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Open + Closing Behaviors

February 4, 2020

Justin Toomer

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Overview

Connections before content - Compass Points
Reflection - Theory of Change
Framework share-out - Opening + Closing Behaviors
Discussion

Justin

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Compass Points

A

B

C

D

NORTH: Natural leader; Goal-centered; Fast-paced; Task-oriented; Assertive; Decisive; Confident; Determined; Competitive; Independent

SOUTH: Natural team player; Process-centered; Slow-paced; Good listener; Non-confrontational; Sensitive; Patient; Understanding; Generous; Helpful

WEST: Natural planner; Quality-centered; Analytical; Organized; Logical; Focused; Exact; Perfectionist; Industrious; Structured

EAST: Natural risk taker; Idea-centered; Creative; Innovative; Flexible; Visionary; Spontaneous; Enthusiastic; Free-spirited; Energetic

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Compass Points Debrief

How did the way you worked together on your house represent your compass type/working style?�
What are the strengths of your style?�
What are the limitations of your style?�
What do people from the other “directions” or styles need to know about you so you can work together effectively?

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Theory of Change

Which of the following may be holding your team back from reaching the next level?

Teacher comfort with risk-taking and experimentation

Teacher clarity of expectations and accountability

A mix of both

Where would you place your team on this spectrum?

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Reflect

What is your greatest need along the spectrum?
What would you see and hear if this piece were in place?
What would you need to get there?

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Managing Change is a balancing act

Leading innovation is not about pursuing a singular leadership style.... it is about moving between two related and interdependent leadership behaviors:

Opening behaviors that encourage risk taking, exploration, experimentation
Closing behaviors that set expectations, ensure consistency, and accountability

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Common Pitfall: Being too open

Description

High emphasis on risk-taking, without defining common expectations and accountability
Little direction, attention to instructional coherence, or structures to learn from experiments

Result

High variation across classrooms
Inconsistent student experience
Inability for teacher sto learn from one another

Opening Behaviors

Closing Behaviors

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Common Pitfall: Being too closed

Description

Clampdowns on teacher practice that prescribe rigid, and often traditional, practice
Pressure from external policies (district or state) that compete with school vision and expectations for innovation

Result

Teachers fear or lose interests in attempts to change their practice
Continuation of status quo
Compliance-based culture driven by fear of evaluation

Opening Behaviors

Closing Behaviors

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Case Study: Enterprise Academy

Set mission and created guardrails (stations, use of data, digital content) and developed look-fors - closing
Encouraged strongest teachers to experiment (add stations, attempt playlists, include PBL) - opening
Shared successful practices as observed - opening/closing
Created three groups of teachers

1.0 → coached on minimal expectations - closing
2.0 → encouraged to innovate and iterate - opening
3.0 → asked to coach others and share (leadership track) - opening/closing

Opening Behaviors

Closing Behaviors

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Discussion: Think about your PL team and/or colleagues...

How have you encouraged risk taking, exploration, experimentation (opening behaviors)?
How have you set expectations, ensured consistency, and accountability (closing behaviors)?
How does your Compass Point come into play?
What do you think your colleagues need next?

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Plan + Share