Author: Nelson Coulter Little children, pets, and visionaries often share a similar trait. They see a person, object, or objective of great desire. They accelerate quickly in the direction of that person, object, or objective, gaining unbridled enthusiasm and speed in the pursuit. Then…..they crash — either into the apple of their eye (the teacher? the wall? the organizational resistance?) …

Author: Nelson Coulter Organizations are actually living, breathing organisms. They have health markers, just like us humans. Leaders are in particular need of being able to assess and address organizational un-health. Consider the following graphic conception for viewing, thinking about, and discussing the health of your organization.    Healthy <<——————- Blah ———-———>> Toxic   – Transparency <<——————————————————>> Secrecy Trust <<—————————————————————->> Distrust Collaboration <<—————————————————–>> Isolation Service <<———————————————————>> Self-Interest Equality <<———————————————————->> Hierarchy Support <<——————————————————–>> Destruction Macro-focused <<——————————————–>> Micro-focused Freeing <<———————————————————->> Oppressive LEARNING <<—————————————–>> Imposed …

Author: Nelson Coulter As a school principal, and as a school superintendent, and as a teacher of those who aspire to the same, I have often said the following: “School” is a sanctuary of learning. It exists for the sole and sacred purpose of LEARNING. If the leaders of the school — teachers, administrators, school board members — are not learning …

Author: Nelson Coulter Getting better is a tough slog. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about our personal “state” or that of our organization. Why? Because getting better always means a change in the current state. Change is hard even if we agree that it’s needed. It’s particularly hard if we don’t. There are three common and powerful Impediments to …