Collaborative Culture

To encourage others, model the kind of accountability that is empowering

Vol. 32 No. 1

Geoffrey Canada said in a recent presentation, “Education is the only business I know of where you can change anything you want, as long as you change nothing” (2010). After so much debate and so many policies, why is our education system still failing so many of our children? What are we either missing or pretending not to know? Reforms only work when people who implement them are on board, engaged, and valued. What gets talked about from the boardroom to the classroom, how it gets talked about, and who is invited to join the conversation determines what will happen or won’t. Are the driving conversations dividing or connecting stakeholders? Are they catalysts for change and accountability, or are they further entrenching people in fear

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Authors

Susan Scott

In each issue of JSD, Susan Scott ([email protected]) explores aspects of communication that encourage meaningful collaboration. Scott, author of Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success At Work & In Life, One Conversation at a Time (Penguin, 2002) and Fierce Leadership: A Bold Alternative to the Worst “Best” Practices of Business Today (Broadway Business, 2009), leads Fierce Inc. (www.fierceinc.com), which helps companies around the world transform the conversations that are central to their success. Fierce in the Schools carries this work into schools and higher education. Columns are available at www.lf.wphlab.com.

Steps in a mineral rights conversation

Step 1: Identify your most pressing issue.

Step 2: Clarify the issue.

Step 3: Determine the current impact.

Step 4: Determine the future implications.

Step 5: Examine your personal contribution to this issue.

Step 6: Describe the ideal outcome.

Step 7: Commit to action.

For an in-depth understanding of how to use the Mineral Rights model, read Practice #3 (“From holding people accountable to modeling accountability and holding people able”) of Fierce Leadership: A Bold Alternative to the Worst Best Practices of Business Today (Broadway Books, 2009).

References

Canada, G. (2010, November 10). Address to the Seattle Foundation’s Annual Luncheon.

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Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.

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