In this blog post, I share 5 strategies to align vision and action in the new year.
Welcome to January, the month where resolutions are fresh, gym memberships spike, and we’re all filled with that New Year energy. But let's be honest – by the time February rolls around, that same energy starts to feel like a distant memory. As leaders, the challenge isn’t just making plans but keeping them alive and breathing as time marches on.
Let’s talk about aligning vision with action – making sure your grand plans don’t end up collecting dust by spring break. Here are five strategies to keep you and your team moving forward.
1. Revisit the Why (And Remind Everyone Constantly)
Before launching into plans and strategies, take a step back and remind yourself (and your team) why you’re doing this. Is it about improving literacy, boosting engagement, or building a stronger school community? When the “why” is front and center, the “how” becomes clearer.
Kick off the new year with time dedicated to revisiting core values and goals. Have your team reflect on what inspires them and connect that to the broader vision. Keep it simple, powerful, and present in your daily communications. The “why” keeps everyone grounded when the “how” feels overwhelming.
2. Translate Big Goals into Daily Action (Small Bites, Not Giant Leaps)
You wouldn’t eat a whole cake in one sitting (well, maybe after parent-teacher conferences). Break your big goals into manageable pieces. If the aim is to improve student engagement, what small daily actions can teachers take? Maybe it’s adding one cooperative learning strategy per day progressing into per lesson or planning 10-minute classroom check-ins.
Daily, small steps lead to big changes. Plus, it’s easier to digest – just like cake slices.
3. Over-Communicate (But Keep It Interesting)
Ever play the game “Telephone”? By the end, the message is unrecognizable. That’s what happens when leaders assume their staff “just knows” what the vision is. Spoiler: They don’t.
Communicate your vision clearly and often. Use newsletters, staff meetings, and even random sticky notes. Make it engaging. A little humor in emails can go a long way. "This week’s focus: Engagement strategies (because bored kids are scary)."
4. Feedback: The Breakfast of Champions
Your vision isn’t set in stone – it’s more like clay. Regular feedback from staff, students, and even parents helps shape it into something that works. Schedule monthly check-ins to assess progress and adjust as needed.
Think of feedback as a free performance review. And hey, who doesn’t love breakfast?
5. Celebrate Small Wins (Confetti Optional, but Encouraged)
Waiting until the end of the year to celebrate is like holding off on dessert until your birthday – why?! Recognize and celebrate the small wins. When a teacher tries a new strategy and sees success, shout it from the rooftops (or at least from the PA system). Acknowledgment boosts morale and keeps the momentum going. Plus, who doesn’t love a spontaneous donut party?
Aligning vision with action isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about consistency, clarity, and celebrating the journey along the way. Lead with intention and watch how your school flourishes in 2025.
Here’s to a year of action, alignment, and maybe a few pieces of that cake I mentioned earlier. You’ve got this!
Are you ready to invest in yourself? I’d love to empower you as your leadership coach! Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with me today!