Transformational Change

A few weeks ago, the Lighthouse Team was meeting to plan for this week's extended staff meeting.  We were talking about Leader in Me, how we were doing, and what support staff needed.  I have to admit that I was frustrated.  I felt like, "Why do we have the same discussion every year?  Why isn't everyone using the 7 Habits language in their classroom on a daily basis?  Why isn't everyone using Leadership Notebooks, having classroom meetings, and trying student-led conferences?"  I left the meeting feeling worse than I did at the beginning.

Then, I attended a District School Improvement Team meeting about the District's new culture and climate goal.  At the meeting, we received an article titled, "How to Beat the Transformation Odds."  (Please read it in preparation for this week's staff meeting.)  As I read it, I had an ah-ha moment.  The research shows that only 26% of organization's successfully sustain transformational change.  There are 24 specific actions that increase the likelihood of success.

Cooper does many of these actions but there are many things we could improve on.  Some of the practices include communicating effectively, leading actively, empowering employees, having employees reflect on how their individual work aligns to the organization's vision, and identifying best practices.  I realized that part of our work in continuing to create an environment of continuous improvement is necessary.  That continuing to talk about the 7 Habits and how we teach and live them at Cooper is imperative.  Telling our "change story" of how we became a Leader in Me school is  important.

This week at our meeting we will spend some time identifying, sharing, and improving upon some of the best practices we use.  Please bring at least one activity, book, video, idea, etc that you love to use to teach or reinforce a habit.  We will be sharing and planning in pods.  It is our school goal that by the end of January, all habits should be taught.  As we move forward, we plan to create a LIM calendar to clearly articulate roles, responsibilities, and expectations in order to "beat the transformation odds" and help the most important people, our staff and students, reach their true potential.

"You have to maintain a culture of transformation and stay true to your values."
-Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn

"The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development.  There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders,  and continually develops them."
-John C Maxwell, author of The 17 Irrefutable Laws of Teamwork

LEAD Time

Big Rocks:

Check out Judy's email for the Google Expedition!  

Tamsin using Google Cardboard to go to the moon!

Our Work-a-thon is this Friday.  Please refer to Lauren's email if you would like to volunteer.  She created a sign up and we would love for you to sign up by the end of the day Monday, November 30.

Calendar for the Week of November 30:
Monday: Student Lighthouse 11:45
Tuesday: Livonia Symphony Orchestra Meeting 1:00
               Lighthouse Team 3:45-5:00
               District School Improvement Team (Sarah and Kristi) 5:30-7:30
Wednesday: IST 8:00
                   QAR Meeting (Sarah) 9:30-11:00
                   PTA Leaders 11:15
                   Google Expedition
Thursday: Extended Staff Meeting 3:45-4:45 LMC
Friday: Young Adult Book Club 8:00 Lounge
             LEAD Time 8:45 Assembly ?
             Work-a-thon 4:00-6:00