Leading a Change Environment in Schools

In his book, Leading in a Culture of Change, Michael Fullan offers an insight into the nature of change and an approach leaders can use to navigate the change process.  The basic approach is for leaders to act with enthusiasm, energy, and hope while keying in on 5 principles of leadership in a change environment.  These 5 components are:

Moral Purpose

Understanding Change

Relationship Building

Knowledge Creation and Sharing

Coherence Making

If leaders key in on these 5 components with energy, enthusiasm, and hope, then the predicted outcome is increased commitment (external and internal) which then results in more positive things happening.

In examining schools, we are always in a climate of change.  These changes may come in a variety of forms.  A few of them may be:

technology changes

faculty turnover

changing students

changing economy

changing standards

curriculum changes

When examining your school, how would you rate the “outcomes”?  More good than bad?

Which, if any, of the 5 components listed above are missing in currently educational reform leadership?

Reference

Fullan, M. (2001). Leading in a culture of change. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.