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While working as a campus and district administrator, I often encountered roadblocks to new initiatives. Getting a project to completion can feel like driving an obstacle course. If that’s your experience, you’re not alone. Let’s learn to navigate those tricky K-12 leadership roadblocks and detours together!
The Obstacle Course of K-12 Leadership
Imagine you’re a superintendent, director, principal, or a person tasked with a job. You have some autonomy to do amazing work, but roadblocks often appear. A few roadblocks aren’t that big a deal, but others drain your energy. How can you avoid hitting every pothole on the road to success while navigating K-12 leadership roadblocks and detours?
One way is to be aware of the challenges before or as they happen and have an exit strategy. Before we talk about detours, let’s revisit some common roadblocks.
Identify Roadblocks to Success
Here’s what that bumpy journey often looks like:
- Constant Churn: New programs pop up faster than you can say “professional development.” Unfortunately, old initiatives, often unfinished and draining resources, get interrupted or diverted. Maybe, you need to consider how to de-implement initiatives (see diagram at end of this blog entry).
- Remote Work Prohibited: Paperwork piles up, leaving little time for actual leadership. Some work requires our physical presence. Yet, remote work has proven itself as effective. Are you driving in simply to say “Present” at meetings?
- Effort on Unverifiable ROI: Initiatives that sound great but don’t move the needle on organizational outcomes (e.g. student achievement). Watch out for leaders or managers that want you to do something but lack a clear vision on the bottom line value a new project will bring.
- Rearranging Programs: The educational equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Everyone ends up with programs that get juggled. Stop juggling, de-implement.
- Bumps Ahead: Urgent meetings and last-minute fires to put out. Is your boss calling you in for urgent meetings and get-togethers? These are sure to knock you off course, if not send you off on a wild goose chase.
- Obsolete Tech: Working with computers older than your students. An organization that doesn’t provide or plan for the best tech its people need has already failed it. Make sure your equipment replacement plans are up to date, and you are budgeting appropriately.
- Outcome: Stagnant or declining student achievement, a stack of failed initiatives or programs, or worse, initiatives that were implemented in a poor manner. Ouch.
Whether you are an employee or employer, avoid these roadblocks as best you can. Employers, put these roadblocks in place at your peril. You will ensure complaints and staff exits.
Now that you’ve seen the roadblocks and potholes, what’s the alternative look like?
Detours to Success: A New Roadmap
While there’s no guarantee of a smoother ride every trip, let’s “stop doing” those programs that get in the way. One way is to use Hamilton, Hattie, and Wiliam’s Making Room for Impact de-implementation options (shown below).
Let’s swap those roadblocks for some strategic detours:
1. Data-Driven Decision Depot
Before you plan something new, do the work. The work, in many cases, involves data and trend analysis. That way, you can make choices based on facts, not fads. Identify key metrics and stick to them over time. Then, review that data with your team and see what it tells you. These kinds of analysis sessions (great for PLC meetings) are guided by key concepts such as:
- Dump less effective practices
- Use less expensive interventions
- Streamline over-engineered, complicated processes
- Do something with less frequency
- Choose who delivers or receives benefits
- Remove initiatives or “Stop Doing” them altogether
If you are launching a new initiative, and you haven’t stopped or re-engineered another for efficiency and effectiveness, you’re wasting money, time, and effort. Do you really want to do that?
2. Flexible Causeway
Bring teachers or staff together to create adaptable plans. These plans pivot based on the needs identified in the data. Develop modular units that can be mixed and matched to solve problems. Some time ago, I did this for my professional development sessions, making it easy to come up with new workshops by mixing-n-matching. Consider using a Goals, Action, Plan framework (get a copy) to support your thinking.
3. EdTech Integration Interchange
Avoid buying bargain-basement technology, one size fits all. That plan may work, but you first need to identify what technology needs of staff and students are. Then, plan how it will make things better. For example, in my own work, I do a lot of writing and video work. If you bought me a Chromebook or low-end computer, I would only get half my work done.
Make sure to train your team members thoroughly and provide ongoing support. In this way, you make sure the technology amplifies staff effort, not wrecks it.
4. Community Engagement Circle
This can be tough one. Host “town hall” type meetings, advisory meetings, and focus groups. These can provide feedback and input on upcoming decisions, whether to add, cut, change initiatives. Use tools like first, second order change planners like the one (get a copy) below to scaffold discussion.
5. Measurable Metrics
Develop clear, measurable goals for student achievement. Regularly assess progress and be willing to adjust strategies if you’re not seeing the desired results.
6. Monitor, Adjust, and Maintain
Work anywhere long enough, you will encounter zombie initiatives that are still around. They exist because no one dispatched them when they expired. To ensure your initiatives stay vibrant and alive, make sure to keep a close eye on them. Make adjustments to them, and put in the work to maintain them. If you don’t, you doom them to a moribund existence that will result in failure.
Team, Adapt, Launch
As a leader, map a way forward that facilitates collaboration. In that way, you can adapt and overcome any roadblocks you encounter, together. When the time comes, you can launch any project or initiative and achieve success. Steer clear of old roadblocks and map a way forward together.
Infographic: Cycle of De-Implementation
