Eight Principles of Exceptional Productivity (Part 1)
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
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
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…
Time in the Learning Zone
My greatest learning experiences have always come when I have been challenged and taken out of my comfort zone:- learning to ride a bike, abseiling out of a tree and my frustrating efforts learning Cantonese are prime examples. For true learning to occur we have to be at least slightly uncomfortable. We need to have some level of disorder and discomfort. Things comes together as we learn and resolve the situation. You can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs! Learning comes when we move from a state of confusion to resolution. I like the analogy of being on the ‘edge’ when rock climbing. If we just stay on the flat we are never going to climb. As learners we…
Effective Meetings
Schools are busy places, filled with busy people. Often there is too much to do and not enough time. It is therefore essential that available time is well utilised. We have all attended meetings that have been a frustrating waste of time. Some of them have been meetings that we have led. Meetings that are seen to be a waste of time is one of the biggest frustrations of staff in many schools. To ensure that people’s time is well utilised, it is essential that the following questions are considered and strategies applied. What are we trying to achieve? Is a meeting necessary? Is a meeting the best way to achieve the intended outcome? If we are delivering a message…
The Secret to a Great Year By Elena Aguilar
If I could, I’d lay money on the claim I’m about to make: If you do the one little thing I’m about to suggest, you will have a great school year. Here it is: At the end of every day, identify three things that went well. That’s part one — what went well? When did you see indicators that your students were learning? That they were happy to be in school? That progress was being made or a problem resolved? And part two: For each thing that went well, what was your role in it? What action did you take that resulted in the positive outcome? Let’s say, for example, that the thing that went well was that the first…
Countering Workplace Gossip
Let me start by saying that I am not against sharing personal news and accessing support from colleagues at school. In fact, such informal conversations are often typical of high-performing teams. But friendly work banter is quite different from gossip, which can be quite destructive to workplace relationships, morale and productivity. There are two main types of gossip: Hurtful personal gossip: This is where sensitive, personal information is being repeated without that person’s consent or what is being said about a is totally untrue and hurtful. I recall one unhappy team member spreading false rumours about her manager who she said was having an affair. If you wouldn’t feel good repeating what is being said within that person’s hearing, don’t say it. Yes, most…
Avoiding Year End Burnout
The final term of the school year is a crazy, busy time in schools. End of year events, final assessments, reporting and planning for next year, swamp us at a time when we are nearing exhaustion. Many of us are running low on reserves at the end of the year. Events that wouldn’t normally irritate us can become blown out of proportion. It is inevitable that the photocopier will jam when we are rushing to make copies, that difficult parent will arrive when we are feeling frazzled and the boss will want ‘just a minute’ when we are running late. The following five strategies can help at this difficult time of year:- Focus on One Task at a Time Whilst…
Managing Your Energy Levels
Working in schools, no two days are ever the same. Schools can be unpredictable places. Unexpected challenges can appear at any stage of the day. We are unlikely to get bored. However, there can be a rhythm or flow to many days. My energy levels and focus on an average work day has a predictable flow to it. I tend to be far more productive in the mornings. At about two in the afternoon, I hit the wall and am far less productive and struggle to think clearly. There can also be a pattern to your energy levels during the week. On Mondays I am usually full of energy and focused on the week ahead. The momentum often continues on…
Developing Empathy
Imagine a culture where all people feel aligned and connected with a clear sense of purpose. There is consequently, a great sense of goodwill, cooperation, productivity and innovation as a result. How can you create such a positive environment in your school or with your family? Start with the simple practice of empathy. Empathy is that secret ingredient which is the glue in relationships…it helps people to feel connected, cared for and important. It gives people a sense that what they feel is noticed and who they are is valued. It also gives them a sense of safety to really express themselves and their full potential. By empathy, I mean feeling with another person and attempting to step into their…
Time Management Is Dead
Time Management focuses on two aspects – task and time. The key question is how much work can we squeeze into the time we have available. Whilst endeavoring to manage our time has served us well, it is now time to let it RIP. Peter Drucker, management guru advocates that productivity is the key to success. Productivity is defined as “Producing valuable results through the conservation of time, energy and effort.” In the busy schools of today, we would all benefit from conserving time, energy and effort. Drucker argues that productivity focuses on results and outcomes and that we must be prioritizing between existing work and new work, making sharp decisions about the time we invest and accepting that priorities…
Replacing Unhelpful Behaviours
At times our own behaviours do not contribute to a positive school culture and working environment. Replacing behaviours that are adding to the problem with behaviours that are more conducive to a productive atmosphere is a powerful way that we can make a difference in our school. Here are some examples. Less Whinging….More Problem Solving Whinging and complaining can become a habit in schools. Some people are quick to see (and more than happy to highlight) the things that are problematic in the school environment. Whether that is unacceptable student behaviour, a perceived lack of resources, an unreliable wifi network, poor internal communication or lackluster leadership, they are keen and eager to provide commentary to anyone who will listen. However,…