We’re Not The Best

Wes Kriesel
Jul 29, 2017 · 2 min read

Let’s say we’re not all equal in terms of talents, skills, and experiences. It would be absurd to suggest that every person — or any person — could be exchanged in terms of the work that we do and the value we contribute to an organization. The question of how well the organization knows each person’s skills, abilities, experiences, aptitudes and desires puzzles me. I feel like the answer is “not well.”

Photo by Andrew Branch on Unsplash

If we are okay with that assumption, let’s move on to this one: does the hierarchy in an organization accurately reflect a hierarchy of talents, skills and experiences. Common sense tells you that it must not or cannot reflect that — a teacher who has been in the classroom for twenty-five years can know more about day to day workings of a school, instruction, classroom management, even educational trends — than an assistant superintendent who taught for five years and moved into management. And the converse is true, too. If we are not all equally talented, gifted, skilled and experienced, and the hierarchy does not necessarily reflect this, how then are we organizing ourselves to create the best educational experience for our learners?

How does the current hierarchy and organization help us? How does it work against us? How can we be curious and flexible — to know our people better first, and to bend the organization so that people get closer and closer to their place of maximum value and impact?

Let’s not congratulate ourselves or be content for being in the position we are in. Let’s engage in continuous curiosity, taking an unbreaking look in the mirror to see what is out there that we could be — and should be — congratulating ourselves for in the future.

Photo by Kats Weil on Unsplash

So that we can do the best we can with our resources…

…so that we give the best learning experiences available to our learners…

…which necessarily includes the adults in the organization.

Troops and Tribes

Improve the Future

Wes Kriesel

Written by

Innovating in Fullerton & beyond. Photographer. Runner & fundraiser for clean water with Team World Vision.

Troops and Tribes

Improve the Future

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