Description
Setting the Stage
Joel Barker: “A paradigm is a set of rules – written or unwritten – that establishes boundaries within which we learn how to be successful.”
According to our text, successful change requires the support of leaders at many levels of the organization. This indicates that leaders are clearly AT every level and have influence on change. The authors use scenarios to explain how change is effected through the example of a social hierarchy as explained in The Great Game of High School referenced below.
Senge et. al. (2012) discusses The Great Game of High School (pp.380-389) in which the notion of how “current reality” affects student learning in high school and the conflicting pressures that students must learn to maneuver in order to be “successful” is presented and analyzed. The reader is encouraged to reflect on these “current realities” as they apply within their own environment to understand more clearly what factors potentially impact not only student learning, and success, but the success of the entire organization. What factors ultimately impact leadership decisions surrounding success in an educational organization. Eight rules associated with the social hierarchy as discussed in this section are presented and have effects on the broader social and societal system structures within current organizations.
Objective:
For this Discussion, reflect upon the eight rules identified in Chapter 10 (Senge et. al.,2012, pp. 380-389); consider their broader implications, and apply them in terms of planning and managing change initiatives in your educational settings.
Instructions
Following a close review and analysis of the section in Chapter 10 referenced above, select 4 of the 8 social hierarchy rules discussed and share your interpretation of the rule coupled with your perspective of how each of the rules you choose impacts the shifting of paradigms/thinking within your current organization. What does it take to be successful in your organization?
Consider the following thoughts in your discussion where appropriate:
An explanation of each rule you selected
How different professional groups (teachers, school leaders, administrators) at your workplace fit into the Senge et. al. (2012) model.
Who are the leaders of change in your organization?
Who attracts the most attention and who gets the least attention, and explain why you think that is the case.
What interventions have effected a change in your organization to garner more student voice?
