Leading Major Change in Education: What the Beatles Can Teach Us

Leading Major Change in Education: What the Beatles Can Teach Us

Leading Major Change in Education: What the Beatles Can Teach UsAdministrator Academy CourseNorth Cook RegionOctober 19, 2012

Public Education Career Path6 years elementary teacher (grades 3-6)2 years assistant principal (grades 7-8)7 years elementary principal (K-6)2 years assistant superintendent (PreK-8)16 years superintendent (PreK-8)

University teaching7 years Loyola University (masters and doctoral)2 years Northern Illinois University (masters and doctoral)Dr. Joseph M. PortoEducatorDr. Joseph M. PortoBeatles FanLived through and enjoyed Beatlemania in the 1960s as a kidRead over 20 books on The BeatlesAvid collector of Beatles picture sleeves, sealed Beatles albums and Beatles memorabilia Connected educational leadership and The Beatles for past ten yearsBeatles Connection in Avoca2002She Loves You vs. Strawberry FieldsGetting to Strawberry Fields2006Magical Mystery Tour vs. White AlbumLets Get Back to where we once belongedStrive for Abbey Road2011Abbey RoadThe results for Avoca

Leadership Lessons From The BeatlesSignificant, positive change may be attained in a relatively short period of timeUnwavering high standards for excellence lead to sustained excellenceExcellence is more easily attained when working as part of a collaborative team, as compared to working solely through individual talentsWhen you focus predominantly on what you do best, you maximize the quality of your effortsEven the most successful organizations will fail when key group values and norms are not maintained

Underlying Educational Leadership Theory and ConceptsGood to Great and Great by Choice Philosophies (Jim Collins)The Power of Professional Learning Communities (DeFour et al)Change and Culture Theory (Michael Fullan)Workshop StructurePresent one of The Beatles leadership lessonsDemonstrate the leadership lesson with music, video and historyConnect The Beatles leadership lesson with educational leadership theoryApply the leadership lesson to current and/or future challenges you are facing in your districtDebrief and reflect

Leadership Lesson #1Significant, positive change may be attained in a relatively short period of time

InnovationCalculated risk-takingCulture of creativityCulture of continuous improvement

Leadership Lesson 1:Listen to three songsFocus on the differences in the following areasInstruments usedTopic of the lyricsStructure of the songListen toI Want to Hold Your Hand (1964)Eleanor Rigby (1966)Strawberry Fields Forever (1967)

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Leadership Lesson 1:Discuss the Changes Over TimeInstrumentationLyricsStructureLeadership Lesson 1:Watch Two Video ClipsLook for Differences inStyle and toneSubject matterConnection to the music

Watch the video clipsCant Buy Me Love (from Hard Days Night movie 1964)Strawberry Fields Forever (1967)

Leadership Lesson 1:Discuss the Changes Over TimeStyle and toneSubject matterConnection to musicLeadership Lesson 1:Factors Leading to Significant Change in a Short Period of TimeInnovationNew instrumentsDeeper lyricsComplicated song structuresCalculated Risk-TakingMay take time for fans to catch upNew counter-culture look, from mop-tops to hippiesCulture of creativityJohn and PaulGeorge desperate to catch upCulture of continuous-improvementGeorge MartinNo rivals, so competed against themselves for excellence

Leadership Lesson 1:Connection to Educational Change TheoryMichael Fullans work The Six Secrets of ChangeLove Your EmployeesMcGregor Theory Y still validImagination, creativity and ingenuity can be used to solve work problems by a large number of employeesConnect Peers With PurposePeer interaction must be purposeful and must be characterized by high-capacity knowledge and skillsWe-We solutions, PLCsCapacity Building PrevailsAttract talented people and then let them continually develop individually and collectively on the jobRisk-taking based on knowledge and insight is essential to problem-solving and continuous growth

Leadership Lesson 1:Connection to Educational Change TheoryMichael Fullans work The Six Secrets of ChangeLearning is the WorkLearning is the work: Professional development is a great way to avoid changeConsistency and innovation must go together and you achieve them through organized learning in contextTransparency RulesTransparency is both inevitable and essentialTransparent data are uses as a tool for improvementSystems LearnLeadership manifests itself at all levels of the organizationContinuous learning assists in sustaining excellence

Leadership Lesson 1:Connection to Educational Change TheoryThe Six Secrets of Change and The BeatlesLove Your EmployeesBand of brothersGeorge Martin and Brian EpsteinConnect Peers With PurposeGroup norms of excellenceIndividual creativity to push the groupCapacity Building PrevailsRisk-taking, innovation, continuous improvementLearning is the WorkEverything occurred in the studio and while writingTransparency RulesThrow songs away, 6 months to record SPLHCB, search for just right instrument (Mr. Kite), Pauls voice on Oh DarlinSystems LearnMomentum and success bred more desire for continuous improvementCompeted against themselves, no rivals

Leadership Lesson 2Unwavering high standards for excellence lead to sustained excellence

Good is not good enoughEveryone has input on making it betterPerfectionism is no viceCulture of continuous improvement

Leadership Lesson 2Listen to these songsWhy you never heard If Youve Got Trouble on a Beatles albumWhat was the flip side of the Rolling Stones hit, Satisfaction ? The Under-Assistant West Coast Promotion ManWhat was the flip side of the BeatlesI Feel FineShes a WomanHey JudeRevolutionHello/GoodbyeI Am the Walrus

stopLeadership Lesson 2Listen to these songsDo the following songs mean anything to you:Mercy Mercy, The Hitchhike, Thats How Strong My Love Is, Good Times, Im AlrightCry to Me, Play With Fire, The Spider and the Fly, One More Try, (I Cant Get No) SatisfactionAll from Out of Our Heads by Stones (1965)Do the following songs mean anything to you:Help, The Night Before, Youve Got to Hide Your Love Away, I Need You, Another Girl, Ticket to RideAct Naturally, Its Only Love, Ive Just Seen a Face, Yesterday, Dizzy Miss LizzyAll from Help by The Beatles (1965)

Leadership Lesson 2Listen to these songsListen to the progression of development in three takes of Strawberry Fields ForeverIn short,Each side of a hit had to be outstandingEach track on an album had to be outstandingEach song had to evolve to its maximum potentialGood wasnt good enough, everyone had input, perfection was no vice, culture of continuous improvementstopstopstopSBF 1SBF 2SBF 3

22Leadership Lesson 2:Connection to Educational Change TheoryJim Collins work Good to GreatLevel 5 LeadershipMore workhorse than show horseHumble yet resolute and disciplinedFirst Who, Then WhatThe right people on the bus, the wrong people offConfront the Brutal FactsNot afraid to make mistakes, learn and growHedgehog ConceptYour vision of what you can be best in the world at

Leadership Lesson 2:Connection to Educational Change TheoryJim Collins work Good to GreatCulture of DisciplineMore workhorse than showhorseTechnology AcceleratorsNot an end in themselves; used as an accelerator to get to hedgehog conceptFlywheel ConceptOnce excellence is reached, it builds momentum moving forward

Leadership Lesson 2:Connection to Educational Change TheoryGood to Great and The BeatlesLevel 5 LeadershipJohn and PaulFirst Who, Then WhatGeorge Martin, Brian Epstein, Pete Best, Their PeopleConfront the Brutal FactsSelection of single, selection for albums, project ideasHedgehog ConceptExcellent music: every album and every songCulture of DisciplineThrow songs away, 6 months to record SPLHCB, search for just right instrument (Mr. Kite), Pauls voice on Oh DarlinTechnology AcceleratorsDistortion, amp noise, backwards tape, state of art tech for the timeFlywheel ConceptBeatlemania, Cultural Icons

Leadership Lesson 2:Connection to Educational Change TheoryGroup Activity

With your partners at the table discuss your districts current status regarding the main tenets of Good to Great. Which one are you doing the best at? Which one has been most elusive? Pick one member of the group to share his/her story.

Leadership Lesson 3Excellence is more easily attained when working as part of a collaborative team, as compared to working solely through individual talents

Team norms and standards for excellenceTeam members compliment and enhance each others talentsTeam members veto power

Leadership Lesson 3:Lennon/McCartney SongwritingLennon strengthsMeaningful, personal and emotional lyricsWordplayHeavier, rawer rock and rollPessimism, cynicismMcCartney strengthsBeautiful, simple melodiesStory-telling and love song lyricsInstrumentation and productionOptimismLeadership Lesson 3:Lennon/McCartney SongwritingWhen left to their own devicesYer BluesGood Day SunshineWhen they truly melded their talentsA Day in a LifeWe Can Work It OutHey Jude

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stopstopLeadership Lesson 3:What Do Their Solo Careers RevealWith no group norm of excellence, no melding of strengths and no veto power, the following is a result:Bip Bop, Mumbo, Mother, Power to the People

No Beatle was able to attain the level of consistent excellence that the group achieved

stopstopstopstopLeadership Lesson 3:White Album vs. Abbey RoadWhat do the covers reveal?

The White AlbumAbbey RoadLeadership Lesson 3:White Album vs. Abbey RoadWhite Album drift toward individualism; some songs worked, other not so muchWhy Dont We Do it in the RoadRevolution #9Happiness is a Warm GunBlackbirdAbbey Road was one last effort at true collaborationSecond side medleyEmergence of George with Something and Here Comes the Sun

stopstopstopstopstopstopstopLeadership Lesson 3:Connection to Educational Change TheoryProfessional Learning Communities by DuFour and others

Shared mission, vision and valuesFocus on learning, not teachingCollaborative teamsCollective inquiry into best practiceAction orientation and experimentationCommitment to continuous improvementResults orientationLeadership Lesson 3:Connection to Educational Change TheoryProfessional Learning Communities and The BeatlesShared mission, vision and valuesGreatest rock band everGreat music trumps everything elseFocus on learning, not teachingGroup focused on outcome, not processCollaborative teamsLennon/McCartneyRingo and George contributionsCollective inquiry into best practiceGeorge MartinGeorge studies sitarTrip to Maharishi

34Leadership Lesson 3:Connection to Educational Change TheoryProfessional Learning Communities and The BeatlesAction orientation and experimentationInstrumentsLyricsConcept albumsRecording experimentationVisual appearanceCommitment to continuous improvementCompetition between John and PaulCompetition from GeorgeStay number oneResults orientationHitsMoneyFame and influence

Group Activity

With your partners at the table discuss the stage of development of professional learning communities in your school/district. Which aspects of PLC are the most difficult to implement? The most important? Choose one member from your group to share the insights from the discussion.Leadership Lesson 3:Connection to Educational Change TheoryLeadership Lesson 4When you focus predominantly on what you do best, and do it with discipline and professionalism, you maximize the quality of your effortsLess is moreSuccess in one area does not ensure success in anotherStick to your hedgehog concept

Leadership Lesson 4:Magical Mystery Tour ExperimentDeath of Brian Epstein, DriftEgo challengesWatch clip from Magical Mystery TourCritics pan the movie

Leadership Lesson 4:Apple Corps LimitedRecord companyFilm companyPublishing companyRetail (Boutique)ElectronicsVenture capitalLeadership Lesson 4:Apple Corps, Ltd.MismanagedLost moneyNo hits or stars other than BeatlesLed to dissension within groupOnly Apple Records remain

Leadership Lesson 4:Apple Corps, Ltd.An Attempt to Get Back to Where We Once BelongedLet It Be ProjectSimple, raw, recapture earlier formula of successWhere it broke down

41Leadership Lesson 4:Connection to Educational Change TheoryJim Collins How the Mighty FailHubris born of successPride and arroganceFeeling of invulnerabilityUndisciplined pursuit of moreUndisciplined leaps into areas where they cant be great or growing faster than they can achieve with excellenceDenial of Risk and PerilDiscount negative data, amplify positive data and put a positive spin on ambiguous dataFail to confront the brutal facts

Leadership Lesson 4:Connection to Educational Change TheoryJim Collins How the Mighty FailGrasping for SalvationSearch for saviors such as visionary leader, untested strategy, radical transformation, blockbuster productFailure to get back to the culture of disciplineCapitulation to Irrelevance or DeathErosion of financial strengthErosion of organizational spirit and cultureLeadership Lesson 4:Connection to Educational Change TheoryHow the Mighty Fail and the BeatlesHubris (pride, arrogance) born of successMagical Mystery TourIndividual careers early onUndisciplined pursuit of moreAppleIndividual pursuitsDenial of Risk and PerilAppleGrasping for SalvationLet It Be projectAbbey RoadCapitulation to Irrelevance or DeathApril 1970Group Activity

With your partners at the table identify a school or district you are familiar with that has either gone through a decline or is in danger of doing so. Which of Collins five stages are most evident? Is there any way to turn things around?OrYou have reached a high level of success in your district. Create a specific plan to PREVENT these stages from occurring.

Leadership Lesson 4:Connection to Educational Change TheoryLeadership Lesson 5Even the most successful organizations will fail when key group values and norms are not maintainedIt is essential to establish and maintain a clear set of values and working norms in any professional and collaborative teamGroup interests outweigh individual interests

Leadership Lesson 5:Recording Studio NormsCheck out these two video clips. What long established group norm was violated in both cases?

Listen to The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. What group norm was violated?

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Leadership Lesson 5:The Let It Be ProjectIndividual interestsRingo: actingGeorge: Indian music and culture

No consensus on projectWatch the results from Let It Be

John: Avant Garde art and musicKeep The Beatles successful and on top

Leadership Lesson 5:Connection to Educational Change TheoryJim Collins Great by Choice10xersCompanies that thrived during challenging times$10,000 in 1972 $6 million in 2002Fanatic Discipline20 mile marchSMaC recipe (Specific, Methodical and Consistent)Empirical CreativityFire bullets, then cannonballsProductive ParanoiaHyper-vigilance to threats and changes in the environment

Jim Collins Great by Choice and the BeatlesFanatic Discipline Earlier career SMaC: music quality, group consensus, appearance and image and studio normsMMT, LIB, Apple, wives, studio norms, music norms, individualismEmpirical CreativityThe myth of Sgt. PepperIntermediary steps of Revolver and Rubber SoulSgt. Pepper cannonballProductive ParanoiaJohn and Paul rivalryThreat of George

Leadership Lesson 5:Connection to Educational Change TheoryGroup Activity

With your partners at the table discuss what your school or district SMaC plan is currently. How would you enhance and refine your SMaC plan to maximize success? Choose one group member to share the most powerful example from the table.Leadership Lesson 5:Connection to Educational Change TheoryLeadership Lessons From The BeatlesSignificant, positive change may be attained in a relatively short period of timeUnwavering high standards for excellence lead to sustained excellenceExcellence is more easily attained when working as part of a collaborative team, as compared to working solely through individual talentsWhen you focus predominantly on what you do best, you maximize the quality of your effortsEven the most successful organizations will fail when key group values and norms are not maintained

BibliographyCollins, Jim, & Hansen, Morten T. (2011). Great by Choice. NewYork, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.Collins, Jim (2009). How the Mighty Fail. New York, NY:HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.Collins, Jim (2001). Good to Great. New York, NY: HarperCollinsPublishers, Inc.DuFour, Richard, DuFour, Rebecca, Eaker, Robert, & Many, Thomas. (2010, 2nd edition). Learning by Doing. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree PressFullan, Michael. (2001). Leading a Culture of Change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass.Fullan, Michael. (2008). The Six Secrets of Change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey- Bass.