Even though our weather is still warm, winter is on the way. Imagine yourself in a blizzard where the snow is falling so hard, and the wind blowing so fast, you can’t see a hand in front of your face. It’s conditions like this that cause farmers living in snow-belt areas to string a rope from the house to the barn – to be able to tend their livestock and return to the safety of home.

School leaders know the importance of having a vision statement. To be effective, that statement must be clearly understood and supported by all stakeholders. In clear weather it’s relatively easy to navigate from where the school is to the vision. However, the great leader knows commitment to that vision is the rope everyone must take hold of if the school remains on course and moves safely through storms. They don’t wait to build commitment. It is something they build while developing the vision statement. Then they constantly check it and mend weak spots before the storm arrives. When a blizzard comes howling in, everyone in the school knows to take hold of the rope of commitment in order to keep the school on track and moving forward.

What are your processes are you using to maintain the rope of commitment in your school?

By Bob Carter
Coaching for Results Global