From Critics to Cheerleaders

THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: CULTURE

From Critics to Cheerleaders: Converting Your Toughest Culture Critics

Every school has them, those staff members who seem resistant to change, are quick to question new initiatives, or are hesitant to embrace a shared vision. Instead of seeing these individuals as obstacles, what if we viewed them as untapped assets? With the right approach, your toughest culture critics can become your biggest cheerleaders.

Decode the Resistance

Before engaging with resistant staff, we need to crack the code of their resistance. Are they vocal skeptics in meetings? Or do they quietly disengage? Identifying patterns of resistance and understanding what's driving their behaviour is key to tailoring your approach.

Action Steps:

• Create a "Resistance Radar" to track objections in meetings and conversations.

• Look for patterns: who's pushing back, when, and why?

Ask Questions That Rock the Boat

Instead of assuming resistance is negativity, ask thoughtful questions:

• What concerns do you have?

• What experiences shape your perspective?

• What would success look like to you? 

• What epic vision are you holding back?

Listening deeply builds trust and opens the door for discussion and collaboration.

Action Steps:

• Schedule one-on-one "Vision Sessions" with your resistant staff to understand their concerns.

• Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper discussion, rather than yes/no responses ("Whoa, no one's ever asked me that before!").

Make Critics the Co-Creators

People resist what they don't help create, so let's get them in on the action! Give these individuals a role in shaping your school's future:

• Invite them to planning committees

• Ask for their feedback

• Empower them with leadership opportunities

When they see their fingerprints on school initiatives, they'll be all in. This is how you turn resistance into ownership.

Action Steps:

• Assign them to lead to leadership roles in projects where they can make an impact.

• Create an advisory group that includes both supporters and skeptics to challenge and refine ideas.

Amplify Influence

Often vocal critics hold sway with their peers. If you can win them over, they can become powerful advocates for change. Highlight their awesomeness, acknowledge their expertise, and celebrate their wins publicly, leveraging their influence for positive change.

Action Steps:

• Start a recognition campaign ("Ruckus Maker of the Week!") to highlight their contributions and shift the narrative.

• Ask them to present successful strategies to colleagues.

Track Your Transformation

Keep your finger on the pulse of this culture shift. Monitor engagement, gather feedback, reflect on shifts in school culture, and celebrate those small wins that signal big changes. Small wins, like a once-resistant teacher championing a new initiative, signal progress. Keep the momentum going by reinforcing positive changes.

Action Steps:

• Create a "Culture Shift Scoreboard" to track progress and engagement.

• Run quick "Pulse Check" sessions to gauge the evolving attitudes and concerns.

Spotlight: Dr. Chris Jones - A Ruckus Maker in Action

Dr. Chris Jones is the Principal of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Massachusetts. Doc is the real deal when it comes to turning resistance into results. With 23 years in education and 16 as an administrator, Chris champions teacher-centered leadership.

Chris’s approach is all about purposeful action, integrity, and character, the exact values that transform critics into champions. Chris has built a strong, collegial school culture by empowering educators and giving them a voice. His book "SEEing to Lead" and his podcast are amplifying voices in education, showing that success is a continuous process.

A finalist for Massachusetts Principal of the Year, Chris has built a strong, collegial school culture by empowering educators. He walks the talk, demonstrating his values through every decision, inspiring trust, and setting a standard others aspire to follow.

Doc Jones is living proof that when YOU get better, everyone wins.

So, who’s that one person in your school you’re going to start engaging differently this week?