Building a Culture of Creativity

"The joy is in creating, not maintaining." -Vince Lombardi

This morning I finished reading "The Wild Card" by Hope & Wade King. Great book, one I highly recommend to both teachers and administrators.

Much of the reading I've done recently has centered on transforming learning and redesigning schools. "Learning Transformed" from Thomas Murray & Eric Sheninger, "Different Schools For A Different World" by Scott McLeod & Dean Shareski & "The Innovator's Mindset" from George Couros all speak to the necessary shift our schools and districts must make in order to compete in a global economy and the rapidly changing landscape created by technological revolution.

Take a look at the predicted job skill demands and changes in skill demand and composition needed in 2020. These demands will only continue to evolve. Schools must evolve to meet these needs to prepare all of our students for their future.






Where that "magic" happens as Wade and Hope share in "The Wild Card" is at the classroom level. Transforming the student task and the experience for student learning resonated with me as I read "The Wild Card". We all want outcomes to change for all of our students. To get there, we need to change what's occurring at the task level within all of our classrooms.

As I read "The Wild Card", I asked myself "what is my role as a leader in developing a culture of creativity?" One of the head-scratching pieces from "The Wild Card" was where Wade and Hope shared they have teachers that come up to them at presentations and say "I wish my administrator would let me do that". I read that and said to myself, what administrator wouldn't want classrooms like the Wade & Hope have?

To create a culture of Innovation, leaders must first MODEL IT. As the leader, you must demonstrate a forward-thinking mindset and model what you are expecting from your staff. If your words, decisions, and actions reflect where you want the school to go, not where it is today, you can create a mindset that expands through the entire school community.

It's important that as a leader that you encourage and model positive failure. Failure is vital to success. Give your staff permission to fail. Let them know you are there to support them along the way as they try something new. Creative problem solving attempts must be appreciated even when the results are not what your staff hoped for. Our best ideas often aren't new ones and the first attempt we make at trying something new often times doesn't go according to plan. That doesn't stop us from trying. Think back to learning how to ride a bike the first time. If you were anything like me you crashed a few times, but got up and gave it a go again until eventually you were riding. We must take the same approach to creativity within our instruction transforming student task.

What is holding you back? What is keeping you from having the classroom or school you dream of? Often it's the lack of comfort that comes from change and risk. We need to look for options and Wade and Hope present many within "The Wild Card" that impact engagement and learning. Some will read "The Wild Card" and find some of it off the wall. We need to embrace all of it. When it comes to our students our aim should be every child, every day, no matter what. We need to consider all options to improve outcomes for our learners. They deserve our best. Take the time to consider and discuss ideas.

The classroom transformations presented in "The Wild Card" I thought were genius. It reminded me of the innovation that was made to the Children's MRI by Doug Dietz http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2013/10/18/creative_confidence_a_new_book_from_ideo_s_tom_and_david_kelley.html  which led to a dramatic decrease in the number of pediatric patients needing to be sedated and an 90% increase in patient satisfaction scores. Both are examples of human-centered designs that have led to breakthroughs in performance. Ultimately, whose classroom is it? It belongs to the kids. Why not bring in elements of what THEY love to anchor THEIR learning?

One thing that drives me crazy is constant complaining that does not seek a solution. Nobody benefits from constant complaining. Being a negative person void of solutions does nothing for our kids. As a leader, push your team to brainstorm multiple solutions for every problem they identify. This shifts ownership of the challenges back to the person presenting the issue. By changing the narrative from complaining to solution seeking, you also improve your culture.

As a leader, I am constantly seeking fresh perspective. The smartest person in the room is always the room. Make the most of the brain power you have on your staff. Keep your ears and eyes open and listen closely to the observations of your staff, your students, and your families. They bring ALOT to the table and often schools under utilize the power of the people. If you are looking to transform a learning space for example (something I'm looking at doing at my school) ask your students for THEIR insights. The innovations you are looking for are there, often in the minds of the very people you serve.

Ideas are important. Let your community know its voice is taken seriously and they have opportunities to express the next great idea. What good is an idea if someone keeps it to themselves? When people feel empowered to share you will end up with an endless supply of cutting edge suggestions.

One of the leaders I admire General George S. Patton once said "Never tell people HOW to do things. Tell them WHAT to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. Give your staff the freedom to create, design, and ideate and they will in turn provide the same space to all of your students. The classroom is where the magic happens.