February 2019 – Happy Schools

Eight Principles of exceptional Productivity (part 2)

February 28, 2019

In part 1 we highlighted that time is the most precious resource we will ever get to manage. The more productive we are at work, the more precious time we can allocate to the other important areas of our lives. The first four Principles:- ENERGISE, EMPOWER, EDUCATE and ENGAGE were emphasised. Here are powerful principles five to eight for creating greater work-life balance through enhanced productivity. EXPEL – to expel – to get rid of, in this context it’s to outsource those tasks and roles that are either too cheap for you to be doing or that do not fall within your strengths, your enjoyment of doing them or your expertise. It is important that we optimise the…

Eight Principles of Exceptional Productivity (Part 1)

February 21, 2019

Stevef

Efficiency

Time is the most precious resource we will ever get to manage. We can’t create or buy more of it, so a critical key to achieving a healthier work-life balance lies in how we use our time. The more productive we are at work, the more precious time we can allocate to the other important areas of our lives. Here are the first four of eight powerful principles for creating greater work-life balance through enhanced productivity. ENERGISE – we naturally work better in bursts of energy rather than a steady pace (‘The Power of Full Engagement’ by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz). When you are aware of your productive times of the day i.e. when you have the greatest…

Planning a Quality Parent Information Session

February 14, 2019

Stevef

Communication

Maintaining a solid connection with parents is critical to ensuring a happy school environment and at the beginning of the year it is particularly important that a culture of high expectations, support, warmth and openness is established. Time and energy invested in this area also eases pressure on school staff later on because trusting parents are less likely to challenge or criticise and more likely to support school decisions in challenging times of high pressure, doubt and stress. An excellent way to build a positive and nurturing culture is to provide quality information sessions for parents to attend, in the first few weeks of the school year. While this is always a busy time, making the effort to prepare appropriately…

Implementing Change – Predictable Stages of Concern

February 7, 2019

Stevef

Engagement

Feeling inundated and overwhelmed by the feeling of constant change? You aren’t alone! Staff in many schools feel that their world is in a constant state of flux and to an extent they are right! Much HAS changed, IS changing and WILL continue to change in schools. Increased accountability, tightening budgets, increasing expectations, changing curriculum, new systems and the demands of fast paced technology developments all contribute to the unsettled feeling of change. It is no wonder that many people who work in schools are experiencing what I call change fatigue. Leadership guru Ken Blanchard’s Predictable Stages of Concern are helpful in reflecting on and understanding our mindset when faced with yet another change initiative. Just like Kubler-Ross argues that…