Improving educational quality ends up being about change rather than tinkering with some elements.
What then are the qualities of those involved in bringing about this change?
Here are my guesses. As can be expected, this is a long wish-list! I need your help to identify which ones are really important. And suggestions, too, about how to generate these qualities in the people we work with.
A change-maker:
- is sharp, can quickly see what needs to be changed, and has effective ways of helping others see this too, but without getting into a conflict!
- can spot opportunities for introducing change
- does not have a sense of hierarchy; does not discriminate
- has a sense of humour, which gives her/him the ability to live with the difficulties and slow pace of change
- at the same time, s/he can take quick decisions and act fast if needed
- is aware that he may himself by a victim of the old ways of thinking and living; so is constantly examining himself and trying to improve himself
- can help a person see what is wrong without feeling bad or without that person feeling he is being disliked.
- has a sense of strategy – that is, of actions that will slowly, perhaps indirectly, bring about the change desired, in stages
- is honest and has the greatest accountability to herself, on behalf of those she works for
- is aware that there will be some conflicts, and has a plan and ability to deal with this; if necessary, generates conflict, though in a calibrated manner
- is aware that his role is that of enabling others to deliver rather than deliver on their behalf
- knows how long change takes, and does not give up
- Can work as a team member, and also get others to work as a team – for which, helps by:
Sharing goals
Sharing information
Recognizing, utilizing and balancing the strengths and weaknesses of the group
Ensuring recognition as a team
What kind of process would help develop these qualities?
What kind of reflection, debate and conversation do you think is needed?
And can it be done in the kind of time-frames we usually have?
