In part 3 of his series on organisational change, Shane discusses the importance of the discovery phase in organisational change in schools. He emphasises the need to break the cycle of repeatedly addressing the same problems by exploring multiple perspectives and challenging assumptions. The conversation highlights the significance of building trust and connection within teams to facilitate open dialogue and innovative solutions. Leaning also stresses the value of diverse thinking in improving outcomes and the necessity of thorough discovery to avoid poor decision-making.

Takeaways

·     The first answer is rarely the best one.

·     Discovery is about exploring options, not making decisions.

·     Building trust enables free expression of thoughts.

·     Asking 'What else?' helps uncover deeper challenges.

·     Urgency can push change forward.

·     Unfreezing our thinking is essential for change.

·     Groupthink can lead to poor quality decisions.

·     Diverse teams bring improved accuracy and innovation.

·     Challenging assumptions is crucial in the discovery phase.

·     Connection is foundational before moving into discovery.

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This episode is supported by the International Curriculum Association. Click here to Register for The International Curriculum Conference 2024

Thank you for tuning in, and as always, if you found this episode useful, please share your experience. You can find me online on X (@leaningshane), and LinkedIn. My website is shaneleaning.com and email address is shane@shaneleaning.com.

About the host

Shane Leaning is an independent organisational coach based in Shanghai, collaborating with international schools and agencies globally. He co-founded Work Collaborative, a community dedicated to inside-out change in education, and hosts the chart-topping podcast, Global Ed Leaders. Previously, Shane was the Regional Head of Teacher Development for Nord Anglia Education’s China bilingual schools, overseeing professional development across 11 schools. He holds an Executive Master’s in International Education from King’s College London and is a certified organisational development coach.

Passionate about creating agency in schools and empowering leaders, Shane is co-authoring 'Change Starts Here,' due for release in Spring 2025. He is a CollectiveEd Fellow, an Associate of the Teacher Development Trust in the UK, and a TEDx speaker. Living internationally since 2012, with extensive experience in China and Asia, Shane is a recognised voice in international education leadership.

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