Introduction: Integrating Leadership Strategies
By connecting My Why, Influencer Strategy (A+B), 4DX Plan, and Self-differentiated Leadership & Crucial Conversions, into a single, unified strategy, this will demonstrate how each component builds on top of the other and supports my innovation plan to implement a flex blended environment using Schoology, project based learning, and guided instruction. This framework supports a foundation for meaningful collaboration and change, and aligns with my vision and execution of a significant learning environment that uses COVA. “When the COVA approach is combined with CSLE, you get a significant learning environment which takes into account all the key elements essential to effective active learning” (Harapnuik, 2018).
Foundation for Transformational Change
Basically, My Why, is the purpose that backs up my innovation plan. Here I have defined “why” I want to take action, and help others understand the value of the change that supports my ideas of this type of learning environment that builds on student agency. “The sharing of more information or engaging in more rational discourse on its own doesn’t appear to help people to make significant change but an appeal to values, attitudes, and feelings first can motivate people toward making changes” (Harapnuik, 2015). Next, the Influencer Strategy follows this research because it identifies individuals that would benefit from this plan, and how others can be influenced to use it in their classroom environments. These influencers can help influence the why behind it, motivate interests from others, and create excitement to utilize it. “Ensure not just that you measure the right thing, but that your measures are influencing the right behavior” (Grenny, Patterson, Maxfield, McMillan, & Switzler, 2013). This builds a strong groundwork of a supportive and collaborative team. This leads to the 4DX Plan which offers ways to make sure that overall goals are met systematically. “The 4 Disciplines are rules for executing your most critical strategy in the midst of your whirlwind” (Covey, McChesney, & Huling, 2012). The focus is on the most important goals, and using lead measures to track the progress and accountability. For instance, since the goal is to enhance student agency using the flex blended environment with Schoology, project based learning, and guide instruction, then the process must be intentional and measurable. All of these lead to the Self-Differentiated Leadership elements where leadership understands the importance of staying calm, and focused when challenges come into the picture, by addressing resistance, and remaining committed to the overall vision. In summary, Crucial Conversations ties all of these points together by focusing on productive communication where stakeholders feel valued and heard in an open, and honest environment that supports the implementation of my innovation plan. “If you know how to handle crucial conversations, you can effectively hold tough conversations about virtually any topic” (Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & Switzler, 2011). In this case, concerns are brought to the surface and addressed in a constructive and respectable manner. For example, when relating this to my innovation plan, some teachers may be reluctant to use Schoology, project based learning, or guided instruction, so those crucial conversations will need to be made where the key strategies of this methodology will be used to maintain collaboration and trust with others to ensure that all parties involved feel positively about the change.
Leadership for Lasting Change
Conclusively, becoming a self-differentiated leader means that I will be able to address the resistance to change from others when launching my innovation plan and digital learning initiatives. These listed assignments have created a plan that integrates all the major components of my research and studies to be used as one big strategy to support my overall vision, and provides a road map on how I can achieve my goals and be successful. My approach views collaboration, focus, and accountability as the foundation for change to have a larger purpose and be sustainable in the long run. “If you persist and work at these ideas, you will see dramatic improvements in your relationships and results” (Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & Switzler, 2011). All of this together can be used to inspire change and help implement my innovation plan.
References
Covey, S., McChesney, C., & Huling, J. (2012). The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving your wildly important goals. Simon and Schuster.
Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change. McGraw-Hill Education.
Harapnuik, D. (2015). The Head Won’t Go Where the Heart Hasn’t Been. Harapnuik.org. https://www.harapnuik.org/?p=5461
Harapnuik, D. (2018, July). COVA. https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991
Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2011). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Jackie Bittner M.Ed. 