This week I am looking more into developing effective strategies for implementing change.   Over the this course I have looked into the Influencer and now the 4DX models. Implementing change in a business or school takes planning.  When looking at implementing Blended Learning, the hustle and the bustle of the daily grind can get in the way.  According to The 4 Disciplines of Execution this is called the whirlwind.  So how can we do more with less?  I know that everyday teachers are all pulled into a hundred different directions.  So how does the 4DX strategy help do more with less? First I want to let you in on what to expect.

5 Stages of Change 

Stage 1: Getting Clear

As instructional coach in my district I am constantly working to help teachers create student centered classrooms.  One of the ways that I am looking to help implement student centered classrooms is through blended learning.  In stage one the goal must be focused.  In order to do this the TLC and IC will develop the first year WIG.  The focus must be crystal clear in order for it to be successful.

Other areas of concern:

• Identify Lead Measures
• Create a Scoreboard
• Schedule a mutual time for weekly meetings

Stage 2: Launch

The TLC and IC will work together before the beginning of the year to develop a kickoff for our WIG.  This is crucial in gaining momentum and starting a sense of frenzy around the idea.  It will be up to me as the IC and leader to make sure that we remain focused and energized in our determination to reach our goal.  It will also be up to me as the IC to trust in the process that the team as created.

Stage 3: Adoption

Adopting a blended learning environment will take time.  The team needs to realize that small successes along the way are crucial in the process.  In order to be successful the team needs to be all in.  Know that there will be struggles along the way but as the plan begins to develop remember that we are in it for the long haul.  We will need to be focused more than ever.  We will need to make adjustments as need.  We will need to continue to support and hold each other accountable.

Stage 4: Optimization

In this stage we are “In It to Win It”.  We have seen the fruits of our labor at this point start to flourish.  Now we can trust even more in the process.  Each member of the team will start to live the teams WIG.  This stage is about encouragement and recognition.  Continue to encourage each other and at the same time recognize the work that need to still be done.

Stage 5: Habits

At this point we should be creating creatures of habit.  Our team should be creating daily and weekly routines that will help us reach our WIG.  They should start to see a cultural shift at this point.  They should also see themselves as pioneers of the school district that will be ready to lead the next years groups down the same path that they have just embarked on.

Implementing the 4DX Model

So what does the 4DX model look like?  Developing a model that can be successful is the struggle for any business or school looking to implement something of change.  The 4DX model was created in order to help people reach their Wildly Important Goal or WIG.  The 4DX model is broken down into four disciplines.

Discipline 1:Focus on the Wildly Important

Where people often times go array is focussing on too many ideas.  Thats not to say that the ideas are bad.  Most likely they are good ideas that could benefit everyone on involved.  How many times have we had discussions in our own faculty meetings but have never come to any specific goals.  Finding that specific goal is what discipline 1 is about.  When creating your Wildly Important Goal make sure to focus in on one to two goals.  Shooting for more than that is setting up failure.

WIG: The TLC and IC will implement one Blended Learning Unit by the end of 2020.

Discipline 2: Act on the Lead Measures

In discipline 2 one must find the leverage needed to move the WIG.  Finding the right leverage is key to success. This Lead Measure needs to be different from the Lag Measure.  Where the Lag Measure may seem like more common sense.  The Lead Measure is much more specific and leads to real success. Defining a Lead Measure needs to be predictable and influenceable.  It is important for the success of the WIG that all members of the team work together to create these measures. So with that being said these are some examples that I would guess we would come up with related to our WIG.  It is crucial that all members be involved or there is potential for members to not feel invested in the process.  Without that investment one is already setting up for failure.

Lag Measure: Develop Blended learning lessons

Lead Measure: Instructional Coach will work one on one with each member of the TLC team through a 6 week Coaching Cycle focused on blended learning.

Discipline 3: Keep a Compelling Score Board

Everyone needs to know what the score is.  When everyone knows what the score is everyone can understand where we are as a team.  Keeping score is important because it give more importance to the WIG.  With out the score board the WIG is likely to fail.  What does the scoreboard look like.  In this case it could be a poster in the teachers lounge keeping track of which teachers have met and gone through a coaching cycle.

Discipline 4: Create a Cadence of Accountability

In discipline 4 the team will create weekly agendas.  These agendas will keep us accountable to each other.  This gives each one of us a sense of value and accountability to each other.  By meeting on a weekly basis this set up a standard that the WIG is important.  This will help in the whirlwind of everything else that must be done during the work week.  Weekly meeting notes can be looked at to celebrate any successes from last weeks agenda.  What commitments were accomplished and which ones weren’t and why?  The WIG is constantly at the for front each week.  Unlike monthly faculty meetings where we get little time to work, weekly meeting can make a huge change.  Each week we can look at the scoreboard to see what needs to be done to score more and access our success.

Influencer vs 4DX

How does the influencer and the 4DX compare or work together.  The influencer develops around the emotional drive of several different people.  On the other hand the 4DX model looks to be more of a strategy based program.   The 4DX model takes the Influencer and pushes you past basic and more towards defined.  4DX has a more defined program and really takes you through the process of implementing a goal and working towards that goal.  The influencer works at getting that goal started and 4DX will help us through the entire process.  4DX really pushes that less is more. It will help us cross that finish line.