Keep It Simple...

All the data in the world can support your reasons why, but it is up to you to give it context and a story.  It is up to you to make connections with people so they are not spectators of your work, but they instead want to be involved in the process with you.

I joined a Facebook Live conversation this week with two of my leadership coaches, and a viewer asked a question of me:  

"Do you feel like your message has been simplified despite the complexity of the work?"

At first I began to stumble over the question, but then I stopped, slowed my always hyper-active brain, and I shared that complex work often requires simple steps to get things going and to make meaning and messaging clear.  

This moment resonated with me as I worked with district leaders around modern learning practices and common language.  Luckily, I can rely on my colleagues to challenge ideas when the reasons why are unclear.  I listened to the concern about lack of clarity, and then I reset and started again.  Simple, direct, jargon-free messages are easier to get behind.  There is typically no different understanding of meaning when you follow the K.I.S.S. Rule.

​Our conversation continued to build.  We all shared a common vision about the importance of the learning being directed and riven by the learner, whether that learner is a student, a teacher, or a leader.  We also know that these moments are happening in some innovative classrooms around our district.  I hope to bring these pockets of innovation into the light so we can see and learn from them, and build toward a district of innovative practices, not just single classrooms or school buildings.

More collaborative work is planned for the weeks ahead as we develop our district's Vision for Learning.  Good work is happening, and I'm happy to share our learning process as we work to create our vision.