When asked, educators’ most common response to what they need to make their job better, easier, and effective is MORE TIME. While we can’t increase time in a day, we can find ways to manage it better. How often are teachers pulled into meetings planned or unplanned that could have saved time by being in an email? There are better ways for educational leaders to provide back the gift of time to their staff and this usually can be done by stopping unnecessary meetings and/or ensuring that meetings are organized and relevant.
Amazon Strategy: The Two Pizzas Rule
As much as I do love pizza, the concept of 2 pizzas for meetings does not necessarily mean that the deliciously round, italian pie should be served at your meetings. I recently read about Jeff Bezo’s tip for running a good meeting. While Bezo says he tries to avoid holding a meeting unless absolutely necessary, his rule is that a meeting should only have enough people that can eat 2 pizzas. Why?
Bezo’s thought is a meeting should only have the number of people who could reasonably eat two pizzas. Let’s say 6-8 people. I kind of like this rule of thumb because it means that the meeting has intention and the key stakeholders are there to listen and provide feedback or insight. This is maximizing the meeting and allowing for school leaders to strategize with the appropriate audience who will then in turn advocate and lead their department or small group of leaders or staff. Keeping the meeting to a smaller size for the appropriate group allows for:
• Productivity
• Strategy
• Action
Think about how many times the entire staff is called to a faculty meeting and the majority of information was not pertinent to your department or was just that–informational. There was no participation or feedback session. Now, are there times when it is worth getting everyone together? ABSOLUTELY! But I wouldn’t call it a meeting. That is an opportunity to build on teamwork and school culture.
Think Architecture: Build on Efficiency and Purpose
Have you ever used SRI: School Reform Initiative? I love to access their library of protocols when I am looking for ideas for a feedback session or activity. Recently, I discovered the Charette Protocol developed by Kathy Juarez from Piner HS in Santa, Rosa California. According to SRI, the term charrette or charet comes from the architecture industry and “its purpose is to improve a piece of work”. The Oxford Dictionary defines charrette as “a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions”. Charette, a French word, means cart.
From what I have read, a charrette format should be with 10 – 20 people. So, you wouldn’t be able to feed them with just two pizzas. This is a meeting for:
• Design Strategies
• Project Vision
• Solicit Feedback
• Define Next Steps
If you have a team of people who are stuck or have reached a point where they need support or help to move forward, this Charrette Protocol is a good tool and provides a framework to bounce ideas of a collective group and make something that is good even better. I personally liked the outline in a toolkit created by the Department of Energy and Environment in the District of Columbia. I recommend looking at page 13 for their Ground Rules for Facilitators and pages 14-16 for their agenda. These can easily be modified to fit a design strategy meeting for educators.
Time is of value. As educators, we give a lot of our time freely. That’s what teachers do because they have big hearts and a passion for helping students. The two strategies above are just a few examples of ways to consider how we are taking up that valuable time. Meetings are necessary, but if planned with purpose, they can actually give back the gift of time.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
DON'T BE A GRUMPY TEACHER ANYMORE...
- I need to do something different and find some kind of balance.
- I am looking to get joy out of teaching again.
- I want the support of a network of teachers – a trusted tribe.
- I have a need to manage my time better.