Reflecting back and moving forward

When I coach Head Teachers, the most common benefit they say they gain from coaching is “time and space to reflect”. As we come to the end of the school holidays and begin a new term, it’s time to start anew, a time for planning and moving forward. But how do you move forward without looking at what you’re moving forward from?

Reflecting back promotes healthy questionning:

• What has gone well that needs to be maintained?
• What could I / we do more of?
• What needs to change?
• How could I / we use our resources more effectively?

What other questions do you ask yourself? Perhaps you’ve already done your reflecting back. If so, what format did this take? Was it something you did sub-consciously, or with a more structured format (e.g. Performance Management / appraisal meetings)?

So, September is just around the corner; a time for setting new goals or targets, for new beginnings. Thorough and honest self-reflection will provide you with more relevant targets.

What new targets are you setting yourself for this autumn, and how do you know they’re the best ones?

Top 3 tips

1. Make sure there’s a solid reason for the target you set. Don’t just have a target for target’s sake. Ensure it has the capacity to move you / your team / your school forward.

2. Carefully consider the benefits from achieving the target.  Make a list of these and keep them in mind as you progress; they can keep you motivated and on track!

3. Establish an ongoing reflection strategy. Spend a few minutes each week to reflect on how you’re progressing towards your target. Adjust deadlines, resource requirements, expectations, depending on what your reflections tell you.

(Photo credit: sheelamohan)

Change is all about selling and empathy

28 Day Blog Challenge – Day 15

Change is a fairly constant factor in schools, whether it comes from government level, the local authority or within the school itself.

In addition to change which is mandatory, school leaders face choices about adopting optional changes too. These range from simple policy changes and use of resources, to major curriculum and staffing changes, which include things like restructuring.

I recognise that change isn’t just about altering something already in existence. It also includes adopting new initiatives – as things often need to change to accommodate these … timetables, staffing roles, curriculum emphasis, etc.

Whilst change can often be a good thing, constant and rapid changes are often met with resistance by staff (and children) seeking periods of stability and consolidation.

Mandatory changes may be seen as unpopular and challenging by staff, so they need to be tackled positively and sensitively to ensure staff ‘buy in’ to the idea. Therefore, it’s important to help the stakeholders see the benefits to them of the changes.

What will be better?

What will be more efficient?

How will it make their roles easier?

How will it benefit the children / community?

… and so on.

School leaders need to choose their optional changes (initiatives / projects etc.) carefully. Bear in mind what else is happening within the term or year and how the proposed change will affect all stakeholders. The skill of empathy is useful here to ensure all angles have been explored. You’ll know how different staff will be affected, and can pre-empt questions, obstacles and issues.

How has your school effectively managed optional and mandatory changes? Is it the same approach for both?

Feeling the urge to ‘Spring Clean’ this month?

Photo: Suat Eman

Not quite the right time of year – I hear you say?

Nevertheless, September is one of the 4 main times over a year where we have urges to make a fresh start, de-clutter, spring clean, etc. The others are:

• New Year
• April
• Our birthday

Some believe this is perhaps to do with seasonal changes or conditioning as children around birthdays / school holidays. If, like me, your birthday also falls at one of the other times, you may feel an even bigger pull towards making a new start at that time of year.

Linked to ‘clearing out’ is the need to free up time / space, or replace the old with the new. This can be new systems, not just new possessions. While we’re feeling like a change, this is a good time to set new goals or targets for ourselves.

So what goals are you setting yourself right now?

• How are you de-cluttering? What criteria are you using?
• What changes are you making? What impact will they have on others around you?

If you’re setting goals, to help you on your way, here are my 5 top tips to ensure a positive start.

1. Make sure your goal is about what you want, rather than what you don’t want.

For example: I want a clutter-free desk / office (rather than ‘I don’t want to work in this tip!’) You get what you focus on, so focus on something positive!

2. Make sure you understand exactly what your goal means to you.

What will ‘clutter-free’ look and feel like? What will be classed as clutter? What essentials do you still need?

3. What’s your time scale?

Rather than leave it open-ended, which – let’s face it – can result in the “I’ll do it tomorrow” state of mind ….. give yourself a deadline.

E.g. I’ll be working from a clutter-free desk in 4 weeks’ time.

Then break this down into smaller chunks….. What needs to be achieved in 2 weeks, to be on target? What do you need to do in 1 week? etc. What are you going to do to ensure the changes are consistent?

4. List the benefits

To take my example further, what will having a clutter-free desk give you? More space to work? A clearer head to think? More focus and direction? I’ll be able to find things more easily. I’ll be less annoying to be around! …..

5. Staying motivated

You may be motivated by the goal itself (a tidier desk), or by moving away from your current situation (a cluttered desk), or even a bit of both.

If the goal excites you – keep reminding yourself of the benefits of what you’re aiming for, and visualize the end result.

If your motivated more by getting rid of the mess, in this example, think about the consequences of doing nothing. What will it be like in 2 weeks if you’ve not changed anything?

If you’re motivated in both ways, you’ll probably need to use both of the above strategies.

Enjoy your “spring cleaning”, and feel free to share your goals / successes (photos also useful of before and after, if relevant!!)