The Committed Sardine
Wisdom from the Field #18
Ian Jukes ran a blog titled “The Committed Sardine.” He used the analogy of a school of sardines to describe how organizations changed direction toward a new goal:
“100 percent of the sardines do not turn in the new direction at the same time. Only a small number of sardines, 10–15 percent, committed to leading the change cause the entire mass to move in the new direction. Once the few make the turn, the rest of the school follow.”
This metaphor serves as an example for how we might lead professional change.
The goal is not to convince everyone right away of the new approach to teaching and learning. Instead, we can make the case for the new direction, provide opportunities to try it and apply it, and then translate these attempts into quick wins in the classroom with the help of instructional walks. Once some teachers see the results and speak positively about the experience, others are more likely to adopt the ideas and trust the process.
Reflective Questions:
What data and stories do you need in order to make the case for a new direction?
How can teachers’ first attempts at trying and applying a new practice or resource be successful?
What is your role in celebrating teachers’ attempts and wins?
How could the results from professional learning create positive momentum?
This post is an adapted excerpt from my upcoming book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H.: Five Strategies for Supporting Teaching and Learning, available soon.
