Actions that significantly challenge key assumptions about schools and the way they operate; to question the "box" in which we operate and to innovate outside of it as well as within.
We take huge pride in touting ourselves as being an innovative district with innovative practices and programs happening for our learners. So, what really is innovation and why is it important?
Innovation in the business world is linked to survival. Organizations are finding that they need to continuously adapt and transform to the rapid changes around them. I might argue that this continuous improvement mindset isn't as nearly as important as discontinuous improvement. We all know that new does not necessarily equate to better. Innovation without a clear vision and systematic structures is just another adaptation without purpose.How can we all innovate while achieving our organization's mission and vision?
What is your readiness towards a culture of innovation?
As inferred in our definition, innovation involves challenging existing practices and mental models in order to adapt to our existing environment. We need to seek innovation as a means of helping our schools adapt and transform and that leads me back to my original question, why is innovation important? If you know your why, your how becomes much more impactful.
George Couros writes a lot about this and one thing he said after I read this post resonates with me from a recent SAIL team meeting this week: "Narrow Your Focus – What are the three initiatives that you are working on in your district as a whole this year? Can you answer this question? If you can’t, maybe there are too many things that are happening in your school to do anything effectively. If you want to become innovative, doing less can actually make us better." So I think about our coherence work and going deeper, slower in order to be creative. I struggle with to harness creativity like many educators once we 'get going' with learners in front of us. I think taking a step back to refocus and go deeper helps us innovate and think inside the box (boundaries) to make advancements and notice real impact.
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