Why do some organizations seem to be in a constant pattern of failure, while others seem to succeed at everything they attempt? The answer can be found by examining the leaders of those organizations. Successful leaders, “see themselves not simply as owners, managers, or leaders but as full-time influencers”(Grenny, 2013, 7). In his book, Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change, Joseph Grenny argues that there are three keys to influence, and six sources of influence. The Influencer model will be used to form the foundation for the implementation of my innovation proposal. As you read, you will see that we have an examination of the three keys to influence as they relate to my organization. The vital behaviors that I am going to target, how I will measure results, and finally, the six sources of influence.
Vital Behaviors That Will Be Targeted
Teachers will build at least one PBL project.
Teachers will integrate one PBL unit into their regular curriculum.
Teachers will hold each other accountable throughout the PBL project by keeping a scoreboard that shows student completion of tasks.
How Will I Measure Results?
There are 5 teachers in the PLC. Each teacher will present their PBL project to the group. 4 out of 5 submissions will be considered a success.
We will take the number of PBL module 1 completions and divide it by the total number of eligible seniors in the senior class (“regular” education students/ college prep students)
PBL module #1 and PBL module #2 actually have student deadlines built in. We will be able to measure progress daily using Google classroom to check the number of tasks completed by the students daily.
How Can I Be an Influencer?
My Six Sources of Influence Chart
| Motivation | Ability | |
| Personal | Group to generate the “Why” of the 1st PBL project. BEING ABLE TO GIVE THIS EXPLANATION SETS THE TONE FOR EVERYTHING ELSE. Remind group that we are the “laggards”, and need to catch up to the school as a whole. Eliminate “No need to Re-invent the wheel” by giving one PBL assignment for “free”. Ask influential questions regarding student engagement (“How many discipline problems did you have today?”) and Depth of Knowledge (“Highlight the skills your students used today in your class”) [WASC/ SPSA school report scores will go up]. | We will do the easiest PBL assignment at one of our PLC meetings. I will provide guided feedback as well as modeling. Educate PLC members on how they will benefit from PBL. Reinforce: All projects do not have to look the same. Collaboration is Ok. Best practices, tips and FAQs. . |
| Social | We work on one new PBL project together. This project will be chosen by the two culture busters in our group. Potluck during our meetings. Positive Deviants to mentor Culture Buster 1 on 1. Positive Deviants to model PBL to Culture Busters. My classroom always open for observations. | Embrace the idea of Total Support once we choose a new PBL. No idea is bad, that piece might not fit in the current puzzle. First week only: 10 minute before school meeting to iron out potential questions. Individual text chains/ Google Hangouts to help. PLC gains will be discussed in department meetings and campus wide staff meetings. |
| Structural | Current PLC lead is on the “hot seat”. PBL Projects can help. We will use gift cards as rewards. Share successes on the website, schoolboard meetings, and department meetings. | We have deadlines for the PBL projects. The PLC lead is judged by his adherence to these deadlines. Develop processes that ensure consistency. We currently have enough Chrome carts for the PBL project. PBL lesson plans are available to all teachers. |
Want More?
Check out my Project Based Learning Proposal and my Growth Mindset pages.
References
All Washed Up! (2009, September 21). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/osUwukXSd0k
Change Behavior- Change the World: Joseph Grenny at TEDxBYU. (2013, April 26). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/6T9TYz5Uxl0
Grenny, D. Maxfield, A. Shimberg. (2013). How to 10X your influence. Vital Smarts, 1-13. Retrieved from https://www.vitalsmarts.com/resource/10x-your-influence/
How to Change People Who Don’t Want to Change: The Behavioral Science Guys. (2015, January 05). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/9ACi-D5DI6A
Influencer: Cricket Buchler. (2012, December 17). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/wu7UBY5euBg
Influencer: The new science of leading change: 2nd ed. (2013). McGraw-Hill Education.
John Kotter – The Heart of Change. (2011, March 23). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/1NKti9MyAAw
Kerry Patterson. Joseph Grenny. Ron McMillan. Al Switzler. (2012). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when stakes are high, second edition. McGraw-Hill.
Leading Change: Establish a Sense of Urgency. (2013, August 15). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/2Yfrj2Y9IlI
McChesney, C., Covey, S., & Huling, J. (2016). The 4 disciplines of execution: Achieving your wildly important goals. Free Press.
Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive the surprising truth about what motivates us. Riverhead Books.
Sinek, S. (2013). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Portfolio/Penguin.
Start With Why – Simon Sinek TED talk. (2013, September 29). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/sioZd3AxmnE
Three Myths of Behavior Change – What You Think You Know That You Don’t: Jeni Cross at TEDxCSU. (2013, March 20). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/l5d8GW6GdR0Why TED Talks don’t change people’s behaviors: Tom Asacker at TEDxCambridge 2014. (2014, June 30). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/W0jTZ-GP0N4
The Journey 