Module 1

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Introduction

This first module focuses on whether you let your previous experiences, your values and assumptions get in the way of listening genuinely to what others are saying in the PLC meeting. It’s about being more conscious about whether you are open to learning from others, also when others think differently and have other points of view than you. We draw on the literature from Argyris and Schon, and their studies of leadership behavior in order to understand how model 1 and model 2 thinking may prevent us from being open to learning and hinder us from gaining commitment when working with development and improvement. The aim of this module is to understand the difference between model 1 and model 2 thinking and discover whether your own behavior and your contribution to developing a well-functioning PLC is hindered by your own way of communicating.

Reading material English

Reading material German

Individual preparation before the meeting

Read: Thinking tool Model 1 and Model 2

Takes notes: What distinguishes Model 1 from Model 2 thinking

What to practice: The aim is to try to be open to learning by focusing on your own communication strategies in the meeting by developing skills that promote model 2 strategies. What Model 2 skill will you practice in the upcoming PLC meeting? (the skills are presented in the thinking tool). Plan what to rehearse in the meeting by focusing on some of the skills described in the box describing open to learning behavior.

Pre-session (10 minutes)

1. Discuss what distinguishes model 1 from model 2 strategies.
2. Share with each other how will you enact model 2 strategies in the meeting?
3. Choose one observer who will focus on the communication in the meeting, and try to disclose whether model 1 or model 2 strategies is influencing the communication in the PLC meeting?

PLC meeting

Implementation of today’s PLC meeting

Metaperspective on the PLC meeting (after the meeting) (about 15 minutes)

1. Each participant uses 5 minutes to think back on how they managed to practice their skills in the meeting, while the observer tries to sum up and think of some evidence to use to back up the observation. Then the observes present the main communication patterns of the meeting, by giving some examples of model 1 and model 2 strategies, and how this affected the effectiveness of the meeting. The group reflects together on the feedback.
2. The group decides whether to work on the module for one more meeting or not.