Rocking My Boat
Thoughts and Responses to the book: Rocking The Boat by Debra E. Meyerson
Meyerson, D.E. (2008). Rocking the boat: How to effect change without making trouble. Harvard Business. Press.
My Review.
Debra Meyerson researched the successes of individuals in companies. What were the successes? Small changes that made a big difference. These individuals did not seek work stoppages or petitions or angry confrontations. They worked to make a difference that “rocked the boat” in their current situation and used the power of self-confidence, their position in the company and a goal of changing the status quo. These individuals sought to make a meaningful difference while accepting their cultural differences and strengths. This book made me reflect on how I work to rock the boat and ways that I avoid it. I do not need anything other than my convictions and belief that I can make a difference in order to make that difference. When I rock the boat, the waves ripple out and in effect touch others as well. How do I avoid it? I know my colleagues who are difficult to deal with and basically avoid them. I don't want to make trouble. Debra Meyerson encourages me to face those challenges head on and be prepared for push back but continue to strive to effect change.
Debra Meyerson researched the successes of individuals in companies. What were the successes? Small changes that made a big difference. These individuals did not seek work stoppages or petitions or angry confrontations. They worked to make a difference that “rocked the boat” in their current situation and used the power of self-confidence, their position in the company and a goal of changing the status quo. These individuals sought to make a meaningful difference while accepting their cultural differences and strengths. This book made me reflect on how I work to rock the boat and ways that I avoid it. I do not need anything other than my convictions and belief that I can make a difference in order to make that difference. When I rock the boat, the waves ripple out and in effect touch others as well. How do I avoid it? I know my colleagues who are difficult to deal with and basically avoid them. I don't want to make trouble. Debra Meyerson encourages me to face those challenges head on and be prepared for push back but continue to strive to effect change.
My Ways of Being Different.
In looking at the three ways of being different, I believe that the philosophical differences is the one that applies to me. I can understand the other two ways of being different with social identities that set them apart or cultural identities that do not exclude them because I see this in the struggles of my students. I fight for them to see themselves in settings outside their neighborhood and city. Stepping outside their comfort zone would definitely rock their boat. However, my differences are about my philosophies about math and education in general. I try to seek others to help me not feel different and challenge me to keep rocking the boat. I would probably add another way of being different where you don't see yourself as different, but others do and create roadblocks for you. When I made the transition from Catholic education to public school, I was shocked how others perceived my Catholic school experience as being less than public school experience. I did not let that stop me and I think today some of the people who didn't think I had it in me to be successful here in a public school might be surprised.
In looking at the three ways of being different, I believe that the philosophical differences is the one that applies to me. I can understand the other two ways of being different with social identities that set them apart or cultural identities that do not exclude them because I see this in the struggles of my students. I fight for them to see themselves in settings outside their neighborhood and city. Stepping outside their comfort zone would definitely rock their boat. However, my differences are about my philosophies about math and education in general. I try to seek others to help me not feel different and challenge me to keep rocking the boat. I would probably add another way of being different where you don't see yourself as different, but others do and create roadblocks for you. When I made the transition from Catholic education to public school, I was shocked how others perceived my Catholic school experience as being less than public school experience. I did not let that stop me and I think today some of the people who didn't think I had it in me to be successful here in a public school might be surprised.
My Transformation into a Tempered Radical. I see myself somewhere between "broadening the impact through negotiation" and "leveraging small wins." I completely and whole-heartedly embrace the idea of change. I am a life-long learner and seek new knowledge to keep me growing. When I reflect on my own education and my beginnings as a math teacher, I see my own transformation to a student-centered classroom. I am not performing. I am facilitating. I never did group work in math class when I went to school. I don't think I had group work when I started teaching. This is just one aspect of my transformation. Does that make me a radical? Not necessarily. However, while I celebrate the metamorphosis, I realize that others do not share my enthusiasm. Rather than accept the fact that they won't change, I look for ways to draw them into discussion and collaboration where I suggest small changes. I see this as a type of negotiation as well as a small win. When enough of those small changes build up, I am ready to organize collective action. I am aware that change doesn't happen overnight and am prepared to push to move forward as fast as I can without alienating those around me.
The Challenges I Face! As I move forward in my career, I understand the challenges I may face. I do not see ambivalence as an issue for me. Because of my experience in administration, I usually can see both sides of a situation. This is not a challenge for me, but one that I accept because it had made me who I am. I create leverages that take the best of both to move me forward. I construct a new reality where both sides do matter. One danger with seeing both sides is that I can be seen as an agent of administration, rather than an agent of change. When others view me in that way, I see it as a damage to my reputation. I don't want to be a follower. I want to be a leader. While I might acknowledge that challenge, I do not let it stop me from effecting change. I am willing for others to think one way about me. Hopefully, my actions over time will help me gain their respect. Co-option is a now a part of my vocabulary. What is to be gained from not acting out? Nothing. I need to use my position, whatever it is, as a starting point for change. Burnout is a very big issue for me. I seek others who are like minded and so this often means that I am going to meetings outside the regular class day and taking on new assignments. I run the risk of burning out - but see this as a way to energize myself. This energy is extremely important when I face what I perceive to be brick walls.