Self Organisation

Congratulations. 

So you are a teacher in charge of a class, a principal in charge of a school or similar. Now, forward to the basics!!

The illusion of control
Do you think you are in control? You are not really. In social systems, no one is in control. Each person involved is their own person. Of course, many may well be compliant with your wishes.  Maybe their interests coincide with yours, they are anxious or uncertain, and they want to please you. Or they just don't care enough to do what they really want to do and go through the motions doing the minimum.

• No one is in control (not even you) 

People are self-organising

Whatever happens is a direct result of people being self-organising.  It may appear that you are in control and directing things using the bureaucratic and/or professional authority of your position but it is not that simple.

• Authority may be delegated from above (you act on behalf of the school or school system) but it is also granted, or not granted, from below (the people you work with cooperate or obstruct)

"Attractors" are central to activity

Imagine how far you would get if you had to spell everything out, step-by-step to everyone you work with. Impossible. So how do things get done?

"Attractors" have positive or negative value for those involved and may be understood as desirable goals (tasks), ideas, experiences, toys... or things to be avoided including threats and boredom.

• People self-organise around "attractors"

The conscientious students persist in trying to solve the quadratic equation on the board, the disinterested student quickly gives up and checks his phone under the desk, and the class clown provides distractions for herself and some other classmates, and so the saga goes on.

• Teaching and leading are about reframing "attractors" and scaffolding associated activity