Governing for Greatness- Dr. James Goenner, National Charter Schools Institute (Texas Charter School Conference 12/2013)

GOVERNING FORGREATNESS

TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLS CONFERENCE

DR. JAMES N. GOENNER | DECEMBER 11, 2013

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RELATIONSHIPS

“People don’t care how much you know until they know

how much you care.”

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Goals for Today

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Share a Framework for Greatness

Discuss Principles for Governing

Inspire Hearts & Minds

Answer Questions

Have Fun!

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Superior Performance

Distinctive Impact

Lasting Endurance

What is Greatness?


Collins’ Good to Great Framework

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OUTPUT RESULTS

STAGE 1: DISCIPLINED PEOPLE

INPUT PRINCIPLES

Level 5 LeadershipFirst Who, Then What

STAGE 2: DISCIPLINED THOUGHTConfront the Brutal Facts

The Hedgehog Concept

STAGE 3: DISCIPLINED ACTIONCulture of Discipline

The Flywheel

STAGE 4: BUILDING GREATNESS TO LASTClock Building, not Time Telling

Preserve Core, Stimulate Progress

DELIVERS SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

RELATIVE TO ITS MISSION

MAKES A DISTINCTIVE IMPACT

ON THE COMMUNITIES IT TOUCHES

ACHIEVES LASTING ENDURANCEBEYOND ANY LEADER, IDEA OR SETBACK


““ “Greatness…is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline.”

Jim Collins


““ “Good is the Enemy of Great.”

Jim Collins


The Flywheel


Achieving Breakthrough


“““To ensure, usually on behalf of others, that an organization achieves what it should

achieve while avoiding those behaviors and situations that should be avoided.”

Dr. John Carver Boards that Make a Difference

Purpose of Governance


““ “There is one thing all boards have in common, regardless of their legal position

… they do not function.”

Peter Drucker

Framing the Problem


““ “ Trustees are often little more than high-powered, well-intentioned people

engaged in low-level activities.”

Chait, Holland and Taylor

Framing the Problem


Three Key Board Challenges

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Dysfunctional Group Dynamics

Disengaged Board Members

Uncertainty about Roles and Responsibilities

Source: Problem Boards or Board Problems? The Nonprofit Quarterly, Summer 2003

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Typical Prescription for Fixing Board Challenges

=Information & Training

Will more information & training cure board

problems?

Question


The First Thing the Board Governs is Itself

Would a Level 5 Leader Want to Work for

Your Board? “Know Thyself”


Would You Join or Work for a Board that:

• Knows its purpose and why it exists

• Understands it is the highest authority in the organization

• Knows who it works for• Is disciplined in its role and

behaviors and those of its individual members

• Is trustworthy and predictable

• Uses its authority to empower, not strangle

• Ensures the organization is effective and efficient

• Measures performance and holds people accountable

• Is unafraid to judge, but does so fairly

• Continuously earns credibility


How Boards Earn Credibility

• “They practice what they preach.”• “They walk the talk.”• “Their actions are consistent with their words.”• “They put their money where their mouth is.”• “They follow through on their promises.”• “They do what they say they will do.”

The Leadership Challenge


Level 5 Leadership

Pyramid


Collins’ Level 5 Leader

• Ambitious first and foremost for the cause, the organization, the work – not themselves.

• Displays a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.


Collins’ Level 3 Leader

Organizes people and resources

toward the effective and efficient pursuit

of predetermined objectives.


The Most Consistently Admired Characteristics of Leaders

Honest

Forward-Looking

Competent

Inspiring


Model the Way

Inspire a Shared Vision

Challenge the Process

Enable Others to Act

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Encourage the Heart5

5 Practices of Exemplary Leaders


Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People1

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Be Proactive

Begin with the End in Mind

Put First Things First

Think Win-WinSeek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

Synergize

Sharpen the Saw


Covey: Begin with the End in Mind

Vision

Mission

What is the organization really trying to accomplish? Is it compelling? Will it make a significant difference?

How will the organization proceed with making this vision a reality?

Values What are the core things the organization will use to guide and evaluate all of its actions and behaviors?


The Power of Clarifying Values

Teamwork

• We recognize that no one of us is as good as all of us.

• We will put the team goals before our own.

• We will collaborate.

• We can be relied upon to fulfill commitments.

• We are accountable for ourselves and to each other.

• We will celebrate our successes and have fun.


The Power of Values Forward-Looking• We dare to be different.• We are willing to take risks.• We are not limited by others.• We strive to exceed expectations.• We inspire growth in ourselves and others.

Commitment• We are persistent.• We lead with passion.


The Power of Clarifying Values

Integrity• We will tell the truth. • We will be open to feedback. • We trust each other to speak our minds.• We will always strive to do the right things for the right

reasons.

Respect• We communicate with candor and tact. • We will be tough on the issue, not on the person. • We value people for who they are and what they bring.


“““Doing everything keeps us so busy, we don’t have time to think about what is really

important to us.”


“““We believe boards that govern for greatness ask wise questions and

measure things that really matter.”


WHAT REALLY MATTERS

Ensuring all students are prepared for success in

college, work and life.


Wise Questions

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HOW WELL IS OUR SCHOOL…

Preparing Students for College, Work and Life

Leveraging Resources

Fulfilling its Obligations


ACT:A Respected Standard for Measuring College Readiness


Backwards Mapping From The Act:Beginning With The End In Mind

Grade 12

Kindergarten











BOARD MEETINGS MADE EASY

ASSEMBLE

PACKET

DISTRIBUTE

PACKET REVIEW PACKET

CONDUCT MEETING

COMPILE & SHARE

PROPOSEDMINUTES

• Agenda (30/30/30)• Prior Meeting Minutes• Financial Data• Academic Data• Board Materials• Reportso School Leadero Management Co.o Authorizer

• Formal Resolutions

SCHOOL BOARD

AUTHORIZER SCHOOL

DEVELOP

AGENDAPUBLIC

SCHOOL BOARD

MANAGEMENT SCHOOL



Compliance Requirements Detail


Where do you spend your

time?

First Things First


““ “ Wisdom is the beneficial use of knowledge; wisdom is information and

knowledge impregnated with higher purposes and principles.”

Dr. Stephen CoveyThe 8th Habit

Governing Wisely


The Five Temptationsof a CEO


“““Set the standards higher for yourself than others would set them for you.”

- John Maxwell


Four Disciplines of a Healthy Organization


Cohesive teams build trust, eliminate politics, and increase efficiency by…

• Knowing one another’s unique strengths and weaknesses.

• Openly engaging in constructive, ideological conflict.

• Holding one another accountable for behaviors and actions.

• Committing to group decisions.

1: Build a Cohesive Leadership Team


Healthy organizations minimize the potential for confusion by clarifying…

• Why do we exist?• How do we behave?• What do we do?• How will we succeed?• What is most important – right now?• Who must do what?

2: Create Clarity


Healthy organizations align their employees around organizational clarity by communicating key messages through…

• Repetition: Don’t be afraid to repeat the same message again and again.

• Simplicity: The more complicated the message, the more potential for confusion and inconsistency.

• Multiple Mediums: People react to information in many ways; use a variety of mediums.

• Cascading Messages: Leaders communicate key messages to direct reports; the cycle repeats itself until the message is heard by all.

3: Over-Communicate Clarity


Organizations sustain their health by ensuring consistency in…

• Hiring • Managing performance• Rewards and recognition• Employee dismissal

4: Reinforce Clarity


Stephen Covey


““ “The call and need of a new era is for greatness. It’s for fulfillment,

passionate execution and significant contribution..”

Dr. Stephen CoveyThe 8th Habit

Shifting the Paradigm

THANK YOU!

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Governing for Greatness- Dr. James Goenner, National Charter Schools Institute (Texas Charter School Conference 12/2013)