Have you noticed the change in seasons yet?

Perhaps you've noticed the changes in yourself over the last few months, either in your professional vision for your leadership or your approach to personal goals. Change is a process, either intended or unintended, that shapes our thinking, behaviors, and attitudes in a new direction. And while it is a part of life, like the seasons, at times change seems like it takes forever to get through.

The graphic below explains leading the change process according to John Kotter. Whether you are self-reflecting with a coach or colleague,  or coaching a teacher to pace through change, keep this process in mind to gauge the progression toward healthy, measurable, and manageable change.

Questions that Initiate Thoughtful Change

Create a Sense of Urgency

• What were you paying attention to most? 

• Why was that important for you?

Build a Coalition

• Why might this be important to others? Who, specifically?

• What might others say about your ideas?

Form a Strategic Vision

• What would success look like to you?

• What two things do you want to prioritize?

Enlist a Volunteer Army

• Who would support your ideas most? 

• What leadership skills might you need to move this forward?

"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Wayne Dyer

The graphic below demonstrates John Kotter's research into how leaders respond to change through threat-seeking and opportunity-seeking radars. Using neuroscience theories into "fight or flight" response mechanisms, leaders must alter their thinking from survival mode to thriving mode, and respond with appropriate behaviors to foster positive change.

 As you continue working with teachers in providing feedback, keep in mind how you are coaching them to operate in

the "thrive mode" of response, especially when conversations can be critical and require immediate action. Likewise, in your own responsiveness to change, determine where the "thrive mode" can be an asset to the long-term results of change.