful leadership in general.
You are definitely correct in saying that using a Biblical approach to love can enhance the ability to use these essential skills. In all of my relationships (co-workers, teacher-student, spousal), I have found also that there is always more success and progress in these relationships with demonstrations of love.
Perhaps there is reasons to why Christ calls us to love one other 2nd to loving Him: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39, New International Version). I believe that the tactics behind Fullan’s Six Secrets of Change could actually be summarized with the idea suggested by the Scriptures.
Thanks for a great post Corrie!
Corrie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading and listening to your post. I agree with you that with change there must be trust and willingness between those involved in the change. Like you reviewed, as a Christian, we can see the importance of witnessing to others through trust and willingness to help those in our daily life. Often, we have major changes that occur in our life, and we do not know why, but we do know that we can trust God and know he will provide for our future.
Also, I can definitely agree with you regarding the change in the atmosphere and environment when technology changes happen. As an educator, we know that in just a few years the schools have taken major steps and changes with the advances in technology. When technology changes occur, teachers can sometimes feel nervous because they do not know how to use the technology. When great leaders integrate effective opportunities for teachers to learn and become familiar with the technology, it will support the teacher’s confidence using the new technology. Looking at Fullan’s Six Secret to Change, identifying ways to correctly implement and bring a change can impact how successful the change will occur (Sheninger, 2014). When leaders understand the needs of their teachers and the support them with resources that they need to make a change, the leaders can help the change to happen correctly and smoothly.
Thanks so much and have a blessed day,
Melissa Krone
Reference
Sheninger, E. (2014). Digital leadership: Changing paradigms for changing times.
Thousand Oaks: Corwin.
Great post, Corrie! I agree! "Loving your employees" (your students, others....) is of the utmost importance for those of us in education--or any aspect of life really. Our feelings drive the way we interact with each other, and as you stated, when people feel safe, valued, and respected, they are more willing to open themselves up to new learning experiences.
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